October 2018 Board Meeting - Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m.

It was moved

That the agenda be approved

CARRIED

1. Regular Board Meeting: September 20, 2018.

   It was moved

   That the minutes be approved.

   CARRIED

1. Information Reports

   The following information reports were presented to the Board.

   1. Budget – Recommendation Report (L. Gregg)

      L. Gregg presented the 2019 Budget to the Board for approval and the following information was provided. 

      T. Marentette commented on various community needs (identified in the 2016 Community Needs Assessment) namely substance misuse, oral health, TB increases, immunization rates in our area, Hep C (injection drug use in 50% of cases), changes in OPHS (notably Environmental Health), Cannabis pressures, Vision Screening requirements (with no funding attached), the Vector-Borne program (over 1,200 aedes albopictus mosquitos identified in our region with the potential to carry the Zika Virus) and climate change and extreme weather.

      Funding

      For 2018, WECHU put through our base funding request to the Ministry noting increased operational pressures.  We received a 3% increase.  With the recent change in government health units have been advised to expect a 0% increase.   Knowing this is not sustainable, we are proposing a 3.23% increase from the Ministry ($443,165) and 5% from the municipalities ($273,978).

      Vector-Borne Diseases

      Our funding over previous years for West Nile Virus was typically $128k, with the WECHU contracting out larviciding, trapping and enhanced surveillance.  This year trapping and surveillance for West Nile Virus, along with the enhanced program for aedes, was conducted by health unit staff with the assistance of public health inspection students.  Out of 11 traps aedes albopictus was found in 7 them. 

      This year we have 12 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus, 7 cases of Lyme Disease, and are the only region with confirmed aedes albopictus. With increased funding, we can do more education, awareness and campaigns to the public, and precisely track data to make decisions on larviciding and next steps.  We require more dedicated resources for this program, and the ask this year to increase program expenses to $350k is significant.

      Base and One time funding

      We can submit up to 10 one-time funding business case requests to the Ministry.  Through prioritization, we identified an overall need for 7 additional staff including Public Health Inspectors, Health Promotion Specialists, RPN’s, Tobacco Enforcement Officer, with associated operational costs of $48k for computers and equipment.  

      Healthy Babies Healthy Children and Nurse Practitioner Program

      Program initiative expenditures of $2,755,841 supports 27 individuals for their work within the community.  For 2019, we anticipate $146k for the Nurse Practitioner program expenditures, with 100% funding of $139k allocated for this position.  We will continue to advocate for increased funding to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to cover the entirety of this position.

      Risks

      With the substantial changes to the Standards, in particular to Environmental Health, the addition of Vision Screening, and operational pressures on our Tobacco Enforcement Officers with the legalization of cannabis, we will need to have further discussions with the Board of Health and municipalities if we receive a 0% increase in funding as noted by the Ministry.  There are also 2 ongoing labour negotiations that have not yet been settled.

      It was moved

      That the Board move into Committee of the Whole at 4:39 p.m.

      CARRIED

      It was moved

      That the Board move out of Committee of the Whole at 4:50 p.m.

      CARRIED

      After brief discussion Board Chair, G. McNamara, read the Resolution Recommendation to the Board of Health. 

      It was moved

      That the Board of Health approve the Resolution Recommendation

      IN FAVOUR - 11

      OPPOSED - 1

      CARRIED

   2. Cannabis – Recommendation Report

      In light of legislation, and since we have not received enough information on what the impact could be, N. Dupuis noted that WECHU’s recommendations is to encourage municipalities to choose the “Opt-out” opportunity.  WECHU has not yet been advised of what dedicated support will be received.

      B. Marra advised that there have been preliminary conversations at Windsor city council to strongly opt-out and err on the side of caution until more information becomes available.  Chair G. McNamara noted that the Town of Tecumseh is arranging a public meeting for their residents with the information that they have so far.

      It was moved

      That the Recommendation be received

      CARRIED

   3. Vote for Health Survey Results
   4. Community Partners List 2018
   5. September Media Relations Recap

      It was moved

      That the information reports be received.

      CARRIED

1. Capital Project Update

   T. Marentette provided a brief update on the capital project.  Once Colliers Project Leaders completes the RFI, WECHU will go out with a request for suitable space to meet its needs through a developer or a landlord.

1. Staff Appreciation

   D. Sibley advised the Board that the WECHU will be holding their annual Staff Appreciation Day on Friday, November 30 at the Ciociaro Club from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.  Breakfast will be provided at 9:00 am. The event will recognize staff accomplishments and service awards will be presented. Our guest speaker is Board of Health member John Scott and all Board members are invited and welcome to attend.

1. Smoke-Free Ontario Act – For Support
   1. alPHa – Letter to Laura Pisko
   2. Peterborough Public Health – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott
2. Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot – For Support/Information
   1. Windsor-Essex County Health Unit – For Information
   2. Southwestern Public Health – For Support – Letter to Hon. Lisa McLeod
3. Why Ontario Needs a Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy – For Support
   1. Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott
4. Drug Policy – For Support
   1. Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health – Letter to Right Hon. Justin Trudeau
5. Repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada – for Support
   1. Southwest Public Health – Letter to Jody Wilson—Raybould
6. Dedicated Funding for Local Public Health Agencies – Cannabis Sales – For Support
   1. Middlesex-London Health Unit – Letter to Premier Doug Ford
7. Displays and Promotion of Vaping Products in Convenience Stores and Gas Bars – For Support
   1. Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco (OCAT) – Media Release

      It was moved

      That the above correspondence be Supported and Received

It was moved

That the Board move into Committee of the Whole at 4:39 p.m.

CARRIED

It was moved

That the Board move out of Committee of the Whole at 4:50 p.m.

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 5:21 pm.