Ongoing issues and questions about the veterinary bills at the Hough-Dement Animal Shelter have resulted in a list of procedural changes that Mayor Steve Rosenthal presented to the board of aldermen during Monday night’s session.
Rosenthal explained that subsequent to their last meeting, he held a departmental meeting with the animal shelter crew to address some issues, which included afterhours use of departmental vehicles and announced he was implementing some modifications.
The revealed adjustments included installing GPS units on the two trucks used by the shelter employees, changing the work schedule, purchasing a new computer to make sure the previously purchased software finally gets used properly and implementing a new fee schedule once that is done.
Alderman Marvin Elder called into question the wording in one of the items that was apparently on the mayor’s list of remedies for the shelter and that raised another issue. Elder read a statement that said, “Personal cell phone use will be prohibited during work hours.” He asked if it was across the board or just for the shelter department.
Rosenthal responded, “Theoretically, public works has the same program, we utilize the same program in city hall, so again, it goes by department head.” Rosenthal said that although cell phones are used to carryout some day to day communications at public works, there are some limits.
With regard to the animal shelter, Elder then asked, “Why would you put that restriction on them, and we got folks right over there in the city hall using their cell phones all day long?”
Rosenthal told him if he sees that, he should bring it to his attention. “Well, I’m making you aware of it,” said Elder. The alderman claims that city employees are using their phones while on duty in the court, “And everywhere else, I’m just bringing that to your attention,” he said.
During the discussion, Rosenthal said he was for the restriction for all departments. He and Elder agreed that it was disrespectful for a citizen to approach a worker for assistance and that person be engaged in a personal cell phone call. However, Elder said he was not for prohibiting adults from personal cell phone use during business hours.
He said, “If you’re not waiting on a client or customer, I don’t see the harm in a person having their cell phone on the job.” Rosenthal contends that he was not saying that an employee could not have their cell phone, but not during working hours and he maintains that some times such as breaks and lunch hours were not considered “working hours.”
Elder said his issue was with the way the statement was worded. Rosenthal said he would change the wording, but stipulated that he feels that a stationary employee’s use of their personal device should be limited because if they need to be contacted by family they could be reached on their desk/station unit.
Rosenthal said he did not intend for the policy to only apply to the shelter employees. “Although I have had numerous, numerous, numerous, complaints about them,” he said. He also acknowledged many complaints about city employees riding down the road on their cell phones in city vehicles.
Elder said, “As long as they utilize it in a positive manner without doing things they shouldn’t be ethically doing on the job. To tell an adult that he/she can’t have their phone on their job that’s stepping over that line.”
Rosenthal replied, “They’re on our time, they’re working on our clock. That’s the way I see it, but I will analyze what you’re saying and change the words around.”
Elder’s other concern was that the computer software that was reportedly purchased earlier in the year was not installed and being used. Rosenthal explained that they are getting the new computer because the software was installed on a 5-year-old computer and the worker responsible for getting the training and training others has not completed what they need to do because they claim the software will not work on the existing hardware.
Rosenthal said he will have a recommendation regarding the situation at the next meeting, but he was trying to give the person a second chance. However, he agreed with Elder that it is time to move on. The purpose of the software is to enable better records keeping at the shelter.
Alderman Sam Brock questioned why shelter vehicles were still being taken home since it was already established that the vehicles were to be taken home in an emergency situation only. “Some folks be riding around in them,” Brock said.
He also questioned the difference in the schedule of one employee over the others and Rosenthal explained that it was to have a presence during the early morning hours before 8 a.m., when dogs are allowed to roam the streets causing problems.
Rosenthal’s report also spelled out the financial and physical contributions made by the Sunflower County Humane Society to supplement the shelter. So far in 2018, the total infused dollar amount is $18,586 and in 2017 they contributed nearly $20,000. Rosenthal also gave detailed information on how those monies were spent.
Included in the report was a breakdown of the costs on the September and October invoices that were called into question from the previous meeting. Rosenthal said the Humane Society paid about 40 percent of the $3,300 total to make sure the animals are treated humanely.
Elder called for clarification on several items contained in Rosenthal’s report and asked for a recurring report that specifies how much the Humane Society is contributing regularly.
