Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health November 13, 2014 Present Absent Excused Mr. Abbasi Dr. Polin Dr. Prince Ms. Varma Dr. Drachler Dr. Sood Dr. Williams Ms. Nickisch Duggan Ms. Jones Thorne Dr. Gaynes Dr. Topouzian Ms. Langguth Ms. Urbanus Dr. Luka Dr. Usman Mr. Nidetz Dr. Usman Mr. Pandya Dr. Catherine Counard, Director of Health Mr. Bruce Jones, Staff Mr. David Clough, Staff Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Presentation – John T. Lockerby: Village Manager Mr. Lockerby was appointed Village Manager in January 2014 and had been the Assistant Village Manager for the prior 9 years. Mr. Lockerby spoke about the Village leadership’s philosophical views and what has been done to improve the Village as a whole to better the community. Skokie has outstanding services and provides these services in the most efficient and ethical manner. • Three Nationally Accredited Departments: Police, Fire, and Public Works • State of Illinois Certified Health Department • Construction of a major addition to Village Hall to relocate Human Services into a shared area with the Health Department to improve continuity of services for residents. Economic development is an extremely important issue for the Village: • Village has the Highest AAA bond rating • Frozen property tax since 1990; was 15% of tax bill in 1990, now approx. 7% of tax bill. • Focusing on Dempster St., with the Village purchasing properties by the CTA and hoping to attract mixed use developers to build. • Acquired parcels in downtown – Floral & Cleveland – “not so big homes” and Old Desiree property at Oakton & Lincoln. • Downtown streetscape has been completed to improve the look of downtown along with Oakton CTA Station 2 years ago and now changed to free parking in the downtown area. • Science & Technology Park continues to expand and now has approx. 1400 employees. Other major initiatives • “Wednesdays on the Green” showcasing restaurants and entertainment and now “First Fridays of the Month” series started this year. New Restaurants Downtown: El Fuego, Fogo Peri Peri. • Residential Housing Integrity Ordinance approved in Jan 2014; with education to landlords that strengthens our neighborhoods. • Nov. 2nd first community forum for the Village – What do you want the Village to be like in 2020? All input will be summarized with more to come from this event. Structural issues • Increasing the resources for street resurfacing – focusing on major corridors but now looking at the residential areas (hoping to do approx. 5 miles per/year). • Looking at green alleys in order to allow rain water to absorb back into the ground – Public Works is researching this issue. Other commissions working on topics: Human Relations commissions working with the Holocaust Museum on a Race Exhibit and will be holding 3 community forums on the topic. Other Large stores Opened in 2014 and currently in build out process: Wal-Mart opened with no financial assistance from Skokie Mariano’s scheduled to spring 2015 with no financial assistance from Skokie Floor & Décor Uncle Julio’s Buffalo Wild Wings Jewel remodeled Skokie Hospital major expansion Bike paths continue to be a priority – path south from Oakton to Lincolnwood and paths from Dempster north towards Northbrook and improvement to the Old Orchard Rd corridor including a bike path – in the design phase. Again the Goals & Priorities are to provide the very best services in the most efficient and ethical manner. Resident survey done every 3 years and is scheduled for 2015 looking for feedback and suggestions to improve the community. Mr. Lockerby also thanked the Board of Health and all the commissions on their hard work and dedication to the Village. Pat Urbanus commented that the Village Public areas look great but the Skokie Post Office could use some work. Also, while attending the Citizen Police Academy at the Skokie Police Department, she noticed that water bottles are not recycled. Mr. Lockerby said we could look into both matters. He mentioned that on the front page of the November NewSkokie is an article dedicated to recycling and the benefits to Skokie and the environment. Mr. Pandya asked about Public Street recycling. Mr. Lockerby mentioned that this was initiated in the Downtown area of Skokie. Dr. Sood asked what tax incentives were given to Wal-Mart & Mariano’s and what incentives are there for small businesses. Mr. Lockerby stated that neither Wal-Mart & Mariano’s received any tax #462830 incentives or financial assistance to locate in Skokie. He suggested that small businesses could contact the Village Economic Development division for possible suggestions, and the Chamber of Commerce since there are no specific incentive programs. Dr. Gaynes commented how the sidewalk on Skokie Blvd under the railroad bridge near Howard St. is a potential hazard to pedestrians. Dr. Drachler said that at the community forum someone mentioned this area needs to be cleaned better. Mr. Lockerby stated that we could communicate with the State on these issues. Dr. Drachler commented on several issues including: Highland Park recycling textiles, asking if Skokie could do the same, and that Skokie needs more businesses to recycle. He also asked if the Village would consider beginning grey water recycling programs to keep some of the 8 million gallons removed from Lake Michigan for Skokie each day in the area. Ms. Nickisch Duggan asked about an incentive for people getting rain barrels for collection. Mr. Lockerby mentioned there is such a program through the Water Reclamation District and we should publish this option. Dr. Drachler spoke about changing the smoking age to 21 in Skokie. Dr. Counard said the Board was approved to address the e-cigarette topic and should smoking age to 21 be brought before the Trustees all at once. Mr. Lockerby agreed that changing the smoking age to 21 years was a good idea, and should be brought forward by the Board of Health at the same time as the e-cigarette issue. He felt it would be best in two separate memos but brought before the Trustees at one time. Dr. Drachler mentioned that some streets in Skokie do not have sidewalks. Mr. Lockerby stated that there is a new program with a funding measure to address this issue. Mr. Lockerby asked that any areas of concern be sent to Eric Cook in the Engineering Division. Dr. Drachler mentioned that many of the issues brought up at the community forum were also items within our IPLAN. Dr. Drachler’s final suggestion was to expand the CTA yellow line to Old Orchard. Mr. Lockerby said there has been a great deal of thought put into this matter but presently it comes down to dollars that are not available. Mr. Pandya asked about getting stop signs on the north-south streets in his neighborhood. Mr. Lockerby explained that this is done based on an engineering analysis of the intersection and traffic incidents at the locations. Mr. Lockerby said he would have Engineering Division look at the area again. Dr. Gaynes commented on another traffic issue at Church St. & Skokie Blvd. where the lights and crosswalk signs are not synchronized. Mr. Lockerby said this could be look at. Dr. Drachler thanked Mr. Lockerby for attending and stated the Board of Health tries to provide the best possible suggestions and recommendations to the Village Board in order to make Skokie a healthy and safe community. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler thanked Dr. Williams for chairing the October meeting. #462830 Dr. Drachler mentioned letters from the Mayor thanking both Dr. Herwitz and Dr. Veis for their service on the Board of Health. Dr. Drachler stated there are currently three vacancies on the Board and if they know of anyone interested please let Dr. Drachler or Dr. Counard know. Dr. Drachler acknowledged the two year reappointments of the following Board of Health members: Dr. Gaynes, Dr. Luka, Dr. Polin, Ms. Urbanus, and Dr. Williams. Dr. Drachler noted in last month’s meeting minutes a comment about food recycling. Dr. Counard said that Dr. Williams was referring to preparing foods in a manner that made it easy to use leftovers in a different recipe, to cut down on waste. Dr. Counard spoke about the visit to SWANCC for red worm composting and mentioned that the issue of food scrape recycling is still being looked at. Dr. Williams mentioned that the next summer dinner could be held at the Talking Farm. Dr. Counard said that it could be possible to have a picnic type dinner and have produce products from the Talking Farm be included in the meal. Personal Statements Ms. Jones Thorne gave a brief personal and professional background overview to the Board. Director’s Monthly Report Dr. Counard presented the October monthly report (attached). The highlights included: • Ebola Virus Response – no cases to date in Illinois A multi-disciplinary Village team has been meeting weekly to prepare for a potential case of Ebola in the Village or neighboring communities. Steps have included posting information on the Village website; reviewing Village and state laws pertaining to quarantine and isolation; collaborating with local hospitals to develop protocols for EMS; and responding to calls from residents, schools and healthcare providers. We have been in frequent communication and collaboration with regional, state and federal public health colleagues. • Environmental Health and Animal Control Divisions Relocate for Construction The Environmental Health and Animal Control Divisions successfully relocated to the Community Room in the lower level of Village Hall, to accommodate the highly anticipated remodeling of their workspace. • Anti-tobacco Ads Running in Skokie Movie Theaters Since the beginning of October, the Department has sponsored anti-tobacco ads in movie theaters at Village Crossing and Old Orchard using Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities grant funds. The ads will run through December. Dr. Luka asked what exactly a GIS system is. Dr. Counard & Mr. Jones explained that GIS “Geographic Information System) is a computer system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of maps. #462830 Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates • Access to Healthcare – Dr. Counard spoke about the South Asian community forum/town hall style meeting on January 24, 2015 to look at health disparities in this group. Dr. Abbasi suggested a flyer be created for the event. Dr. Counard and Mr. Clough stated that this is being developed. • Dr. Counard updated the Board that both High Schools in District 219 will have a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) for students. Part of the funding for these FQHCs is being provided from grant money from the North Suburban Health Care Foundation. Dr. Gaynes asked how the students are provided with care. Dr. Counard stated that the parents would need to sign consent for treatment. Dr. Drachler mentioned to the Board that one way to get tested for all viral illnesses is to give blood. It was also mentioned there will be a blood drive at NorthShore Skokie Hospital on December 4th. • Obesity Prevention – Dr. Drachler spoke about the NorthShore Skokie Hospital “Rethink Your Drink” program that involves the IPLAN committee, BOH, Skokie Schools, Skokie Park District and Skokie Library. We are in the process of determining appropriate outcome measures for the program. Dr. Counard distributed an American Journal of Public Health Article "Sugar Sweetened Beverage Ban" – showing how much sugar is in one can of soda per day over one year. Visual demonstration is an effective means to reach people on this topic. • Tobacco Use Prevention – Dr. Drachler discussed Sue Reisberg working with Turning Point smoking cessation program and Mr. Lockerby is in support of the issue of strengthening our code to regulate the use of e-cigarettes as any other tobacco products and changing the smoking age. It was also explained that Oakton Community College will become a smoke free campus in 2015. • Healthy Environment – Dr. Counard presented the Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan to the UIC School of Public Health Environmental Health faculty and students. The faculty included Sherry Brandt-Rauf, who lives in Skokie and is the wife of the Dean of the School of Public Health. Ms. Brandt-Rauf is very interested in this issue and willing to have her students write a draft comprehensive environmental health plan for the Village. More to come on this topic. Old Business None due to meeting ending at 9 pm since Library was being closed. New Business None due to meeting ending at 9 pm since Library was being closed. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m. #462830