County Board Meeting Update-July 1, 2008

County Board Meeting Update-July 1, 2008
• Chris Jensen pharmacy contract delayed
• EEOC Complaint Still of concern

At their Board meeting on July 1st the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners voted to table the decision regarding the pharmacy contract at the Chris Jensen Nursing Home (see Blog entries for April 3 and June 2, 2008). Reasons cited for the delay included the absence of Commissioner Nelson, due to illness, and questions other commissioners still had regarding the contract. The decision will be considered at the next meeting scheduled for July 8th in Duluth.

Kathy Heltzer, We are Watching Spokesperson. addressed the Board regarding the recent Committee of the Whole meeting during which time the Board discussed the refusal of the County Administrator to place the County Attorney, Melanie Ford, on the Board agenda. County Attorney Ford had asked to speak to the Board regarding the most recent complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (see Blog entry “Raukar and Fink Harassment Charges” dated June 5, 2008) Administrator Mitchell refused to place County Attorney Ford on the agenda and Commissioners Nelson and Fink supported his decision. As a part of the discussion, Administrator Mitchell indicated that there had been a meeting of the “Ethics Committee” as indicated by the “Code of Conduct” although there were no minutes of this meeting and no record of the content or outcome of the meeting. It was clear that this was the first that the county attorney had heard of such a meeting! This raises obvious concerns regarding the ongoing conduct of some commissioners, especially related to the EEOC complaints and the handling of these complaints prior to their being filed with the EEOC. These were the very issues that prompted the “We are Watching” campaign’s inception in August of 2007.

We are Watching

As we continue to watch the County Commissioners both we and the commissioners benefit.

Openness helps strengthen government.

Re-naming Big Island

I was sorry to hear that at the May 27 County Board meeting in Hibbing the SLC board voted to rename Big Island at Pelican Lake "Big Strand Island" after the person who sold it (I understand it was sold and not donated) to the state. This issue came up several months ago when Commissioners Nelson and Forsberg mentioned that Rep. Rukevina wanted this to happen as he had indicated to Mr. Strand this would happen and he expected commissioners to make sure it would happen. Commissioners asked Bois Forte elders for feedback and they responded by suggesting that if the island name was going to be changed, they would like to see it go back to the original Indian name, Gitchee Miniss. Several commissioners ignored the Bois Forte elders request as well as feedback of members of another family who had connections to the island who spoke against it being named Strand Island. SLC Board went ahead and changed the name to Big Strand Island. It seems to be another slap in the face to our Native American brothers and sisters whose ancestors inhabited this land long before any of us newcomers. The process appears questionable to me. I am pleased that Commissioners Sweeney and O'Neil voted against the change, but unfortunately their votes did not prevail.

Raukar and Fink Harassment Charges

http://www.northernmnnews.com/page2.html

Some of these charges have now become Federal EEOC charges.

The details are important

Of particular relevance to worksite behavior http://northernmnnews.com/Raukar%20Investigation.pdf
Page 8, 15, 17 of the pdf give details the actions that brought about part of the complaint against Raukar.

Reported advances, attempts to glean information about personal interactions with other employees and his attempts to quiet the person who complained.


http://northernmnnews.com/Fink%20Investigation.pdf
The Fink Investigation
EEOC charges have been filed.

Chris Jensen Pharmacy Contract Re-Visited?

At their Committee of the Whole meeting on June 10th the St Louis County Board will decide if the Falk's Pharmacy contract for providing service to the Chris Jensen Nursing Home will be considered by the Board at their subsequent meeting or not. While there seems to be overwhelming evidence that Falk's is no longer the best option for the county, some Board members continue to support them.
Consider the following:

• It is estimated that the county would save $60,000-$100,000 a year by switching to another vendor
• Every other nursing home in Duluth has switched from using Falk's
• The SLC Jail discontinued it's contract with Falk's years ago
• The last Chris Jensen Director and also senior staff have consistently indicated that their facility would be best served by getting a new provider of pharmacy services
• For several years there have been concerns about the number of mistakes made; overall service has not been good

• Falk's has not kept up with the technology that is presently the industry standard

So, why are some commissioners still wanting to stick with Falk's? This is a mystery! Contact YOUR commissioner to let them know of your concern. Come to the Board meeting, see democracy in action!

What's Up With the Pharmacy Contract at Chris Jensen?

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on March 18th, Board members discussed whether to keep the current pharmacy contract with Falk's Pharmacy or go with PharMerica, a company that apparently submitted a bid that could save the county $100,000 a year for better service ! Their new County Administrator, Al Mitchell, strongly supported going with PharMerica, as did three of the seven Board members. This seems like kind of a no-brainer. See video footage of Chris Jensen Administrator, Norma Brendle telling the Board what she thinks.

Very interesting and somewhat of a mystery as to why folks who are usually VERY interesting in saving the county money (remember the famous food and beverage inspection issue-claiming to need to save money by sending this duty back to "state inspectors" who are not exactly "available" the same way that local folks were) now think we should "go local" at significant increased cost! Contact your Commissioner to see what the deal is! This will likely be re-visited in coming months.

County Board Considers "Contracting Out" Management of Chris Jenson Nursing Home

At their Committee of the Whole meeting on April 1st the County Board discussed contracting out the management of the Chris Jenson Nursing Home to Ecumen Services, Inc.

This contract would be at the cost of $300,000 a year ($25,000/month)

Staff from Ecumen indicated that typically 80% of nursing home costs are salaries. They indicated they will take a close look at the present budget and compare what is happening at Chris Jensen with other nursing homes. They will evaluate all areas of Chris Jensen. They will prioritize identifying a leader and also having a good relationship with the county board. When asked about management of other county-run nursing homes they indicated they presently manage homes in Lake County and also in Grand Rapids. (among others) . They will focus on trying to "maximize reimbursements".

This contract will not have any "direct effect" on other current contracts at Chris Jenson (according to County Administrator Mitchell). In the future, however, other contracts might be re-considered to create cost savings. (Mitchell)

The expectation is that the Board will find out how to run Chris Jensen more efficiently. This should include a variety of areas. (Mitchell says we need someone to look at the "long term plan")

Committee of the Whole voted to send this to the Board without recommendation.