Approved 1/23/06

HUMAN SERVICES

November 7, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:         Curtis Hertel, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Victor Celentino, Lisa Dedden, Dianne Holman, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Dr. Sienko and Barbara Zumsteg

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 September 12, 2005 and October 20, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 12 MINUTES AND THE OCTOBER 20, 2005 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1.         Health Department

a.         Resolution to Authorize a 2005-2006 Agreements with the Ingham Health Plan Corporation

b.         Resolution to Authorize Administrative Support Services Agreements with County Health Plans

c.         Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to the Agreement with Michigan State University to Delegate Certain Environmental Health Responsibilities

d.         Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to the Child Care Provider Training Agreement with the Michigan 4C Association

e.         Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies

f.          Resolution to Authorize a 2005-2006 Agreement with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

g.         Resolution to Authorize a Grant Contract with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

1h.       Health Department – Presentation – Dr. Dean Sienko – Update on Asian Bird Flu

Dr. Sienko updated the Committee on the Asian Bird Flu (Flu) via a power point presentation.  The Flu is transmitted from one person to another through respiratory secretions.  The incubation period is one to five days.  Communicability may be one to two days prior to the onset of Flu symptoms. 

Dr. Sienko stated most people are susceptible to this Flu.   This is a Level H3 pandemic which began in Asia in 2003.  As of October 10, 2005, there have been 117 cases of the Flu with 60 deaths.  Dr. Sienko then reviewed the potential impact of the Flu on the United States. 

A vaccine cannot be developed until the strain of the Flu affecting a specific region is identified.   Other measures, such as education and public health information, can help to control the spread of the Flu.  Dr. Sienko reviewed some measures which have been developed to help address this matter. 

Comm. Severino asked why it appears that many infectious diseases originate in Asia.  Dr. Sienko stated many infectious diseases do not originate in Asia.  However, this may be the appearance because most diseases originate where there is a lot of human to animal contact.  In response to Comm. Dedden, Dr. Sienko explained that a pandemic refers to a global disease; and, an epidemic refers to an increased rate of a disease in a specific area. 

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the fact that a vaccine cannot be developed instantly is valuable information to people.  Chairperson Hertel asked if there is a danger that people would hoard flu vaccines.  Dr. Sienko explained that the State Health Department has notified doctors that they should not prescribe Tamaflu for future use by their patients.   He further explained that the purpose of containing the disease is to slow the spread of the virus until a vaccine can be developed.

The discussion of this item continued.  Dr. Sienko stated the CDC has indicated there will not be a shortage in the flu vaccine this year and that all people should receive the vaccine.  He further stated a lot of work is being done at the local level to protect people from the Flu. 

3.         Board Referral – Letter from Capital Area Community Services Regarding Community Agency Funds

Ms. Zumsteg, Capital Area Community Services (CACS), explained that due to a lack of funding from the Ingham County Department of Human Services in August and September, the CACS has very limited funds available for this heating season.  DHS should provide emergency funding; however, it will not meet the demand.  All funds raised through CACS’s Walk for Warmth will be matched by the Michigan Public Service Commission. All funds raised and matched will go directly to assist the low income working poor, disabled and elderly who meet income guidelines. 

Ms. Zumsteg stated the CACS is requesting County funding for low income utility assistance for County residents to prevent homelessness this winter.  An appropriation of $20,000 would leverage another $20,000.

Chairperson Hertel asked Ms. Zumsteg if the City of Lansing is providing any funding to CACS this year.  Ms. Zumsteg stated the City will not provide funding this year due to budget cuts.  She then stated CACS has determined it will have approximately $37,000 less funding this year than the previous year. 

Comm. Holman asked if people have to exhaust all other assistance services before receiving assistance from CACS.  Ms. Zumsteg stated people do not have to exhaust all other avenues to receive CACS assistance. 

Chairperson Hertel suggested the Committee could direct staff to research this issue and then draft a resolution for this Committee’s next meeting; or, this Committee could approve a motion this evening to address this matter.

Mr. Neilsen explained this type of request would normally be placed in the Community Agency funding process.  This request came up too late for that process.  Comm. Dedden stated her preference to approve a resolution at the next meeting which would appropriate money from the 2005 Contingency Fund.  The language in the resolution should be drafted carefully to maximize any opportunities for CACS to obtain matching funds. 

Comm. Severino asked if CACS applied for Community Agency funding.  Ms. Zumsteg stated CACS did not apply for Community Agency funding this year.  CACS does participate with Rural Family Services.  Comm. Severino asked if any private propane companies offer any assistance to low income people.  Ms. Zumsteg stated some of those companies do participate in the Walk for Warmth.

In response to Chairperson Hertel, Ms. Zumsteg stated she can assure the County that 100% of its funding would be used to assist Ingham County residents. 

MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROPRIATE $20,000 FROM THE 2005 CONTINGENCY FUND TO THE CAPITAL AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES’S WALK FOR WARMTH FUNDRAISER. 

Ms. Zumsteg expressed her appreciation for this Committee’s assistance.  Comm. Holman asked what CACS would do about their funding situation in 2006.  Ms. Zumsteg stated CACS constantly looks for funding support.  Financial assistance from the County will certainly help in that effort. 

Mr.  Neilsen explained that the resolution for the next meeting will authorize a contract for services with CACS. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.         Board of Commissioners – Resolution Supporting the Campaign to End Aids (C2ea) (This item was tabled at the last meeting.)

MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CAMPAIGN TO END AIDS (C2ea).

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated tonight’s Resolution addresses her previous concerns.  Comm. Holman stated the term “support” in the Resolution is vague.  Chairperson Hertel explained the Resolution only indicates the County’s support of the Campaign; it does not appropriate funding. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff