Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Committee Meeting Minutes June 13, 2019 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Ms. Urbanus Dr. Gaynes Ms. Haido Dr. Dave Mr. Usman Dr. Topouzian Ms. Moy-Wooten Dr. Drachler Dr. Vernon Ms. Varma Dr. Prince Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Werner Dr. Shim Ms. Jones Dr. Williams Mr. Pandya Dr. Youkhana Dr. Sood Bruce A. Jones, Staff Guest, Trustee Michele Bromberg Guest, Dr. Edward McCarron – Family Services Commission A. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman. B. Approval of Board of Health Meeting Minutes, Materials Distributed: Dr. Drachler thanked Dr. Werner for chairing the February meeting that unfortunately did not have a quorum. The minutes of the May 23rd meeting were approved as presented. C. Richard Kong, Director and Nancy Kim Phillips, Community Engagement Manager Skokie Public Library Strategic Plan and Library Renovations: Mr. Kong and Ms. Phillips gave an informative presentation on the Skokie Public Library Strategic Plan and Planned Library Renovations. Because the architectural plans for the renovation have not yet been finalized, there are no slides to share. The library was originally built in 1960 as a single story building. It was expanded in 1971-1972 adding a second story. In 2001 a third floor and green roof were constructed. Mr. Kong had renderings “a sneak peek” that have not yet been released to the public. They are not expanding the foot print of the building just altering the interiors. The first floor space will be much more open, inviting community gatherings; walkways through the building resemble a street scape with sightlines featuring their three interior courtyards. All outer walls will be lined with books. They plan to be a place that will welcome teens and have teen librarians on-site, with a STEM lab that will be tripling in size. A café is being planned opening to the south courtyard. All the new core restrooms will be ADA compliant and “all gender”. The second floor space will also be an open concept providing more natural lighting within the building. The design is adding numerous study rooms designed for one user, two users, four users and larger rooms for groups. The reading room will be tripled in size and their media productions rooms are expanding. The business center is doubling its capacity from 49 to 100 people, and will be used as a community room as well as business center.  Discussion Ms. Jones asked about the Café concept. Mr. Kong said that they want to have a place where people can get nourishment during the day, and also have a welcoming atmosphere with the café and the south courtyard as a dining area. Ms. Urbanus asked if areas will be provided for nursing moms. Mr. Kong replied there would be multiple areas including a youth services area and family room with restrooms for moms to nurse. Dr. Drachler asked when the project would start, the length of time to complete, and how the Library would be managed during the changes. Mr. Kong said they will begin in January 2020 with the project to be completed in 3 phases (5 months, 5 months and 4 months respectively) for a total time of 14 months. The Library will not close during the project and will have as little disruption as possible. Dr. Werner asked what their percentage of online/digital materials is versus hard copies. Mr. Kong estimates that their volume is about 2/3 digital and approximately 400,000 hard volumes. Ms. Nickisch Duggan asked about how they came to the decisions about the renovations. Mr. Kong said they used a variety of methods: field observations and interviews with clients, floor plans posted for people to add post-it notes with comments, and focus groups. Ms. Nickisch Duggan then asked about determining the size of the collection. Mr. Kong explained that the Library retains the materials that are being utilized the most by the patrons. Mr. Abbasi asked for clarification about the new capacity in the business center areas. Mr. Kong stated they are going from a current capacity of 49 up to at least 100, and that people will be able to make reservations for these areas. Dr. McCarron asked if they have audio and video capacities currently. Mr. Kong said they do and this area is also being expanded. Dr. Counard wondered if the Library’s Strategic Plan influenced their decisions. Mr. Kong replied that while the renovations are part of their Strategic Plan, the project was started before that plan was finalized. Mr. Abbasi asked about the burden of fines and fees. Mr. Kong responded that the Library fines and fees are a very small part of revenue, and that recently they eliminated all fines for all youth books. Mr. Kong added that the Library renovations will not increase taxes for Skokie residents. Mr. Kong also mentioned that he hopes they will receive funds though a capital funding bill from the State of Illinois. D. Tim Youkhana, PharmD, Personal Statement Dr. Youkhana gave a brief personal and professional background overview to the Board. E. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler noted that there are many new Board members, so he would like to restart the Personal Statement portion of the agenda. He would like for one member to give a brief personal and professional background statement at each meeting, so everyone gets to know each other better. #553789, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes June 13, 2019  Dr. Drachler mentioned that all Board members were reappointed for another 2 year term. Dr. Drachler asked that members view the new Skokie Website and see if there are any suggestions to improve the Website and Board of Health page. Send any suggestions to Dr. Counard’s attention. F. Health Director’s Monthly Report: Dr. Counard presented the May Monthly Report – a copy is attached. Report highlights: Child Vision & Hearing Screening Program Concludes The Child Vision & Hearing program had a busy year, screening children from 29 private schools and daycares in Skokie. Lead and Copper Drinking Water Line Survey and Online Map Launched! Illinois Environmental Protection Agency mandated that community drinking water systems post an inventory map showing the locations of lead drinking water lines. The Skokie Water Service Line Map is available online, and we need help from property owners to verify the composition of the lines. Dr. Counard asked Board of health members to look at the map and verify the information is correct for their property: https://www.skokie.org/766/Lead-Water-Line-Information Assyrian Pharmacy Connected to Erie Evanston/Skokie and Heartland Health Centers Health Department staff visited the Heartland Health Center and Erie Evanston/Skokie Family Health Center with Dr. Tim Youkhana, a Skokie Board of Health member and the new pharmacist in charge of the Assyrian Pharmacy. State Naloxone Grant To help combat the opioid epidemic, the Illinois Department of Public Health is providing grant funds for local health departments to purchase Naloxone, an agent used to treat overdoses. There was an in depth discussion about the use of the Naloxone and the need for more information and a potential speaker on this topic at a future meeting. G. Old/New Items of Business • Board of Health Summer Dinner: Thursday August 8, 2019 starting at 6:30 p.m. A location was chosen: Pho PHU LINH Restaurant – 4741 Main Street, Skokie • Please complete the Lead & Copper Drinking Water Line Survey. • Skokie 100 –day Plastic Bag Challenge. Dr. Counard asked each member to participate and utilize reusable bags while shopping. • Possible speakers/topics for Board of Health meetings. Dr. Drachler reviewed the previous list of speakers/topics. A robust conversation ensued with numerous suggestions offered. Dr. Counard will compile a new list and the board can prioritize for future meetings. Dr. Drachler mentioned the Talking Farm, located on Howard Street, will be planting fruit trees in their orchard. All are welcome to assist. Dr. Counard added she is attending the event, which is on Friday June 21 at 9am. People can go to the Talking Farm website to sign up to volunteer. Dr. Drachler concluded by saying he will be away for the September meeting and Vice-Chair Ms. Jones will chair the meeting in his absence. #553789, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes June 13, 2019 Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Next Meeting: September 12, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall 2nd Floor Conference Rooms D & E Jessica Jones, MA Vice Chair, Board of Health Lead Associate, Health and Benefits Consulting Willis Towers Watson Presentation: Human Centric Health: Leveraging behavioral economics precepts to reduce non-communicable diseases #553789, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes June 13, 2019