Board of Health Minutes

July 28, 2010

Present:  Donald Bodeau, Lonnette Breneman, Wilhelmina Fischer, Michael Murray, John Paddock, Jackie Pavelski, John Prince, Karen Witt

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

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

Program Presentation:  Thoune gave a presentation on the Department’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program.  He explained how the program aligns with state statute, the new 2020 State Health Plan and local public health needs.  The goal of the program is planning with local and regional partners to respond effectively to public health emergencies.  Thoune reviewed the performance goals and objectives and how the department is meeting those goals.  He listed various areas for client, program or system opportunities for improvement.

Business Items

The Board reviewed the latest 2011 budget proposal.  Board and staff discussed a comparison of salaries and benefits with other Western region health departments, along with wage and benefit information from Sacred Heart Hospital.  The information was used as the Board considered 2011 wages and benefits for the department.

Motion:  breneman/bodeau moved to amend the 2011 budget aS presented to a 2% increase on the pay scale and reduce the use of fund balance by $22,900.  Motion carried.  Pavelski abstained.

Breneman asked that staff look for ways to change the starting salaries to improve recruitment of new staff and to look at the waiting period for health insurance coverage.

Motion:  murray/breneman moved to accept $50,000 maximum from the Augusta, Eau Claire, and Fall Creek school districts, plus $1,000 from Youth Service America to support the Youth Advocacy Advisor position and countywide campaign implementation for the school year ending June 2010.  Motion carried.

Motion:  fischer/pavelski moved to accept $40,000 maximum from the Augusta, Eau Claire, AND Fall creek school districts to support the Youth Advocacy Advisor position and countywide campaign implementation for the school year ending June 2011.  Motion carried.

Motion:  Prince/murray moved to approve the change in job title of tobacco prevention specialist to partnership coordinator.  The motion was tabled until the BOARD COULD REVIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION. 

Consent agenda

The minutes of the June 23, 2010 meeting were approved as mailed.

Department Director Report:  Thoune noted that public health emergency response funding ends 7/31/10.  Recently, funds from this grant were used to support implementation of wireless computer access in the building to support public health needs.  The objectives of this grant will be achieved.  The Medical Reserve Corp kickoff will be held 7/29/10. 

The City council approved a ban on the sale of K2/spice.  Prince asked for an agenda item for the next meeting to recommend to the County Board that K2/spice be banned countywide.

Thoune provided additional information on the 2010 Achieve Action Institute and NACCHO Annual Conference.  A list of NACCHO breakout sessions was circulated for members to indicate interest in slide presentations.

Director of Nursing Report:  Rahl provided a written report with updates on staffing, infant child health action team activities, the school health program, and the reproductive health program.

Witt congratulated the Infant Child Health Action Team on being selected to participate in a grant project with the medical college of Wisconsin’s Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program.

Director of Environmental Health Report:  Johnson’s report include information on mosquito concerns, beach closures, POWTS program, health impact assessment webinars, K2/spice, implementation of Wisconsin’s smoke free law, participation in Leadership Eau Claire, bed bugs, and quarterly walhdab environmental health meeting.

The Board congratulated Johnson on her acceptance in Leadership Eau Claire.

The reports were accepted by consensus.

Other information items from staff for the board

All board members were invited to an orientation to the department with department directors and a tour of the health department.  Convenient times can be arranged.

A board member is invited to be a member of the Healthy Communities Council.  The meetings are every other month on the second Thursday of the month from 7-8:30 am.

The Board reviewed the Correspondence/Media.

Board member information items

The board members and department director reviewed and discussed the director’s performance report.

Requests from board members for future agenda items to be given consideration

Prince requested an item related to recommending that the Eau Claire County Board take action similar to that of the City Council banning the sale of products such as K2/spice.

Paddock requested a progress report on the Department’s strategic plan and discussion of development of an updated strategic plan aligned with the updated state health plan.

Breneman requested discussion about the pay scale step process in general especially whether there are any objectives that need to be achieved to move up the steps and if there are any reasons why one wouldn’t receive a step increase.  Witt further requests that the discussion include longevity pay.

Fischer/Pavelski moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm.  Motion carried

Kathy Nuenke

Recorder