Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-2022 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD March 16, 2022 5:00 PM St. Croix County Government Center -Room 1284 Government Center -1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin NOTICE SOME BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF MAY BE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY CALL TO ORDER Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness called this March 16, 2022 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM. ROLL CALL Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Carah KochSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountyChairPresent Scottie ArdSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Greg TellijohnSt. Croix CountySupervisorExcused Paulette AndersonSt. Croix CountyVice-ChairPresent Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Natasha WardSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Paul McGinnisSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberRemote Others in Attendance:Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret, County Administrator Ken Witt, Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen (Via Zoom), Epidemiologist Elle Klasen (Via Zoom), Public Health Supervisor Laurie Diaby (Via Zoom), ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton, Public Information Officer (PIO) Adam Kastonek, and several members from the community APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting February 16, 2022 5:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the February 16, 2022 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 Ostness opened the meeting to public comment for items on or off the agenda. No Public Comment tonight. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Updates on Public Health's COVID-19 Response Epidemiologist Elle Klasen and Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen presented information and data to the Board regarding current COVID -19 data, testing, vaccines and the newly recommended COVID-19 guidance from Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Engen informed that the new recommendations from the CDC has moved things to 3 main categories of community transmission of low/green, medium/yellow and high/orange. Masking is now determined based on these 3 CDC categories. Information about these new CDC guidelines and additional information can be found on the County website: sccwi.gov. Engen also shared that Public Health is still highly recommending vaccinations and to get a booster when available to you. There continues to be questions as to what vaccination requirements/recommendations will look like moving forward and this is still to be determined. Also, Public Health asks everyone to please get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms. As we are coming into allergy season, please don't just assume it is allergies. Testing is still available at St. Croix County Services Center (SCCSC) 5 days a week and information regarding this is also available on the County website: sccwi.gov. Epidemiologist Elle Klasen also shared information about the new CDC categories of low, medium and high and that St. Croix County is currently at the low level. These levels are now determined by the impact on hospitalizations as well as transmission, which is tallied by the total number of cases in 7 days per 100,000 people. Prior levels were based only on transmission. Klasen also shared that the dashboard on the County website has been changed and will be updated only once per week on Thursdays. Klasen then demonstrated ways to navigate this dashboard and the variety of information available including links to testing and vaccination information. Questions and discussion followed. Board Member McGinnis shared that though the recommendation and guidance has changed from the CDC, people should continue checking local levels but also the requirements and levels from the places you may be visiting. If we are at a low level here it isn't necessarily so elsewhere. Also be mindful of testing as well as watching the transmission levels and wear a mask if levels are high or if you are unsure in a large crowd. Everyone should continue to be cautious. HHS Director Rohret informed that we will suspend board presentations regarding COVID-19 unless things significantly change. Chair Ostness thanked Public Health for all their work. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Review of the Public Health Permit Fee Schedule Public Health (PH) Supervisor Laurie Diaby reviewed the recommended 2022 Public Health Permit Fees with the Board. PH comes to the Board each year for a review and input on whether there would be a fee increase. Currently with each permit given, there is a 10% reimbursement fee to the state, but this may increase in the next 2 years. The licensing renewals are run in May of each year. Public Health is before the Board asking for a 1% increase in permit fees to allow for the licensing and inspection program to be potentially 100% fee funded and not require tax levy dollars. Questions followed with discussion around whether 1% was enough of an increase, based on the projections, to be certain the licensing and inspection program can run without tax levy dollars. A motion was made by Supervisor Ard to approve a 2% increase to the 2022 Permit Fees and was seconded by Supervisor Anderson. A voice vote was taken, all approved. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Scottie Ard, Supervisor SECONDER: Paulette Anderson, Vice-Chair AYES: Cathy Leaf, Carah Koch, Dave Ostness, Scottie Ard, Paulette Anderson, Deb Lindemann, Natasha Ward, Paul McGinnis ABSENT: Greg Tellijohn 3. Health Care Campus 2022 Proposed Rate Changes Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret informed that Health Care Campus Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller is unavailable this evening so he will provide information regarding the proposed rate changes at Orchard View Terrace. Rohret shared that this proposed change comes due to the need to encourage the use of the one bedroom suite for two people or couples. It is a shifting of the fees to require more for the initial rent of the unit and less for the addition of the 2nd resident. This will make the total increase for the one bedroom suite for 2 people about $300 higher. Discussion and questions followed. Board Member McGinnis noted a typing error in the frail elderly area and also questioned the minimum monthly service fee in the memory care unit and if this differs if only one versus both residents are dealing with memory issues. HHS Director Rohret will clarify this information and get it to the Board. A motion was made by Supervisor Ard to approve the rate changes for the Health Care Campus effective June 1, 2022 and was seconded by Supervisor Leaf. A voice vote was taken and all approved. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Scottie Ard, Supervisor SECONDER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor AYES: Cathy Leaf, Carah Koch, Dave Ostness, Scottie Ard, Paulette Anderson, Deb Lindemann, Natasha Ward, Paul McGinnis EXCUSED: Greg Tellijohn 4. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret informed that Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke is unavailable this evening so he will provide a review of the monthly financial report with the Board. Rohret shared that there is no significant changes to report on the financials as we are at a similar place as we were last year at this time. A few programs are showing higher expenses but will be reimbursed upon reconciliation next year. Rohret informed that the audit for the Nursing Home will start next week and for Health and Human Services the audit will begin in May. The numbers in the financials will continue changing until audits are complete. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Addressing Housing Needs in St. Croix County County Board Supervisor and Housing Navigator for Western WI, Scottie Ard shared information from housing conversations she has had as well as updates from the Administration Committee meeting regarding their discussion on implementing a county housing authority. Ard informed that there are already several housing authorities in SCC through municipalities, and to make an additional county housing authority would require a new department be created with several staff to run it. The housing authorities we currently have are doing a great job. It would be in the County's best interest to bring together at the table the public housing authorities in the county, key stakeholders involved in housing, and area developers to work on addressing housing issues. She also informed that the City of New Richmond did a housing study in 2021 which can be found on the City of New Richmond website, but the data is already somewhat inaccurate due to the economic effects of COVID-19 and the significant increases in housing prices and rent in 2022. Ard shared information of the various developments recently opened or being developed in New Richmond, but highlighted many are higher rent units. Supervisor Ard urges Board Members to create conversations around housing in their communities and bring people together to look at grant funding or state and federal funds to create the housing we need moving forward for our rural communities. HHS Director Bob Rohret informed that the United Way of St. Croix Valley received a grant to bring together key stake holders in the housing conversation, which fits with what Supervisor Ard is saying. The initial goals of this United Way project are to: * Establish a bi-county (St. Croix & Pierce) subgroup on health and affordable housing * Increase collaboration with Healthier Together * Gain a deeper understanding of housing issues * Health Equity * The connection between health & housing Rohret believes HHS involvement in this grant project is a great way for HHS to support and have input on the housing needs, as well as support the people with the needs in various ways. This grant is in its early stages, but this project may align with what the HHS Board would like to see start happening around the housing conversation. Director Rohret will bring any new information about the United Way Grant back to this Board. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. Update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret provided the Board with updates regarding some HHS programming and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding connected to it. Rohret highlighted that Behavioral Health, Public Health and Economic Support have all received ARPA funds and are using them in a variety of ways, from additional staff to improved technology. Rohret informed that there are a few new updates regarding the use of ARPA funding; Staff are now trained and going out with police as a co-responder, MOU's have been signed with most law enforcement agencies to assist with crisis response needs which has been well received, Community Case Mangers are getting acclimated and starting their work in the community which is also going well, rental assistance continues to be provided to those in recovery housing at Onyx House with some good outcomes, a contract has been signed with Northwest Passage to provide Peer Recovery Support Services and Public Health is exploring the creation of a Health Educator position. There are a few additional ARPA positions still to be filled, so work will continue on those and HHS Director Rohret will provide any additional updates as needed. 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 HHS Director Bob Rohret or HHS Board Chair Dave Ostness if items arise. One request for an upcoming meeting: * Update on the Naloxone/Narcan program ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE HHS Director Bob Rohret shared * The State has informed HHS that the State Opioid Response Grant will be making whole our original request which is approximately an additional $100,000 * The Comprehensive Community Support program has completed their 2- year audit with good results and are now certified for 2 more years With the upcoming election and potential Board changes, Chair Ostness shared his appreciation to the HHS Board members for their dedication to the residents of St. Croix County. ADJOURN Chair Ostness called this March 16, 2022 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING To be determined following election of new Board members.