January 19, 2012 - Minutes

Members Present

Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery (Chair)
Mr. David Bolton
Ms. Denise Brown
Ms. Patricia Coderre 
Mr. Al Edmondson
Dr. Francine Lortie-Monette 
Ms. Doreen McLinchey
Mr. Marcel Meyer (Vice Chair)
Mr. Stephen Orser
Ms. Nancy Poole
Mr. Mark Studenny 

Regrets

None

Others Present

Dr. Graham Pollett, Medical Officer of Health & Chief Executive Officer, Secretary-Treasurer
Mr. Wally Adams, Director, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services
Ms. Mary Lou Albanese, Manager, Injury Prevention Services
Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services
Ms. Ruby Brewer, Manager, Family Health Services
Mr. Markus Brunner, Municipal Liaison, Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada, Western Ontario 
Ms. Christine Callaghan, Public Health Dietitian, Family Health Services
Ms. Shaya Dhinsa, Manager, Sexual Health Services
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications
Mr. Iqbal Kalsi, Manager, Environmental Health Services
Ms. Lisa Kelliher, Health Promoter, Sexual Health Services
Ms. Heidi Klopp, Health Promoter, Environmental Health 
Ms. Natalie Meade, Public Health Nurse, Sexual Health Services
Mr. John Millson, Director, Finance and Operations
Ms. Christine Preece, Manager, Family Health Services
Ms. Melissa Rennison, Public Health Nurse, Family Health Services
Ms. Sherri Sanders, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health (Recorder)
Mr. Mike Sauer, Interim Manager, Occupational Health & Safety
Mr. Fatih Sekercioglu, Manager, Environmental Health
Mr. Rick Shantz, Director, Information Technology Services
Ms. Joanne Simpson, Public Health Nurse, Family Health Services
Ms. Louise Tyler, Director, Human Resources and Labour Relations Services
Mr. Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator

Media Outlets

Ms. Brittany Cavanagh, Student, Fanshawe Broadcast Journalism
Ms. Elise Copps-Smith, Student, Fanshawe Broadcast Journalism

Dr. Graham Pollett, Secretary-Treasurer, called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm and welcomed Board members and attendees to the 2012 inaugural meeting of the Board of Health.

1) Report No. 001-12 re Election of Officers
Dr. Pollett opened the floor for nominations for the position of Chair of the Board of Health for 2012.

It was moved by Ms. Poole, seconded by Mr. Orser that Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery be elected Chair of the Middlesex-London Board of Health for the year 2012.

Dr. Pollett invited further nominations. Hearing no further nominations or objections, nominations were closed.

Carried

Ms. Poletes Montgomery assumed the Chair and opened the floor for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Board of Health for 2012.

It was moved by Ms. Coderre, seconded by Ms. Brown that Mr. Marcel Meyer be elected Vice-Chair of the Middlesex-London Board of Health for the year 2012.

Ms. Poletes Montgomery invited further nominations. Hearing no further nominations or objections, nominations were closed.

Carried

Ms. Poletes Montgomery opened the floor for nominations for the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Health for 2012.

It was moved by Ms. McLinchey, seconded by Mr. Studenny that Dr. Graham Pollett be elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Middlesex-London Board of Health for the year 2012.

Ms. Poletes Montgomery invited further nominations. Hearing no further nominations or objections, nominations were closed.

Carried

Style of Governance

Chair Poletes Montgomery reminded the Board that in accordance with Policy 2-10, every year at the inaugural meeting, Board members are to determine whether or not they wish to establish Standing Committees.

It was moved by Mr. Orser, seconded by Ms. Coderre that all matters be dealt with by the Board of Health and that no Standing Committees be established for 2012.

Carried

2012 Board of Health Meeting Schedule

Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that the Board will meet on the third Thursday of each month with the following exceptions:

1.   The March meeting will be the fourth Thursday of the month (March 22, 2012) due to the third being during school March Break resulting in a number of Board Members being away.

2.   The Board will recess for the summer months of July and August, unless a special meeting is scheduled at the call of the Chair.

3.   The December Board meeting will be the second Thursday of the month (December 13, 2012) due to year end holidays.

It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Ms. McLinchey that the 2012 Board of Health meeting schedule be set as listed in Appendix C to Report No. 001-12 noting that the March meeting will be held on March 22, 2012.Carried.

Dr. Pollett highlighted Appendix E to Report No. 001-12 concerning the dates of Board member appointments and term expiration.

On behalf of the Board, Chair Poletes Montgomery thanked Ms. Pat Coderre for her hard work and leadership as Board Chair in 2011.

Chair Poletes Montgomery also welcomed new Board member, Mr. David Bolton, to the Board of Health. Mr. Bolton has been appointed by Middlesex County Council of which he is a member. Mr. Bolton is also the Mayor of the Township of Adelaide-Metcalfe.

Disclosures of Confulict(s) of Interest

Chair Poletes Montgomery inquired if there were any disclosures of conflict of interest to be made. None were declared.

Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Ms. Brown that the Minutes of the December 8, 2011, Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

It was moved by Ms. McLinchey, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Confidential Minutes of the December 8, 2011, Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Approval of Agenda

It was moved by Dr. Lortie-Monette, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the January 19, 2012, Agenda be approved.  Carried

Reports with Delegations

3) Report No. 003-12 re Ontario Student Nutrition Program – Middlesex-London

Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services, introduced Ms. Christine Preece, Manager, Young Adult Team. Ms. Preece; Ms. Christine Callaghan, Public Health Dietitian; and Ms. Lisa Nixon, Ontario Student Nutrition Program Coordinator Southwestern Ontario, assisted Board members with their consideration of this Report. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is filed with the minutes.

Board members expressed concern that the funding formula for the Ontario Student Nutrition Program has not been reviewed since the program’s inception in 2008.

It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the staff recommendation be amended to include requesting that the Ministry of Children and Youth Services review the funding formula for the OntarioStudent Nutrition Program. Carried.

Carried

It was therefore, moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Meyer:

1.   That a letter be sent to The Honourable Eric Hoskins, Minister of Children and Youth Services, requesting that the funding formula for the Ontario Student Nutrition Program be reviewed as the cost of food has increased since the program’s inception in 2008 and advocating that the financial support for the Ontario Student Nutrition Program continue, reflecting the results of the review; and further

2.   That a letter of appreciation be sent to the May Court Club of London in recognition of their support for local school nutrition programs.

Carried

7) Report No. 007-12 re Physician Outreach Initiative

Ms. Bewick introduced Ms. Ruby Brewer, Manager, Young Families Team. Ms. Brewer and Ms. Joanne Simpson, Public Health Nurse, assisted Board members with their consideration of this report. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is filed with the minutes.

Mr. Al Edmondson arrived at 8:00 p.m.

8) Report No. 008-12 re Adventures in Sex City Part 2: A Collaborative Strategy in Youth Engagement

Ms. Shaya Dhinsa, Manager, Sexual Health Services; Ms. Melissa Rennison, Public Health Nurse; and  Ms. Lisa Kelliher, Health Promoter; assisted Board members with their consideration of this report. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is filed with the minutes.  

Staff members introduced Board members to Level 2 of the Health Unit’s online game entitled, Adventures in Sex City, that aims to educate youth aged 16 to 21 about alcohol and drug misuse. Level 2 of the online game will be launched in February 2012.

Alteration to Order of Board Agenda

It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Studenny that Item #5 - Report No. 005-12 re Drowning Prevention Update be discussed out of order on the agenda as a member of the public was in attendance to speak to the Report. Carried.

5) Report No. 005-12 re Drowning Prevention Update

Ms. Mary Lou Albanese, Manager, Healthy Communities and Injury Prevention Team, assisted Board of Health members with their consideration of this report.

Chair Poletes Montgomery introduced Mr. Markus Brunner, representing the Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada – Western Ontario and welcomed him to present to the Board. A copy of Mr. Brunner’s presentation is filed with the minutes.

Mr. Brunner emphasized that the priority of the Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) is public safety. He advised that fencing bylaws for pools and other bodies of water are not consistent across Canada, i.e., some municipalities do not have fencing bylaws and there is variation in the requirements among those who do. Mr. Brunner also reported that the PHTCC supports that the public should have the choice of which layer(s) of protection are used – e.g., four-sided fencing, boundary fencing, automatic covers (e.g., in some American states, automatic pool covers are considered an acceptable alternative to fencing), recognizing that a minimum standard is required. He petitioned the Board of Health not to endorse four sided fencing as recommended by staff in Report No. 005-12.

It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Meyer that Report No. 005-12 re Drowning Prevention Update be received for information. Carried.

At this point in the meeting, Mr. Wally Adams, Director, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services, introduced Mr. Fatih Sekercioglu, as a new Manager in Environmental Health Services. Mr. Sekercioglu started with the Health Unit on January 9, 2012.

Action Reports

2) Report No. 002-12 re 2012 Budget Update - January

Dr. Pollett and Mr. John Millson, Director, Finance and Operations, assisted Board of Health members with their consideration of this report. Mr. Millson provided a historical overview of Health Unit funding, including actions taken to date by the Board regarding the 2012 budget. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is filed with the minutes.

Dr. Pollett reviewed the process and budget reduction decision made by the Board’s Executive at a specially called teleconference meeting on January 6, 2012. Although the decision to reduce the 2012 budget by $100,000 was endorsed by the Board members through an electronic survey, it requires a formal resolution. He then summarized the discussion at the City of London Services Review Committee meeting held January 18, 2012, regarding the Health Unit’s 2012 revised budget submission. He emphasized City Council is holding to its original budget target for this agency and has passed a resolution to this effect.

Board members expressed frustration that the Council Committee did not accept the $100,000 reduction offered. Members were concerned that City Council appears to be overlooking the fact that the Board of Health has requested a 0% increase in funding every year since 2005. It was discussed that any further reduction beyond the $100,000 offered would result in program and/or staffing implications and would also have a negative impact on the Board of Health’s ability to fulfill its duties under the provincial Public Health Accountability Agreement.

Board members then considered three (3) options:

Option #1 - Maintain the budget submission at $6,095,059 which represents a 1.6% ($100,000) reduction

Option #2 - Decrease the City funding budget request by an amount greater than $100,000 but less than $500,000

Option #3 - Meet the City Council 2012 budget target i.e., $500,000 reduction in each of 2012, 2013, 2014

After lengthy discussion, it was moved by Ms. Poole, seconded by Dr. Lortie-Monette that the Board of Health approve the Board of Health Executive’s direction to reduce the Municipal share of the 2012 cost shared budget by $119,050 (i.e., a $100,000 reduction in City of London funding and a $19,050 reduction in Middlesex County funding) representing a 1.6% reduction in Municipal funding . Carried.

It was moved by Mr. Edmondson, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Board of Health maintain the 2012 budget submission to London City Council at $6,095,059 which represents a 1.6% ($100,000) reduction. Carried.

The Board of Health directed Health Unit staff to request the Health Unit Solicitor to provide an opinion regarding the requirements of the relevant sections of the Health Protection and Promotion Act dealing with the obligations of municipal funders.

4) Report No. 004-12 re Bed Bug Resource Program

Mr. Iqbal Kalsi, Manager, Environmental Health, and Ms. Heidi Klopp, Health Promoter, assisted Board of Health members with their consideration of this report.

It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Ms. Coderre:

1.   That the Board of Health petition The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, to include Bed Bug funding in the base budgets of Ontario Health Units; and further

2.   That Report 004-12 re Bed Bug Resource Program be forwarded to London City Council Community Services Committee

Carried

Information Reports

6) Report No. 006-12 re Medical Officer of Health Activity Report – January

Dr. Pollett highlighted the Health Unit’s participation in a public meeting in Parkhill re: mosquito abatement.

9) Report No. 009-12 re Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Orders Compliance Progress

10) Report No. 010-12 re 2011 Click for Babies and Regional Media Campaign

11) Report No. 011-12 re Smart Start for Babies: Time for Renewal

12) Report No. 012-12 re Board of Health Performance Assessment: November Survey

Dr. Pollett reminded Board of Health members that at the November 2010 Board of Health meeting, the Board reviewed Report No. 135-10 and endorsed that the Board of Health Performance Assessment process be reviewed after one year of implementation.  Since the evaluation process has now been in place for one year, Health Unit staff will prepare a report for the February meeting to facilitate a review of the evaluation process.

It was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Ms. Brown that Reports listed as Items # 6 through 12 be received for information. Carried.

Correspondence

There were no questions re correspondence.

Other Business

Dr. Pollett reported that a fluoride public information meeting, hosted by the City of London, would be held at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.  

Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications, informed Board members that Ms. Trudy Sweetzir, Communications Assistant, has received a 2011 Labour Appreciation award from the United Way London & Middlesex for her work with the United Way campaign at the Health Unit.  Board of Health members requested that a letter be sent to Ms. Sweetzir to express their congratulations and gratitude.

Next Board of Health Meeting – Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.

Adjournment

At 10:25 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Orser that the meeting be adjourned. Carried.

VIOLA POLETES-MONTGOMERY
Chair

GRAHAM L. POLLETT
Secretary-Treasurer