May 15, 2018, 8:30 a.m. Pursuant to notice, the Murray County Board of Commissioners convened with the following members present: Commissioners Kluis, Gunnink, Jens, Magnus and Thiner. Also present Aurora Heard and Travis Smith.
MSP to approve the agenda as modified.
MSP and carried that all claims as presented were approved for payment. The Chairman was authorized to sign the Audit List dated 5-15-2018 with fund totals as follows and warrants numbered: 155842 – 155927, EFT 56656.
MSP to approve the ditch contractor bills for County Ditch No. 11 totaling $686.00.
Open Forum/Public Comment – No members of the public were present.
MSP to approve and authorize the Chairman sign the gambling permit for Garvin Fire Department.
MSP to approve the Commissioner Vouchers for the period of April 22, 2018 to May 5, 2018.
MSP to approve closing a portion of the meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13.D.05, subdivision 3(b), to communicate regarding a matter that is protected by the attorney-client privilege to receive advice regarding a hostile work environment harassment issue. The subject to be discussed is privileged. The County’s employment counsel, Laurel Pugh, is present to discuss the matter with the Board.
MSP to come out of closed session.
The following statement was read:
In March, the Board asked the County’s labor attorney, Laurel Pugh, to retain the services of an independent investigator to investigate workplace concerns regarding Sheriff Steve Telkamp.
Independent Investigator Michelle Soldo was retained to conduct the independent investigation.
The Board does not have authority to terminate the employment of publicly elected officials.
However, the Board takes concerns of workplace harassment and retaliation seriously and must do everything it can to see that employees are able to work in a civil and respectful workplace.
Because the Sheriff is an elected official, this meeting does not operate in the same way as with an employee. The Sheriff has received multiple notices of the investigation and an opportunity to participate and has not done so.
I, and the other Board members, have read the investigator’s report. We have had sufficient time to review the report and consult with our labor attorney about the findings.
The independent investigator’s report speaks for itself. In sum, it contains deeply troubling findings about Sheriff Telkamp’s conduct in the workplace with respect to a number of employees, which QUOTE “does not depict an isolated event, but reflect a continuing pattern of aggressive, defiant, disrespectful, abusive and threatening behavior that adversely impacts the work environment.” END QUOTE.
Due to the independent investigator’s concerns about the Sheriff retaliating against the multiple individuals who participated in the investigation, the report focuses on the Sheriff’s conduct in video footage, as that footage does not single out any one person for retaliation.
Based on the information in the independent investigator’s report, and in the interest of protecting County employees and the public, Commissioner Thiner moved, seconded by Commissioner Magnus and passed to approve that the Board call for Sheriff Telkamp’s immediate resignation, and that if he resigns, he would be paid and receive benefits through the end of his current term. All members voted in favor.
Meanwhile, the Personnel Committee will be implementing and employing operational measures to protect employees against retaliation. The Sheriff’s position is the only position that will have changes associated with it as a result of this investigation. All other positions remain unchanged.
To that end, the Board plans to discuss and vote on the retention of an operational director for the Sheriff’s Department. If approved, this person would be the point of contact on all personnel and operational matters in the Sheriff’s Department, including the oversight of dispatch operations.
The Board reassures our great County employees that we appreciate their willingness to come forward and share their concerns so that everyone may work in a safe and respectful environment.
Commissioner Kluis moved, seconded by Thiner and passed to approve that the Board Chair be authorized to sign a contract with Municipal Solutions and for the Personnel Committee to work with the labor attorney to recommend a candidate to the Board. All voted in favor.
Commissioner Jens moved, seconded by Gunnink and passed to approve that arrangements be made to provide for 24/7 security coverage at the Sheriff’s Department for as long as necessary. All voted in favor.
This will conclude our discussion of this matter. We will not be taking questions. The report should answer questions the public or press may have on this matter.
MSP to approve hiring the following seasonal employees: Nicholas Demuth, Seasonal Museum Assistant; Linda Wessels, Seasonal Museum Assistant; Samantha Cote, Seasonal Recycling Center Worker.
MSP to approve and authorize Coordinator Heard sign the Preferred One Summary Plan Description amendments.
MSP to approve a taste testing by Brau Brothers at the 4-H building at the next fair board meeting on May 24, 2018.
MSP to approve updating Policy 508, Prescription Safety Glasses and Department Safety Apparel.
MSP to approve Policy #301, Employment processing.
Chairman Jens called the Public Hearing to Order for JD 8
James Jens, Board Chair conducted the Welcome and Introductions
Auditor-Treasurer Heidi Winter, reviewed the notices given pursuant to M.S. § 103E.555 –
Bill Helget gave the engineers report on construction
Public Comment – No members of the public were present.
The public hearing was closed
MSP to approve the following regarding JD 8: That notice of the Hearing had been given properly pursuant to M.S. § 103E.555; That the contract price, the amount paid on the contract and the unpaid balance were consistent with the contract and various statutes and regulations relative to county ditch construction; That the work performed under the contract was completed consistent with the contract; That the unpaid balance of the construction contract shall be paid by the County Auditor, upon receipt of Form IC-134 from the Contractor; That the Board intends to reimburse the Judicial Ditch #8 Improvement fund with future bond proceeds.
The JD 8 public hearing was closed.
MSP to approve ditch inspection report for County Ditches No. 20, 22, 43B, 43M(2), 57, 65(3) and Judicial Ditches No. 20, 26.
MSP to approve Policy #303, Hours of Work.
MSP to approve disbursing funds from the Murray County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (#880), for a loan in the amount of $122,000 at 4% interest for 10 years, to Painted Prairie Vineyard for construction of a new production area and tasting room.
MSP to authorize the Board Chair sign a request for a one time exception allowing the county to transfer funds out of the State of Minnesota investment fund (MIF) revolving loan fund to be used to make grants to new and existing child care providers.
MSP to approve purchasing a 2016 72” ditching bucket in the amount of $3,500.
MSP to approve setting a public hearing for the revised parks ordinances on June 5, 2018 at 10:15 a.m. with a penalty provision of a petty misdemeanor of a fine up to $300.00. Notice will be posted in the Wheel Herald on May 21st and 28th and in the Murray County News May 23rd and May 30th.
MSP to approve Parks Director Hoffman obtain quotes for an 1.5 inch overlay at Marsh’s landing park road.
MSP to approve the 7 mile Park restoration project with the Parks Director approving the project as long as it is approved by the DNR, Heron Lake Watershed is informed and volunteer liability waiver forms are completed and the Parks Director will apply for the permits and the finances are in place prior to the project starting.
MSP to approve accepting a grant in the amount of $15,000 from the Schmidt Foundation to repaint the round barn to cover the cost of labor.
The meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST: Aurora Heard,
County Coordinator
A complete copy of these proceedings will be posted for 1 month at the Murray
County Government Center, Slayton, MN. And is also available at
www.murraycountymn.com. www.murraycountymn.com.
