Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health June 12, 2014 Present Excused Mr. Abbasi Dr. Prince Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Drachler Dr. Sood Dr. Herwitz Dr. Gaynes Ms. Jones Thorne Dr. Luka Ms. Langguth Dr. Topouzian Dr. Williams Mr. Nidetz Ms. Urbanus Mr. Pandya Dr. Usman Dr. Plotkin Ms. Varma Dr. Polin Dr. Veis Guests Carrie Haberstitch, Department of Community Development, Planning Division Dr. Counard, Director of Health David Clough, Staff Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:39 p.m. following the Board of Health annual group picture by Dr. Drachler, Chairman. Approval of Minutes –The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Dr. Counard introduced Ms. Haberstitch. Carrie Haberstich, Update on Bicycle Facilities Ms. Haberstitch provided an overview of types of bicycle facilities, Skokie’s bicycle facility plans, and current status of bicycle facility development. A copy of the presentation is attached. Types of Bicycle Facilities used in Skokie: • Bike routes – A road shared by cars and bikes that is marked by signage. • Bike lanes – A road where pavement markings designate a specific lane for bikes. • Bike/Multi-Use paths – Independent paths for bikes, runners, skaters, etc. that are separate from the street and not used by cars. Types of Bicycle Facilities not currently used or planned for in Skokie: • Sharrows – Wide curb lanes with bicycle markings but no pavement stripe creating a separate lane. • Protected Bike lanes – A blocked lane for bicycle traffic with bollards, striped pavement and possible outside parallel parking between bikes and traffic. These are not currently being considered in Skokie because automobile traffic would have to be redirected to make room. The Northwest Municipal Conference Bicycle Plan This plan was adopted in December of 2010 to coordinate bike plans between multiple communities in the Northwest Suburbs. Coordinating efforts between multiple communities increase grant opportunities to develop bicycle facilities. Skokie’s bicycle parking facility zoning codes are featured in the plan. Village of Skokie Bicycle Facility Plan Ms. Haberstitch presented a map of bike lanes, bike routes, and multi-use paths in the Village. Completed bicycle facilities were marked with solid lines and proposed bike lanes were marked with dotted lines. Planned start and completion dates were also displayed on proposed bike lanes. Timeline: 2014 – A multi-use path will be constructed in front of the new Walmart development on Touhy 2015 – Bike lanes will be added on Main Street and a segment of Old Orchard Road - Maintenance will be performed on the Sculpture Park path - A multi-use path will be constructed on Howard between East Prairie and McCormick - Complete path between Oakton and Jarvis (see below) 2016 – Bikes lanes will be added on Gross Point Road between Golf and Old Orchard 2018 – Bike lanes will be added on Church Street. Skokie Valley Trail Skokie has partnered will a number of other suburban municipalities and counties to complete this proposed trail which will reach from Chicago to the Wisconsin border. The Planning and Health Departments have partnered to apply for grants used to fund the initial phases of construction for the Skokie portion of the trail. In 2012 a one mile segment of the trail between Dempster and Oakton was constructed. Construction of the segment from Oakton to Jarvis is planned for 2014. Funding is currently being sought to complete the segments from Golf to Dempster and Central to Golf. Building the trail required a recreational lease with ComEd which took two years to negotiate. The final price for the 20 year lease was $1.00 with an option to renew in five year increments. There are various neighborhood connections planned for the trail including one linking to Oakton Community College. Ms. Haberstitch concluded by showing the Board of Health where links to bicycling information could be found on the Village website and showing pictures of the new bike racks that were put up this Fall. Mr. Veis asked if they would consider putting up reminder signs about bike rider etiquette. He has experienced some issues with bike riders not sharing the paths carefully with pedestrians, which is dangerous for individuals who can’t move quickly. Ms. Haberstitch replied that the police department has a bike safety day but agreed that some signage could help. Mr. Abbasi asked if the bike paths were wide enough for two bikes to ride side by side. Ms. Haberstitch replied that the paths were ten feet wide but technically they were not designed for two bikes to be able to ride in either direction. Mr. Abbasi asked if there were any plans for water fountains along the path. Ms. Haberstitch replied that they were looking into a water bottle filling station and drinking fountain. Dr. Drachler asked if there was some way to encourage people to park their car and then use their bicycles to go shopping. Ms. Haberstitch replied that they don’t have a designated parking area for that but she would float the idea in the planning department. Dr. Topouzian pointed out that carrying items purchased on the bike might be an obstacle to this. Dr. Drachler inquired if there was a way to get a north/south bike route straight down the center of Skokie. Ms. Haberstitch pointed out that the location of the Evanston Golf Club necessitates alternate routes to bypass it. Dr. Gaynes suggested putting the bike trail map on signs in locations throughout Skokie. He believes this would offer a clearer path then the bike route signs currently posted. He also pointed out that the sidewalk on Skokie Blvd. between Oakton and Howard is extremely dangerous due to the lack of any barrier between the sidewalk and the street. Mrs. Haberstitch stated she would bring this idea up to engineering. Dr. Usman asked if small motorized bikes would be allowed on the paths. Ms. Haberstitch replied that she was envisioning only non-motorized vehicles but she would check Village code to see if those were technically allowed. Dr. Prince asked about access to Old Orchard as he sometimes would like to bike there but finds the traffic too dangerous. Ms. Haberstitch replied that a bike path connecting Gross Point and Skokie Blvd to Old Orchard is planned for 2015. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler presented two options for dates to have the Board of Health dinner. August 21st was selected. Mr. Pandya suggested the Skokie Club and offered to speak with the restaurant owner. Dr. Drachler pointed out that the owner used to be a member of the Board of Health. Mr. Pandya agreed to speak with the restaurant owner and negotiate separate checks. Personal Statements No new personal statements. Personal Statements No new personal statements. Directors Monthly Report – a copy is attached • Tobacco Cessation and Mental Health - Developing a program for Turning Point The Department is working closely with Turning Point staff to develop a tobacco cessation program for Turning Point clients. This will be a first for the facility, and is a goal of the Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan. David Clough, Susan Reisberg, Dr. Counard and Turning Point staff participated in a day-long seminar on mental health and tobacco cessation at Loyola University Medical Center as part of the process. Funding for the program will be provided through an Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities grant. We are collaborating with the Cook County Department of Public Health to fund this project. • Childhood obesity project – met with District 69 Superintendent Another Community Health Plan priority is to systematically collect obesity data from school physical forms at all Skokie public schools with a Kindergarten, 6th, or 9th grade (the required years for school physicals). It is important to have local data in order to respond appropriately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a tool for collecting aggregate data (age, height, weight and sex) from school physical examination forms. No personal information will be collected that could identify specific students. Nurse Susan Reisberg and Dr. Counard met with the Dr. Quentin Shepherd, Superintendent of District 69, to begin the process. We next plan to ask Districts 73 ½ and 65 to participate next. • Neighborhood Integrity Bruce Jones, Environmental Health Supervisor, presented during the first Neighborhood Integrity Ordinance Seminar given to a small group of rental property owners and Village Environmental Health & Property Standards Staff. This important program is off to a good start! Dr. Drachler asked how large a building you needed to do the property rental training. Dr. Counard reported that anyone renting any property would do the training. There is a nominal fee of $25 per unit rented but after three years without any problems the fee would be waived. Dr. Drachler asked if other municipalities were doing this and Dr. Counard reported that while other municipalities have programs like this we are the first in Northern Cook County. Ms. Jones Thorne asked if there is a point of contact for renters who believe there is a health problem in their building. Dr. Counard reported that there is a web based reporting form for renters to fill out that goes to the Village. Ms. Jones Thorne suggested promoting that resource by publishing an article in New Skokie because some renters might be unaware of their options. Community Health Plan Dr. Drachler reported that some new members have been added to the IPLAN committee. Mark Schroeder, Head of Public Relations from North Shore Health Care Systems will be joining the committee. Additionally, the head social worker from Niles Township and the Community School Manager from District 69 will be joining. • Access to Healthcare Dr. Drachler reported making frequent use of Erie Evanston/Skokie Family Health Center as a referral source, and that feedback from patients has been positive. Dr. Drachler also suggested inviting Asian Human Services to speak to the Board of Health in the fall. • Obesity Prevention Dr. Drachler mentioned that he is pleased the BMI data is being collected from schools. He is also working on getting a speaker on postpartum obesity treatment to present to the Board of Health. • Tobacco Use Prevention Dr. Drachler shared a news report that high school smoking is under 16% for the first time in decades but e-cigarette and cigar usage are up. Mr. Pandya reported that he has had multiple patients show up with e-cigarettes and report that they were using them instead of smoking. These patients showed no sign of understanding that they could benefit from quitting e-cigarettes as well. • Healthy Environment Mrs. Langguth presented a summary of the North Shore University Health System’s Green Team. The hospital has been discussing environmentally sound practices. For example, there is a paper reduction committee and there are full time environmental staff dedicated to these efforts. Mrs. Langguth plans to bring more information about these efforts to future meetings. Old Business Dr. Drachler asked about the results of the gun sales ordinance. Dr. Counard reported that the ordinance passed and the specifics were available on the Village website. New Business Pat Urbanus shared an article from the Pioneer Press on the walking group that was initiated in Evanston. She also shared an article about a synagogue that had a textile recycling program. This program allowed all clothing to be donated regardless of usability. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.