February 26, 2014 - Minutes

Members Present:

Mr. David Bolton (via teleconference)
Ms. Denise Brown (via teleconference)
Mr. Al Edmondson
Mr. Marcel Meyer (Chair)
Mr. Stephen Orser (Vice-Chair)
Mr. Ian Peer
Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery
Ms. Nancy Poole
Mr. Mark Studenny

Regrets:

Ms. Trish Fulton

Absent:

Ms. Sandy White

Others Present:

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health & CEO (Secretary-Treasurer)
Ms. Sherri Sanders, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health (Recorder)
Mr. Wally Adams, Director, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services
Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services
Ms. Laura Dueck, Public Health Nurse
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications
Ms. Alison Locker, Epidemiologist; Oral Health, Communicable Disease & Sexual Health Services
Ms. Heather Lokko, Manager, Family Health Services
Mr. John Millson, Director, Finance and Operations
Ms. Marlene Price, Manager; Oral Health, Communicable Disease & Sexual Health Services
Mr. Mark Przyslupski, Manager, Information Technology
Ms. Gayle Riedl, Human Resources Officer
Ms. Linda Stobo, Manager, Environmental Health & Chronic Disease Prevention Services
Mr. Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator
Ms. Kathy Wall, Human Resources Officer

Media Outlets:

Mr. Shawn Gilbert – London Community News

Mr. Marcel Meyer, Chair of the Board of Health, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Disclosures of Conflict(s) of Interest

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

Approval of Agenda

It was moved by Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery, seconded by Mr. Peer that the AGENDA for the February 26, 2014 Board of Health meeting be approved with the addition of the following items to the in camera portion of the meeting:

1. The Board of Health will go in camera to discuss a matter dealing with an identifiable individual, and
2. The Board of Health will go in camera to discuss a matter concerning litigation or potential litigation affecting the Middlesex-London Health Unit. 

Carried

Approval fo Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Orser, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the MINUTES of the January 16, 2014 Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Delegations

1. Zoning Application for 50 King Street (Verbal Report)

Mr. Bill Rayburn, Chief Administrative Officer for Middlesex County, explained that Middlesex County Council wants to have a contingency plan for the 50 King Street property in the event that the property becomes available (i.e., no lease). The current zoning only allows construction of a three-storey structure. He explained that the County is still in the pre-consultation phase of a zoning application for the property. County Council wants to be in control of any property development. The County will keep the Board updated with the progress.

Committee Reports

2. Finance and Facilities Committee (FFC) Report – January 29 and February 12, 2014 (Report 014-14)

Mr. Ian Peer, member of the FFC, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report.

2.1 January 29 FFC Meeting

2.1.1 Healthy Communities Partnership Grant (03-14FFC)

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Orser that the Board of Health endorse the Board Chair to sign the Amending Agreement No. 7 to the Public Health Accountability Agreement as it relates to the additional 100% funding for the Healthy Communities Fund – Partnership Stream Program as appended to Report No. 03-14FFC. Carried

2.1.2 2014 Budget Process (04-14FFC)

Discussed in Report 015-14 (Item #3 in this agenda)

2.2 February 12 FFC Meeting

2.2.1 2014 Budget Process (05-14FFC)

Discussed in Report 015-14 (Item #3 in this agenda)

2.2.2 2014 Budget Overview (06-14FFC)

A revised version of Report 06-14FFC is the subject of Board of Health Report 015-14 (Item #3 in this agenda)

2.2.3 2013 4th Quarter Variance Report (07-14FFC)

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Orser that the Board of Health:

1. Receive Report No 07-14FFC re 2013 Budget Variance Report to December 31st; and further,
2. Provide $500,000.00 of the Health Unit’s 2013 surplus to the municipal funders at the same rate as they fund the municipal component of the Health Unit’s budget ($420,000, or 84% to the City of London, and $80,000, or 16% to the County of Middlesex); and further,
3. Defer decisions regarding contributions to reserves and reserve funds until further discussions have occurred with municipal funders and audited financial statements are available.

Carried

2.2.4 2013 Public Sector Salary Disclosure (Report 08-14FFC)

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health receive Report No. 08-14FFC re Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act – 2013 Record of Employee’s Salaries and Benefits for information.arried

2.2.5 2013 Board of Health Remuneration (Report 09-14FFC)

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Orser that the Board of Health receive Report No. 09-14FFC re 2013 Board of Health Remuneration for information. Carried

2.2.6 Locally Driven Collaboration Project Funding Agreement – Public Health Ontario (Report 010-14FFC)

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health endorse the Board Chair to sign the Agreement Form for the Locally Driven Collaborative Project as it relates to receiving $75,000 funding from Public Health Ontario. Carried

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Orser that Report No. 014-14 re Finance And Facilities Committee Reports: January 29 & February 12, 2014, including the public minutes of Jan 29 and the draft public minutes of Feb 12, be received for information. Carried

Other Delegation and Recommendation Reports

3. 2014 Budget Overview (Report 015-14)

Mr. Millson assisted Board members with their understanding of this report.

In response to a concern by Board Members, Dr. Mackie confirmed that any proposed disinvestments would not leave vulnerable people without service. He also confirmed that any proposed disinvestments would not put the Board of Health at legal risk or its compromise its ability to meet requirements under the Ontario Public Health Accountability Agreement.

In response to a question about contingency planning, Mr. Peer explained that the Finance and Facilities Committee examined the Planning and Budget Templates for each area in great detail. Dr. Mackie also explained that staff have attempted to predict potential risks, and reserve funds will be designated to mitigate these risks.

It was moved by Ms. Poletes Montgomery, seconded by Ms. Poole that the Board commend the Senior Leadership and Management Teams for their willingness to adapt to the changes in the budgeting process and for the tremendous amount of work and dedication they have shown throughout the 2014 budgeting process. Carried

The Board also commended the members of the Finance and Facilities Committee for spending the time to perform an intensive review of the 2014 Budget.

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Orser that the Board of Health:

1. Approve the 2014 Operating Budget in the gross amount of $33,380, 083 as appended to Report No. 015-14 re 2014 Budget Overview; and further
2. Forward Report No. 015-14 to the City of London and the County of Middlesex for information; and
3. Direct staff to submit the 2014 Operating Budget in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Program Based Grant format with approval for the Board of Health Chair to sign the document.

Carried

4. Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) (Report 016-14)

Ms. Heather Lokko, Manager, Family Health Services, and Ms. Laura Dueck, Public Health Nurse, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. Ms. Lokko and Ms. Dueck reviewed the revisions to Health Unit Policy 2-070 that was distributed to Board members at the meeting.

In response to a question about general knowledge and support in the community for baby friendly activities, such as breastfeeding, Ms. Lokko reported that some campaigns e.g., Skin to Skin, are promoted to the general public as well as to clients.

In response to a question about whether hospitals are supportive of BFI, Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services explained that the Health Unit is part of a Network in Southwestern Ontario which consists of staff from the nine Southwest health units and primary health care providers from communities with hospitals. The Network sets strategic initiatives that it wants to work towards. Two of the initiatives are directly public health related (smoke-free and support of BFI).

It was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Ms. Poole that the Board of Health endorse the proposed Baby-Friendly organizational policy changes as outlined in Report No. 016-14 re Baby-Friendly Initiative. Carried

5. Health Unit Participation in FoodNet Canada (Report 017-14)

It was moved by Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health approve the Health Unit’s participation in FoodNet Canada. Carried

Information Reports

6. Tobacco Enforcement Program – 2013 Year in Review (Report 018-14)

Ms. Linda Stobo, Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. In response to a question about trends in compliance, Ms. Stobo reported that the Health Unit has seen an increase in compliance by retailers. Education is an important reason for the improvement. Ms. Stobo also noted that the tolerance for second-hand smoke is decreasing in the community; therefore, the number of complaints about smoking is increasing.

In response to a question about contraband cigarettes, Ms. Stobo explained that the public can report any incidents through Crime Stoppers and the Health Unit’s information line.

It was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Mr. Peer that Report No. 018-14 re Tobacco Enforcement Program – 2013 Year in Review be received for information. Carried

7. Medical Officer of Health Activity Report – February (Report 019-14)

It was moved by Mr. Orser, seconded by Mr. Peer that Report No. 019-14 re Medical Officer of Health Activity Report – February be received for information. Carried

At 8:45 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Orser, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Board of Health take a ten minute recess.
Carried

At 8:55 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Mr. Peer that the Board of Health meeting resume. Carried

Confidential

At 8:55 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Bolton, seconded by Ms. Poletes Montgomery that the Board of Health go in camera to discuss the following:

1. A matter dealing with an identifiable individual, and
2. A matter concerning litigation or potential litigation affecting the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

Carried

At 9:50 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded Mr. Orser by that the Board of Health return to a public forum and report that matters were discussed concerning the following:

1. An identifiable individual, and
2. Litigation or potential litigation affecting the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

Carried

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health release information about reserves and reserve funds, including information that was previously held in camera. Carried

Correspondence

There were no questions about the correspondence.

Other Business

Next scheduled Board of Health Meeting: Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Please note: the Governance Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. before the Board Meeting.

Adjournment

At 9:50 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded Mr. Studenny that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

MARCEL MEYER
Chair

CHRISTOPHER MACKIE
Secretary-Treasurer