Will County Public Health & Safety Committee met Sept. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Chair Judy Ogalla called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status |
| Judy Ogalla | Chair | Present |
| Donald Gould | Vice Chair | Present |
| Gloria Dollinger | Member | Present |
| Mark Ferry | Member | Present |
| Debbie Militello | Member | Present |
| Beth Rice | Member | Present |
| Laurie Summers | Member | Present |
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mrs. Rice led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Public Health & Safety Committee - Regular Meeting - Aug 2, 2018 9:00 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Ferry, Member
SECONDER: Beth Rice, Member
AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Dollinger, Ferry, Militello, Rice, Summers
IV. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
1. Approved BOH Minutes 06-20-18
(Susan Olenek)
2. Sunny Hill Nursing Home Updates - July 2018
(Sunny Hill Nursing Home Updates - July 2018)
V. OLD BUSINESS
1. Opioid Update
(Dr. Kathleen Burke)
Dr. Burke handed out a brochure that the State has put together for Opioid Overdoses, also her report to Public Health and Safety Committee. She started off on a sad note, she would like to inform the committee that Dan Biggs who was the co-founder and executive director of the “Chicago Recovery Alliance”, and a colleague has passed away over a week ago. Its hitting the organization hard, its hitting all of us hard. We consider him the founder of Naloxone. He really advocated for us to give Naloxone to the community; which will be a tremendous loss to our community.
Ms. Ogalla stated yes, when you lose that type of leadership it is a very big loss.
Dr. Burke then started off with a review of the last page of her report. Reviewing how 793 people have been trained this past year to administer Naloxone. A note to that, we probably have heard on the news she was training people in New Lenox last week. One of the individuals that she had trained saved someone’s life in Pilcher Park in Joliet this week. Her office put out a press release. That’s putting things to work right away.
Ms. Ogalla added “Just in time training”.
Dr. Burke then reviewed page 3 of her report. After Bill 2951 Dr. Burke stated that she is proud to be a part of Illinois right now because the committee she sat on “The Task Force” and all the recommendations that were made went to the directors of the government agencies, and then Governor and they passed. We didn’t have them kicked out for any reason. So obviously the communication and the data that supported it was there. We are going to see a big change due to that. Ms. Ogalla added that she was really glad Dr. Burke was on that board and represented us. It is great to hear that Governor Rauner has gone ahead and supported all these issues that are so important to so many people especially in this room, because we talk about it all the time. Then our health department and you yourself it’s so great that the Governor has supported that.
Dr. Burke agreed and went on with her report of Bill 336 Alternatives to Opioids Act of 2018, adding those who might otherwise seek opioids for pain management to the list of those eligible for medical marijuana. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports opioid deaths in Illinois increased 13% from 2016 to 2017. She also added that the county increased 40% so ours is in a crisis zone. But the Journal of the American Medical Association has reported that the states with medical marijuana dispensaries have seen a 14.4% decrease in the use of prescription opioids. So it is an important treatment modality for people with pain and, pain medication is the path way to heroin and fentanyl. So it’s significant that we now have an alternative. Medical marijuana does not have THC in it. THC is the product that makes people high.
Ms. Ogalla added thanks for pointing that out. That’s the thing that most people forget about, you forget about the difference of that.
Dr. Burke reviewed Bill 2777. Those are all the legislative bills as you can see it’s been an active session. We are really pleased about all of this activity. The other one we are working with was Stepping Stones is the waiver for more than 15 beds. She has talked to Stepping Stones and they are going to be expanding and moving their administrative staff to a different building and this will open up opportunities to add beds to their Medicaid beds, and they are going to ask to be included in waiver to have more beds than 15. Dr. Burke also was able to negotiate a $50,000 grant for them to have a recovery coach for this year and next year. The recovery coach will follow people as they have gone down to outpatient. They will help them to get jobs and housing and all of the things that they need. The other thing is the DFC grants that are for coalitions to be funded to do work in the community. Those grants help us educate our youth and our communities, and we’ve had a couple of active coalitions that were not funded yet, by the State. But we are happy to say that the Sheriffs coalitions was funded with a five year grant. That’s the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. The Braidwood Area Health Community Coalition has also been funded. Wilmington has a coalition not funded under the new coalitions, but they are up and operating. New Lenox has a safe community’s coalition and they are the ones who organized the event last week that was so successful.
Ms. Ogalla thanked her for being very thorough. We are so glad that we have a good list for talking points.
Dr. Burke stated it also helps out for our legislative agenda.
Ms. Ogalla agreed that it does help our legislative agenda. Ms. Ogalla received something for our lobbyist in relations to this. I received this from Julie Curry stating that the majority of the changes involved in behavioral mental health took place earlier this year and were included in the budget and approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor in May and June. So that is really good that we know that and they were funded. Sometimes we hear that something has passed but never know if it was funded. She also mentioned that AJ Wilhelmi with the Illinois Hospital Association a Safety Net, Hospital Association Illinois Management Care. Negotiated new Medicaid reimbursement rates which is really good, additional fund for behavioral health services for Medicaid recipients which is critical.
Dr. Burke added which is good because they pay them nothing and people don’t want to do that because of that.
Ms. Ogalla commented this is a population that is lacking support and that’s what happens. That was fully funded by the 2019 budget as well. She also mentioned that the Department of Health Care and Family Services, Behavioral Health Transformation focus on prevention of public health, which the key is obviously prevention. Case review outcomes, rather than just volume of services which is what matters, not how many we see, it’s what we are doing which is much more important. This helps with our families in the community as well. Then the 2019 State Budget preservers and restores critical funding for mental health and substance use treatment and supportive housing. Which is good because sometimes you have treatment but no housing. It’s a preservation of 3% of a Mental Health Medicaid rate increase, so that way it’s not going up. Extensions of Psychiatric Medicaid rate add on payments preventing a 27 million dollar cut to Mental Health Services. Which is good because sometimes that is what gets cut because sometimes people don’t this it’s that important. Increase in substance treatment programs, maintaining funding for support of housing and the new GRF line item for Opioid Overdose Data Collection Prevention of 1.65 million. Those are all really good things that Julie Curry has given us that I felt was important to discuss here.
Dr. Burke added that in regards to hospitals that they are now looking for them to report to the state when there is an overdose. Dr. Burke will be on the webinar next week to help decide how they are going to make that happen. Because that has been a huge disconnect.
Ms. Militello asked are you still working with our local law enforcement and are those numbers included in yours.
Dr. Burke responded yes, she trained all the police departments in Will County and she will go back and retrain whenever they need reinforcements. She works closely with Dep. Jures with training and they never forget their first responders.
Ms. Militello stated I would like to point out the Braidwood got a grant from the White House. The White House gave out 738 communities nationwide and they were one of them. So if you look at it out of all 50 states, kudos to them and they are doing a great job.
Dr. Burke added you should be very proud because 10 grants were given out in Illinois. So we got two of them, that speaks a lot to Will County. The Braidwood people were the first to have a Safe Passage program called “Change”. They lead the way often in being progressive and she works with them very closely.
Ms. Militello stated that Police Chief Nick Ficarello and Mayor James Vehrs actively participate in our MAP Behavioral Health Committee which helps to get their perspective.
Ms. Summers commented that she wants to thank Dr. Burke. You have brought this to light, this has been a huge issue for over a decade. She is very proud to be sitting on this committee with all of you, as well as what Will County has done. As a nurse she has seen it for years, thank you again you have done a phenomenal job.
Dr. Burke responded thank you, and I actually use the fact that I make a monthly report to this committee as one of the reasons that we can successfully move an agenda along. Because without the support of the board we wouldn’t be able to do the things that we do.
Ms. Rice asked if there are any more municipalities considering starting a Safe Passage program that are now in the works. I think that we have five now.
Dr. Burke advised we have Lockport, Romeoville, Lemont, Mokena, Braidwood and we will have the Sheriff’s Office which is huge. There are others that are waiting but we don’t know if we had the capacity. We now meet every month. I have a Safe Passage meeting where we invite all of the Police Chiefs to the table. I know Joliet has had a change in their police chief so I think that will be back on target too. There are two issues; how do we figure out the capacity issues for the police departments that are small. Also, who are they going to identify as to someone to help make this happen when someone shows up. But now with Family Guidance that’s going to lessen the burden that’s going to help. So we need to get that word out.
Ms. Ogalla thanked Dr. Burke for coming every month and being on our agenda because it’s so important. We have media that puts it out getting it in the papers. We hope that one parent or one friend reads something and learns something that may save somebody’s life.
Handouts from Dr. Burke at Public Health
Discussion Re: Burning Ordinance
Ms. Tatroe reviewed Alternate #2, First she removed the word neighboring so it’s any structure within 15 feet, but there are exceptions for one and two family dwellings and structures that are protected by automated sprinkler systems. She also added for open flame with the same exceptions. That would not deal with the concerns that were expressed with regards to Gateway, because it except out single family and two family dwellings. That is what is in the International Fire Code. Moving on to Alternate #1, to address the concern with Gateway she removed the patio and wood burning unit. But she left the exceptions for the grill. So it will prohibit open patio units from being any closer than 15 feet, with no exception to single or two family homes. She did leave in the term neighboring and also added or combustible. Which will only prohibit it from being a neighboring structure, so if it were you own home you would be able to be within 15 ft., unless it was combustible.
Ms. Rice asked what was the concern with Gateway.
Ms. Tatroe stated it was an issue because it is a subdivision where the homes are very close together. They are still in compliance with the 15 ft.
Mr. Gould explained they could have done this within their association but they chose not to.
Ms. Tatroe replied correct they don’t want the association to regulate it.
Ms. Militello asked if this rule could be for communities just like Gateway.
Ms. Tatroe stated no, that would be considered arbitrary and capricious. So it would have to be done on objective standards. She went on to cover Alternate #3 reviewing the changes of the patio wood burning unit has to be 15 ft. away but we remove the term neighboring. This does not matter if it were combustible or not it must be 15 ft. away. Then again added the open flame cooking devices, which only be required to be 10 ft. away.
Mr. Gould asked in your opinion does Alternate #1 best address Gateway’s circumstance of the three. Because you said you were trying to address Gateway.
Ms. Tatroe said she took it out because I don’t know that I was addressing Gateway specifically but the concern was that the houses are so close together that the hazard is greater. I believe that our Ordnance presently provides for 15ft. away so this does not change that. The only thing it does is you must be 15ft away from a neighboring or combustible
Ms. Ogalla said she would like to take it back to our caucus and have a discussion and see how everyone feels and bring it up again next month.
Ms. Tatroe said the International Fire Association has some very good information looking at the hazards of grills as well as propane vs charcoal.
Ms. Ogalla said we will put it back on for next month choose an Alternate and change it if need be. We also need to check with the Sheriff’s Department and make sure it’s enforceable.
RESULT: CONTINUED Next: 10/4/2018 9:00 AM
VI. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Awarding Bid for Nursing Services (CNA, LPN & RN) at Sunny Hill Nursing Home
(Rita Weiss)
Ms. Weiss stated this is the first year award for Nov 1, 2018 thru Oct 31, 2019. We do award to multiple venders as listed on the spread sheet. We start out with the lowest rates per category and work through. So when Sunny Hill has a need they call the first vendor on the list, if they can’t fill the need, then they move down the list. One vendor was disqualified did not sign the staffing agreement, and that was a requirement in the bid. “Americare Staffing” did not provide the number of staff in each category. Becky did make a phone call to confirm the amount of staff they have. So that is the reason they were put on the bottom of the list and will be called last.
At this juncture Mr. Brooks joined the meeting.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/20/2018 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Gloria Dollinger, Member
SECONDER: Mark Ferry, Member
AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Dollinger, Ferry, Militello, Rice, Summers
VIII. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
Undersheriff Contro said he wanted to clarify something that was stated at the June meeting in reference to our Narcan training. There was a “Will be Well” training that was not attended by most of our employees. All of our employees at the Sheriff’s Dept. are trained in Narcan - all 650 of them. We train them when they are hired, and every two years. We also have our Narcan kits in all of our AED’S whether at the Courthouse or ADF or at the Public Safety building. Sheriff Kelly apologizes that he wanted to attend but was unable today due to an arbitration with the MAP union. We did receive a DFC grant as Dr. Burke said. He’s been in the forefront with this and the Vivatrol Program at the ADF. We have to sometimes spend some money with overtime. But we believe that getting somebody back on the street not committing more crimes and keeping them out of jail makes up for that. Also Sheriff’s Dept. pays for the Narcan out of Federal Seizure Money, when we take money given to us through the court system. That Narcan expires every two years. So there is a cost of about $75.00 per kit and we issue over two hundred kits to our patrol officers.
Ms Ogalla stated she understood that the expired kits are used for our dogs in training.
Dr. Burke questioned the Narcan Kits are in all the AED’s that are in the public buildings.
Mr. Contro replied he believes that they are in the area that the public is not. He also believes we have one in the Courthouse, but definitely in the booking area where all the officers are trained.
X. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT / ANNOUNCEMENTS
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XII. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn at 9:50 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Ferry, Member
SECONDER: Donald Gould, Vice Chair
AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Dollinger, Ferry, Militello, Rice, Summers
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