Approved 6/5/06

HUMAN SERVICES

May 15, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:         Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor and Mike Severino

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Dr. Sienko and Robin Turner

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 7:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the May 1, 2006 Minutes

The May 1 Minutes were approved as submitted.  Absent:  Comm. Severino

Additions to the Agenda

1.5       Update – Bravo Restaurant

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Interviews – Community Health Center Board

The Committee interviewed Sarah Steele and Lacretia Bruner for a position on the Community Health Center Board.

(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:09 p.m.)

Ms. Turner, Community Health Center Board, informed the Committee that Ms. Bruner has not yet been interviewed by the Community Health Center Board.  After a brief discussion, the Committee decided to postpone making a recommendation until it receives a recommendation from the Community Health Center Board regarding Ms. Bruner.

MOVED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO TABLE THIS COMMITTEE’S APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER BOARD TO A FUTURE MEETING. 

Chairperson Schor stated Ms. Bruner should be interviewed by the Community Health Center Board so that this Committee’s appointment recommendation will be made through an equitable process.

Comm. Bahar-Cook withdrew her motion.  Comm. Hertel withdrew his support of the motion.

MOVED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO REFER LACRETIA BRUNER’S APPLICATION TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER BOARD FOR AN INTERVIEW AND A RECOMMENDATION.  THIS COMMITTEE WILL MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATION ONCE IT RECEIVES THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

1.5       Bravo Restaurant – Update

Dr. Sienko updated the Committee regarding the Bravo restaurant recent food-born illness situation.  The Health Department received a few phone calls on May 8, 2006 from people who had been to Bravo and then became ill.  MSU had graduation ceremonies that same weekend so there were many people dining out at restaurants. 

Symptoms appeared 24 to 48 hours after dining at Bravo.  The symptoms lasted one to two days.  Approximately 50 phone calls from Bravo diners were received by May 11.  Dr. Sienko explained the diners experienced a Norwalk-like virus, the same virus which affected diners at Carabbas.  Dr. Sienko explained the illness was caused by an ill restaurant employee.  These employees do not have health insurance or paid sick leave. 

The Department made a determination to have Bravo close its restaurant to determine what had happened to make the diners ill.  Once this incident was made public, over 300 more phone calls were received by the Health Department.  Three diners were hospitalized due to dehydration.

Dr. Sienko stated Bravo had not faired well during its last few inspections.  Bravo is following up on the Departments recommendations.  Test results should be available in a few days. 

Comm. Schor asked who made the initial call to the Health Department regarding the illness.  Dr. Sienko stated restaurant diners reported the illness to the Department.  Comm. Severino asked about the placebo affect in these situations.  Dr. Sienko explained a few of the calls could have resulted from a placebo affect.  Comm. Hertel asked if the ill diners ordered the same meals.  Dr. Sienko explained the Department is not that far into its investigation to make those determinations.  More time and effort will be needed to determine which restaurant employee was ill and then the actual food item(s) involved in the incident.

Chairperson Grebner asked if Bravo is cooperating with the Department at this time.  Dr. Sienko explained that once Bravo’s corporate people became involved, the cooperation level increased.  Chairperson Grebner asked if the Department held private interviews with the restaurant employees.  Dr. Sienko stated he would have to check into that issue.  Chairperson Grebner suggested the Department consider conducting off-site employee interviews in the future.

Chairperson Grebner asked why the ill diners did not pass the illness on to their families.  Dr. Sienko explained the illness does spread through the families, the schools and the diners’ places of employment.  Many illnesses such as the Norwalk virus remain under the Department’s radar.

2.         Health Department – Resolution to Authorize Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 to the 2006 Comprehensive Plan Budget and Contract with the Michigan Department of Community Health

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AMENDMENT NO. 2 AND AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE 2006 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BUDGET AND CONTRACT WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH.

Disclosure:  Comm. Hertel stated he works with the Department of Community Health.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.         Controller’s Office – Discussion – 2007 Update on Fees:  Draft – Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services

Mr. Neilsen stated the annual review of the Fees has been completed and some adjustment recommendations have been made for consideration by the liaison Committees.  The Committees will consider a resolution to adopt the new Fee schedule at their next meetings. 

Mr. Neilsen stated the Health Department is a major contributor to the County’s fees.  Comm. Bahar-Cook asked why the proposed fees are rounded down from the calculated fees.  Mr. Neilsen explained the Board of Commissioners adopted this methodology.

Comm. Dedden asked if the department concerns have been resolved.  Mr. Neilsen stated he will update the Committee regarding this issue at its next meeting.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff