HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-16 Community Health Commission MinutesMINUTES
Edina Community Health Committee
March 16, 2010, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mayor’s Conference Room, Edina City Hall
Members Present: Kumar Belani, Mary Jo Kingston, Alan Lifson, Idelle Longman, Jan Johnson, Carolyn Peterson
Members Absent: Mark Johnson, Student Dolan Lee
Guests: Marty Scheerer, Phil Lucas, Ruth Tripp
WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER
Co-chair Jan Johnson welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the October 20, 2009 meeting were unanimously approved by a motion from Member Longman and second from Member Kingston.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Marty Scheerer, Edina Fire Chief, gave an update of the recent house explosion. A utility company working nearby punctured an underground gas line and the gas leak eventually caused
the house to explode. No one was home at the time of the explosion and no one was hurt. Center Point Energy crews worked several hours to make repairs and restore gas service to the
area. A quick “twitter” alert message went out to area residents from Edina Communications while Edina Fire went door to door to evacuate residents. Roads were blocked off to control
the area and keep traffic away.
Phil Lucas, Improvement Leader for Dow Chemical, gave a presentation on Dow Chemical Co. which is headquartered in Edina. Mr. Lucas discussed the company’s water filtering products
and reviewed water and process solutions of reverse osmosis, ion exchange, ultrafiltration and electrodeionization. He talked about the international desalination efforts and involvement
with the Beijing Olympics to reclaim water. Dow Chemical employs more than 600 people locally, second only to the Edina Public School system.
Co -chair J. Johnson thanked both speakers.
ELECTIONS
Co-chair J. Johnson asked for nominations for chair and co-chair positions. A motion was made by Member Belani to nominate Member Kingston as chair and Member J. Johnson as co-chair.
Member Lifson seconded the motion. By unanimous vote, Member Kingston was elected chair and Member J. Johnson elected co-chair. Chair Kingston took charge of the meeting.
STATEWIDE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Ruth Tripp, Health Specialist and SHIP Grant Coordinator from Bloomington Public Health gave an update on health activities in Edina resulting from the SHIP grant awarded to Bloomington,
Edina and Richfield. To date, efforts have been focused on schools and community. Safe Routes to Schools are being established and school pilot sites are working to increase student
physical activity. The “recess before lunch” concept is being considered. Walking and other activities are being encouraged.
Community activities involved efforts to change Edina Code to allow for a farmers market in the Centennial Lakes Park. By unanimous vote, Edina City Council approved the code change.
City staff is in process of accepting vendors for the market. The market will provide another option
for residents and visitors to access fresh fruits and vegetables for improved nutrition. To encourage physical activity, the grant money will provide for additional bike racks at schools
and on city properties. Efforts are being coordinated with Bike Edina Task Force to sponsor a Bike Rodeo at an elementary school. Healthy eating and physical activity is also being
addressed with special trainings in four childcare settings.
Upcoming activities will focus on worksites and healthcare settings by encouraging more physical activity and improved nutrition.
Mini SHIP grants are available for organizations with a coordinated plan for policy, systems or environmental change to reduce tobacco use, increase physical activity or improve nutrition.
Applications are due April 15, 2010.
HEALTH STAFF REPORTS
Members Kingston and Longman co-authored an article on mental health disparities. The article was published in the Sun Current in January and credited Members Kingston and Longman as
Community Health Committee members. The Committee thanked Members Kingston and Longman for a job well done. Member Lifson suggested a future article be written on “Unsafe Sex”, due
to the increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
A video featuring Member J. Johnson on community volunteerism and produced by Edina Communications Department was shown. Members applauded Member J. Johnson for her exceptional volunteer
efforts in the community. The volunteer focus was on health and nutrition.
A video about the new “Edina Farmers Market”, produced by Edina Communications Department, was also shown. Efforts are underway to promote the market. Member J. Johnson suggested having
a food donation drop box at the market, with donations going to VEAP. Liaison Engelman will check into this.
Liaison Engelman distributed the 2010 Minnesota County Health Rankings. The University of Wisconsin completes the national county health rankings by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. The City of Edina is reflected in the Hennepin County data. Health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic conditions and the physical environment contribute to
the ranking results.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
None presented.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Member Peterson and seconded by Member J. Johnson to adjourn. Vote to adjourn was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
________________________
Sherry Engelman
Next Meeting: May 18, 2010
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2010 Meeting Dates: March 16 May 18 September 21 October 19