September 2019 Board Meeting - Minutes

The WECHU conducted community consultations with the general public, community groups, key informants and individuals who inject drugs. The purpose of the consultations was to gather information to understand levels of support or opposition, and feedback regarding questions and concerns about SIS. An online survey was posted on the WECHU’s home page and paper surveys were distributed to community organizations. In total, over 2,500 people completed the survey.

Drug use affects all walks of life and many respondents across the community have family or friends who use or have used drugs.

Overall, the consultations show support for SIS in the community (61%) and is recognized as a compassionate approach and a program that would save lives and reduce harm. There is however strong vocal opposition from others who are concerned with the impact of a SIS on public safety, the local economy and that it would condone drug use leading to an increase in crime. Regardless of support or opposition, SIS are recognized by many as a solution that would save lives by providing a safe place to inject drugs and provide access to sterile needs and injection equipment that would help prevent the spread of disease and infection. Results from the survey among those who inject drugs reveals the harsh details that 50% have overdosed, and many of them have done so 3 times or more. The majority of those who have overdosed say they typically inject drugs alone.

More education is needed about drug addiction and harm reduction to reduce the stigma and encourage compassion. Those with family members who struggle with addiction feel that the general public needs to hear their stories and their challenges. It was further acknowledged that community leaders need to work together to help address this issue.

Following a presentation to the WECOSS-LC, the Report will be released on Monday, September 23 and posted to the WECHU website.
Moved by: Joe Bachetti
Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
To accept the report as received
CARRIED

1. Regular Board Meeting: June 20, 2019
   Moved by: Rino Bortolin
   Seconded by: Joe Bachetti
   That the minutes be approved.
   CARRIED

1. INFORMATION REPORTS
   The following information reports were presented to the Board.
   1. Q2 Financial Results (L. Gregg)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   2. Q2 Operational Planning Status Update (T. Marentette)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   3. Annual Report (L. Gregg)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   4. Data and Cyber Security (L. Gregg)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   5. Environmental Health E-Learning Course (K. McBeth)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   6. Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council and Community Food Assessment (N. Dupuis)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   7. Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections in WE County (K. McBeth)
      Brought to the Board for information.
   8. Media Recap
      Brought to the Board for information.

   Moved by: Ed Sleiman
   Seconded by: Rino Bortolin
   That the Information Reports be received.
   CARRIED

2. RECOMMENDATION/RESOLUTION REPORTS
   1. Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council (N. Dupuis)
      N. Dupuis noted the Information Report above related to this Resolution. The WECHU is the Food Council’s main support, but they are their own separate council. The Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council has completed the Community Food Assessment and is looking for a Board of Health representative. Rino Bortolin was kind enough to volunteer his services as a member of the Food Policy Council.

      June 6, 2019
      Attention: Mayor Gary McNamara and Members of the Board of Health
      Re: Request for Representation on the Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council (WEFPC)

      Dear Mayor Gary McNamara and Members of the Board of Health:

      In early 2018, the Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council (WEFPC) Steering Committee succeeded in bringing together a group of highly talented individuals representing the various sectors of the food system, such as agriculture, waste management, education, and community organizations. The WEFPC aims to educate, promote, support, and advocate for the improvement of the local food system and its users, with the vision to foster a healthy, sustainable, and accessible food system for all. Much has been accomplished since the Council’s conception: the Vision, Mission, Values, and Scope were established, and steps have been taken to lay down a strong foundation for the Council to proceed.

      In late 2018, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), along with the WEFPC and supported by the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation, engaged with members of the community throughout Windsor and Essex County to gather their thoughts and experiences with the food system. The community conversations, key stakeholder sessions, and online surveys were collected and used to inform a broader Community Food Assessment Report, in which recommendations were presented to help improve Windsor and Essex County’s local food system.

      Informed by the research and recommendations from the Community Food Assessment Report, the WEFPC is in the midst of developing a framework and an overarching strategy to address priority food system topics over the next five years. The latter half of 2019 will be spent working collaboratively with key stakeholders and members of the community to establish and implement action plans that will foster collaborations and partnerships, develop and advocate for food system policy and programming, and promote a greater knowledge of the community’s work in the food system. The Council aims to bring meaningful change to the various sectors of the local food system (e.g., agriculture, tourism, and health), and to positively impact the health and well-being of Windsor and Essex County.

      The Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council is requesting a Board of Health (BOH) representative to act as a member on the WEFPC. The previous representative from the Board of Health was Paul Borrelli. The representative would act as an advisor to the committee and provide information to the Board of Health on the ongoing activities of the group. The FPC meets eight times a year (January, February, March, April, May, June, September, and November) for two hours in the evening on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

      Regards,
      Alicia Chan, Chair of Windsor-Essex Food Policy Council
      Moved by: Joe Bachetti
      Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
      That the above information be accepted and received.
      CARRIED

   2. Non-competitive Procurements
      1. Dental Renovations
         In April 2019, the Province of Ontario announced the implementation of an Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program for Ontario residents 65 years and older that meet certain income thresholds and do not have dental insurance. These services will be delivered by the WECHU’s Windsor and Leamington sites, and we are looking at a target date as early as November 1, 2019. Although the WECHU does not intend to remain in its Windsor site, it needs to address anticipated program demands. The WECHU would require various renovations to best deliver these services to increase capacity in our dental areas, along with extended hours.
         The WECHU contacted 3 vendors as per its procurement process, and only 1 vendor responded with a quote of $16,950, plus GST. The WECHU is seeking Board approval to move forward with Lester Construction to complete space requirements for the Low Income Seniors’ Dental program.
         View the Dental Renovations Report.
         Moved by: Judy Lund
         Seconded by: Rino Bortolin
         That the WECHU proceed with Lester Construction to complete space requirements.
         CARRIED
      2. Payroll and Human Resource System
         Lorie Gregg advised that WECHU’s current payroll system with Ceridian system will be coming offline at the end of next year. The WECHU utilizes Ceridian Payflex which does not interface with WECHU’s Sage 300 Financial system of the InfoHR system. A more wholesome and integrated solution such as Dayforce through Ceridian will allow for increased capacity in Payroll and Human Resources. Dayforce is a cloud-based application, and provides more software solutions with payroll, human resources and time management capabilities, and will assist to capture information required by the Ministry. Currently, the WECHU is paying annual fees in the amount of $49,171 for the Payflex and InfoHR systems. Implementation and annual fees associated with Dayforce are $25,599 for implementation and $72,505 for the annual subscription (240 employees).
         View the Payroll and Human Resource System report.
         
         Seconded by: Rino Bortolin
         That the WECHU proceed to contract the services of Ceridian to implement the Dayforce solution.
         CARRIED
      3. Completion of Consumption and Treatment Services Application and Site Location Consultation
         Theresa Marentette brought forward the Recommendation Report to the Board of Health in support of the completion and submission of a Consumption and Treatment Services Application for the City of Windsor to the Ministry of Health. If supported, next steps would be further consultations and identifying a suitable SIS location. Following the September Board of Health meeting and presentation to WECOSS-LC, the full Supervised Injection Services Community Consultation Report (August 2019) will be posted to the WECHU website.
         View the Recommendation Report.
         Moved by: Rino Bortolin
         Seconded by: Fabio Costante
         That the Recommendation/Resolution Report be supported and approved.
         CARRIED

1. 2019 Budget Approval (L. Gregg)
   Lorie Gregg advised that 2019 Budget Approval from the Ministry was received in the latter part of August in the amount of $18,955,100 in base funding and up to $81,600 in one-time funding for the 2019-20 funding year to support the provision of WECHU’s public health programs and services. The WECHU received one-time funding of $60k for enhanced mosquito surveillance.

   Effective January 1, 2020, the new funding model will move to 70-30, bringing municipalities’ share for public heath funding to 30%. The 2020 Budget will be presented to the Board of Health in November.

2. CUPE Pay Equity (D. Sibley/T. Marentette)
   Theresa Marentette advised the WECHU embarked on this project approximately a year ago, and is moving forward working with CUPE and our pay equity representative.
3. Letter to Windsor Utilities Commission (Fluoride) (W. Ahmed)
   On March 25, 2019, the City of Windsor passed a by-law reintroducing fluoride into the municipal drinking water system. Dr. W. Ahmed followed up with a letter to Helga Reidel, President and CEO of ENWIN Utilities on August 30 looking for an update on the progress of this initiative and potential timelines. ENWIN has acknowledged receipt of the letter.
   Moved by: Judy Lund
   Seconded by: Rino Bortolin
   That the above information be received.
   CARRIED

1. Sudbury & District Public Health – For Support – Parity of Esteem Position Statement – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott (with Position Statement from Sudbury Health Unit Board)
2. Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) – For Support – Alcohol Choice & Convenience – Letter to Hon. Vic Fedeli
3. Peterborough Public Health – For Support – Funding Cancelled for Leave the Pack Behind – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott
4. Peterborough Public Health – For Support – Changes to Provincial Autism Supports – Letter to Hon. Lisa McLeod

Moved by: Rino Bortolin
Seconded by: Judy Lund
That the above correspondence be supported as noted.
CARRIED