Kane County Public Health Committee met Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Here are the minutes as provided by Kane County:
KANE COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2017
County Board Room Minutes 9:00 AM
Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134
1. Call to Order
Chairman Silva called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Deborah Allan Board Member Present
Barbara Hernandez Board Member Present
Don Ishmael Board Member Present
Thomas Smith Board Member Present
Susan Starrett Vice Chair Late 9:06 AM
Angela C Thomas Board Member Present
Monica Silva Chairman Present
Also present: Co. Bd. members Lewis, Sanchez, Wegman & staff Nagel; Health Dept. Exec. Dir. Jeffers & staff Isaacson; Animal Control Admin. Youngsteadt; OEM Dir. Bryant; ITD staff Peters; Finance staff Waggoner; State's Atty. Gaeke; and members of the press & public.
2. Approval of Minutes: November 16, 2016
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Deborah Allan, Board Member
SECONDER: Don Ishmael, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Barbara Hernandez, Don Ishmael, Thomas Smith, Angela C Thomas, Monica Silva
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
3. Finance/Budget
The monthly financial reports were included in the agenda packet. Finance staff Waggoner reported there were no FY17 budget concerns to report at this time.
4. Public Comments on Agenda Items
None
5. Executive Director
A. Flash Report
Referencing the monthly reports included in the agenda packet, Health Dept. Exec. Dir. Jeffers noted January is National Radon Awareness month. Through the Healthy Places Coalition, they have worked with local hardware stores to provide radon awareness material and kits for the communities.
(Starrett arrives @ 9:06 a.m.) Jeffers announced they received $57,000 from the Sheriff's Drug Education Fund to support the Narcan program. This program supplies medication to first responders in order to reduce the number of opioid overdoses. She provided background on the Healthy Communities Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to help reduce obesity through nutrition and physical activity. They initially received $10,000 towards the initiative and will receive an additional $500,000 if their program wins the challenge. All funds received will go back into the communities to further the initiative. Brief discussion followed. Jeffers presented the following resolution:
B. Resolution: Authorizing an Amendment of the Grant Agreement for 2017 Illinois Department Human Services (IDHS) All Our Kids (AOK) Program
This authorizes an Amendment of the Grant Agreement for 2017 Illinois Department Human Services (IDHS) All Our Kids (AOK) Program.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 1/25/2017 9:00 AM
TO: Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Deborah Allan, Board Member
SECONDER: Susan Starrett, Vice Chair
AYES: Deborah Allan, Barbara Hernandez, Don Ishmael, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett,
Angela C Thomas, Monica Silva
C. Behavioral Health Action Team
Exec. Dir. Jeffers provided an overview of the County's Health Department. She noted their state accreditation requires them to maintain certain stipulations and certifications. One requirement has been to provide a Community Health Improvement Program (CHIP). Through this program, they address the top three health-related priorities within the County: income and education, chronic disease, and behavioral health. Referencing a PowerPoint presentation, staff Isaacson highlighted the behavioral health priority. He provided information on the behavioral health action team along with their objectives and key areas they plan to address. Isaacson reviewed the top causes of hospitalization in the County noting that in 2010 mental illness overtook heart disease as the number one cause aside from childbirth. Chair Silva reported that this was in line with the National statistics.
Isaacson discussed a beta site survey currently underway. This survey will provide them with feedback on website portal updates for behavioral health services. Considerable discussion followed.
6. Animal Control
Monthly reports were included in the agenda packet. Admin. Youngsteadt stated that Kane County Animal Control does not receive any taxpayer dollars; they are fully funded through services provided to the community. He reported on purchases and projects they were able to do through a $50,000 grant received
in 2016. Youngsteadt stated they have recently hired four new employees. He gave an update on their revenue and expenses noting they are right where they should be. Referencing a presentation, Exec. Dir. Jeffers discussed the Animal Control's funding trends from 2008 until the present noting their revenue has increased over the last five years due to their financial plan. Because of this plan, they are on schedule to pay off their capital debt in November. Brief discussion followed.
7. Office of Emergency Management
Monthly reports were included in the agenda packet. OEM Dir. Bryant provided an overview on the 2016 report recently sent to each committee member. He reported that current weather conditions have resulted in some ice jams. They will continue to remediate these issues as they develop. He discussed their 2017 goal to develop a continuative operations plan for the buildings and departments on the main County campus. Brief conversation followed.
8. Old Business
None
9. Reports Placed On File
RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Deborah Allan, Board Member
SECONDER: Thomas Smith, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Barbara Hernandez, Don Ishmael, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, Angela C Thomas, Monica Silva
10. Executive Session
The Public Health Committee moved into Executive Session at 9:57 a.m. to discuss release of Closed Session Minutes.
RESULT: ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Susan Starrett, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Don Ishmael, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Barbara Hernandez, Don Ishmael, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, Angela C Thomas, Monica Silva
The Public Health Committee returned to open session at 10:02 a.m.
11. Release of Closed Session Minutes
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Susan Starrett, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Don Ishmael, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Barbara Hernandez, Don Ishmael, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, Angela C Thomas, Monica Silva
12. New Business
None
13. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items
Chairman Silva advised the speakers that public comment on non-agenda items are limited to three minutes.
Mr. Ray Daughan, resident of a transitional living facility in Aurora, stated he believed the smoking has continued inside his facility. This has continued to exacerbate his mental and physical health.
He stated he was facing a ninth hospitalization since he moved into the facility in June of 2015. He felt a smoking shelter critical but not a remedy for his problem. He stated the absence of official acknowledgement and/or fines for the smoking has affected him being able to find detached housing.
If he can find detached housing, he should be able to work part-time and contribute to the county.
He introduced three others who spoke in support of his claim.
Tracy Depman stated she has visited Daughan's facility and detected the cigarette smoke. She shared a story of a friend who passed away due to her sensitivities to smoking. Depman claimed her friend died because of cigarette smoke from a neighbor who had moved in six weeks prior. She discussed her own issues relating to toxic exposure.
Vincent Heart reported he had visited Daughan several times within the last six to eight months.
During those visits, he was able to detect cigarette smoke. He felt this situation was life threatening for Daughan.
Deborah Nathan stated she has the same illness as Daughan. At any time, cigarette smoke, mold, or toxins could kill her. She participates in the same support groups as Daughan. She addressed the need for better understanding of environmental illness.
Exec. Dir. Jeffers informed the committee of a recent meeting Daughan requested then cancelled.
She discussed two prior meetings they held with Daughan, the State's Attorney, Aurora Police, AID, the Health Department, and two of Daughan's physicians. Jeffers reported on visits they conducted at the facility noting each showed no evidence of smoking. She stated that since there were many smokers at this facility, they determined evidence of only residual smoke. The Health Department has advised the facility owners that anyone smoking must remain 15 feet away from the facility. Jeffers stated a smoking shelter is not mandatory by law; it is up to each facility owner. Detached housing for Daughan is a responsibility of his case manager or HUD; he is on a list for detached housing. Health staff Isaacson stated they have conducted over 15 visits to the facility since 2015, each visit did not show evidence to establish there was smoking going on inside of the facility. He pointed out that smoke free housing is a priority for the Health Department. Staff contacts housing facilities almost daily in order to try to get them to change to smoke free.
Daughan requested to speak again. Chair Silva responded that each person had their three minutes; however, they would be happy to reschedule the meeting previously cancelled.
14. Adjournment
RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Susan Starrett, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Thomas Smith, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Barbara Hernandez, Don Ishmael, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, Angela C Thomas, Monica Silva
This meeting was adjourned at 10:22 AM.
Christie Duffy
Recording Secretary
Alerts Sign-up