MINUTES
DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
Thursday, March 24, 2005 Meeting
West Tisbury Public Safety Building
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Cynthia Mitchell, Chair; Jacque Cage, Vice-Chair; Terry Appenzellar, Treasurer; Kathy Rose, Secretary; Cathy Brennan, Patsy McCormack; Jane Cleare; Judie Flanders; David Holmberg; Tim Walsh; Ron Chisholm; Olga Church; Frank Honey; Nancy Gilfoy; Cindy Doyle; Paddy Moore; Christopher Knowles; Tad Crawford; Frederick Rundlet; Sarah Kuh; Mary Jane O’Connor-Ropp.
A quorum being determined, the meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.
NEXT MEETING
Cynthia Mitchell announced that the next meeting will be on the fourth Thursday in April, the 28th of April 2005 at 7:30 a.m. at the West Tisbury Public Safety Building.
MINUTES
Cynthia Mitchell announced that a new procedure would be to review the major components of the minutes -- not for accuracy, but to remind the Council of actions taken or promised.
Paddy Moore asked about the voted involvement in the upcoming passage of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) that was on the ballot of each town for this spring. Paddy Moore/Patsy McCormack moved that the Council write a letter supporting the passage of the CPA, and it was so voted unanimously.
Chris Knowles/Paddy Moore moved that the Council accept the minutes of 24 February 2005 as written, and so voted (19-0-2), Nancy Gilfoy and Cynthia Mitchell abstaining.
TREASURER’S REPORT
a. Terry Appenzellar reported on the requested transfers of line items 251, 252 and 254 to the Island Health Plan and the FIH respectively. No action taken.
b. Terry Appenzellar reported on the status of FY-05 budget and submitted a report. In response to a question concerning County allocation, County Manager E. Winn Davis indicated that discussions with the County Auditor verified a mechanism for the County to accept funds with a Federal restriction against overhead. Tad Crawford said that a relationship between the County and Island Health Plan needed to be formalized to resolve audit questions. Cindy Doyle/Tad Crawford moved that the Council accept the Treasurer’s Report and it was so voted. Unanimous.
c. Terry Appenzellar produced a draft FY-06 budget. Tad Crawford/Paddy Moore moved that the Council approve the FY-06 budget to be submitted to the County Manager, and it was so voted. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING WITH HEALTH COUNCIL COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Cynthia Mitchell proposed a new protocol as shown on documents titled “FY-05 Goals and Objectives – Summary,” and a Strategy Work plan, respectively.
Chris Knowles asked about a methodology for circulating proposals. Terry Appenzellar suggested that the timeline should be segmented into shorter terms. Ilene Klein suggested that the goals should be reviewed periodically, and asked if the Coordinating Committee was going to submit final goals to the Council, or if they were to be discussed first. Cynthia Mitchell said that she hoped to bring them back for the June meeting for final adoption.
Nancy Gilfoy asked where the work plans would go so that they are reviewable by others. The County Manager indicated that the new website could support password protected files so that all could review in a comprehensive manner, rather than to email pieces around. Paddy Moore inquired if the minutes would be stored in a similar way. Terry Appenzellar expressed her concern over the protocols required and time consumed by this activity. The County Manager assured her that his office could assist in uploading.
Cynthia Mitchell inquired of the Council if the list of committees was complete, suggesting that the Data committee could be eliminated.
DISCUSSION OF THE ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH CARE ACCESS – ROLES AND RESPONSIBNILITIES
The County Manager initiated the discussion outlining the importance of providing an opportunity for regionalized approach to Public Health Issues that call for an~Island-wide approach. He said he needs assistance in synthesizing and coordinating the myriad health goals and someone to speak and act in a role that is recognized and valued in the arena of grants and contracts. DCHC has achieved much, but we have now arrived at that point where it is necessary to have that imprimatur of structure and governmental authority that a County Health Department and an Associate Commissioner for Health Care provide.
Fred Rundlet indicated his support and suggested that the Data Committee could “slide” over the County, and work on Bio-Terrorism and Homeland Security issues, and by being an advocate with Towns . Cathy Brennan said this position gave her hope for the Wellness program, although she would have preferred to have the discussion earlier. Cindy Doyle, Tad Crawford, Tim Walsh and Chris Knowles all added their support. Terry Appenzellar suggested that this was an opportunity for a more pro-active interface with Town Health Agents.
DISCUSSION OF LIGHTHOUSE HEALTH ACCESS ALLIANCE LIAISONS
Owing to time constraints, Cynthia Mitchell chose to truncate this discussion, only asking for one vote. Ilene Klein/Paddy Moore moved that Tad Crawford be appointed Liaison to the Lighthouse Health Access Alliance, and so voted. Unanimous.
HEALTH COUNCIL COMMITTEE PROGRAM UPDATES AND REPORTS
a. General Announcements – Fred Rundlet called for a subcommittee to evaluate the Soda Pop Ban in Schools. Deferred. Cynthia Mitchell mentioned the upcoming awards for Murray Frank, Sarah Kuh and herself and the VHCAP. Patsy McCormack updated on the Chronic Illness committee and the opportunity for a student intern with 700 hours available.
b. VHCAP update from Sarah Kuh.
c. Oral Health update from Sarah Kuh.
d. Tad Crawford responded to the constructive criticism on Health Forum #3 and promised an improved Health Forum #4 to be held on 10 April 2005 and urged everyone to attend.
e. Ilene Klein updated the Council on the Primary Care Working Group, and thanked Paddy Moore for all her efforts and welcomed Chris Knowles to the Working Group. She did talk about the need for accomplishing the Rural Health Network Development Planning needs, even thought the grant was not forthcoming. She also talked about the HIPSA designation.
f.. Jane Cleare asked for support for the VTA off-season, and a para-transit trial that would serve the needs for the elderly and the non-driving youth.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:37 a.m., Christopher Knowles/Fred Rundlet moved to adjourn, and it was so voted. Unanimous. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
E. Winn Davis
County Manager
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