07/08/2013 Minutes OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF JOINT HEALTH SPECIAL MEETING
July 8, 2013
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 8, 2013. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on July 2, 2013.
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, Shelly Graham (Hamilton County),
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 Commissioners were present: Tim
Bergen and Shelly Graham. The following Merrick County Supervisors were present: Mike
Bowman and Roger Wiegert. The following City Officials were present: Councilmembers Chuck
Haase, Linna Dee Donaldson, Vaughn Minton, Mitch Nickerson, and City Clerk RaNae
Edwards. Mayor Jay Vavricek was present at 6:20 p.m. Health Department employees:
Executive Director Teresa Anderson, Assistant Director Ryan King, Jeremy Eschliman, Jeremy
Collinson, Lucia Rodriguez and Cindy Valdez.
Jeremy Collinson gave a basic overview of the Central District Health Department. There were
twenty-six employees within 2 divisions. Teresa Anderson gave an overview of the 2013-2014
budget. Increased fees were discussed. $450,000 was built in to the budget in both the revenues
and expenses for new opportunities. The following new programs were mentioned: Every
Woman Matters, Healthy Lifestyles, Home Visitation, and Refugee. Grants would cover these
new programs. Total FY2013-2014 budget was $3,251,995.
Ms. Anderson answered questions regarding the Federal Health Care Plan. CDC funding had
been cut which in turn trickled down to the State and Local Health Departments.
Ryan King commented on the Community Resources offered at the Health Department such as
Health Educator, Nutritionist, Registered Nurses, Registered Dietician, Peer Educators,
Laboratory Scientist, Biology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, Emergency Preparedness, and
Support. Explained were the duties of the Environmental Health Division such as inspections of
swimming pools, childcare facilities, commercial animal facilities, food establishments,
tattoo/body piercing, recreational camps, garbage trucks, well/septic inspections, mobile home
parks and clean indoor air inspections.
Page 2,City Council Special Meeting,July 9,2012
Services provided by the Health Department were: West Nile Virus monitoring, mosquito
control, indoor air quality, preparedness and response planning, and water testing laboratory.
The Community Health Division included: disease surveillance, immunization, and WIC
(Women, Infant& Children).
Jeremy Collinson explained what swimmers itch was. Currently Mormon Island was the only
place affected with this in the city. Testing procedures were explained. Discussion was held with
regards to the number of birds at the lakes in and around Grand Island.
Jeremy Eschliman explained the WIC program. This was a program for newborns to 5 years.
Mentioned were Epidemiology and Immunizations programs. Discussion was held regarding
shingle shots.
Ms. Anderson stated the Health Department had submitted its budget to the City and County
with the request to remain at $110,000 for FY 2013-2014.
Hall County Supervisor Gary Quandt said he would recommend that the County reduce the
money given to the Health Department for FY 2013-2014 by $30,000. Ms. Anderson explained
what the funds were used for. No City position was remarked about aside from Councilmember
Haase's view while serving on the Central District Health Department Finance Committee.
Ryan King answered questions regarding measuring the success of the programs.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Par) •_ 41-1-;
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk