07/09/2012 Minutes OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF JOINT HEALTH SPECIAL MEETING
July 9, 2012
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 9, 2012. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on July 3, 2012.
Central District Health Department Board President Mike Bowman called the meeting to order at
6:00 p.m. The following Health Board members were present: Dan Purdy (Hall Co.), Mike
Bowman (Merrick Co.), Steve Kunzman, Mary Ann Apfel, Chuck Haase (Grand Island City
Council), Dr. Richard Fruehling, Roger Wiegert (Merrick Co.), and Tim Bergen (Hamilton Co.).
The following Hall County Supervisors were present: Daniel Purdy, Pamela Lancaster, Steve
Schuppan, Gary Quandt, Bob McFarland 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: Mayor Jay Vavricek, Councilmember's Chuck Haase, Bob Niemann,
Kirk Ramsey, Linna Dee Donaldson, John Gericke, Peg Gilbert, and City Clerk RaNae Edwards.
Health Department employees: Executive Director Teresa Anderson, Assistant Director Ryan
King, Jeremy Eschliman, and Jeremy Collinson.
Mike Bowman welcomed the group. Theresa Anderson gave a PowerPoint presentation on the
historical perspective of the Health Department.
Jeremy Collinson commented on the Environmental Health which included: water, food
inspections, preparedness and response and Vector control which dealt with mosquitos. Mr.
Collinson commented on swimmers itch at Morman Island and working with inspections at the
Nebraska State Fair. Questions were answered concerning the vendors at the State Fair and
throughout the City. Periodic inspections were given throughout the fair and local vendors were
inspected every six months.
Jeremy Eschliman commented on WIC, immunization and epidemiology and surveillance. Ryan
King commented on the Community Health Assessment. Life style issues were mentioned. Grant
funds were used for Healthy Works, which was working with businesses to encourage healthy
lifestyles. Explained was what the Health Department was doing to create a healthier lifestyle.
Ms. Anderson explained the CHAMP program.
The following Leading Causes of Death were presented:
1. Cancer
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2. Heart Disease
3. Chronic lower respiratory disease
4. Alzheimer Disease
5. Unintentional injuries
In the Central District area, seven out of ten deaths were from chronic disease. Nearly one out of
every two adults had at lease on chronic illness, many of which were preventable. Today, almost
one in every three children in the district was overweight or obese which predisposes them to
chronic disease.
Presented were the CDHD Strategic Direction:
• Tobacco free living
• Preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use
• Healthy eating
• Active living
• Injury and violence free living
• Reproductive and sexual health
• Mental and emotional well-being
A presentation was given on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). The Health Department will be
working with worksites, schools, child care centers, government, and healthcare organizations to
reduce the availability of sugar drinks and encourage healthier options. Discussion was held
regarding taxes on SSB's.
Comments were made concerning the success of the smoking ban and the welcoming center here
in Grand Island. Mentioned was the partnership between the City and County regarding
replacing the parking lot at the Health Department.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk