Watertown Board of Health
Watertown Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
515 South First Street
November 21, 2013 - 5:30pm
Members Present: Ann Nienow, Dr. Donene Rowe, John Coughlin, Steve Zgonc and Carol Quest.
Others in Attendance: Kathy Eisenmann & Mayor John David
Not Present: Andrea Turke
1. Call to Order
Dr. Rowe called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Citizens to be Heard
None.
3. Approval of Minutes and Financial Report
The September 2013 minutes were reviewed by the members. Steve Zgonc motioned to approve with John Coughlin seconding the motion. Motion approved.
Carol Quest reviewed the financial reports with the board. It was noted that the Education account is over due to the new staff training requirements. Motion was made by Steve Zgonc and seconded by John Coughlin to approve.
Unanimously approved.
4. Strategic Planning & Accreditation
Kathy Eisenmann was present to discuss the strategic planning process.
Kathy reviewed the process including the staff input meetings and the three focus groups that were held to gather feedback on the department. The draft report was passed out to the members for their review. This is an important beginning step to the Public Health Accreditation and the State Administrative 140 Review.
Carol discussed the Public Health Accreditation process and explained that this is voluntary at this time. The State Administrative 140 review is due in the first quarter of 2014. The cost for this is accreditation $25,000 to be paid over five years and is renewed every five years. There are currently three health departments in the State of Wisconsin that are accredited at this time.
Carol is applying for a $10,000 grant that is available to assist with costs associated with the accreditation processes.
The staff has a leadership team that is currently working on standards for quality improvements.
5. Consolidated grants
Carol explained that the consolidated grants are federal monies that are distributed through the state. The programs under the consolidated grant are lead, immunization, radon, maternal child health & prevention. The contract deliverables are reported to the state after throughout and at the end of contract time period.
Watertown Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
November 21, 2013
Page 2
6. Emergency Preparedness Report
A new contract year started in July 2013 for the emergency preparedness program. The focus for 2013-2014 is
on three local objectives. To enhance our capability in terms of:
1. Community preparedness
2. Responder safety & health
3. Fatality management
4. Public health emergency plans redesign workgroup.
Alex Lichtenstein is on three state expert panels.
Childcare facility preparedness leadership team has been formed to enhance the ability of our local facilities to mitigate, plan, respond, and recover from disasters.
Alex will also be assisting the health department in completing accreditation activities.
Alex continues to work with the police department to provide fit testing N95 masks.
7. Environmental Health Report
The water testing for Dodge & Jefferson counties are almost complete. The contract for wells will end in December. One fifth of the transient wells have been completed as well.
The school inspections are almost completed as well.
Holly received recertification for the radon program. The kits are also available for pick up in December.
The child lead program is currently working on two properties.
The 2014 budget will include two new vehicles for the department.
8. Health Officer Report
Carol updated the board on the community health improvement plan. The goals are to increase physical activity and increase water consumption.
To promote water consumption throughout the City water filling stations are a possible community project.
Safe routes to school are being explored to promote increased physical activity as well.
The City attorney is reviewing the HIPPA forms and policies.
The Seal-a-smile dental program has been started in the elementary schools. Schurz, Lincoln and Douglas schools have been scheduled for dates at this time. This program is targeting second and third grade students.
Carol is currently working with a work group in Jefferson County to address the Affordable Care act to develop
resources for the community.
Carol is working with Jefferson County Heroine Taskforce to develop strategies to address the increasing public health issue.
Watertown Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
November 21, 2013
Page 3
Immunization Program. Changes that were implemented last year by the state has limited the individuals that can be serviced by the Health Department. The clinic times have been cut to accommodate the change in volume.
The department will have two interns during the summer semester. One will be with the Environmental
Department and one will be working at the Watertown Area Cares Clinic (Free Clinic).
Work has started on the new City of Watertown website. Holly, Abbey & Kim received training to start creating
web pages for the Health Department.
There was a brief discussion concerning communicable disease rates in the community. Both Influenza and
Hepatitis C are on the rise.
Fluoride in the water was also discussed briefly.
9. Old Business
None.
10. New business
None.
The next Board of Health meeting will be on February 13th at 5:30 p.m.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol Quest
Director/Health Officer
Note: The minutes are uncorrected. Any correction made thereto will be noted in the minutes of the proceedings at which these minutes are approved.