HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-17 Community Health Commission MinutesMinutes
Edina Community Health Committee
May 17, 2011, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mayors Conference Room, City Hall
Members Present: Jeff Bartleson, Kumar Belani, Matt Doscoth, Mary Jo Kingston, Jan Johnson, Mary Lavelle, Julie Mellum, Carolyn Peterson, Student Francesca Sifferlin
Members Absent: Admanl Qureshi, Student John Beuerlein
Guests: Karen Zeleznak; Ruth Tripp
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kingston welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from the March 15, 2011 meeting were unanimously approved by a motion from Member Doscoth and second from Member Belani.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
None presented.
REPORTS /RECOMMENDATIONS
Karen Zeleznak, Director of Bloomington Public Health, gave an overview presentation on the Community Health Services and also the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Services which
they provide to the City of Edina. Since these services are the primary focus of the Community Health Committee, the presentation was given to benefit five new members on the committee.
Ruth Tripp, Health Specialist and SHIP Grant Coordinator from Bloomington Public Health, reviewed recent SHIP activities. To date, efforts have been focused on schools and community
and now include activities in worksites and health care settings. Future activities will focus on recruiting additional worksites and healthcare settings to participate in more physical
activity and improved nutrition. An assessment of the Park Lawn area is underway to collect information on demographics and opportunities to access to bike and walking trails, farmers
markets and fresh groceries, and parks & activity facilities. They are looking into offering food vouchers and allowing use of food stamps for market purchases. The Edina Transportation
Commission studied the complete streets concept and will present their recommendations to the City Council during the May 17 meeting. The Edina Buddist Center was awarded a SHIP mini
grant to develop a community garden. The current SHIP grant ends in June and future funding is unknown at this time. Governor Dayton and Commissioner of Health Edward Ehlinger support
SHIP however the legislative session will determine whether or not SHIP funding will be included in the approved budget.
Member Kingston reported that she represented the Community Health Committee at a joint meeting of the City Council and boards and commissions chairs. The intent of the meeting was to
collect ideas from boards & commissions regarding standardized agendas, filming of boards & commissions meetings, orientation training for board & commission members, and parameters
for consistency.
Member Lavelle reported on the Edina Senior Health Expo which is currently in the planning process. The event is scheduled for Saturday October 8, 9:30-12:30, at St. Patrick's Church.
The event will include vendors, speakers, and activities. The Edina Community Foundation, Fairview Southdale Hospital and the Edina Resource Center are the sponsors.
Member Mellum provided information regarding asthma and concerns for wood smoke as a trigger for asthma patients. Mellum said that major diseases are linked to air pollution and favors
a ban on wood fires in Edina. The committee discussed Member Mellum's concern however did not support a ban on wood fires in Edina. They suggested support of an education approach
to inform residents of 1) obtaining required burning permit from the City Fire Department, 2) using best burn practices, and 3) being considerate of neighbors.
Member Doscoth researched hospital emergency room data as documented by the 2010 Edina Fire Department emergency response calls. The data showed that 63% of emergency response calls
were medical and 24% trauma, with 67% of patients being 51 years and older. There are high numbers of
cardiac calls and acute respiratory calls for the elderly. None of the emergency room emergency response calls were diagnosed as caused by smoke from wood fires. Member Dishcloth will
review further information from Fairview South dale Emergency Room. Liaison Engelman talked with Edina Medical Consultant Dr. Ho regarding this information. Dr. Ho said that he has
never diagnosed an emergency room patient in which admitting symptoms were wood smoke causative. Dr. Ho also posed the question to his staff and none of them have ever diagnosed such
either.
CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
None presented.
CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
None presented.
STAFF COMMENTS
Liaison Engelman briefed the Committee on:
The new Edina Farmers Market includes several new vendors this year and remains a success with residents. Customers may donate fresh fruits and vegetables to VEAP as a drop box is available
on site. Another new feature this year is a master gardener will be available to answer questions once a month.
The City of Edina Employee Wellness Program received the "Wellness By Design Award" from Hennepin County for its creative employee wellness program for employees. A special award plaque
and banner are hung in the lobby of City Hall. Several other businesses in Hennepin County received similar awards for their employee wellness programs.
The legislature is considering serious cuts to many program areas, including public health programs. The level of community health services may be reduced depending on such cuts. Letters
of support are being sent to convince legislators of continued program support.
The City of Edina Employee Wellness Committee is researching information to establish an employee health assessment as a new component to the employee wellness programming.
A joint initiative supported by the mayors of Bloomington, Edina & Richfield for healthy living, physical activity and nutrition is in the developmental stages. Bloomington, Edina and
Richfield will partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield for this initiative which will be based on the SHIP concept of policy, systems and environment changes. More information will be
available mid-summer and a soft launch of the initiative is tentatively set for late summer.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Member Belani and seconded by Member Mellum to adjourn. Vote to adjourn was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
________________________
Sherry Engelman
Next Meeting: May 17, 2011
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2011 Meeting Dates: March 15 May 17 September 20 October 18