McLean County Board Health Committee met Jan. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Health Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center Building 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL.
Members Present: Chairman Susan Schafer, Members: Randall Martin, Sharon Chung, Elizabeth Johnston, Catherine Metsker and Hannah Beer
Members Absent: Member Lyndsay Bloomfield
Other Members Present: None
Staff Present: Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Ms. Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary; Ms. Samantha Vazquez, McLean County State’s Attorney
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Jessica McKnight Health Department; Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Center; Suzanne Scott, Adult Jail Medical
Others Present: Cathy Coverston-Anderson, Health Department Chairman Schafer called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Schafer presented the Health Committee’s December 6, 2021 regular meeting minutes for approval.
Motion by Chung/Metsker to approve the Health Committee’s December 6, 2021 regular meeting minutes.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Schafer confirmed there were no members of the public to speak.
Ms. Jessica McKnight, Health Department Administrator presented her report and updated number information provided in the report. Ms. McKnight then went over the testing services agreement provided in the packet. Ms. Schafer asked where testing would be. Ms. McKnight indicated location was still being finalized. Ms. Schafer asked if she felt demand would taper off. Ms. McKnight indicated she felt demand would remain high for a while. Ms. Metsker asked if she felt testing would go mobile. Ms. McKnight indicated she felt it might. Ms. Taylor noted this was brought as an information item as they hoped to get the agreement finalized and bring it to a stand-up meeting this month before County Board. Ms. Chung asked her to confirm the interstate center was now open 6 days a week for testing. Ms. McKnight confirmed. Ms. Chung asked how long it would remain that way. Ms. McKnight indicated it was a State facility, so she was not sure how long they would keep it open 6 days a week.
Ms. Schafer asked about combining with IDPH and IEMA for COVID response. Ms. McKnight confirmed they combine with them to meet needs. She noted the Health Department is still running a clinic one day a week and IDPH has other clinics. . She noted they had asked for a partnership to work out of the arena 4 to 5 days a week as they work to meet demand for boosters. Ms. Chung asked how they are getting the word out about vaccines for ages 5-11. Ms. McKnight indicated they continue to work with the schools, put information on social media and utilize other media sources. She noted they are working to try to make it as convenient as possible. Ms. Chung thanked them for all the work they continue to do in other areas as they continue to answer the call for assistance with COVID vaccines, boosters and testing. Chairman Schafer asked if there were any further questions, hearing none she thanked her.
Ms. Suzanne Scott, Adult Detention presented her monthly report. She indicated December had been busy. Ms. Chung asked about status of COVID outbreak. Ms. Scott indicated numbers have been decreasing and they are still doing mass testing every 3 days. She also thanked Ms. Cathy Beck and EMA for assisting with testing efforts. Ms. Chung asked about quarantine for new inmates. Ms. Scott confirmed they still quarantine 10 days when inmates first arrive but are not tested. Ms. Chung asked about symptoms. Ms. Scott indicated minimal symptoms. Chairman Schafer asked if there were any further questions; hearing none she thanked her.
Mr. Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Superintendent presented his monthly report. Chairman Schafer asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked him.
As Mr. Tim Wiley, Nursing Home Administrator was not present, Chairman Schafer presented for action on his behalf a request to approve a letter of engagement with Marcum LLP. Ms. Taylor indicated Marcum has assisted the nursing home for years in preparing required reports for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements.
Motion by Martin/Johnston to recommend approval of a letter of engagement with Marcum LLP.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Schafer noted that Mr. Wiley’s monthly report for the Nursing Home was in the packet. Ms. Schafer provided updated vaccination information for the nursing home. Ms. Metsker asked about the recently hired human resource position and if that was a new position. Ms. Taylor stated that previously someone in a payroll position handled human resource, but they changed the title and code for the position to fit the job duties. Ms. Metsker asked if changing title changed the salary range. Ms. Taylor indicated it did not. Ms. Johnston noted decrease in expenses and higher Medicaid reimbursements. She asked if Staff had been aware reimbursement rates would be higher. Ms. Taylor indicated she had not been aware an increase would be made and it was not reflected in the 2022 budget. Ms. Johnston asked about getting more information on the “yellow” status at the nursing home. Ms. Taylor indicated she would check and let her know. Chairman Schafer asked if there were any further questions or comments; hearing none she moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ms. Taylor stated in November OSHA passed an emergency testing standard requiring employees either to be vaccinated or receive testing. She indicated that while there had been court action the stay had been lifted and she would be presenting information on policy and procedure to County employees. She noted they would be watching for any further court action, but they were working to set up a clinic in downtown area to make testing convenient.
Chairman Schafer asked if there were any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Schafer presented for approval bills for Jail Medical and JDC Medical with a prepaid and fund total of $68,615.81.
Motion by Chung/Johnston to approve bills for Jail Medical and JDC Medical as presented.
Motion carried.
Chairman Schafer presented the bills for the Developmental Disability Board for approval with a prepaid and fund total of $19,709.21.
Motion by Beer/Chung to approve bills for the Developmental Disability Board as presented.
Motion carried.
Chairman Schafer presented for approval the Nursing Home bills with a prepaid and fund total of $164,259.39.
Motion by Chung/Johnston to approve bills for the Nursing Home as presented.
Motion carried.
Chairman Schafer presented for approval the bills for the Board of Health with a prepaid and fund total of $222,053.25.
Motion by Metsker/Johnston to approve the bills for the Board of Health as presented.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Schafer asked if there was any additional business to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, she adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8552
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