The Peoria County Board of Health met Aug. 15 to introduce new members.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Harant Dr. Trachtenbarg
Dr. Na’Allah Ms. Simpson
Ms. Groves-Allison Ms. Sullivan
Dr. Anderson Dr. Armmer
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rev. Duren Ms. Williams
Dr. Hippler Mr. Baker
STAFF PRESENT: Gene Huber, Public Health Administrator
Melissa Hall Adamson, Director of Community Health Policy &
Planning/Assistant Administrator
Wil Hayes, Director of Environmental Health
Dr. Susan Bishop, Director of Dental
Jean Bellisario, Director of Infectious Disease
Monica Hendrickson, Epidemiologist
Emily Connors, Director of Human Resources
Brian Gulley, Director of Finance
Dave Schwindenhammer, Building Superintendent
OTHERS PRESENT: Elliott Murray, League of Women Voters
Item 1 – Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm by Ms. Harant, who stated that non-action items
under President’s Comments would be discussed followed by Strategic Planning until a
quorum was present.
Item 2 – Pledge of Allegiance
Dr. Trachtenbarg entered the meeting at 5:36 pm; a quorum was then present.
Item 3 – Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
Dr. Na’Allah entered the meeting at 5:37 pm.
Item 4 – President’s Comments
Ms. Harant introduced new Board of Health member, Dr. Francesca Armmer. Dr. Armmer stated
that she has been with Bradley University since 1990 and she has interest in and has done
research on access to care and vulnerable populations; she is in the nursing department at
Bradley. She stated that she is excited to be on the Board. Board members and staff then
introduced themselves to Dr. Armmer.
In the next item of business, Ms. Harant stated that a Nominating Committee needs to be formed
to present a slate of officers to the Board for 2017. Ms. Harant asked Ms. Simpson, Ms. Williams,
and Dr. Trachtenbarg to serve on the Nominating Committee. Ms. Grubb will coordinate with the
Committee to accomplish its task.
Peoria County Board of Health
Minutes of August 15, 2016 Meeting
In the next item of business, Ms. Harant stated that a chart reflecting Board member attendance
was included in the agenda packet. She stated that it is good for all members to keep track of
their attendance. She added that as we enter the latter part of the year, the Board needs to focus
as best it can on having all members at the meetings. Ms. Harant stated that Ms. Grubb sent an
email to the Board members regarding the remaining meetings for the year; if a member knows
now that they cannot attend, they need to let Ms. Grubb know rather than waiting until the day
of the meeting.
In the next item of business, Ms. Harant stated that the Bylaws were included in the packet;
however, she does not see anything that needs changed. Board members present did not indicate
any needed changes; therefore, Ms. Harant asked that the record show the Bylaws were reviewed
and no changes needed at this time.
In the next item of business, Ms. Harant stated that the Board authorized sending two Board of
Health members and Ms. Huber to the annual conference of the National Association of Local
Boards of Health (NALBOH). Ms. Harant stated that she thought the conference was top notch
and on target with things the Board has been focusing on. Ms. Simpson stated that she attended
breakout sessions on topics ranging from mumps in Champaign to HIV in Indiana, as well as the
health gap. She stated that she learned a great deal regarding what the Boards of Health across
the country are doing and how they are evolving. Ms. Huber stated that she also thought it was
an excellent conference with a lot of great information; she heard many of the same buzz words
that are being heard around the table with the Board. She added that it was beneficial to talk to
and see presentations from other Boards of Health regarding how they are addressing issues.
There was a session regarding how the Flint water crisis unfolded and the missed opportunities
in that situation. Ms. Harant added that she also learned a lot, including that some other states
do not have a local public health grant. She stated that information was also shared regarding
how to develop policy statements and how other areas are working with public officials to try to
solve problems. A major focus was on getting public health to think about the underlying social
determinants of health. Ms. Harant then read a statement regarding violence in Peoria and the
underlying social determinants and her belief that the Health Department must take on a
leadership role to look at violence and its underlying social, economic, and environmental causal
factors. She asked for support from the Board to reach out to begin the process of community
conversations as public health has a role in this. Ms. Sullivan stated it would be interesting to
bring people together and find out what everyone is doing to address this issue; she agreed there
is a public heath role. There was much discussion regarding how to proceed and also looking
into what has worked in other communities. Ms. Adamson stated that activities are happening in
the community with cross-sector relationships; tapping into some of those things may be a good
idea. Ms. Harant will continue to talk with staff and Board members regarding how to move
forward.
Item 5 – Strategic Planning
Ms. Huber stated that the Strategic Planning Committee has started with two of the focus areas
– financial sustainability and workforce. Defining financial sustainability followed by how to
determine what is needed and how to measure it are being looked at. Regarding the workforce,
retention, training, and morale are being looked at. The Director of Human Resources is talking
to staff regarding feeling overwhelmed to find out what is generating the responses in the Climate
Survey. There was discussion regarding the pay for certain positions being lower here than at
other comparably sized health departments. Ms. Huber stated that Ms. Connors is compiling
salary information for Public Health Nurses and Sanitarians. It was suggested that the turnover
at the comparable health departments be reviewed as well.
Item 6 – Consent Agenda Items
A motion was made by Dr. Trachtenbarg to approve the consent agenda items. Motion was
seconded by Ms. Simpson. Motion carried (8, 0).
Item 7 – Budget Committee Report
In the first item of business, Ms. Huber state that reconfiguring and moving offices is being
looked at. In the current Environmental Health area, it is very crowded for staff and there is only
one entrance/exit to the area. Space downstairs that is currently vacant is being looked at to
house Environmental Health. This area would address both space and safety issues. The
proposed layout was distributed to the Board members; Mr. Schwindenhammer reviewed the
proposed plan and the work involved. In response to a question, Mr. Hayes stated that staff is
being given an opportunity to provide input. Mr. Schwindenhammer reviewed the proposed plans
for the current Environmental Health area, which include creating a kitchen area, creating
handicapped accessible men’s and women’s restrooms, adding a door to create a meeting space
for both internal and external meetings, including the Board of Health meetings. A motion was
made by Dr. Anderson for the Health Department to use $300,000.00 from the reserve fund to
make building changes. Motion was seconded by Ms. Sullivan. Dr. Anderson stated that the
amount being requested is much lower than estimates received years ago to reconfigure and
expand. Motion carried (8, 0).
In the next item of business, Dr. Anderson made a motion to approve the FY2017 budget for
recommendation to the County Board. Motion was seconded by Ms. Simpson. Mr. Gulley stated
that a revised reserve projections reflecting utilizing $300,000.00 for building reconfiguration
were provided for the Board. In response to a question regarding the impact of utilizing reserve
funds, Ms. Huber stated that in 2017, the Health Department would not only still meet the
County’s required reserve amount, but significantly above the required amount. An amended
motion was made by Dr. Anderson to approve the FY2017 budget based on the proposed levy.
Motion carried (8, 0).
Item 8 – Administrator Comments
A motion was made by Dr. Na’Allah to approve the Financial Services Report. Motion was
seconded by Ms. Simpson. The Financial Services Report was summarized by Mr. Gulley.
Motion carried (8, 0).
In the next item of business, Ms. Huber stated that the County Audit for FY2015 has been
completed; there were no findings for the Health Department.
In the next item of business, Ms. Huber stated that Mr. Schwindenhammer was notified on a
Friday prior to the week work was going to start that Sheridan was going to be shut down from
McClure to Nebraska. Previous notification had been that during the work, at least one of our
drives to Sheridan would remain open. Ms. Huber stated that after some work to the entrance
driveway, it will be opened up for access from Brons. The back gate area would be the exit. The
City proposed removing the bushes and fence to open up Ellis to the North. The City will also
post signs for parking on one side of Ellis only from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. City Link buses will be
able to drive through and make stops in the parking lot; the work on Sheridan Road will include
tearing up the sidewalks. Staff will be asked to park at the very back of the parking lot to allow
parking for the clients. Safety will be emphasized to staff and clients. Sheridan will be closed
through Thanksgiving reopened until about April and then closed again from April to June to
completely finish the work. The final result will be one lane going each way, a turn lane going all
the way down the middle, and bike lanes. The sidewalk on the Health Department’s side will be
set back further from the road than what it is now. Ms. Huber stated that she has urged
management staff to find locations other than PCCHD to hold meetings. She is also looking at
the possibility of providing services at another location; one option would be the Care &
Treatment Board building that is being paid rent on through July of 2017 being used for pick up
of WIC coupons. Information is being put on the webpage and press releases being sent out.
Item 9 – Old Business
In the first item of business, Ms. Harant stated that the second quarter Performance
Management outcomes were in the packet. There was no discussion.
In the next item of business, a motion was made by Dr. Anderson to approve the proposed Food
Safety Excellence Award. Motion was seconded by Dr. Na’Allah. Motion carried (8, 0).
Item 10 – New Business
In the first item of business, Ms. Hendrickson stated that the 2015 Peoria County Maternal and
Child Health Report is one of the yearly reports issued for the agency. It is available on the
website and used by community partners.
In the next item of business, Ms. Hendrickson stated that an information sheet was distributed
to the Board regarding the back to school registration events held at the Health Department. She
summarized how the events came about as well as the outcomes of the events.
In the next item of business, Ms. Huber stated that she attended the Peoria Public Schools Board
meeting last week. Ms. Hendrickson was there to accept the Community Contribution Award on
behalf of the Health Department.
Item 11 – Executive Session
At 7:33 pm, a motion was made by Ms. Simpson to enter Executive Session to review Executive
Session minutes. Motion was seconded by Dr. Anderson. Motion carried (8, 0).
At 7:34 pm, the Board returned to regular session.
A motion was made by Dr. Trachtenbarg to keep all Executive Session meeting minutes
confidential with the exception of the minutes from the September 30, 2009 Executive Session.
Motion was seconded by Dr. Anderson. Motion carried (8, 0).
Item 12 – Adjournment
Being no further business, a motion was made by Ms. Sullivan to adjourn the meeting.
Motion was seconded by Ms. Simpson. Motion carried (8, 0).
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene D. Huber
Secretary Pro-Tem
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