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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-15 Community Health Commission MinutesMINUTES COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE CITY HALL MAYORS CONFERENCE ROOM January 15, 2013 at 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Doscotch welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. II. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were members Matt Doscotch, Jan Johnson, Helen Rissen, Carolyn Peterson, Nancy Ott-Pinckaers. (Members Kumar ?, Mary Jo Kingston and Adnan ? joined later in the meeting), Staff Member Sherry Engelman III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Motion by Member Peterson and seconded by Member Ott-Pinckaers to approve the meeting agenda. All voted aye. IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Member Peterson, seconded by Member Johnson to approved consent agenda item IV.A. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting October 17th, 2012. All voted aye. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT None presented. VI. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS A. Chair Doscotch outlined the 2013 CHC Work Plan and his efforts to clarify the Work Plan with City Manager Scott Neal and Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt. Also discussed was a coordinated effort with do.town to discuss programs in place and how the CHC can help from a policy standpoint. It is not the intention of the CHC to step in where do.town leaves off. Member Ott-Pinckaers discussed the Healthy Eating/Active Living initiative. This piece will be discussed further at the March meeting. Member Doscotch sought clarification on what the Council wants to achieve; however, the target date of April, 2013 may not be the best timing to write new language relating to the mission of the CHC. Sherry Engelman related that the Council agreed with the CHC ideas for focus groups, etc. She also advised the CHC members that there will be an expectation of 12 monthly meetings beginning in 2014, in addition to any scheduled work sessions. B. Community Health Committee Mission: Language Update In reference to the work plan (packet supplement 1503.02, Purpose and Duties), Member Doscotch intends to get more direction from the Council for the March meeting as to what they are looking for. He asked that the Committee members give this some thought and bring ideas to the March meeting. Richfield’s Health Mission was reviewed for comparison purposes. ___ asked about coordination with the State. Sherry Engelman stated that coordination occurs through the assessment the Health Department goes through every five years. Ruth Trip is our contact for SHIP (State Health Improvement Program). She also discussed the State guidelines for Community Health services. It was suggested the CHC assess community initiatives for gaps and trying to fill those gaps with State resources. C. Pilot Community Garden Member Doscotch discussed the Pilot Community Garden project, advising that the City Council approved moving forward with the Yorktown site. A meeting with the YMCA, Park Board and other participants will be taking place, with the Park Board taking the lead. CHC participation is also expected. The intention is to have a small sub-committee to work on potential issues. There will have to be a method in place for selecting participants, determining fees, parking, tools, and supplies provided. It will also be important to decide who will be responsible for construction, fencing, etc. Collaboration with a Boy Scout Troup was suggested. Member Kingston agreed to participate in the project on behalf of the CHC. This project is part of the Park Board’s work plan, but the CHC will partner with them to see it through. Richfield’s Community Garden Program was discussed as an example and Member Johnson mentioned that the Art Center is also interested in starting a garden through the Garden Club and had approached Member Johnson about contributing extra vegetables to VEAP. Member Kingston added that cooking lessons and education about ethnic foods and vegetables are being considered at the Farmer’s Market. D. Youth, Aging and General Health Updates: Member Johnson gave an update about the subgroup’s meeting with the Senior Center. (See attachment) Hennepin County will be outsourcing 150 employees to the same facility where VEAP is moving, so food stamps and the food shelf will be available at the same location. Member Johnson passed around a brochure and newsletter with more details about the new facility. The VEAP transportation brochure needs to be updated and redesigned and placed in the Senior Center. Member Johnson discussed this issue with VEAP and Sue Weigle. Some seniors may be falling through the cracks because they don’t realize they qualify, or have concerns about any stigma attached to receiving low income services. It was suggested that resources for seniors be published in the About Town magazine with the emphasis on “qualifying” seniors, rather than “low income” seniors. Member Doscotch believes the City should invest in publicizing these resources by including a tear-out insert in the publication and that this could be a specific recommendation the CHC makes to the Council. Currently, the Senior Center newsletter only goes to those with a paid membership, while the About Town publication is mailed to every residence in the city. Store-to-door delivery through Cub Foods was discussed: a fee is involved, but they do not accept food stamps. Member Peterson asked if announcements could be aired on the local cable channel. Sherry Engelman stated she will discuss these ideas with the Communications and Marketing Department. Youth Subgroup: Members Doscotch and Ott-Pinckaers updated the CHC on their meeting. A parent community group is charged with looking at issues such healthy food choices in the schools and school wellness policies, and looking at other ways the CHC can strengthen those policies through recommendations to the City. Member Johnson brought up the Tri-City Partners attachment from Josh Sprague and provided a copy to pass around. The recommendation was made to continue supporting efforts such as Tri-City Partners as it is shown to result in a decline in drug and alcohol use. No other items to report from that meeting. Members Kingston, Ott-Pinckaers and Doscotch scheduled a meeting at 2:30 PM on Friday at the Community Center. There was a discussion about including Our Lady Of Grace and other private schools, but since the City does not have a direct relationship with them it was decided that the CHC is limited to providing them with information about CHC work and available resources. Member Doscotch also discussed the Shape 201o Survey and will propose to Scott Neal that the next Quality of Life Survey include some questions relating to children to establish a benchmark relative to the surrounding community as well as the metro area to get a sense of where Edina stands. General Health: Influenza in the community and schools was discussed. There does not seem to be a greater flu problem in Edina and there is awareness in the school system. Flu and vaccination information has gone out to parents. Edina has one of the highest vaccination rates in the State. E. Resolutions/Recommendations: Healthy Eating/Active Living (tabled from 9/11/12 agenda): This discussion will occur in March. The medical society can help promote this initiative/program. The document is lengthy. Sherry Engelman pointed out that the initiative can affect several departments and suggested that it be circulated through various departments for input and feedback. The CHC will address this in March, dovetailing with part of the work plan. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS None presented. VIII. CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Member Johnson discussed food safety as a significant issue that has not been addressed by the CHC. She presented a packet of information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture which would be applicable to seniors who may have a habit of keeping food in the refrigerator too long. Food handling classes are available for churches and their volunteers. Member Kingston suggested writing an article for the SunCurrent. Member Doscotch asked members to review the document he put together last year to see if there are items the CHC wants to address in 2013. Further discussion in March. IX. STAFF COMMENTS A. Sherry Engleman discussed the CHC 2013 tentative meeting schedule, including the required work session with the Council in March. All meetings are mandatory to count toward attendance. Sherry called attention to the attendance handout provided in the packet outlining the attendance requirements (75% of meetings). The work session will include reviewing the charter. Sherry also encouraged everyone to attend the Boards and Commissions Annual Dinner on March 11th to honor members whose terms are completed and introduce newly appointed members. The dinner will be held at Braemar. She also reminded CHC members to about the Telephone Town Hall Meeting on January 16th. Applications for the various boards are open through the end of January. Sherry acknowledged that attendance can be a sensitive issue because members also have other commitments, but the Council’s intention is to be fair to everyone. B. 2013 Community Health Assessment with Bloomington and Richfield Boards: Meeting with these Boards of Health for the five-year assessment. Sherry discussed the supplement in the packet. Most likely a survey will be sent to every distribution list they have. Member Peterson suggested the survey be publicized on the cable channel. Certain items on the draft survey were discussed and suggestions were made which Sherry will pass on. Member Johnson noted that stress is not mentioned on the survey and should be added. The survey should come out at the end of the month and be available for about two weeks. C. Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Update: Sherry included SHIP updates in the packet. Member Johnson brought up bicycle parking and bicycle safety issues. The CHC will make the recommendation that additional consideration be made to address bicycle safety and bicycles following traffic laws. D. Do.town Update: Sherry included the do.town update in the packet and mentioned that a documentary will be done on the do.town experience with the three cities. If successful, it will be used for other communities. Sherry welcomed reappointments: Member Doscotch was reappointed. ____ was reappointed. Member Peterson completed her term and due to work commitments has decided not to continue with another term. Sherry thanked her for her service and encouraged her to attend the dinner. ____ was encouraged to reapply by the end of January. The Council will look at new applicants and appoint four new people to join the CHC. The Committee thanked Sherry for her work and perseverance. X. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made by _____ and seconded by Member Johnson. All voted aye and the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM.