March 22, 2012 - Minutes
Members Present
Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery (Chair)
Mr. David Bolton
Ms. Denise Brown
Ms. Patricia Coderre (via teleconference)
Mr. Al Edmondson
Dr. Francine Lortie-Monette
Ms. Doreen McLinchey (via teleconference)
Mr. Marcel Meyer (Vice Chair) (via teleconference)
Mr. Stephen Orser
Ms. Nancy Poole
Mr. Mark Studenny
Regrets
None
Others Present
Dr. Graham Pollett, Medical Officer of Health & Chief Executive Officer, Secretary-Treasurer
Mr. Wally Adams, Director, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services
Ms. Mary Lou Albanese, Manager, Healthy Communities and Injury Prevention
Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications
Mr. Ross Graham, Manager, Special Projects
Ms. Kim Leacy, Public Health Dietitian, Environmental Health
Mr. John Millson, Director, Finance and Operations
Ms. Sherri Sanders, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health (Recorder)
Mr. Fatih Sekercioglu, Manger, Environmental Health
Mr. Rick Shantz, Director, Information Technology Services
Ms. Linda Stobo, Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control
Ms. Louise Tyler, Director, Human Resources and Labour Relations Services
Mr. Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator
Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health and Director, Oral Health, Communicable Disease & Sexual Health Services
Media Outlets
Mr. Andrew Dickson, 106.9 the X
Mr. Chuck Dickson, CTV London
Ms. Celine Moreau, CTV London
Mr. Jonathan Sher, London Free Press
Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery, Chair of the Board of Health, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest
Chair Poletes Montgomery inquired if there were any disclosures of conflict of interest to be made. None were declared.
Approval of Agenda
It was moved by Mr. Bolton, seconded by Ms. Brown that the March 22, 2012, Agenda be approved. Carried
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Orser that the Minutes of the February 16, 2012, Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried
Reports with Delegations
1) Report No. 034-12 re Reducing Artificial Trans Fat: Need for Action
Mr. Wally Adams, Director, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services, introduced Ms. Kim Leacy, Public Health Dietitian. Ms. Leacy assisted Board members with their consideration of this report. A copy of her PowerPoint presentation is filed with the minutes.
Ms. Leacy explained that unsaturated fats are beneficial and can help increase the high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in blood that protect against heart disease. Saturated fats and trans fats contribute to increasing the levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) which can cause heart disease.
In response to a question about how trans fat regulations would affect food imports, Ms. Leacy explained that foods coming into Canada would have to comply with any federal trans fat regulation, and thus, such regulation would impact the whole food supply, not just domestic foods.
In response to a question about statistics to show that reductions in the amount of trans fats in food have reduced heart disease, Ms. Leacy explained that it is hard to isolate one contributory factor to heart disease; other factors, such as amount of physical activity, intake of saturate fats, etc. also contribute to heart disease statistics.
Mr. Al Edmondson agreed to bring this issue to the next Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Board meeting.
After discussion, it was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Orser:
1. That the Board of Health petition the Federal Minister of Health, The Honourable
Leona Aglukkaq to proceed with regulation of trans fat in the Canadian food supply as recommended by the Health Canada Trans Fat Task Force; and further
2. That the Board of Health petition the Provincial Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, The Honourable Deb Matthews to initiate a Trans Fat Reduction Initiative patterned after that implemented in British Columbia; and further
3. That the Board of Health request the Association of Local Public Health Agencies to petition the Federal Minister of Health to proceed with regulation of trans fat in the Canadian food supply as recommended by theHealth Canada Trans Fat Task Force .
Carried
Action Reports
As background to the next five agenda items, Mr. John Millson, Director, Finance & and Operations, reviewed the differences between the Cost-Shared Programs (4 step budget approval process) and 100% Programs (3 step budget approval process) with the use of a PowerPoint presentation. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is filed with the minutes and was sent to Board of Health members via email on March 23, 2012.
2) Report No. 035-12 re Middlesex-London Healthy Community Partnership
Dr. Graham Pollett, Medical Officer of Health, informed Board members that the second line of the third paragraph under the Background Section on page 2.1 of the Agenda package, should read January 2012 not 2011.
In response to a question about what the Health Unit is required to do with any unused portion of this 100% MOHLTC funding, Ms. Mary Lou Albanese explained that staff must follow the provincial guidelines for this funding. Any money not utilized within the designated timeline would have to be returned to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). The funding requested in this Report cannot be used for staffing.
It was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Ms. Brown that the Middlesex-London Board of Health endorse the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Healthy Communities Fund Partnership Stream funding agreement attached as Appendix A to Report No. 035-12.
Carried
3) Report No. 036-12 re One-Time Funding – Phase 1 of Panorama
Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health and Director, Oral Health, Communicable Disease & Sexual Health Services, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. The funding in question is the first installment and is intended to address the Health Unit’s readiness to test the Panorama software. The Health Unit will be a “Builder” to test the new data base. Staff calculate that 75.4% of the funding can be utilized within the specified timeline.
It was moved by Mr. Edmondson, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Board of Health approve the amended Public Health Accountability Agreement attached as Appendix A to Report No. 036 -12 for Phase 1 activities relating to the implementation of the Panorama communicable disease web-based computer system.
Carried
4) Report No. 037-12 re One-Time Funding – Infant Hearing Screening Equipment
Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. The Health Unit manages the Infant Hearing Screening program for the nine Health Units inSouthwestern Ontario.
It was moved by Mr. Bolton, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Board of Health authorize the signing of the Agreement with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for funding of up to $141,000 on a one-time basis to be utilized for the purchase of infant hearing screening equipment.
Carried
5) Report No. 038-12 re Smart Start for Babies: Two Year Funding Renewal
Ms. Bewick assisted Board members with their understanding of this Report. The Smart Start for Babies program is 100% funded by the Federal government.
It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Board of Health approve the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program Amending Agreement attached as Appendix A to Report No. 038-12.
Carried
6) Report No. 039-12 re Transfer of Funds Agreement - Shared Library Services Partnership with Public Health Ontario
Ms. Louise Tyler, Director, Human Resources and Labour Relations assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. Ms. Tyler ensured Board members that a report to evaluate this program would be presented to the Board of Health after the first year of operation. Ms. Tyler reported that if the Board of Health does not wish to continue the program after the first year, there is no obligation on the part of the Board to continue to provide library services to the client health units.
It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health approve the Transfer of Funds Agreement – Shared Library Services Partnership with Public Health Ontario, attached as Appendix A to Report No. 039-12.
Carried
7) Report No. 040-12 re The Board of Health Self Assessment Tool and Process – Proposed Revisions
Mr. Ross Graham, Manager, Special Projects, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. The recommendations presented in the report are intended to strengthen the assessment process while ensuring the requirements of the Organizational Standards are met. This report was deferred from the February 16, 2012, meeting as the Board wanted to seek legal counsel, as to whether or not the results of the self-assessment survey could be discussed in camera. Dr. Pollett informed the Board of Health that the Health Unit solicitor deems that such discussion does not qualify under the in camera criteria of the Municipal Act. The findings of the survey will continue to be summarized in an anonymous fashion and presented in a public report.
It was moved by Mr. Edmondson, seconded by Dr. Lortie-Monette that the Board of Health endorse the revisions to the Board of Health Self-Assessment Process and the revised survey as outlined in Report No. 040-12.
Carried
8) Report No. 041-12 re Municipal Funding Apportionment
Mr. Millson assisted Board members with their understanding of this report.
It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Studenny that Report No. 041-12 be forwarded for information to the Councils of the City of London and County of Middlesex.
Carried
9) Report No. 042-12 re 2012 Revised Budget Update – March
Dr. Pollett and Mr. John Millson, Director, Finance and Operations, assisted Board members with their understanding of this report. Council finalized its 2012 budget approval process February 21, 2012. In so doing, 4 resolutions were passed pertaining to the Board of Health 2012 revised budget submission. Dr. Pollett provided an overview of each resolution and its implications.
In response to a question about the 75/25% funding formula, Dr. Pollett reported that the Health Unit solicitor has confirmed this is not a legislated formula; but a goal created by the MOHLTC in 2005. The MOHLTC has not continued on the path toward this goal. In the case of this Health Unit, each year since 2005, a provincial submission is made requesting 75% funding for the total cost-shared budget. Instead, the province provides a grant which falls short of the 75% amount. A similar situation in other health units has led to 19 of the 36 health units having altered cost-sharing arrangements. Since 2004, the MOHLTC funding has increased by $7.9 million and the Municipal contributions have remained unchanged.
In response to a question about the operating surplus that the Health Unit reported in the Cost-Shared budget in 2011 (Report No. 044-12 this agenda), Mr. Millson explained that it is a result of the Wage Restraint Act, money saved through vacancies and position gapping, and under spending in benefits. Some of the surplus was used to cover the Board approved upgrades to the HVAC system and to purchase IT hardware. Mr. Millson reported that 84% of the $397,068 operating surplus in the cost-shared budget would be returned to the City of London; 16% would be returned to the County of Middlesex.
Mr. Millson also explained that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care does not fund capital expenses; therefore, the Health Unit does not have a capital plan.
It was moved by Ms. Poole, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health request the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) to petition the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to fund all HealthUnits in Ontario consistently at 75% of their Board of Health approved cost-shared budgets.
Carried
It was moved by Ms. Poole, seconded by Mr. Orser that staff arrange a meeting to include the Chair and members of the Board of Health, Mayor Fontana and members of London City Council, Warden Maudsley and members of Middlesex County Council, together with appropriate staff from each organization, to discuss issues related to municipal public health funding.
Carried
After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Studenny, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health advise London City Council the final 2012 funding request is for $6,095,059.
Carried
Information Reports
10) Report No. 043-12 re Medical Officer of Health Activity Report – March
Dr. Pollett has made a request to speak to the City of London Community Services Committee re the Health Unit mandate, funding arrangements, Public Health Accountability Agreement, Ontario Public Health Standards and the Organizational Standard. In response to a question, Dr. Pollett advised he would be pleased to make a similar presentation to an appropriate committee of County Council.
Dr. Pollett informed Board members that Ms. Linda Stobo, Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Team, would be presenting a report at a future Board of Health meeting regarding the Smoke Free Ontario Contraband Tobacco Act.
11) Report No. 044-12 re 2011 Budget – Fourth Quarter Financial Review
12) Report No. 045-12 re Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act – 2011 Record of Employees Salaries and
Benefits
13) Report No. 046-12 Re 2011 Board Of Health Members Remuneration
14) Report No. 047-12 2011 Vendor Payments
15) Report No. 048-12 Media Summary – July 2011 to December 2011
16) Report No. 049-12 March Nutrition Month and National Dietitians’ Day
17) Report No. 050-12 Child and Youth Network Membership
Dr. Pollett reported that staff members will present a report at a future Board of Health meeting regarding the status of the Child and Youth Network initiative.
It was moved by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Orser that Reports listed as Items #10 through #17 be received for information.
Carried
In Camera
At 9:30 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Orser, seconded by Mr. Studenny that the Board of Health move in camera for the purpose of considering a matter concerning the security of property held by the Middlesex-London Board of Health.
Carried
At 9:41 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Orser, seconded by Mr. Edmondson that the Board of Health rise and return to public session and report that progress had been made on a matter concerning the security of property held by the Middlesex-London Board of Health.
Carried
Other Business
Next scheduled Board of Health Meeting – Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Correspondence
There were no questions re correspondence.
Adjournment
At 9:42 p.m., it was moved by Dr. Lortie-Monette, seconded by Mr. Orser that the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
VIOLA POLETES MONTGOMERY
Chair
GRAHAM L. POLLETT
Secretary-Treasurer
Last modified on: February 14, 2013