Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Executive Committee met March 1.

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 pm)

Members Present:      Endres, Erbes, J.S. Rendleman and Peterson

Members Absent:       Hunter, Larkin and Nehring

Also Present: Michelle Tweedy, Sharon Harris-Johnson, Mary Beth Varner, Vicki Dagner, Sarah Patrick, Larry Reinhardt, Roy Oellermann, Dynelle Gromelski, Michele Maher, Julia White, Matt Whalen, Nick Stokovich

Approval of Minutes

I. 18-3177      February 1, 2018 Minutes

                      A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Endres, to approve the February 1, 2018 minutes

                      as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chairman's Remarks

II. 18-3188      Fraud Protection Presentation

                       Harris-Johnson gave a brief overview of the recent fraud related to the county and introduced

                       representatives from the bank. Varner gave out scans of the checks. Maher began by

                       informing the committee what to look for when determining if a check is fraudulent. She then

                       went on to talk about the positive pay and fraud filter services offered by the bank and

                       encouraged the county to participate in these programs. White explained that the service costs

                       $20 a month per account, the county has four accounts at this bank, but the bank is going to

                       provide the service for free to the county for six months. This will allow the county to see the

                       benefits of the program before purchasing. Rendleman inquired who bares the responsibility

                       for the fraud. Maher said it is a grey area with business accounts. White said that in this

                       instance the bank refunded the money to the county and is pursuing getting the funds

                       back. Harris-Johnson stated that she believes the positive pay and fraud filter are worth the

                        cost. Rendleman thanked Harris-Johnson and Varner for their attention to this matter.

                        Internal Office Matters

III. 18-3178      Compensatory Time Policy

                        This item will remain on the agenda.

IV. 18-3179      Employee Evaluations

                        All employees have completed their self evaluations. Endres and Hunter will be meeting to go

                        over them.

V. 18-3180      Graduate Assistant Extension

                       The committee reviewed and discussed a memo regarding the work the Graduate Assistant has

                        done and possible work for the future.

                        A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to authorize a supplemental

                        appropriation, not to exceed $13,474, to extend the contract of the Graduate Assistant until

                        December 2018. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Computing Services

VI. 18-3181      New Domain Status

                         Barringer began by outlining the scope of the work that he and his staff have completed. He

                         went on to explain that email went down but only for a brief time and he believes there was

                         only minimal loss. He began the week by getting key staff up and going and the process is

                         moving along. There are still some things that are being worked on but he estimates that

                         everything will be back up and functioning by Friday afternoon. Rendleman inquired about the

                         timing stating that when it was proposed these changes were going to take place over a

                         weekend not during the week. Barringer responded that the plan was to do it over the

                         weekend and about 85% of the work was done over the weekend but there were some

                         unanticipated issues. He then informed the committee that it took extra time and he will be

                         approaching the Finance & Administration committee to request additional comp time

                         funding. Patrick voiced her concern over the fact that notice was not given regarding the

                        changes and the possibility of the system being down. She is also concerned about the change

                         in email addresses. Barringer stated that everyone will have two email addresses and that the

                         old email addresses will continue to work. Tweedy gave an example of the issue with the email

                         addresses, Dagner agreed and said she is not receiving FOIA information and that the State's

                          Attorney's Office can not email to the Ambulance Service. Rendleman asked everyone who is

                         still having issues to make a list and submit it to Barringer. Rendleman asked if things were

                         getting better, Barringer reported that they are.

Appointments

VII. 18-3182      Interim Ambulance Service Director

                         The committee discussed the appointment of an Interim Ambulance Director. Peterson had

                         several questions for the committee to consider: How will the salary work? Are there any long

                          term reports or grants that will be affected by the change in leadership? What will the

                         transition look like? Peterson went on to say that she feels that board members voted without

                         having all the information, many of them may not be aware of all of the good that Misener has

                         done. She then explained how things used to work when there was a separate Ambulance

                         Committee. Endres asked if formal notice has been given to Misener. Rendleman replied that

                         is has not and there has not been a formal posting of the position. He also reminded the

                         committee that Misener will be taking an Assistant Director position at the Ambulance Service

                         and the expectation is that it will be a smooth transition.

VIII.18-3183      Reappointment of Public Building Commission members in accordance with Resolution 2018 

                          -39 No action was needed.

IX. 18-3184      Open Appointments in March 2018 {10}

                         1. ETSB 911 (2)

                         2. Jackson County Housing Authority (2)*

                         3. Oraville Water District (1)*

                         4. Public Building Commission (2)

                         Rendleman indicated that he will be asking the Board to appoint Endres and Edmond to the

                         Jackson County Housing Authority Board and Bate to the Oraville Water Board.

Old Business

X. 18-3185      Resolution to include 125 Plan as IMRF earnings

                       The committee briefly discussed this and decided to ask department heads to speak with their

                        employees and find out if they are interested in making the 125 Plan mandatory. The

                        committee also asked Tweedy to provide numbers on how much this change will cost the

                        county. This item will remain on the agenda.

XI. 18-3186      Ambulance Service Sexual Harassment Investigation & Approval of Council

                        Rendleman informed the committee that he received a letter stating that there is still

                        harrassment and discrimination going on at the Ambulance Service. Legal is doing a full

                        investigation if anyone has information that is helpful they should forward it to Dan Brenner in

                        the State's Attorney's Office. Rebecca Whittington has been selected by the State's Attorney's

                        Office to handle the investigation.

                       A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Endres, to authorize the engagement, with Jackson

                       County Ambulance Service funds, to investigation allegations and ratify Rebecca Wittington as

                       special counsel. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

New Business

XII. 18-3187      Electronic Participation at Meetings

                          This item will stay on the agenda so more members of the committee can be present for the

                          discussion.

Executive Session

XIII. 18-3189      Executive Session under 2 (c) 2 to discuss collective bargaining matters

                          A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to approve entering into Executive

                          Session under 2 (c) 2 to discuss collective bargaining matters. The motion carried by the

                          following vote:

                          Yes: 4 - Endres, Erbes, J.S. Rendleman and Peterson

                          Absent: 3 - Hunter, Larkin and Nehring

Adjourn

Peterson moved and Erbes seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

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