February 22, 2018 - Minutes - Special meeting of the Board of Health

Members Present:

Ms. Joanne Vanderheyden (Chair)
Ms. Maureen Cassidy
Mr. Jesse Helmer
Mr. Trevor Hunter
Mr. Marcel Meyer
Mr. Ian Peer
Mr. Kurtis Smith

Regrets:

Ms. Trish Fulton (Vice-Chair)
Mr. Michael Clarke
Ms. Tino Kasi

Others Present:

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Secretary-Treasurer
Ms. Lynn Guy, Executive Assistant (Recorder)
Ms. Laura Di Cesare, Director, Corporate Services
Mr. Jordan Banninga, Manager, Program Planning and Evaluation
Mr. Joe Belancic, Manager, Procurement and Operations
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications

Media:

Mr. Marek Sutherland, CTV
Mr. Christian D’Avino, 980 CFPL

Chair Vanderheyden called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

Disclosures of Conflict(s) of Interest

Chair Vanderheyden inquired if there were any disclosures of conflict of interest to be declared. None were declared.

Approval of Agenda

Dr. Mackie asked for the Board to approve the addition of two walk-on items: Report No. 011-18 re: “Maintaining and Improving Health Unit Services to Middlesex County Residents”; and a PowerPoint presentation pertinent both to the Location Project and the Middlesex County Public Health Services Review.

It was moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the above noted agenda items be added to the agenda. Carried

It was moved by Mr. Meyer, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the amended AGENDA for the February 22, 2018 Special Meeting of the Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Walk-On Reports

Dr. Mackie opened the Location Project discussion by providing for attendees a PowerPoint presentation. He noted that the presentation was necessary in order to clarify some misconceptions that have been brought to light in regard to this project.

Dr. Mackie advised that the project’s next phase will involve assessing MLHU’s service delivery in the County in comparison to community needs and other potential service models. Dr. Mackie introduced Jordan Banninga, Manager, Planning and Evaluation, to further discuss the Services Review. Mr. Banninga noted that a review of County services has been something that the Health Unit has wanted to do for quite some time, but, due to other public health emergencies, such a review had been delayed. His team will be facilitating the review. Mr. Banninga indicated that there will be client and partner consultations, as well as a literature review, environmental scans, intake line review, and the implementation of activity-based workspace.

Discussion ensured on the following items:

It is anticipated the County Services Review will be completed during the summer, with implementation to begin in the fall of 2018. The Board was reminded that the Program Planning and Evaluation Team will attempt to work closely with County staff to determine both the issues at hand and who the key people are that we need to talk to and request help from in seeking solutions. The Health Unit is fully committed to maintaining strong services that meet the needs of County residents.

Mr. Meyer suggested that perhaps there hadn’t been enough information forthcoming from either the Health Unit or the County, which may have led to some misunderstandings. There is concern that moving to a new downtown location will not improve services for the County. Concern was expressed that County residents could get overlooked for services, even as the County Council believes services should be increased.

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the Board of Health formally commit to:
a) maintaining office space in Middlesex County to ensure appropriate services for County residents;
b) maintaining services to County residents at current levels or greater, and specifically not reducing services provided to County residents in any way related to either the Health Unit’s relocation of London-based operations or to the planned review of services provided to County residents; and;
c) leveraging space and operational improvements created by the Health Unit’s location project to improve services to residents of both Middlesex County and the City of London.
Carried

Confidential

At 6:35 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Meyer, that the Board of Health move in-camera to consider matters regarding a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the Middlesex-London Board of Health and identifiable individuals. Carried

All guests in attendance except the Board of Health, Dr. Mackie, Ms. Guy, Ms. Di Cesare, Mr. Banninga, and Mr. Belancic, left the meeting.

At 7:14 p.m., the Board of Health returned to public session.

Other Business

Chair Vanderheyden noted that progress had been made in-camera.

Board members discussed the need to set another Board of Health special meeting date, following the March 6 County Council meeting. A meeting date was set for Wednesday, March 7, at 8:00 a.m.

Adjournment

At 7:17 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Helmer, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

JOANNE VANDERHEYDEN
Chair

CHRISTOPHER MACKIE
Secretary-Treasurer