GRAND FORKS COUNTY SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING March 20, 2020 – 10:30am Topic: COVID-19 The Board met pursuant to adjournment with Commissioners Knauf, Pic, Falck, Rost and Engen present.

GRAND FORKS COUNTY SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
March 20, 2020 – 10:30am
Topic: COVID-19
The Board met pursuant to adjournment with Commissioners Knauf, Pic, Falck, Rost and Engen present. Commissioner Pic and Falck participated by telephone.
Chair Knauf explained the purpose of the meeting and asked that questions be held until we have received all information before any decisions are made.
Tom Ford, Director of Administration and Michele Thiel, Human Resource Director, addressed the board regarding the plan developed by the COVID-19 Team with Department Head input.
Sara Stolt, ND Department of Human Services Chief Operating Officer, stated there are two entities, NE Human Services and Grand Forks County Human Service Zone that are housed in the Grand Forks County Office Building, which would be affected by the closure of the building. They have federal obligations that require them to provide key services. The Grand Forks County Human Service Zone employees would not be eligible to receive administrative leave pay at this time.
Randy Slavens, NE Human Services Director, requested that NE Human Service Center employees be allowed to work in the building with a reduced staff and clients to provide essential services. They will conduct screenings of all individuals that enter the building. They also requested that a Sheriff‘s Deputy be present the first couple of days they are screening on the first floor.
NE Central Judicial District Presiding Judge Don Hager said he has been working with State’s Attorney Wamstad, Sheriff Schneider and Bret Burkholder, Correctional Center Administrator in anticipation the Courthouse will be closed to the public. It cannot be totally closed because some functions have to be handled. They are proposing only handling the absolute necessary cases that are due to constitutional rights and public safety. The public must be allowed into the Courthouse by law in certain situations. Juvenile Court would like to stay in the County Office Building.
Bridgie Hansen, Juvenile Detention Administrator, said yesterday after 5:30pm she received an email from the Department of Corrections that Governor Burgum issued an executive order to close the Youth Correctional Center from all new admissions and he recommended juvenile detention centers across the state do the same until April 6th.
Sheriff Schneider said they have adjusted their schedule so there will be a Security Deputy in the County Office Building as much as possible.
Commissioner Falck said we are concerned with the safety of our employees and we have to slow the spread of this virus because if we don’t our health system is going to become overwhelmed nationwide. He feels this should be their paramount concern.
Scot Hoeper, Grand Forks County Human Service Zone Director, said they will have 15 to 20 employees working in the County Office Building and all other employees will be working from home. They would limit the number and screen the public coming in the building.
Moved by Pic, seconded by Rost, to delay a complete closure, a complete closure as defined that the building is closed to public and employees, excluding department heads and key personnel who perform essential functions, until March 30th. Allow NEHS and Grand Forks County Human Service Zone employees to meet their clients at East door and screen, and escort clients through building. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Engen, seconded by Rost, to direct department heads to immediately begin transitioning employees to work remotely. Motion carried with Knauf, Pic, Rost and Engen voting aye and Falck voting nay.
Moved by Rost, seconded by Pic, to convene the Board of Commissioners to meet on March 27, 2020 at 10:30am to reassess county operations. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Pic, seconded by Rost, to accept Human Resources’ pay recommendations for paid administrative leave through April 1st. Motion carried unanimously. See attached recommendations.
Moved by Engen, seconded by Falck, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:49am.
/s/ Diane K. Knauf
Diane K. Knauf, Chair
Grand Forks County Commission
/s/ Debbie Nelson
Debbie Nelson, County Auditor
(April 11, 2020)