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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-2021 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD April 21, 2021 5:00 PM Room 1284-County Board Room St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 - Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness called this April 21, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Supervisor Present Carah Koch St. Croix County Supervisor Present Dave Ostness St. Croix County Chair Present Scottie Ard St. Croix County Supervisor Present Greg Tellijohn St. Croix County Supervisor Absent 6:11 PM Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Vice-Chair Present Deb Lindemann St. Croix County Board Member Present Natasha Ward St. Croix County Board Member Present Paul McGinnis St. Croix County Board Member Present Board Members that Appeared Remotely : Supervisor Ard, Supervisor Leaf, Supervisor Tellijohn, Board Members Lindemann, McGinnis and Ward Others in Attendance: Assistant County Administrator Ken Witt, Public Information Officer Adam Kastonek, Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret and several other community members Others in Attendance Remotely: Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen, Public Health Supervisor Laurie Diaby, Public Health Epidemiologist Elle Klasen, Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, Behavioral Health Administrator Shar Lopez APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 5:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the March 17, 2021 HHS Board meeting if any editing was needed. With nothing noted the minutes were accepted as written. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness opened the meeting to public comment for items on or off the agenda. Chair Ostness informed that public comment will be kept to 2 minutes per person and for a total of 20 minutes. Several community members were in attendance and addressed the Board regarding masking, vaccinations, and concerns around SCC Public Health's recommendations in dealing with COVID-19. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. COVID-19 Summary of Current Disease Activity and Vaccine Distribution Efforts St. Croix County Public Health Epidemiologist Elle Klasen reviewed a power point with the Board providing an update on COVID-19 cases in St. Croix County (SCC) and the vaccination distribution process. Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen informed the Board that St. Croix County (SCC) is currently at a very high case rate per day and that we are not out of the woods yet with this pandemic. Cases are increasing in the younger age groups as 75 % of the 65 and older population is now vaccinated. Engen then addressed a few of the concerns and questions raised during public comment. She shared that the Public Health team decided that an advisory to wear a mask when in public, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, was still recommended as we are seeing another spike in our communities. This advisory is currently in place until June 6, 2021, and is recommended, but not enforceable. There is additional information on the county website regarding recommendations for other gatherings . In regards to vaccines in the schools, Engen informed that Public Health was approached by the schools about providing vaccinations for kids 16 and older as SCC is currently receiving the Pfizer vaccine which is approved for that age group. A survey was sent out to parents and they received a large response with over 60% responding yes to getting their child vaccinated. These clinics will be held after school hours so parents can attend with their child if they wish and will require a parental signed release prior to child receiving vaccine. Questions and discussion followed. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Public Health Permit Fee Schedule Public Health (PH) Supervisor Laurie Diaby shared information with the Board, per their request at the last Health and Human Services Board meeting, to show the impact to the budget in waiving the permit fees. One of the biggest areas it would impact is in supporting the time by the Environmental Health staff to do these inspections. Approximately 65% of their work time on inspections is supported by these fees. Diaby stated that this inspection program is important to sustain as there is a requirement to issue licenses under their agent contract with the state and it also provides health and safety to the community. Some discussion followed. A motion was made by Supervisor Ard to approve the Public Health permit fee schedule for 2021 which was seconded by Board Member Lindemann. A voice vote was taken and all approved. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Scottie Ard, Supervisor SECONDER: Deb Lindemann, Board Member AYES: Cathy Leaf, Carah Koch, Dave Ostness, Scottie Ard, Paulette Anderson, Deb Lindemann, Natasha Ward, Paul McGinnis ABSENT: Greg Tellijohn 3. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financials with the Board. Strenke informed that revenues and operating expenses are running similar to this time last year. She also shared that there are still some reconciliation funds yet to come in. Strenke also noted that payroll appears high, but this is mostly due to the extra staff hired in Public Health in response to COVID-19. The Health Center Campus is a bit behind last year, but the census should begin to increase as more optional surgeries are happening which would require some short-term rehab stays for consumers. Also the Health Center is showing a bit of a loss but will be recover some of this with the COVID-19 relief funds as there was significant expense related to the purchase of personal protective equipment. Veterans Services continues to run right on track. County Administrator Ken Witt highlighted that Health and Human Services, as a whole, is running in the black which is very good to see. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. To keep the Board informed of things that are happening within the department, HHS Director Bob Rohret provided an overview of the work that the various divisions within HHS are currently focused. Director Rohret also highlighted some topics from the "The Day at the Capitol" when he and other County Directors, staff, and Board members were able to speak with local legislators as a western region in voicing their concerns and support of items in the proposed 2022 Governor's budget. Director Rohret first informed of some leadership changes at Health and Human Services. Children Services Administrator/Operations Manager Julie Krings has accepted a position with Pierce County as their Human Services Director and will be leaving on May 18th. Julie has been a tremendous asset to Children Services and all of HHS, she will be greatly missed. Transition plans have started and the Board will be updated as changes are implemented. As a legislative update Rohret shared that there were 6 main talking points for "The Day at the Capitol" which was shared in the Board packet. One of the main areas of interest for Director Rohret is Medicaid expansion and Wisconsin becoming a Medicaid Expansion state. This would raise the Medicaid eligibility, which ties in to many areas of HHS programs. Also, Youth Justice has some interesting changes as part of the budget including moving 17 year olds to the children's court system and increased use of community based settings for youth. Lastly there is mention in the proposed budget to increase the number of mental health beds in Eau Claire which seems to have bipartisan support. Director Rohret agrees with and sees value in much of the Governor's proposed 2022 budget and the funding increases. Rohret then highlighted some division updates. The hope is that St. Croix County Services Center can begin to move to more in person services, but he shared we want to move forward cautiously. We need to be sure we are able to space people out and make plans to open safely per Public Health guidance. Behavioral Health sees the biggest need to meet with people in person though telehealth has been effective. Economic Support will continue to work remotely which then allows for the Accounts Receivable/Finance staff to move into this space allowing them a more quieter and consolidated work environment. Reminder to all that the St. Croix County Services Center is open 8-4:30 M-F if consumers have questions regarding services. At the Health Center, Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller was nominated for the Leading Age Board Director Position, we will keep the Board informed on the outcome of this. Also the Health Center is allowing limited visitors and a slight increase in activities. They also continue to be very cautious with reopening. Director Rohret will provide this Director's Report on a quarterly basis and if any Board Members have topics or programs they would like to hear about please reach out to himself or Colleen Linder with topic suggestions. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Ostness asked if there are any requests for future agenda items. Board members are encouraged to contact the HHS Director Bob Rohret or HHS Board Chair Dave Ostness if items arise. * Supervisor Koch would like the Board to discuss and consider a housing study unless one has been done recently. Supervisor Anderson believes Westcap does this type of study and could provide numbers on this. Supervisor Ard also has some data on housing and will submit it for this potential agenda item for next meeting. * Supervisor Tellijohn is wondering if a homeless survey has been done and could the Board see the results of this at next meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE No announcements. ADJOURN HHS Board Chair Dave Ostness called the April 21, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING May 19, 2021 @ 5:00 PM