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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Citizens Advisory Health Board - 08/20/2003 } V Jl Minutes CITIZENS ADVISORY HEALTH BOARD August 20,2003 Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District 1702 Horne Road, Administration Conference Room Members Present: Rose Caballero R.N.,Tony C. Diaz, Melinda Gonzales,R.N.,Karen Beard, Gloria Farias,Leo Barrera, Larry Bittle,and Amanda Stukenberg Members Absent: Blanca R. Garcia, Ph.D.,R.N. Health District: Annette Rodriguez,Dr. Boostrom, and Jorge Cruz-Aedo Timeline/ Meeting Outline Minutes Action Taken Responsible Party Call to Order Rose Caballero,Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon, noting that there was a quorum present. Opening Remarks Discussion of the minutes from July 31, 2003. A motion was made and Larry Bittle noted his last was misspelled for seconded to approve the future clarification; however, he did say it would minutes; the minutes not require an amendment to the minutes. were approved as written. Board Business A discussion of the bylaws took place; the Mr. Cruz-Aedo Rose Caballero and amended bylaws were missing signatures of the suggested that the Melinda Gonzales Chair and Vice-Chair. Ms. Caballero asked for current Chair and Vice- signed the bylaws at the clarification of who should sign the bylaws. Chair should sign the end of the meeting. bylaws. Distribution of The next item on the agenda was the presentation Letter Regarding and distribution of a letter created by the board Diabetes and regarding diabetes and vending machines in Vending Machines public schools. The committee was asking public in Schools schools for consideration of the removal of items that would not be of good nutrition for children. Amanda Stukenberg, who was not present yet, had the letter in her possession. Melinda Gonzales informed the committee that a House bill had been passed addressing non- nutritional items in vending machines. Mr. Cruz-Aedo reminded the committee that there The committee agreed to were five school districts. He then asked if the defer this agenda item letter would be addressed to all five districts. All until Amanda five school districts would be addressed, clarified Stukenberg arrived with Ms. Caballero. a copy of the letter in question. Discussion of Ms. Caballero suggested waiting for Dr. Silvers to MeetinP Time arrive to discuss the meeting time of the meeting. Mr. Cruz-Aedo commented that it is customary SCANNED that a department hosting a noon time meeting provide lunch for the members. Ms. Caballero � u informed Mr. Cruz-Aedo that the committee in past years did have lunch during the meeting; however, most of the hour was spent eating lunch rather than conducting business. Karen Beard suggested the meeting be held mid- morning,around 10:00 a.m. Melinda Gonzales commented she liked the noon hour. Larry Bittle's concern was the length and duration of the meeting. He felt the topics of the agenda should be covered within the allotted hour and not deferred to later meetings. Dr. Silvers arrived at 12:20 p.m. Mr. Cruz-Aedo briefly introduced Dr. Silvers to the committee. Dr. Silvers was welcomed by the committee. Dr. Silvers informed the committee he looked forward to working with them to better serve the community. He added that there have been many developments in public health; many things have changed since 9/11/01. His goals to address at the health department are as follows: a.) making changes within the health department, including internal restructuring, b.) immunizations, c.) disaster preparedness, d.) food safety and e.) animal control. Ms. Gonzales said she had the privilege to speak to Dr. Silvers prior to today's scheduled meeting. CCISD and the health department worked together to create a schedule for all school children to be immunized at the health department. The schedule was created to help serve the overflow of clients. The schedule was successful and made the overflow more manageable. Mr. Cruz-Aedo reiterated that the health department provided immunizations all year with extended hours to accommodate those individuals with irregular work schedules. He stated that the media created an unfair and unfounded health department criticism. He further commended health department employees on providing their services. Dr. Silvers hoped to prepare and enforce to parents the importance of not procrastinating in getting their children immunized. He also commented that working in collaboration with the school district made an impact on managing the V 1110 overflow of clients. Dr. Silvers thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He also noted that Mr. Cruz-Aedo and Judge Shamsie have made his transition smoothly. He further thanked his staff for their continued support. Ms. Beard asked Dr. Silvers what he thought the role of the committee was and how the committee could help. Dr. Silvers explained that the committee was seen as peers. The committee should voice the people they represent as well as setting goals for the community. Ms. Beard asked Dr. Silvers how much involvement and depth the committee could have? Dr. Silvers replied in his opinion that the committee should be active. On a City aspect, Mr. Cruz-Aedo added that the committee should provide the City with community issues that need to be addressed. Furthermore, the role of the committee will be an active role. Ms. Caballero informed Dr. Silvers that prior to Ms. Caballero proposed his arrival the committee discussed the meeting the meeting be changed time for the committee. She suggested 3 o'clock to late afternoon. on the third Wednesday of every month. Larry Bittle agreed that a late afternoon meeting would be a good meeting time so that everyone could conduct their regular business without interruption. Amanda Stukenberg arrived at 12:30 p.m. Ms. Caballero informed Ms. Stukenberg the current item being discussed was the meeting time. A poll was taken on having a 3pm meeting time A motion was made and every third Wednesday of the month. seconded that the meeting time of this meeting be changed to 3pm every third Wednesday of the month. Motion passed. Ms. Caballero directed the meeting back to the letter referencing diabetes and vending machines in public schools. She informed the committee that the topic caught the attention of the media; V IS Ms.Caballero conducted an interview for Channel I Ms. Stukenberg did not have the copy of the letter with her; she had it faxed to her for distribution. Ms. Beard noted that the middle schools have begun making changes by closing the vending machines during the lunch hour and closer monitoring of consumption by students. County Budget The page provided referencing the County budget is strictly a wish list submitted by the health department. The requested amount is not guaranteed. Ms. Caballero inquired as to why the health department requested an increased amount of funding for truck spraying if it was just a feel good fix,but is not effective. Dr. Silvers clarified that the process was not the optimum; the most efficient way was to spray adult mosquitoes. The process of spraying makes events tolerable. Spraying does help keep the population down; larviciding is the key to treating mosquitoes. Dr. Silvers clarified that spraying described as a feel good exercise is inaccurate. We live so close to the sea which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mr. Cruz-Aedo added further clarification by adding that Vector is not only spraying (adulticiding); it is also larviciding. Annette Rodriguez explained that the difference in amounts compared to last year is the rate of chemicals and an attempt to offset City expenses. Amanda Stukenberg expressed her concern with the City allocating more of its funding to spraying mosquitoes rather than on health issues such as diabetes. A question was asked referencing the increase amount in the travel budget. Annette Rodriguez explained that the travel usually was provided by City funds;the increase in the County budget is to create a balance by charging both the City and County for travel expenses. Mr. Cruz-Aedo explained that the health district was funded by three entities: City, County, and State. In the past, the health department paid for supplies, travel, etc., from the most accessible source. The challenge for Dr. Silvers is to run the health department most effectively with multiple funding sources. ire V Ms. Stukenberg stressed the importance of seeing the full picture including where the City, County, and State funding was being allocated. Dr. Silvers met with managers to understand how Dr. Silvers educated the each of his programs was being ran, as well as, committee of an how the division and personnel were being additional source of funded. funding, Federal Letter Regarding Ms. Caballero directed the meeting back to the funding. Diabetes and letter regarding diabetes in vending machines. Vending Machines in Schools. Ms. Stukenberg clarified that the letter would be addressed to all five school districts. Mr. Cruz-Aedo informed the committee that the letter may be a procedural issue. He was not sure Mr. Cruz-Aedo if the committee as a body had the authority to do requested a copy of the so. ordinance for clarification. Larry Bittle asked if diabetes was preventable as it was stated in the letter. Ms. Stukenberg said the diabetes specialist, Melissa Wilson, confirmed some diabetes were preventable if childhood obesity could be avoided. Dr. Silvers educated the committee that there were two types of diabetes, Type I and Type IL As far as society knows,Type I diabetes is genetic which begins usually between the ages of eight and fifteen. Type II is due to the body's inability to process sugar; one factor that impinges upon that is obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and stressing the pancreas that produces insulin for the body. Type II diabetes can be preventable by making lifestyle choices. Mr. Cruz-Aedo received clarification of the procedural issue concerning the letter from the Acting City Attorney. He informed the committee that the board should provide direction to the director. The board does not have the ability to send such a letter;it must go through the director. Dr. Silvers asked for clarification on the verbiage to be included in the letter. Ms. Caballero affirmed the position of the board Ms. Gonzales suggested was for schools to provide a healthier choice of the board should review snacks in their vending machines. the legislation and make suggestions to the wording. Mr. Cruz-Aedo suggested formally recognizing The letter will recognize the good schools have done. progress schools have made, the bill passed by V the legislature, and other suggestions to help children as well. Dr. Silvers said the letter would be from him on Rose Caballero will behalf of the committee. provide Dr. Silvers with a template letter on behalf of the board. Ms. Stukenberg commented for the letter to include emphasis on how the committee could help the cause. Ms. Caballero told Dr. Silvers that she would provide him with Dr. Melissa Wilson's contact information. Ms.Caballero said Dr.Wilson was a great source of information for diabetes. Ms. Stukenberg also expressed concern with Mr. Cruz-Aedo elementary schools not having recess for children. suggested addressing only the diabetes and vending machines in the present letter. Ms. Caballero said,as Chair of the committee,she would try to move the meeting along smoothly in order to cover all items on the agenda. Other Board Leo Barren asked if the City provided shelter to Business citizens through the school system in case of emergency. Mr. Cruz-Aedo explained the City's course of action is evacuation. The City; however, does offer shelters of last resort with schools. He added that evacuation is a federal policy. Ms Caballero would like clarification if the two vacant positions on the board were City or County positions. Ms. Caballero again welcomed Dr. Silvers. Next, each of the board members briefly introduced himself to Dr. Silvers. Mr. Cruz-Aedo invited the committee to the welcome reception being held for Dr. Silvers on Monday, August 25'h, at 5:30pm. The reception was provided by the City and County. Distribution of briefcases to City board members who did not attend the Committee and Board reception. Meeting adjourned at 1:25 PM. Adiournment September 11,2003 • Next Meeting