2020-04-13-minutes-staffing-actions-related-to-covid-19

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04/13/2020 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY 11:00 A.M. APRIL 13, 2020 Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Via Phone: Vice- Chairman Laura Osiadacz and Commissioner Cory Wright. Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Lisa Young, Human Resource Director; Jerry Pettit, Auditor; Paul Sander, Lower District Court Judge; Via Phone: Patti Johnson, Solid Waste Director/Interim Maintenance Director/Project Manager; Mark Cook, Public Works Director; Amy Cziske, Treasurer; Elishia Harvill, Chief Administrator; Diana MacKenzie, Upper District Court Administrator; Jesse Cox, Environmental Health Supervisor; Karen Bowman, Administrative Supervisor; Dan Carlson, CDS Director; Nick Henderson, Coroner; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Clay Myers, Sheriff; and Val Barschaw, Clerk. SPECIAL MEETING PLANNING UPDATE/COVID-19 COMMISSIONERS At 11:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to consider Staffing actions related to COVID-19. Lisa Young, Human Resources Director, explained that on April 15, 2020 some employees will have exhausted their FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave. She asked the Board for direction regarding employees in on-essential positions (those not deemed essential by the Governor’s Order and therefore unable to work or telework) once their Federal leave bank is exhausted, as well as for those who are performing essential work on a part-time basis who may run out of Federal leave before the Order is lifted. There was discussion on the various options along with the pro’s and con’s for each one. Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager, said she had prepared a budget analysis and options for the Board’s consideration including utilizing the Rainy Day fund for payment of salaries through the Governor’s current Order through May 4, 2020. Greg Zempel, Prosecutor felt the time was now to use a portion of the Rainy Day Fund and the County can build it back up in the future. Jerry Pettit, Auditor, spoke in favor of using a portion of the Rainy Day Fund. He noted the County would still be obligated to reimburse unemployment payout for employees who apply if they are laid off and how all departments should begin looking at their budgets and different ways to be creative. Val Barschaw, Clerk questioned what the Board’s priorities of financial versus the County employees health and safety and the Stay at Home order. Amy Cziske, Treasurer,