The Indianola Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to approve the random drug testing policy submitted by Marvell Labs of Greenwood after it was presented on Monday night.
At its Sept. 26 meeting, the attending members voted 2-1, with Alderman Ruben Wood voting no, to sign a contract with Marvell Labs of Greenwood to manage a random drug testing program for city employees.
At that meeting Mayor Steve Rosenthal said they wanted someone to assist in establishing a policy and a way to take the testing process completely out of the hands of the city so there would be no questions about the fairness of it.
Amanda Hammond, spokesperson and co-owner explained the two sections of the policy, one that applies to public safety employees such as policemen and firemen and a general policy section that applies to all other city workers.
Under the public safety employees’ policy component, the employee would receive treatment the first time they tested positive for THC. A second positive result for THC would then result in dismissal. However, any other drug or substance that was not acknowledged prior to testing would provide for automatic dismissal and the employee would be “Barred from future employment in law enforcement in the city of Indianola,” she said. THC is scientifically known as tetrahydrocannabinol and it is the active chemical found in marijuana.
For non-safety employees, they would be offered treatment for a first time positive, and would be subject to testing once they returned to work, but a second positive would result in them being barred from employment. Wood asked if misuse of prescription drugs would garner the same results, she said it would unless they were taking prescription medication and had already informed their supervisor of the possible side effects.
The employee will also be provided with a medication list to indicate any drugs they’ve taken in the past 30 days, so the medical review officer will be aware. The medical review officer for the public safety employees will be Chief Hall and the city clerk or human resource person is usually the resource officer for the non-safety employees, Hammond said. All “positive” results will be sent to an independent agent of Marvell Labs’ choosing that would not be a part of the local geographic area to further insure fairness and privacy.
The implementation procedures include every employee having to sign a consent form verifying that they have been made aware of the policy and that testing will be done. In addition, they must be given a 30-day notice before testing begins.
Alderman Carver Randle Jr., who works in law enforcement and is familiar with similar policies, had several questions, including ones about “levels of impairment” and how long the company has been in business. Hammond said they started the company in July of 2016 but she has been doing this type of work for 15 years. Wood also had several questions, as did Alderman Dana Myrick.
The question also arose regarding elected officials being included in the policy and Myrick asked if so, how it would it be implemented. The aldermen agreed that it should apply, but tabled the vote in order to seek an Attorney General’s opinion.
In other business,
They voted 4-1, with Myrick voting no, to accept a reverse auction bid of $261,450 submitted by Covington Equipment from Vaughn Blaylock of Southern Procurement for a new street sweeper. The bid was not the lowest but Blaylock explained that the equipment Covington presented offered the best possible use and value for the city. Two other companies, Ingram Equipment and Sampson Equipment also submitted bids.
The board approved the purchase of 4 new police Tahoe patrol units, new police radios to help curtail unwanted traffic on their frequencies, a new Code of Conduct for accreditation purposes and the donation of a drug dog for city use. One of the current police officers is a certified K-9 handler and has his own dog. The city will provide food for the animal and beginning next year, they will provide the required continuing certifications.
They voted 4-1, with Alderman Larry Brown voting no, to allow use of a bullhorn by the concerned citizens group on Oct. 28, 30 and 31.
The board approved presented departmental reports.
Aldermen voted to allow Save the Children Headstart to hold a parade.
The board also voted to adjudicate several properties for tree removal and one for demolition and grass cutting.
