Board of Health Minutes

April 28, 2010

Members present:  Don Bodeau, Lonnette Breneman, Jody Hahn, Wilhelmina Fischer, Michael Murray, Jackie Pavelski, Karen Witt

Staff present:  Richard Thoune, Kitty Rahl, Courtenay Johnson, Kathy Nuenke

Others present:  16 students from collaborative nursing program of UW- Eau Claire

Witt called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm.

Consent agenda:

The minutes of the March 24, 2010 meeting were approved as mailed.

Department Director Report:  Thoune reviewed his written report.  He added a handout of Senate Bill 362 Amendment memo.

Director of Nursing Report:  Rahl reviewed the items included in her written report.  She reported on changes in the immunization program.  Witt suggested providing more information to the public about the shingles vaccine.

Director of Environmental Heath Report:  Johnson summarized her written report.  The rabies clinic held vaccinated 1086 animals in Eau Claire and 275 in Augusta.  An article on the recent hotel enforcement will be in this weekend’s paper.

The Board accepted the directors’ reports.

Other information items from staff for the Board:

Thoune reviewed the Health Department space needs analyses done in previous years when the County was planning for the jail building.  Board members discussed working with the city/county/school district to find solutions for storage needs.  Pavelski indicated she could bring this item to the City/County/School District Shared Services Committee.  Murray suggested considering OSHA and HIPAA rules as they relate to space needs.  Thoune reviewed department recommendations.  Board members felt it was premature to take any action at this time.  Hahn suggested contacting the overseer of the project from Market & Johnson.

Rahl reported on the school health program.  Two part-time nursing positions have been hired by the Eau Claire Area School District.  The School District reapplied for the grant to fund these positions.  The Department and county school districts have drafted a quality improvement plan.  A subcommittee has been formed to work on the quality improvement objectives.  Witt acknowledged the staff nurses for raising the issues related to school health, citing that it was a good example of change from bottom up. 

Thoune provided information on the public health input to the proposed City chicken ordinance.  He handed out a proposal of amendments from Council member Werthmann addressing health considerations.

The Board received the final annual Budget Development Policy.

The Board reviewed the Correspondence/Media.

Board member informational items:

The Board discussed preparation of the 2011 budget.  Offsite storage expenses should be included when storage space is found. Witt wants to see math equations of budget calculations.

Murray commented on the Kaiser Foundations review of the new federal healthcare reform law on their website.  For the next meeting, staff will prepare a list of websites of various organizations and associations who have developed similar analyses of the law.

Breneman reported that 119 patients were seen during the Give Kids a Smile Day.  $12,859 of volunteer services were provided.

Requests from Board members for future agenda items:

Pavelski suggested a presentation on the Chamber wellness program.  Board members would like information about how the Department is reaching out or could reach out to the Hispanic population to provide needed public health services.

Pavelski was reappointed to the Board of Health from the City Council.  Hahn will be replaced by John Prince as County Board representative.

The next meeting is May 19, 2010.

Meeting adjourned 7:50 pm.