Joint City-County Planning Task Force

Joint City-Greene County Planning Task Force Meeting Notes March 26, 2014 – 9:30 a.m. Environmental Resource Center Community Room – 290 East Central Meeting #14 Task Force Members Present: Greg Burris, Springfield City Manager Tim Smith, Greene County Administrator Cindy Stein, Greene County Auditor Martha Mundt, Greene County Budget Director Collin Quigley, Springfield Assistant City Manager The meeting began at approximately 9:30 a.m. with a welcome from Greg Burris, City Manager, and Tim Smith, Greene County Administrator, followed by a review of today’s agenda. City Manager Burris asked for a motion to approve the notes from the March 12, 2014 meeting. Martha Mundt, Greene County Budget Director, moved to approve the notes as presented. Cindy Stein, Greene County Auditor, seconded the motion and the notes were approved. City Manager Burris noted that the issue of animal control would not be addressed during today’s meeting. City Manager Burris introduced Clay Goddard, Assistant Director of the Springfield/Greene County Health Department, who distributed and discussed a handout entitled “Future Public Health Funding.” (Please refer to Exhibit A located within the City Clerk’s Office for additional information.) The following is brief outline of the discussion: A. Nurse-Family Partnership B. Community Health Advocate C. Expanding Jordan Valley Community Health Center Services D. Emergency Preparedness E. Satellite Locations F. Your Child’s Health Packet G. Hepatitis C Testing H. Total Budget Request I. Field Guide 2030 During the discussion, the Task Force, Health Assistant Director Goddard, Kevin Gipson, Director of the Springfield/Greene County Health Department, Harold Bengsch, Greene County Commissioner, and Cora Scott, Springfield Public Information and Civic Engagement Director, made comments regarding the issue of public health within the Community. Health Director Gipson and Health Assistant Director Goddard responded to questions posed by the Task Force. In response to a question posed by City Manager Burris, Health Assistant Director Goddard explained that out of approximately 600 expectant mothers within Greene County only approximately 400 expressed interest in participating in the Nurse-Family Partnership program. He noted there is no “mandated” requirement to participate in this program. In response to another question posed by City Manager Burris, Health Assistant Director Goddard addressed that the proposed four community health advocates would cover most of Greene County. He reported that possible grant funds may be available from the Foundation for Health for prevention efforts. In response to a question posed by County Administrator Smith, Health Assistant Director Goddard reported that the costs for the first two (Sections A & B) are not included within the 2030 Field Guide; however, the City Council and County Commission have adopted the major goals of this guide. In response to a question posed by County Auditor Stein, Health Assistant Director Goddard discussed that the proposed satellite office locations would be within various areas in the County. He noted that currently, there is a location in Republic, Missouri, which offers WIC (Woman Infant and Children) services to rural residence at a convenient location. In response to another question posed by County Administrator Smith, Health Assistant Director Goddard discussed that the proposed additional satellite office location costs would be approximately $40,000 per site, for a total approximate costs of $160,000.00 (i.e. infrastructure costs, utilities, and trash, etc.). He noted that the WIC program is totally federally funded at this time. Health Assistant Director Goddard added that the staffing costs for the proposed four satellite locations are covered within Section B. In response to another question posed by County Administrator Smith, County Commissioner Bengsch voiced he feels additional funding to the Jordan Valley Community Center is needed, especially for adult dental and healthcare needs. Health Assistant Director Goddard noted that Medicaid expansion is needed to help provide assistance for uninsured individuals for preventative healthcare services. The Task Force discussed the issue of public health within the Community. Health Director Gipson explained that the average cost of a primary care health visit at the Jordan Valley Community Health Center is approximately $150.00 per visit. He added that this cost does not include dental, which would be additional. Health Director Gipson noted that he would have to obtain additional information regarding the cost for dental. County Commissioner Bengsch expressed that the growth at the Jordan Valley Community Health Center has been unbelievable, and serves a great need within the Community. Following further discussion, County Commissioner Bengsch, Health Director Gipson, and Health Assistant Director Goddard reported that they would compile some information regarding public health and the Jordan Valley Community Health Center for the Task Force’s review in the near future. Health Assistant Director Goddard noted that the Health Department is “in talks” with several local entities/hospitals, such as Mercy and Cox, regarding the issue of comprehensive public health education within the Community at this time. In response to another question posed by City Manager Burris, Health Director Gipson noted that the Jordan Valley Community Health Center sees approximately 15%-20% uninsured individuals at this time. Health Assistant Director Goddard stated that he feels neighborhood involvement is important regarding Community health. Health Director Gipson added that taking a generational approach (point of view) is also important, such as assisting pregnant first-time moms and teaching them positive life skills in handling and dealing with an infant’s needs. The Task Force, Health Director Gipson, Health Assistant Director Goddard, County Commissioner Bengsch, and City Public Information Director Scott continued to discuss the issue of healthcare within the Community. Health Director Gipson noted that a community in eastern Tennessee has a working model for addressing comprehensive health in their area, which the Health Department is considering integrating within our Community. County Commissioner Bengsch commended the Task Force for their efforts in trying to address the issue of healthcare, such as preventative, within the Community. Following further discussion, the following was added to Exhibit A: 1. On Section C (Expanding Jordan Valley Community Health Center Services) - change the amount from $400,000 to $10 million a year; and 2. Add adult health/dental, behavioral/mental health, and pharmacy reimbursement assistance to the items for the Jordan Valley Community Health Center (costs analysis information needed). The Task Force requested that Health Director Gipson, Health Assistant Director Goddard, County Commissioner Bengsch, and Collin Quigley, City Assistant Manager, draft some questions to the various entities, such as the local hospitals and the Jordan Valley Community Health Center, for their response. County Administrator Smith noted that the issue of animal control would be addressed at a future meeting. Assistant Health Director Goddard added that staff is working on planning an upcoming meeting with the Plans and Policies and Community Involvement Committee to discuss the issue of animal sheltering. County Administrator Smith reported that due to a court conflict today, County Prosecutor Dan Patterson was unable to attend today’s meeting. He noted that the next meeting topic is the public safety scenarios regarding the Criminal Justice System, which will need to be delayed until mid April. Per the consensus of the Task Force, County Administrator Smith noted the next topic for discussion would be life-cycle capital funding, replacement costs, and fuel costs for the next Task Force meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 9:30 a.m., in the 4th Floor Conference Room – Busch Municipal Building. The Task Force thanked Health Director Gipson and Health Assistant Director Goddard for today’s discussion, as well as for the dedicated service by the Health staff to the Community. Dale Moore, Emergency Management Public Information Officer, announced that free shingles vaccination shots are being provided this Saturday at the former Remington’s building, which is located on Republic Road. With no additional discussion, the meeting was dismissed at approximately 10:50 a.m.