Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health June 13, 2013 Present____________________ _ Absent Excused Dr. Drachler Mr. Nidetz Mr. Pandya Dr. Polin Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Plotkin Dr. Prince Mr. Shah Dr. Gaynes Dr. Topouzian Dr. Sood Mr. Gordon Ms. Urbanus Ms. Varma Dr. Herwitz Dr. Usman Dr. Kaplan Dr. Veis Dr. Luka Dr. Williams Bruce A. Jones, Staff Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as corrected. Dr. Drachler welcomed Mr. Larry William Sr. visiting from Tennessee, as well as Will Getz and Alex Jimenez from the Boy Scouts of America doing their citizenship & community merit badge Bruce A. Jones, M.S., L.E.H.P., Environmental Health Supervisor – Animal Control Year in Review Mr. Jones gave a presentation on the “Animal Control Year in Review”. Various Animal Control activities & statistics were discussed with the Board including but limited to: Animal Bites to Humans, Animals to Pound, Animals Reclaimed, Animals to Relocation Shelter, Domestic Dogs & Cats, Wild Animals, Squirrels, Wild Birds, Opossum, Raccoons Rabbits Skunks, and Trapping activities. Top 6 Warnings issued: No Dog License, Dog at Large, Barking Dog, Dog Defecation, No Cat License, and Cruelty. Top 6 Citations issued: No Dog License, Dog at Large, Dog in Park or Playground, Cruelty, Dog Defecation, Dangerous Animal. Mr. Jones mentioned a few unusual cases including a cat missing for over one year being found and returned to its owner and ducklings/goslings removed from court yards at Nile North High School & the Skokie Public Library. Also, six bats were submitted from Skokie for rabies testing in 2012 - all were negative. In Illinois there were 63 positive bats in 2012. Dr. Williams asked for clarification on the bite statistics. Mr. Jones explained that these are on bites on humans and the majority of these are dog bites. Dr. Plotkin asked what kind of exotic pets we see. Mr. Jones mentioned a call for a large iguana that had escaped and was eventually found in a neighbor’s yard where it was captured and returned to the owner. Ms. Urbanus asked if the citations resulted in fines. Mr. Jones explained that citations can result in fines from $50 to $750 depending on the violation and circumstances. Dr. Drachler asked how long Mr. Jones has been doing Animal Control. Mr. Jones explained that he started as an Environmental Health Inspector and was then promoted to Supervisor in 1991 at which time he assumed the duties of handling Animal Control. Dr. Drachler asked how we dispose of dead animals, and asked if any rabies testing is done on these animals. Mr. Jones explained that dead animals are placed in a dedicated container at Public Works; Public Works then transports the material to an appropriate waste facility. If a wild animal were ill it could be captured, euthanized and submitted for rabies testing, although that circumstance happens rarely. Also, during the summer, up to five dead birds are submitted for West Nile Virus testing. Dr. Williams asked about dead deer and brought up the issue of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and is testing done. Mr. Jones explained in some instances the Cook County Forest Preserve District will leave dead deer on their grounds when there are obvious signs of trauma since they control the property. Dr. Drachler asked about the issue of raising chickens becoming more prevalent in various communities. Mr. Jones explained that the Village Code prohibits keeping chickens due to the concern that this activity will contribute to rodents in the community. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler commented on a thank you letter from the Mayor sent to Dr. Vicencio thanking him for his years of service on the Board of Health (BOH). Dr. Vicencio has moved and resigned from the BOH. Dr. Drachler mentioned that during the BOH budget hearings he had an opportunity to meet with the new Trustees and Mayor to discuss our IPLAN and his interest in having an attorney join the BOH. Dr. Gaynes mentioned he tried to recruit an attorney with no success. Dr. Drachler asked for Board member to seek out any possible attorneys they know to join the BOH. Dr. Drachler announced that the summer dinner has been scheduled for August 15th and that Mr. Gordon had selected Ruby Tuesday as the location. At this time Mr. Gordon distributed the menu selections and gave a detailed summary of the menu items and process for the dinner. Mr. Gordon asked if the BOH budget could provide for the dessert. Dr. Drachler said he would check with Dr. Counard on this issue. Mr. Jones stated that Penny Staffney will send out an e-mail with the menu asking for people to RSVP with their menu choices. Dr. Drachler stated that the next IPLAN meeting is scheduled for August 14th at 3:00 p.m. at the Village Hall in the Annex Room. Personal Statements Dr. Kaplan gave a brief overview of his background for the Board’s information. Dr. Drachler mentioned that now everyone has given their background and feels we have a very wonderful diverse group capable of handling any issues in the Skokie community. Director’s Monthly Report Mr. Jones presented the May monthly report (attached). The highlights included: May 23 Regional Massive Flooding Exercise, Long-Term Care Evacuation Tested On May 23 the Village participated in a regional massive flooding exercise that included hospitals, health departments and municipalities covering an area from Indiana to Wisconsin. The Village Emergency Operations Center was activated, and all Village departments responded. In addition, the Health Department utilized grant funds to coordinate a successful transfer of “residents” (volunteers) from the Lieberman facility to the five other Skokie long-term care facilities and Skokie Hospital Food Safety Training Bill SB 1495 unanimously passes both Houses, on to Governor After three years of negotiations, the Food Safety Training bill SB 1495 unanimously passed both the House and Senate. The bill requires that all food handlers preparing food in restaurants, day cares, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, delis (etc.) receive training in food safety. It is anticipated that Governor Quinn will sign the bill in mid-to-late August. FY13 grants and awards – State Fiscal Year ends June 30 As of May 31, the Department’s State FY13 grant and award funds totaled $268,708, which is a 33% increase from FY12. Of that amount, $249,512 (93%) has been billed, and $230,858 (93%) of the billed funds has been received. Three of the FY13 grants (PHEP Carry-over, IPERLC Mini-grant, and RBFI) are one time grants totaling $42,260. Dr. Drachler explained former Trustees BOH liaison Pramod Shah was elected Village Clerk and a new Trustee will be assigned to join Michele Bromberg as a BOH liaison. Once this is done we will invite them back to meet the BOH. Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates • Access to Healthcare – Nothing new to report at this time. More information will be provided in September. • Obesity Prevention – Dr. Drachler spoke about a (June 12th) JAMA article concerning maternal obesity associated with an increase of pre-term delivery. Dr. Drachler stated this illustrated again yet another problem associated with obesity and the need for prevention. • Tobacco Use Prevention – Winning posters are still displayed in the Atrium area of Village Hall. More information will be provided in September. • Healthy Environment – Dr. Drachler spoke during the BOH budget hearing about pursuing more bike paths in Skokie. Mayor Van Dusen and Village Manager Al Rigoni agreed that this is a priority. Old Business None New Business Dr. Williams mentioned a new state of the art Midwestern Dental Institute clinic was just opened and he has a supply of brochures for anyone interested. Dr. Topuzian asked if dental care is being offered at the Eric FQHC. Ms. Urbanus stated the Eric FQHC will only be offereing this for childern to start. Dr. Drachler stated he will check further into this issue Dr. Drachler reiterated that there is no meeting in July, the summer dinner is scheduled for August 15th and the next official BOH meeting is scheuled for September 12th. The speaker will be Demian Christiansen, DSc, MPH, Assistant Director & Tuberculosis Surveillance Program Manager, Communicable Disease Control, Cook County Department of Public Health to address: Tuberculosis Overview for Skokie and Cook County. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:26 p.m.