Kane County Public Health Committee met Sept. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call To Order
Chairman Strathmann called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
2. Roll Call
PRESENT Board Member Cherryl Strathmann
Board Member Jarett Sanchez
Board Member Leslie Juby
Board Member Monica Silva
Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog
Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe
REMOTE Board Member Bill Tarver
Board Member Rick Williams
ABSENT Board Member David Young
Also present: Co. Bd. members Bates, Daugherty*, Kenyon, Lewis, Linder, Molina, Roth; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson & staff Alleman, Peterson, Onwuta; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt; Spec. ASA Shepro; KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert; BLD staff Files; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public.
3. Remote Attendance Requests
Chairman Strathmann announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. She asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Tarver and Williams attending today's meeting. There were no objections.
4. Approval of Minutes: August 16, 2023
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE
MOVER: Monica Silva
SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez
AYE: Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Monica Silva, Bill Tarver, and Rick Williams
ABSENT: David Young, and Corinne M. Pierog
5. Public Comment (Agenda Items)
None.
6. Finance/Budget
A. Monthly Finance Reports
Chairman Strathmann stated the monthly financial reports were on file. No additional report was made.
7. Animal Control
A. Animal Control Reports
KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt stated that the monthly report was on file. The last vaccine clinic for the year will be held on October 29, 2023. Youngsteadt shared that 130 seniors utilized the clinic for their dogs, and 56 seniors utilized the clinics for their cats. KCAC has witnessed their highest number of participants within these clinics. In July 2023, the KCAC issued an advertisement for these clinics on FaceBook. This has helped to increase participant numbers.They also contacted numerous libraries around the County, such as Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, and Aurora to help get the clinic information out to the entire County. Youngsteadt shared his concerns with this funding. Currently the KCAC is experiencing issues with their heating and cooling systems. The current heating unit is no longer operating. The emergency generator would cost KCAC $88,450. The heating system repair will cost $130,000. There is a thirteen week lead to get a new heater. Youngsteadt stated that to rent a heating unit it would be $20,000 for the time needed. He addressed the roof leak and insect problems. KCAC is currently waiting on quotes for repairs. Once the quotes are received, KCAC will move forward with an emergency purchase order.
Youngsteadt provided the KCAC FY24 Budget. He shared the revenue projections for 2024 compared to 2023. He stated that KCAC increased their cost for registration tags. This helped raise the revenue fund. Youngsteadt shared the KCAC Capital fund. Within this fund, $50K will go to repairs for their flawed 15-year old parking lot. To note, in preparation of IT reimbursements and the Equity project the KCAC budget will change. He announced that KCAC has recently hired the vacant part-time Kennel Assistant. He addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
8. Executive Director
A. Health Department Updates
Isaacson presented the Public Health Update. He introduced Liz Alleman, the new Director of Planning & Information Management. He also introduced Kim Peterson, who is now the new Director of Community Health. He summarized their roles and provided their professional backgrounds. Isaacson provided an update on person presenting themselves as a First Amendment auditor who entered the KCHD. This auditor gained access to a typically secure area within the health department. Isaacson thanked the Kane County Sheriff Department and Aurora Police Department for their diligent work on this incident. Isaacson addressed the new COVID vaccines that have been approved and are moving to the commercial sector. Isaacson announced that the Health Department will continue to provide vaccines for children six months to eighteen years through the Vaccine for Children Program. He advised that adults should check with their health insurance for vaccine coverage.
Isaacson announced that they are having a meeting on Monday with the Community Health Assessment Process Executive Committee.This year, they are working with a new vendor. He noted that surveys will be sent out to County residents to get input on the Community Health Process. He stated that the Community Health Assessment occurs every three years. On Thursday, September 14, 2023, West Aurora High School, in partnership with Elyssa's Mission, held a Suicide Screening. There were 55 attendees. Isaacson mentioned that the Make Kane County Fit for Kids Program will be hosting a "Walk to School Day" on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. He spoke on the benefits of walking/rolling to school, such as decision-making. (Committee Member Williams left at 9:27 a.m.) This program is an individual organization that the KCHD helps support. Across the nation, Kane County has been one of the leading counties that have had the most participation. Individuals can obtain information by contacting their local schools. Isaacson stated he will send out a list of last year's participating elementary and middle schools to Committee Members. The Elgin Fire Department is looking into placing Narcan vending machines around the County to help combat opioid overdoses. On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. there will be a free virtual training for community leaders and mental health professionals that will discuss coercive control. Isaacson mentioned the numerous conferences and activities the KCHD will participate in. Lastly, the KCHD will be distributing free gun locks to help prevent accidents and suicides through the Violence Prevention Program. Isaacson addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.
B. FY24 Budget Presentation
Isaacson presented the KCHD FY24 budget. He reviewed the budget revenue sources. KCHD is a Special Revenue Fund. They are largely supported by grants with a total of $9.5M, and $2M for County supplies. In the past, KCHD has had a balanced budget. He reviewed the expenditures by category. Personnel is their largest expense. The total cost for personnel is $4,771,204. He spoke on the inadequate pay for employees, making it difficult to hire and retain staff. The County, along with the KCHD, must look into solutions. The Health Department's FY24 proposed budget is balanced. They continue to research and apply for new grants to support the community health programs. The Health Department's community partnerships help share the cost of public health programs, and they continue to assist the community in the post-pandemic environment. The Illinois Public Health mandates are supported by the FY24 budget. Isaacson addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
C. Authorizing a Contract for Cloud Based Community Communication Center - TTEC Digital Services
KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson provided additional information on this resolution. He addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued. (Madam Chairman Pierog arrived in-person at 10:14 a.m.)
KC Finance and Budget Committee
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE
TO: KC Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez
SECONDER: Monica Silva
AYE: Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Monica Silva, and Bill Tarver
ABSENT: Rick Williams, and David Young
9. Old Business
10. Reports Placed On File
RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez
11. Executive Session (if needed)
12. New Business
13. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
Kane County resident, Jean Meyer, shared her opinion on COVID-19 vaccines. She referred to Dr. Peter McCulla, who stated that the United States and European Union should leave the WHO. COVID vaccines should be removed from use due to numerous deaths. Meyer recapped the role of the WHO. She spoke on the agencies the WHO works with and how they interfered with treatment. She spoke on the after-affects of receiving the vaccine, such as Myrocarditis.
Mike Meyer, Elgin, spoke on his opposition to mandatory vaccinations. He provided key points of the new COVID vaccines which declare emergency vaccinations for children. If Kane County agrees with this, furtue lawsuits could be filed. Meyer stated the new vaccine has MRNA components. He pleaded with the Committee to not mandate vaccinations.
Kane County resident, Sherry Breslaham, stated that people are being destroyed for lack of knowledge on the vaccination. She shared a quote from European Parliament Dr. Merrill Nass. "One health is a concept that was created to enable the WHO, with these documents to take over jurisdiction of everything in the world by saying that climate change, animals, plants, water systems, and ecosystems are all central to health. Also, embedded in this concept, humans are no longer of greater value than animals." Breslaham stated on January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court published a landmark ruling regarding the legality of COVID-19 vaccine mandates issued by two Federal agencies; OSHA and HHS. The Supreme Court does not issue mandates. They can only decide if they are legal. OSHA and HHS mandates drive to mandate the core of several fundamental interests, such as the scope and limits of Federal public health powers.
Kane County resident, Lori Powell, spoke on the dangerous COVID injections. On September 12, 2023, the U.S. Disease Control Department recommended the new COVID vaccines. On September 15, 2023, the Kane County Health Department endorsed the IDPH vaccine recommendations. Powell communicated that the FDA conducted clinical trials for COVID vaccinations, and stated that the COVID-19 Nano particle injections are not designed to prevent infections, transmit or protect against disease, hospitalizations, and death. She has communicated with the Committee on these issues. Powell concluded that Kane County stop all distribution and promotion of the COVID-19 MNRA Nano particle injections to all people living in this County.
14. Adjournment
RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez
SECONDER: Leslie Juby
This meeting was adjourned at 10:29 AM.
https://www.countyofkane.org/MeetingMinutes/6701/23-09-20.pdf
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