12/13/2005 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
December 13, 2005
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
December 13, 2005. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
December 7,2005.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmember's Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Cornelius, Pauly,
Hornady, Walker, and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
Gary Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, City Attorney Doug
Walker, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Pastor Paul Hofrichter, Evangelical Free Church, 2609 South
Blaine Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek asked the Council for direction for the 2006
City Council Retreat which would be held either January 28,2006 or February 11, 2006.
Pandemic Flu Presentation by the Health Department. Teresa Anderson, Executive Director from
the Central District Health Department presented information on pandemic flu. Pandemic flu was
explained as a worldwide outbreak of disease caused by a new flu virus. Past flu pandemics have
led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Mentioned was a new
virus that started about two years ago in Southeast Asia which started in birds, thus the name
"Bird Flu", This virus is affecting young people in their 20's thru 40's. Currently there is no
vaccine but they are working on it. Respiratory complications have been seen in those affected
with the bird flu.
The bird flu started in domestic birds and has since spread to wild flocks. These flocks are being
monitored. The virus has spread from birds to humans, but has not spread from humans to
humans yet. If it does, this could be a pandemic situation. The incubation period could be from 3
to 5 days.
The Health Department feels it's important to educate the public and encourages the public to
live a healthy life. Ways to stop germs from spreading would be to cover your mouth and nose
with tissue when coughing and sneezing, wash your hands often, and stay home when you're
sick.
Ms. Anderson explained the Table Top exercise that took place this week. Representatives at the
exercise talked about quarantine and isolation issues during a pandemic flu.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, December 13, 2005
Ryan King, Executive Director of the Central District Health Department mentioned work being
done by the Game and Parks Commission who were monitoring birds in this area. Mr. King
reported what had been done by the Health Department. They were monitoring viruses by
checking with the schools, State of Nebraska, other health departments, and St. Francis Medical
Center.
Presented to the Council was a draft copy of the Prevention of Spread of Communicable Disease,
Illness, or Poisoning. This policy would need to be reviewed and brought back to Council for
approval.
Mr. King explained the difference between quarantine and isolation. Quarantined was putting
restrictions upon people who had been exposed whereas isolation was for a person who had been
exposed to the virus and keeping them away from other people so it wouldn't spread.
Lela Lowry, Emergency Management Director explained the procedure if a quarantine were
needed. The Health Department would be the Incident Commander with law enforcement
enforcing the quarantine. The Mayor would designate if it was an emergency.
Mayor Vavricek commented on the efforts of Homeland Security. City Administrator Gary
Greer commented on the table top exercise and the importance of sharing ideas and working
together.
Mike Gloor, St. Francis Medical Center commented on the seriousness of this issue but that it
probably would not happen in the near future. Mentioned were challenges a pandemic would
force on each entity within the city.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk