07/11/2011 Minutes HealthOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF JOINT HEALTH SPECIAL MEETING
July 11, 2011
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Joint Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Grand Island, Nebraska, the Hall County Board of Supervisors, the Hamilton County Board of
Commissioners, the Merrick County Board of Commissioners, and the Central District Health
Department was conducted at the Grand Island Public Library, 211 North Washington Street,
Grand Island, Nebraska on July 11, 2011. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on July 5, 2011.
Central District Health Department Board Vice - President Dan Purdy called the meeting to order
at 6:00 p.m. The following Health Board members were present: Dan Purdy, Vice - President
(Hall Co.), Mike Bowman (Merrick Co.), Steve Kunzman, Mary Ann Apfel, Chuck Haase
(Grand Island City Council), Mike Bowman (Merrick Co.), Dr. Richard Fruehling, Steve
Anderson, Roger Wiegert (Merrick Co.), and Tim Bergen (Hamilton Co.). The following Hall
County Supervisors were present: Scott Arnold, Dave Ziola, Daniel Purdy, Pamela Lancaster,
Steve Schuppan, Gary Quandt, and Hall County Clerk Marla Conley. The following Hamilton
County Board of Commissioner was present: Tim Bergen. The following Merrick County
Supervisor's were present: Mike Bowman and Roger Wiegert. The following City Officials were
present: Councilmember's Mitch Nickerson Chuck Haase, and City Clerk RaNae Edwards.
Health Department employees: Executive Director Teresa Anderson, Assistant Director Ryan
King, Jeremy Eschliman, Jeremy Collinson, and Cindy Valdez.
Dan Purdy welcomed the group and asked for comments from the group. Gary Quandt
commended the Health Department on the parking lot. Mr. Quandt commented on sludge and
requested the City and County work up a conditional use permit process for by- product
application to land within the 2 mile jurisdiction.
Theresa Anderson gave a PowerPoint presentation on the fiscal responsibility for the Health
Department. Presented were the following four goals the Health Department:
• Goal #1. Financial stability /fiscal responsibility
• Goal #2. Optimal staff, expertise/knowledge /skills
• Goal #3. Cohesive and effective local public health system
• Goal #4. Quality assurance
Ms. Anderson updated those present on programs provided by the Health Department such as:
water tests, immunization, WIC, and Mission of Mercy. Dengue Fever was explained and the
work being done with the CDC and DHHS.
Ryan King finished the PowerPoint by explaining where we go from here. A survey taken in
Hall, Hamilton and Merrick Counties showed obesity as a problem in each county. Other issues
Page 2, City Council Special Meeting, July 11, 2011
mentioned were: poverty, cancer, diabetes, access to Healthcare, educational attainment, and
Behavior Health & Substance Abuse.
The Health Department wants to achieve healthier communities and change in lifestyles.
Currently 67.5% of our community is overweight or obese and Nebraska ranks 15th in the nation
in obesity. Obesity links to our leading cause of death — heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Comments were made regarding the direction of the Health Department and wellness for the
community.
Jeremy Collinson answered questions concerning the mosquito program and what had been
done. There was no West Nile detected in the Central District area at this time. Radon was
discussed which was fairly common in the community. Test kits could be picked up at the Health
Department.
Councilmember's Chuck Haase, Mitch Nickerson, and City Clerk RaNae Edwards left at 6:50
p.m. to attend a City Council meeting.
Dan Purdy mentioned they had some employment opportunities for a Register Nurse, Analyst
position, and a three Health Educators.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk