2/3/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r FEB _ 3 1992 GOOK O8 P.+�F 76� Attorney Collins advised that he wished to make a concluding statement and then Mr. Hallquist could make his final statement before the Board deliberates on this appeal. Attorney Collins stated that the position of the County is that the termination of the employee was proper in that Mrs. Callahan, after meeting with Mr. Hallquist and all the other lifeguards, concluded that there was unlawful conduct -- the smoking of marijuana on or off the job -- which was tending to affect Mr. Hallquist's relationship to the job, his fellow employees and the community. Based on Mrs. Callahan's concluding that, which is a dischargeable offense under our personnel rules, he was terminated. He made an appeal to Administrator Chandler and during those appeal hearings, Administrator Chandler heard the same admissions the Board heard today, that Mr. Hallquist had smoked marijuana on New Year's Eve and last summer. Based on those admissions and finding there had been unlawful conduct off the job as recently as last summer and that such conduct was tending to affect his relationship with his job which involves public safety, it was Administrator Chandler's determination that the discharge was correct and he upheld the termination. Mr. Hallquist's appeal is now before the Board. In conclusion, Mr. Hallquist stated that he deeply regrets that he found himself in the presence of illegal activity and still holds that he did nothing that would hinder him from doing his job properly. He again requested that he be considered under the firefighters policy and have drug tests. Mr. Hallquist pointed out that although he offered, at no time did the County request a drug test. After he got the letter that said he was a drug addict and immoral, he went and took the drug test. Chairman Bird understood that Mr. Hallquist receives an annual salary of $26,200, and Mr. Hallquist said that he has 9-3/4 years in and has only 3 months to go to be vested for retirement. He couldn't understand why all this could come down on him at this time, and it seemed unfair to him. Chairman Bird announced that while the Board deliberates this appeal, there will be a 10 -minute break during which the Board members are not to talk about this. After the break, Chairman Bird asked Attorney Vitunac to explain what latitude the Board has in this matter. Attorney Vitunac advised that to uphold the County Administrator's determination on the termination of the employee, the Board has to make a finding of fact that there was enough evidence for Administrator Chandler's decision to have been correct under our local ordinance: In that regard, the Board would go along the lines of the questions that Attorney Collins asked of MKI