MINUTES OF THE
DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
I certify, that to the best of my ability to record and recall, these are the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Dukes County Health Council held on May 25, 2000.
Meeting called to order at 8:06 a.m.
Board Members Present:
Cynthia Mitchell, Chairman Fred Rundlet
Patty Begley Cathy Brennan
Christopher Knowles Elizabeth Norcross
Carol Borer* Bud Macy
Else Membrezo Karen Kukolich
Sherrill Butterfield Kathy Logue
Sarah Isenberg Murray Frank
Sarah Kuh * Lorna Andrade
Tad Crawford Maureen Kelly
Katharine Colon Sandra Lothrop*
Bob Sawyer Ned Robinson-Lynch
Sharon Clauss-Zanger Jacque Cage
Les Holcomb Dennis Hoak
Peter Strock
Marsha Smolev, Executive Assistant
Eleanor Mirad
*Ex Officio
Absent:
Matt Poole Kevin Burchill Arthur Wortzel
Jane Cleare Joan Creato Michelle Lazerow
Marguerite Bergstrom * Steve Bernier
At Murray Frank’s suggestion, meeting packets will be emailed from now on to those with email access. Chris Knowles asked about Posting Meetings. It is necessary to Post all meetings of the DCHC, as they are open public meetings. The next meeting of the DCHC will be Thursday, June 22 at 8:00. The Minutes of April 27 were Amended to add a zero to $200,00. Peter Strock Moved to Approve the Minutes. Patty Begley Seconded the Motion. The Minutes were approved with the Amendment.
Clerk of the Courts, Joseph Sollitto, arrived at 8:15 to swear in Council members. Members who arrived after the swearing in, or who were absent, need to contact Mr. Sollitto to arrange an alternate time.
Eleanor Mirad announced that she is attending because she would like to work on the Chronic Illness Committee.
Cynthia Mitchell Moved that Tad Crawford be the interim Treasurer, replacing Steve Bernier. Chris Knowles Seconded the Motion that passed Unanimously.
Tad Crawford gave the Treasurer’s Report, indicating that he was consolidating accounts to focus on 4 parts: Operating funds, Island Plan, Mini Grants, Access Grant. He also mentioned that he met with County Treasurer Noreen Flanders to reconcile the DCHC and County records, and that he is discussing with the County Manager, how to make available the $10,000 appropriated to the Health Council. Discussion followed. The County Manager reiterated that the $10,000 needs to be spent before the end of the Fiscal Year, June 30, 2000. Discussion continued about the definition of an appropriation.
Murray Frank gave the Data and Funding Report, stating that the Health Council is currently processing 3 grants for the Access Program: U Mass Renewal ($20,000),
Mass Med. Continuation of a grant ($30,000 last year, late this year), and an application to the Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid, $6250 last year, asking for $15,000 this year, due June 6.) Also last year the Health Council received money from the Permanent Endowment fund. Fred Rundlet asked what the monies would be used to fund. Murray Frank responded that it would cover increased hours for Sarah Kuh (now 20, maybe up to 30) as well as travel money. Fred Rundlet asked about the Hospital’s commitment to helping the Health Council. Cynthia Mitchell said the Council has received a check for $5000 and has been reassured of the continued commitment from the Hospital.
Cynthia Mitchell reviewed the Council’s request to the County for funding ($36,000) for the Access Program. The total request to the County from the Health Council was for $76,000. Discussion followed about filling the vacancy on the Access Board. Elizabeth Norcross volunteered to help on the Board, but not as a permanent Board member.
Cynthia Mitchell asked Carol Borer for a report on the Budget. The County Manager reported that the $36,000 requested for the Access Program will be revisited in the Supplemental Budget next fall. Jacque Cage expressed confusion and concern about the County’s plan to fund a Health & Human Services Coordinator, rather than the Access Program. Carol Borer explained that she is considering the possibility of creating a County position that will be placed on the County Classification Plan and be entitled to benefits, rather than having the Access
Coordinator continue as a contract position. Jacque Cage reported having funding for Sarah Kuh’s position
through December, 2000. Cynthia Mitchell expressed frustration about the process, stating the Access Board and Data and Funding Committee had worked hard to address the Health Council budget.
The County Manager reviewed the history of the Health Services budget that resulted from numerous meetings with various people, groups and departments. She also noted that parts of the job description for the new Coordinator are taken not only from these meetings, but as a result of Sandra Lothrop's Survey and input. Carol Borer reiterated that the new position is meant to work in coordination with the Access Coordinator. It is not designed to replace that person or program. Discussion continued. Kathy Logue expressed frustration with the County’s plan. County Commissioner Bob Sawyer said he believed the County vision is to have all the human services under one umbrella, that healthcare is only one part of this. Fred Rundlet said the Health Council was created to meet a crisis. He expressed concern that the Council and County Commissioners didn’t discuss together, the needs they were trying to meet. He also thought the County’s $50,000 could be better spent hiring a
consultant to bring in grant money. Fred Rundlet voiced concern also about the way the budget was put together. Sarah Isenberg said the Access program has tremendous needs. She asked that the County’s $50,000 be spent to expand this program. Patty Begley said the Health Council is an advisory council that spent a lot of time figuring out the needs of the community. She feels the Council’s work was overlooked. Sandra Lothrop agreed some of the needs she expressed from her Survey results are reflected in the new job description, but she would like to see more, another specialized position. Carol Borer reminded the Council that she made an effort to bring $50,000 of previously unavailable funds into Health and Human Services. The creation of this position will mean there are 2 complimentary, not conflicting entities. Discussion continued. Murray Frank said he thinks anyone who works for the Health Council should
report to the Health Council, not the County.
Tad Crawford summed up the discussion by saying there are obviously two very different opinions about who the Council is and how it relates to the County. He said the Coordinating Committee needs to work with the County and Access Committee to get back on track. Cynthia Mitchell agreed.
Lorna Andrade reported that the Chronic Illness and PR Committee is still fine tuning the Survey. Sarah Kuh reported that she spoke to the Harwich Dental Center. They are looking for a ½ position bilingual assistant. Dennis Hoak reported on the Mass Medical Society Meeting that he and Sarah Kuh attended. Several doctors expressed an interest in volunteering on the Vineyard. There is still no chair for the Children’s Diary. The Hospital applied for a grant to conduct a study to see if it is a Critical Access Hospital. The state is apparently behind in making these awards.
Carol Borer reported that all 6 towns signed the Intermunicipal Agreement. The towns are appointing designees to the Committee for Emergency Medical Services. The County Commissioners will be appointing their two designees at their next meeting.
Discussion followed about nominations for the Coordinating Committee. Bob Sawyer suggested letting all 8 interested people remain as nominees. Kathy Logue felt that was too many. Peter Strock Moved that nominations be closed and only 7 be chosen. Sharon Clauss-Zanger Seconded the Motion that passed Unanimously.
Cynthia Mitchell gave an update on the Lighthouse (CAP) Grant application. She will ask Pat Fairchild to add detail to the part about the Hospital. Commissioner Sawyer suggested the Intermunicipal Agreement be included, since it’s regional too.
Cynthia Mitchell commended Pat Fairchild for her work on this Grant Application, which she did pro-bono.
Murray Frank reported that the fiscal agent is on the Cape. Discussion followed about signing the Grant, the County Commissioners having asked the County Manager to follow up on this since they are the regional agency. Cynthia Mitchell said the Health Council needs to sign too, since it is an agency in the eyes of the Grant. Jacque Cage asked if the Council is an entity. Fred Rundlet answered that it is an advisory board.
The Meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m.
| 
