Approved 9/20/04
HUMAN SERVICES
August 16, 2004
Minutes
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Andy Schor, Mike Severino, John Nevin and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Jared Cypher, Joe Lessard, Dr. Sienko, Jim Wilson, and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hertel at 7:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the July 19, 2004 Minutes and Executive Session Minutes
The July 19 Minutes were approved as amended and the Executive Session Minutes were approved as submitted. Absent: Comm. Nevin
Additions to the Agenda
3. Substitute Resolution
7. Motor Wheel Contamination – Update
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
4. Health Department
a. Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to the 203-20-04 Comprehensive Plan Budget and Contract with the Michigan Department of Community Health
b. Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to the Refugee Assistance Program Contract with the Michigan Family Independence Agency
c. Resolution to Authorize a Grant Contract with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
d. Resolution to Authorize a 2004-2005 Agreement with the City of Lansing
e. Resolution to Authorize a 2004-2005 Agreement with the Michigan Department of Community Health for the Delivery of Public Health Services under the Comprehensive Planning, Budgeting and Contracting Process
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Human Services/Board of Commissioners’ Appointments
a. Board of Health
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the applicants.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. MAURICE REIZEN TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF JACQUELINE DAY TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH. MOTION FAILED with Comms. Dedden, Weatherwax-Grant and Schor voting YES.
Chairperson Hertel stated the remaining vacancy would be made by the Board of Commissioners.
(The Committee consented to waive the Board Rules regarding residency requirements.)
b. Lead Task Force
MOVED BY COMM. NEVIN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF DEAN SIENKO, WILLIAM MAIER, BARBARA KIMMEL, CHRIS NELSON, WESLEY PRIEM, BRENDA MATSON, MICHAEL ALLEN, JAMES VANDE BUNTE, MARGARET BEALL, SARA CLARK AND KAREN MARTIN TO THE LEAD TASK FORCE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Board of Commissioners’ Referral – July 27, 2004 – Introduced by Commissioner John Nevin – Resolution to Authorize Funding of up to $20,000 for Free Water Testing and Blood Testing for Low Income Families at Risk of Lead Contamination
MOVED BY COMM. NEVIN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING OF UP TO $20,000 FOR FREE WATER TESTING AND BLOOD TESTING FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AT RISK OF LEAD CONTIMINATION.
Comm. Nevin explained the purpose of placing this item on tonight’s agenda was to engage this Committee in a discussion of same. He stated he does not know if there is or is not a huge concern regarding lead contaminated water. However, people are spending a lot of money on bottled water due to their fear of lead in their home water. Providing the necessary testing would address these fears. It would also give the Board of Water and Light an idea as to where action should be taken.
Dr. Sienko stated it would be good to discuss this issue further in the Lead Task Force meetings. The Task Force could focus on this issue first. Dr. Sienko further stated equal attention should be paid to water lines within homes. These internal lines could contribute more to the lead problem than the external water lines. Of approximately 14,000 homes, approximately 1,000 would be at great risk for lead poisoning.
The Health Department has received test results from 64 of the 100 tests conducted to date. Most of the results revealed trace amounts of lead. The other results were within EPA guidelines. Dr. Sienko stated the real concern that should be addressed is lead-based paint. Day care centers have been working with the Board of Water and Light on this issue. The lead tests would be most beneficial to people living at 150% poverty level.
Mr. Bragg stated most children in this County should have some form of coverage for the lead testing. The number of youth who are tested each year for lead poisoning should increase over the next few years.
In response to Comm. Schor, Mr. Wilson stated the DEQ provides the testing, not the County Health Department. Lead-based paint contributes the majority of lead, while water contamination is minimal.
Chairperson Hertel expressed his concern that lead testing should not be limited to Board of Water and Light customers. Also, where does the County draw a line regarding the number of people that should be tested. Addressing lead concerns is a budget priority for 2005.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she opposed the Resolution because it sends the wrong message to the residents of this County. It is not within the Board’s purview to solve the lead concerns in this County.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO REFER THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING OF UP TO $20,000 FOR FREE WATER TESTING AND BLOOD TESTING FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AT RISK OF LEAD CONTAMINATION TO THE LEAD TASK FORCE.
Comm. Nevin explained the Resolution does not limit testing to Board of Water and Light customers. He expressed his concern that testing should be provided for low-income residents. The funding level in the Resolution could be changed. Comm. Nevin stated his concern that if this issue is referred to the Task Force, it may not be dealt with for six to eight months.
Chairperson Celentino explained the Task Force is to make recommendations to the Board by March 2005. Recommendations could be make earlier. The Board could recommend to the Task Force that it addresses this issue first. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she understands Comm. Nevin’s concerns. However, the bigger problem involves youth ingesting lead-based paint within their homes.
Comm. Nevin stated he would like to be assured that the Task Force would deal with this concern first. Chairperson Hertel stated the Task Force could address the issue of contaminated water first and then proceed to the main concern of lead-based paint.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Ingham County Cooperative Extension – Substitute Resolution to Authorize Ingham County MSU Extension to Accept a $10,000 Grant from Michigan State University to Provide Additional Educational and Technical Assistance to Residents on the Management and Control of Emerald Ash Borer
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE INGHAM COUNTY MSU EXTENSION TO ACCEPT A $10,000 GRANT FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS ON THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF EMERAL ASH BORER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Controller’s Office – Analyses on Areas of Priority for 2005 Budget – Priority Ingham County Advantage Insurance Program
This was an informational item.
6. Board Referrals
a. Resolution from Washtenaw County Supporting the Drug Fair Pricing Act and the Great Lakes Alliance for Affordable Drugs Act
b. Letter and Resolution from Bay County Regarding Coordination of New Prescription Drug Plan
7. Motor Wheel – Update
Dr. Sienko distributed copies of an August 12, 2004 letter from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to the Committee for their review. He then explained the two main concerns involve ammonia and vinyl chloride. Mr. Wilson updated the Committee further. A hearing will be held on August 18, 2004 for the Board of Water and Light to address questions from residents.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff