The Health and Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, November 5, 2007 @ 6:30p.m. in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East.  Chairman Robert Rosemier called the meeting to order.  Members present were Jeff Metzger, Sr., Julia Fullerton, Pat LaVigne and Paul Stoddard.  Mr. Osborne was absent.  Others present were Karen Grush, Marcy Zanellato and Dennis Miller.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          Moved by Ms. LaVigne, seconded by Ms. Fullerton, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from October 2007.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

          Moved by Mr. Stoddard, seconded by Ms. LaVigne, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT REQUEST: ORDINANCE ON RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 10, ANIMALS, DEKALB COUNTY CODE – KAREN GRUSH

          Mrs. Karen Grush, Public Health Administrator for DeKalb County, explained that the Board of Health is the administering agency that enforces the State Animal Control Act and the County Code for the Animal Control Program.  Mrs. Grush stated that the State Animal Control Act has been amended and, consequently, the Board of Health, is submitting recommended changes to the County Ordinance.  All of  the recommended changes, except Section 10.25 are a clean up to our County ordinance to make it in sync with the Illinois Animal Control Act.  Section 10.25 changes the registration fee to a rabies inoculation tag fee.  Mrs. Grush stated the new state amendment requires that if a county has a “registration fee” they are to charge intact animals an extra $10.  that $10 is to be sent to the State to establish a Pet Population Control Fund for individuals who are on food stamps or disability or the County can choose to set up a similar program.  She stated she did not support sending local money to the state.  In addition, it would be an administrative burden both to local veterinarians and the animal control program.  It also could present a barrier to individuals who have difficulty paying for a rabies shot and could discourage them from getting their animals vaccinated.  Some counties have ignored the ruling and some such as Cook and Kane have changed their registration fee to inoculation tag fees.  As reviewed by the State’s Attorney’s office, this is viewed as an alternative.  The Board of Health is recommending this for DeKalb County.

Mrs. Grush stated that the majority of the Animal Control Program is funded by dog owners through their registration fee.  She stated she personally felt if the county was going to have a spay/neuter – pet population control program it should be funded by all county residents through taxes.  Consequently, that is why $15,000 was requested in the 2008 budget for a pilot program.

          Chairman Rosemier asked why there are three days to put a dog down mentioned on page 2, column 2, the first paragraph?  Why not make it seven days like in the first column on page 2, first paragraph?

          Mrs. Grush said she can not exactly remember the history of this but will check that out and report back to the committee.

          She also explained that they pick up 300 to 400 stray dogs a year.  She said that they take the majority of unclaimed dogs to the Shelter on Baseline Road in Genoa after they have boarded them for seven days. 

          Moved by Ms. LaVigne, seconded by Mr. Metzger, Sr., and it was carried unanimously to forward the amendments to the ordinance to the full board for approval.

STEPS FOR THE COUNTY’S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN

          Ms. Grush  said that the County Public Health Department has received three grants for the Emergency Preparedness.  One is for Bio-Terrorism, one is for the Pandemic Flu and one is for the Cities Readiness.  City Readiness is for select counties in the country that surround a major city, in our case, the City of Chicago. 

          Mrs. Grush stated that an enormous amount of time has been spent by her department in emergency preparedness.  She and Mr. Dennis Miller, DeKalb County’s ESDA Director, also stated that federal requirements have become so expansive that department resources are not adequate to address them all.

          Mrs. Grush gave an overview of the planning efforts of her department.  She explained that in an emergency the Health Department’s primary focus would be disease surveillance, inoculation or medication distribution, providing recommendations to local health care providers, and providing media releases and public education for the county residents.

          Mrs. Grush explained the challenge of the Cities Readiness requirement that in an event requiring treatment by pills or shots, all residents are to be treated in 48 hours.  Through a power point presentation, she and Marcy Zanellato, Director of Health Education, gave an overview of what has been accomplished in addressing this requirement.

          Mrs. Grush also explained how her department works with Dennis Miller’s, ESDA Director of DeKalb County through ESDA, the coordinating agency for emergencies for the County.

          Mr. Miller and Mrs. Grush explained to the committee the mock exercise drills that they have conducted.

          Mr. Miller, said that the County does have a Mobile Command Unit that they use or could use.  Mrs. Grush and Mr. Miller stated that the biggest challenge facing all counties is the people resources needed in an emergency.

          Chairman Rosemier thanked all three of them for their very informative presentation.

ADJOURNMENT        

          Moved by Mr. Stoddard, seconded by Ms. Fullerton, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                Respectfully submitted by,

                                                ____________________________________

                                                 Chairman Robert Rosemier

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Mary C. Supple, Secretary