07/14/2014 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF JOINT HEALTH SPECIAL MEETING
July 14, 2014
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 14, 2014. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on July 8, 2014.
Central District Health Department (CDHD) 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 and Roger Wiegert (Merrick Co.), Mary Ann Apfel, Sandra Barrera Fuentes, Dr.
Richard Fruehling, Chuck Haase (Grand Island City Council), and Tim Bergen and Shelly
Graham (Hamilton Co.). The following Hall County Supervisors were present: Daniel Purdy,
Gary Quandt, Pam Lancaster, 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, John Gericke, Mitch Nickerson, and
City Clerk RaNae Edwards. Health Department employees: Executive Director Teresa Anderson,
Assistant Director Ryan King, Jeremy Eschliman, Jeremy Collinson, and Cindy Valdez.
Year in Review. Executive Director Teresa Anderson welcomed those attending and introduced
CDHD Assistant Director Ryan King who gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding significant
health issues. Residents identified the district's priority public health issue as obesity. CDC was
focusing on education and environmental change and encouraged community leaders to enact
policies that supported a healthy community.
Environmental Health Supervisor Jeremy Collinson explained Chikungunya, a new arbovirus
spread by mosquitoes similar to West Nile. It is not yet in the United States but can be carried
from person to mosquitoes and can be very painful in the joints and bones. The mosquitoes bite
mostly during daylight hours and people can be carriers of the virus. Mr. Collinson explained
testing and spraying of mosquitoes. He stated there were no human cases reported of West Nile
in the state.
Community Health Supervisor Jeremy Eschliman reported on Community Health. Education,
immunizations, and communicable disease were areas the Health Department focused on. A
short video was presented concerning Women, Infants & Children (WIC). Reviewed were
communicable diseases. Shigella was mentioned as on the rise in Grand Island.
Ms. Anderson reviewed statistics of obesity, diabetes, immunizations, etc. in our area. She stated
the Heartland Health Center was up and running with the cooperation of St. Francis Hospital and
Third City Clinic. Next year, dental services would be added. Explained was the Hall County
Community Collaborative.
Page 2,City Council Special Meeting,July 14,2014
Budget Overview. Teresa Anderson gave an overview of the 2014-2015 budget which was
approved by the Health Board. Revenue sources were presented with the City/County portion at
8% of total revenue. Discussion was held regarding tuberculosis, measles, and Asian flu.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk