05-16-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--May 16, 1997 1621 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 16, 1997 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Alon Wieland called the special meeting to order at 2:00 PM with four members present as follows: Donna Schneider, Paul Koenig, John Meyer and Alon Wieland. Roberta Quick was absent. The meeting was called by the chairman to discuss policy issues with the various county departments involved in the recent flood-fighting efforts. He asked for reports from Disaster Emergency Services, Road Department and Social Services. Mr. Wieland reported on a flood-related meeting in Grand Forks, ND on the date of May 12, 1997, called by North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer. SOCIAL SERVICES Kathy Hogan, Social Services Director, said the community response committee continues to grow and evolve as needs change. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives have been very cooperative, according to Ms. Hogan, and she said County Social Services staff have worked a total of 1,688 hours relating to the flood. Concerning possible salary reimbursement for flood work, Mr. Ellingsberg said salaries eligible for reimbursement from FEMA would be overtime hours expended for emergency protective measures and for safety of property. He will assist Ms. Hogan in completing and submitting the reimbursement form. Concerning flood-related contributions, Ms. Hogan said storage space is badly needed. She said the Salvation Army was originally designated as the primary coordination and distribution point, and they are averaging 250-300 people per day through their distribution site. Mr. Koenig said the goods need to get into the hands of those who need them, and people need to be made aware that items are available. Assistance has been requested in Grand Forks, ND in their Family Service Unit, and Ms. Hogan indicated she has 20 staff members who are willing to work in Grand Forks 1-2 days per week for the next three weeks. Mr. Meyer said he would have no objection if it doesn't interfere with their own work load and would not cost overtime salaries in Cass County. Ms. Hogan said the staff that would be providing the assistance are professional-level employees who are not paid overtime. MOTION, passed Mr. Koenig moved and Mm. Schneider seconded that Social Services staff of Cass County be allowed the opportunity to donate time in Grand Forks, ND or East Grand Forks, MN, subject to their regular work load being sustained and with supervisor approval for the most efficient use of time. Motion carried unanimously. Steve Pratt and Heather Bachman, FEMA Community Relations, were present. Mr. Pratt said six people are being hired locally on Monday to conduct a house-to-house survey in the rural communities and subdivisions of the county. This will be an intense two-week process and they will share the information they gather with county and city officials.