Peoria Standard

The Peoria County Board of Health met Sept. 19 to provide information on a mapping project.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

"The Peoria County Board of Health is responsible for policy issues that guide strategies and activities toward the goals and mission of the Health Department. As Board vacancies occur, applications will be reviewed by the Board of Health and recommendations forwarded to the Peoria County Board Chairman for appointment consideration."

Peoria County Board of Health

Minutes of September 19, 2016 Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Harant Dr. Trachtenbarg

Ms. Simpson Ms. Williams Ms. Sullivan Rev. Duren Dr. Anderson Dr. Armmer

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Hippler Mr. Baker

Dr. Na’Allah Ms. Groves-Allison

STAFF PRESENT: Gene Huber, Public Health 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 Carey Panier, Assistant Director of Environmental Health Nicole Ingold, Director of Strategic Performance Kristin Grubb, Compliance Officer/Administrative Assistant

OTHERS PRESENT: Elliott Murray, League of Women Voters

Dr. Sonal Diora, OSF Dental Resident Mick Willis, Peoria Public Schools

Item 1 – Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 5:36 pm by Ms. Harant, who stated that a quorum was not present.

Item 2 – Pledge of Allegiance

Item 3 – Comments from the Public There were no comments from the public.

Item 4 – President’s Comments In order to better accommodate Mr. Willis’s time, Ms. Harant stated that she was moving item 5a on the agenda up.

Item 5 – New Business Mr. Mick Willis from Peoria Public Schools provided the Board members with handouts regarding the proposed half percent sales tax increase that would be used specifically for facility improvement at Peoria County schools. This measure will be on the ballot for the November 8th election. If approved, this would provide Peoria County schools with a little over $9 million each year, with approximately $4.2 million of that for Peoria Public Schools. Mr. Willis discussed how the money would be used to upgrade facilities within Peoria Public Schools, including air conditioning and lighting/energy efficiency.

At 5:43 pm, Rev. Duren entered the meeting.

Regarding other measures also on the ballot, it was stated that there will be at least three others.

At 5:44 pm, Dr. Trachtenbarg entered the meeting.

Ms. Harant stated that a quorum was now present.

A motion was made by Dr. Anderson to support the school facilities tax referendum. Motion was seconded by Dr. Trachtenbarg. Ms. Harant stated that if the motion is approved, it would be public knowledge that the Board of Health supports the referendum and, at minimum, a press release would be done. Motion carried (7, 0 – Ms. Williams abstained).

Item 4 – President’s Comments Continued Ms. Harant stated that she shared her thoughts last month regarding violence and social determinants. In discussions over the past month, she has found support for the Health Department to take on a neutral leadership role in addressing this issue. She stated she has reached out to the University of Illinois School of Public Health regarding ideas of how the Health Department could get involved. Ms. Harant stated that public health as a field is moving in the direction of reimagining how work is done to focus on bigger picture issues and social determinants. She stated that it seems there is a longer term project of focusing on collaborations and connections of what is happening in the community and using the skills of the Health Department to make recommendations and try to find funding to address issues. The other area she is concerned with is trying to have voices heard in the community that normally are not. There may be things happening that the Health Department can be engaged in.

Item 6 – Strategic Planning Ms. Ingold provided and reviewed a summary handout of the Strategic Planning Committee’s efforts to date. She stated that she will be sending notes from the meetings to all Board members from now on. Ms. Ingold asked for ideas to be sent to her. Ms. Harant stated that, as part of Strategic Planning and capitalizing on community connections, she had Ms. Grubb email the Board members regarding who their connections are in the community as well as why they are on the Board. She asked that members respond to Ms. Grubb in the next week or so.

Item 7 – Consent Agenda Items A motion was made by Rev. Duren to approve the consent agenda items. Motion was seconded by Ms. Simpson. Motion carried (8, 0).

Item 8 – Administrator Comments A motion was made by Rev. Duren to approve the Financial Services Report. Motion was seconded by Ms. Sullivan. The Financial Services Report was summarized by Mr. Gulley. Motion carried (8, 0).

Item 9 – Old Business Ms. Connors summarized the report in the packet regarding the outcome of focus groups conducted as a result of the number of employees who stated they were overwhelmed on a daily basis. In response to a question regarding why so few employees chose to provide information, Ms. Connors stated that she is unsure and could not make an assumption based on lack of participation.

Item 10 – New Business Continued In the first item of business, Mr. Hayes stated that the Illinois Department of Public Health amended its Food Service Sanitation Code to incorporate the FDA’s Model Food Code earlier this year. He stated that health departments have until July 1, 2018 to implement the changes, of which there are many. Mr. Hayes stated that the ordinance will need to be reviewed at some point to make changes.

In the next item of business, Mr. Hayes stated that the Illinois Liquor Control Commission is conducting a pilot program to partner with agencies to assist in conducting inspections. He stated that the Health Department is already in 95% of facilities conducting food inspections. The Liquor Control Commission would be responsible for enforcement and pays agencies they contract with $75.00 per inspection. Mr. Hayes stated that if the Health Department were to partner with the Liquor Control Commission, an additional sanitarian would be needed as inspections would take 15-30 additional minutes to complete. The number of inspections would not increase; however, the length of time at establishments while conducting inspections would increase. The Commission’s form would be used and all sanitarians would be sent through training. The Board reached consensus for Mr. Hayes to continue discussions with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.

In the next item of business, Ms. Bellisario stated that the Health Department was notified of changes in eligibility for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which is a federal government program. With the changes, which are effective October 1st, there are children who will no longer be eligible for the program. It is unknown how many children will be affected and people are not being notified of the change to their coverage. The reimbursement rates for private pay vaccines are being reviewed by IDPH. Ms. Bellisario stated that some health departments are thinking of leaving the VFC program altogether and some providers outside of health departments may look at dropping the program due to it being too cumbersome. Ms. Huber stated that the Health Department will work on what needs to be done to work with IDPH on reimbursement rates so children are able to be immunized. She added that the Health Department is also keeping in contact with the CEO of Heartland Clinic.

In the next item of business, Ms. Hendrickson provided the Board with information on a collaborative mapping project being conducted by several agencies including, the Peoria Police Department, City of Peoria, Peoria Housing Authority, LISC, Peoria Public Schools, United Way, and PCCHD. Ms. Hendrickson stated that the goal is to determine what agency roles are within a neighborhood and better align resources. Data is being collected through a graduate student and mapped through Peoria County GIS.

Item 11 – Executive Session At 7:15 pm, a motion was made by Ms. Sullivan to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel. Motion was seconded by Rev. Duren. Motion carried (8, 0).

At 7:51 pm, the Board returned to regular session.

Item 12 – Adjournment Being no further business, a motion was made by Ms. Sullivan to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Dr. Anderson. Motion carried (8, 0).

Meeting adjourned at 7:51 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Samuel Duren, BA Secretary