MINUTES

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board

January 12, 2009

CALL TO ORDER

The monthly meeting of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board was held Monday,

January 12, 2009.  Chair Donna Bell called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm.

BOARD OF HEALTH PHOTOGRAPH

A group photograph was taken by Lisa Horn, Communications Coordinator, for the 2008 Annual Report.

CONSENT AGENDA

Alan Cowles moved that the Consent Agenda consisting of the Health Board Minutes of December 15, 2008, December 2008 monthly Financial Reports, and December monthly Activity Reports be approved.  Paul Liechti provided the second and the motion passed. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

200 Maine, Suite B

Lawrence, KS  66044-1357

OFFICE: 785/843-3060    FAX: 785/843-3161

CLINIC: 785/843-0721    FAX: 785/843-2930

Health Care Access Update

At the Health Board meeting in December, 2008, the Board asked Nikki King, Director of Health Care Access, to provide a written response to the Health Board’s questions regarding space usage at the Community Health Facility.  On January 6, 2009, Dan Partridge met with Nikki King to discuss future plans.  Dan Partridge provided the Board with a copy of the written response from Health Care Access and reported that they are going to explore other areas, preferably in this neighborhood, for space.  Health Care Access would like to leave the option open of using one exam room at the Health Department once or twice a month to provide services to their clients.  Such services would be provided by Health Care Access staff.  

Board Replacement Letter

Dan Partridge provided the Board with a copy of a letter from Donna Bell, Health Board Chair, to Dave Corliss, City Manager, and Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, asking them to consider Shirley Martin-Smith or Donna Osness as a possible Board appointment to replace her position on the Health Board when her second term expires at the end of March 2009.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

1. Dan Partridge updated the Board on his meeting December 16, 2008, with Dave Corliss, City Manager, to discuss the projected 2010 property tax revenues.  Dan also presented the Board with a document showing how the Health Department has made notable adjustments to the 2009 Budget which was also shared with Dave Corliss.

2. Dan Partridge reported to the Board the Health Department received the Sunflower Grant award.  Dan stated Dr. Ruth Wetta-Hall from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita will be providing training to our Maternal and Child Health staff related to quality improvement processes. 

NEW BUSINESS

Kansas Children Services League Contract

Dan Partridge presented a contract between Kansas Children Services League (KCSL) and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department.  After discussion, Gerald Pees made a motion to authorize Donna Bell, Chair, to sign the contract with KCSL.  Karen Shumate provided the second and the motion passed.

Kansas Health Policy Authority

Dan Partridge presented a contract between Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department for Healthy Families America Program Services.  After discussion, Gerald Pees made a motion to authorize Donna Bell, Chair, to sign the contract with KHPA.  Karen Shumate provided the second and the motion passed.

Revise Mileage Rate for 2009

Dan Partridge stated in July, 2008, the Board approved revising the Mileage Reimbursement Policy to state that the rate would be set annually by the Health Board as part of the budget approval process.  The mileage reimbursement rate for 2008 was $.505.  For the 2009 Budget, the mileage reimbursement rate was set at $.520.  Dan Partridge recommended to the Board to keep the rate of $.505 and not increase it to $.520.  After discussion, Gerald Pees made a motion to keep the current mileage reimbursement rate at $.505 for 2009.  Karen Shumate provided the second and the motion passed.

Air Quality Letter

Richard Ziesenis, Director of Environmental Health, presented a draft letter to Roderick Bremby, Secretary of Health and Environment, regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) consideration of ozone non-attainment designations that might include Lawrence and Douglas County as part of the Kansas City region.  Richard Ziesenis stated the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Bureau of Air Quality have recommended to the EPA that Douglas County should not be a part of the Kansas City non-attainment region.  After reviewing the draft letter, Alan Cowles made a motion to approve forwarding the draft letter to the City and County for their signatures.  Gerald Pees provided the second and the motion passed.  The Board asked that Richard Ziesenis provide them with a copy of the signed letter.

EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DIRECTOR’S ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW

At 6:35 pm, Karen Shumate made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session for twenty minutes for the Performance Review of the Director.  Alan Cowles provided the second and the motion passed. 

At 6:55 pm, Karen Shumate made a motion to continue the Executive Session for twenty more minutes.  Gerald Pees provided the second and the motion passed.

At 7:10 pm, Gerald Pees made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session for the Performance Review of the Director.  Alan Cowles provided the second and the motion passed.

Other New Business

1. The next regularly scheduled Health Board meeting will be Monday, February 16, 2009.

ADJOURNMENT

The Board meeting was adjourned at 7:12 pm by consensus of the Board.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Partridge,

Secretary

Present:          Donna Bell

                        Alan Cowles

Paul Liechti

Gerald Pees

Karen Shumate

Ex Officio:      Dan Partridge

Other:             Karrey Britt   

Jennie Henault

Colleen Hill

Lisa Horn

Charlotte Marthaler

Richard Ziesenis