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The sheriff's department chaplain program was a highlight of last week's approximately 90 minute County Board meeting. Two of the three participating chaplains attended the Board session accompanied by program coordinator Deputy Mary McCarthy and Sheriff Todd Rivard.

The sheriff's chaplains are all area residents; Chris Belfield, Lee Beecher and Gene Friberg. The pastors are on pagers and share crisis support call-outs on availability basis. Deputy McCarthy mentioned that the program started about one year ago, and there have been more chaplain situations arising in the first part of 2007 than in all of 2006.

Belfield told the county commissioners that the program is non-denominational and that chaplains "are there for everybody." He said the program is beneficial because it allows for the chaplain to remain with a family or individual who has received traumatic news, until a personal minister or other comfort-giver can arrive. All the local chaplains are pastors. Belfield said he is also employed by Ramsey County Corrections.

The county commissioners then adopted a proclamation for the upcoming "Law Enforcement Week" May 13-19 and honoring Peace Officers' Memorial Day May 15.

The commissioners also heard a legislative update from Health and Human Services Director Mary Sheehan and finance division staff member Nancy Dahlin.

The state is proposing changes in certain human service and public health funding mechanisms and the Mental Health program delivery area in particular is being re-structured. Sheehan said in about four weeks she'll be back with the details on state legislation as it gets finalized in conference committees.

A Health and Human Services employee, Sherry Lundquist, was also mentioned by Sheehan for her recent statewide recognition.

Lundquist received an "award of valor" at the Minnesota Dietetic Association conference for her contributions to the field.

Cellular communications

A discussion about a letter from a consulting electronic engineering firm resulted in no action by the commissioners-- but clarified direction for staff on developing restrictions for cell tower placements.

Owl Engineering offered to review current ordinances and make recommendations on amendments, but the Board agreed this is not what the commissioners seek.

Commissioner Schultz made a motion (for discussion purposes only) to accept the Owl offer-- which she later withdrew when it was apparent after discussion this approach wasn't desired.

Schultz explained that the Board's January 2007 motion on cell towers sought to direct staff to get expert advice on future tower locations and review how cell phone systems can be made adequate using pre-known tower sites.

Commissioner Bob Gustafson added, "I'm getting tired of these monsters (towers) being put in all over the county. I think the county planner should be able to look at what we've already drafted and report back so we can get an ordinance (adopted)."

Commissioner Ben Montzka noted the public too needs to hear this discussion on tower policy; for example, will the Board promote lots of smaller tower sites or identify better locations for the massive tower structures. Will policy call for "stealth" measures like hiding towers in silos or with camoflauge?

County Administrator John Moosey said he understood the clarified direction and will work with staff on ordinance language preparation but warned any actual communications systems analysis proposals will be "pricey."

On the county employee e-mail policy the county information systems director Jon Eckel will work with county attorney staff on wording of e-mail use rules and report back. "Progressive discipline" or warnings need to be included, among other language that's acceptable to union groups.

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