Board of Health Minutes

May 19, 2010

Members present:  Don Bodeau, Lonnette Breneman, Wilhelmina Fischer, John Prince, Karen Witt

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

Witt called the meeting to order at 5:20 pm.  John Prince was introduced as the new Board of Health member representing the County Board.

Consent agenda:

The minutes of the April 28, 2010 meeting were approved as mailed.

Department Director Report:  Thoune reviewed his written report.  Surveillance of the schools and patient medical encounters show below baseline influenza activity.

Governor Doyle vetoed the raw milk bill.  Thoune provided a copy of Doyle’s memo regarding the bill. 

Additional websites regarding health care reform will be forwarded to the Board members.

            Thoune introduced the concept of a Community Health Improvement Consortium and a possible grant application to create an integrated Community Health Improvement Consortium in Eau Claire County.

            Thoune has met with the Courthouse re-design committee to request additional space for the health department.

            Witt will provide a copy of the Spectator article regarding food industry and obesity.

Director of Nursing Report:  Rahl reviewed the items included in her written report.  She provided a copy of the MMWR report on H1N1 activity.

Director of Environmental Heath Report:  Johnson summarized her written report.  Recently, a pharmacist presorted collected prescription drugs and only the controlled substances were sent to be incinerated.

The Don’t Dump It/Donate It/Spring Move Out was held this week.  There has been a problem with dumping items in the UW-EC parking lot on days when no pickup is scheduled.  Changes will be considered for next year’s event.

The Board accepted the directors’ reports.

Other information items from staff for the Board:

The Board reviewed the first draft of the 2011 budget.  Updates will be made as guidelines from the City and County are received.  Equipment over $5,000 and computer equipment and software will be added to the City and County Capital Improvement Plans and the cost split based on equalized values as opposed to being included in the Department budget and paid for with tax levy.

The Board received the 2009 Annual Report.  Correspondence/Media were reviewed.

Board member informational items:

Updated pages to the Board of Health Resource Manual were mailed to Board members.

Board members will send a letter to staff expressing appreciation for their efforts to help maintain expenses through use of furlough days and voluntary unpaid leave.

Requests from Board members for future agenda items:

Witt requested staff to report on the workshop they attended on April 29^th, and the WPHA/WALHDAB held in late May.  The Board would like more information on the Community Health Improvement Consortium and health assessments in the community.

MOTION: Fischer/Bodeau moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.  To wit: performance evaluation of Department Director.  motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.

MOTION:  fischer/brenemann MOVED TO REconvene in OPEN SESSION AT 756 pm.  MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned 7:58 pm.

The next meeting is June 23, 2010.