COULEE REGION PUBLIC HEALTH CONSORTIUM MEETING

August 6, 2008

La Crosse County HHS Bldg, 300 4^th St N., La Crosse WI 54601

9:00 A.M.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:04 a.m. and introductions were made. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Sharon Nelson/Chris Hovell to approve the meeting minutes of July 9, 2008.  MOTION passed unanimously.

EPIDEMIOLOGIST REPORT

The Communicable Disease Coalition is scheduled to meet on August 25^th from 3-4 in the East Conference room at Gundersen Lutheran.  Distance learning is available.  Derek will be requesting quarterly numbers soon.  All of the WEDSS (Wisconsin Electronic Data Surveillance System) modules are complete.  Western Region will be the last to roll out.  All the pandemic influenza table tops and anti-viral meetings are complete in our region.  Five of the six agencies have completed the HSEEP after action report.  Work will begin shortly on the formal written pandemic influenza plan using the pan flu exercise as the kick-off event.

2009 OBJECTIVES

The 2009 objectives were reviewed.  Objective 1 focuses on continuous planning including anti-viral planning, plan updates, NIMS, etc.  Objective 2 expands the competency assessments.  Objective 3 focuses on exercise and includes the 14 CDC performance measures.  Objective 4 involves at-risk populations.  Objective 5 involves the restructuring process.  The Consortium has two objectives – providing technical support and involvement in the restructuring process. 

FISCAL AGENT REPORT

Al reviewed the year to date budget summary.  A budget of $121,800 was approved at last month’s Consortium meeting.  The Consortium would have a $44,518 shortfall.  Member agencies submitted the amount they are able to contribute to remedy the shortfall.  This leaves a $9,459 shortfall.  Motion by Doug Mormann/James Glasser to approve the allocations totally $35,039 to reach $112,341 revised Consortium budget.  MOTION pass unanimously.  Al and Doug will revise the Consortium budget detail and forward to members electronically.  Jen expressed concern with the budget losing additional staff time.  The members requested Doug and Al prepare a formal inquiry to State Regional office regarding carry forward guidelines, where in the CDC guidance is this outlined, can dollars to ear-marked for projects which might include paying Consortium for work and can local agencies carry forward dollars.  This document will be forwarded to members for review.  Kate advised group that the State will need to know the percentage local public health agencies are contributing to the Consortium by August 25^th.  Approximately $39,000 will be available in the 2008 budget due to personnel expenses that are re-allocated.  Al provided an updated acceptable expenditures list.  The group discussed some options.  Stipends to other agencies for work on mental health, at-risk populations, security plans, etc. was suggested.  The September meeting date will remain on the schedule.  September 4^th, Logistics Health is hosting a Pandemic Influenza Conference that will include Dr. Julie Gerberding and former Governor Thompson.  Thirty spots are allocated for our group and those interested need to register individually.  This will also be webcast.  September 11^th is the Consortium IPS/SNS/Mass Clinic Tabletop Exercise.  Restructuring meetings will be scheduled starting in September. 

TRAINING EDUCATION REPORT

Brenda discussed the September 11^th tabletop exercise.  The exercise will begin at 9:00 a.m.  She reviewed the agenda for the day.  Tables will be arranged by agency.  Each agency will write an after action report.  Members were reminded that they need to recruit the appropriate partners.  We will review what will be tasked to the Health Officer at the September 3^rd meeting.  Members will need to bring their PHEP (Public Health Emergency Plan) to the exercise.  Brenda discussed the August 12-13 HSEEP training in Menomonee and also offered her services for in-house education on the system.  The ICS 205 Incident Radio Communication Plan form was discussed.  Tactical communications will be tested as part of the exercise.  The tactical communications plan will be updated in the PHEP following the exercise.  Brenda will be working with members to develop a training plan following the competency assessments that will all be completed by end of August.  Members were reminded to complete Form Q to complete many of the performance objectives that need to be completed this year.  Starting in September, drills will be initiated in order to complete the objectives for those that have not checked off.  ICS300 will be scheduled in Alma sometime in November.  Brenda will schedule an ICS400 course in February 2009.  Diane provided update packets for the PHEP.  The complete PHEP, including appendices plans, was downloaded onto a flash drive and provided to each member agency. 

WI HOSPITAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM REPORT - None

ROUNTABLE

Christe reported that Trempealeau County had a suspect case of West Nile virus that ended up being a confirmed case of La Crosse Encephalitis.  Prior to this occurring, notices had been sent out to approximately 100 people through the contracted La Crosse County Vector services, to remove habitat (tires, containers, etc.)  The case reinforced the need for surveillance.  There was good media coverage.  Dan reported that he and Dave Geske taped a cable access segment on preventing mosquito/tick borne diseases.  This is a good way to convey messages in their community and the segment is currently being aired in Trempealeau County.  Sharon reported Monroe County has been busy with Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter and Lyme disease cases.  She also reported Monroe County will be phasing out the home health care services by the end of the year.  They had been providing services for the past 37 years.  They are in the process of restructuring.  Chris reported that Jackson County Health Department is also restructuring.  She is also involved in organizing a candidate breakfast.  They are expecting eleven candidates scheduled on August 19^th from 8:30 – 11 in Black River Falls.  The breakfast will have a public health focus.  Carol presented a very brief overview of isolation and quarantine to the tribe legislators and the issue will be tabled for a couple of months.  Carol will be working on presentations to the community to prepare for a future legislators meeting.  Al offered Carol his PowerPoint presentation on isolation and quarantine for her community presentations.  Brenda requested time on the September agenda for a Great Rivers 2-1-1 presentation.  Our Consortium will be the pilot in the state.  2-1-1 will follow-up with each emergency manager to integrate their call center in to emergency response.  Members approved the request.  Jen discussed cross border anti-viral issues that have surfaced as a result of the anti-viral meetings.  Buffalo County does not have hospitals within the county and residents seek medical attention in Minnesota. Jen asked Lisa Pentony if WI anti-virals could be sent to MN for WI residents.  Lisa Pentony responded that we could not have a facility in MN be a designated antiviral distribution site at this time.  Doug stated that La Crosse would have the same problem in reverse.  Jen will participate in a UW-Extension manure spill exercise.  She will assist with the HSEEP report for the exercise.  Heather reported that her department will receive 20 anti-viral doses – much less than requested.  She is also concerned about the cross border issues.  Al presented at WPHA on the flood.  Kate discussed her “fellow” role working in the Western Region DPH office for the next two years which will include the Consortium transition process.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield offers grants to place “fellows” in various work settings.  Doug will forward information on the grant to members.  Al discussed the 2009 Consortium budget to address the $9,459 shortfall.  Members decided to reduce Derek’s time.  Consortium staff activities will need to be prioritized for 2009. 

ADJOURNMENT

Next meeting date is September 3, 2008.  Motion to adjourn by Jen Rombalski/Doug Mormann.  MOTION passed unanimously.

The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Committee meeting.

Diane Panzer, Recorder