Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2019-02-14

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, February 14, 2019

 Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E
 7:00 p.m.


 AGENDA
 U




 I. Call to Order


 II. Approval of Minutes


 III. Janelle Silva
 Skokie Farmers’ Market Manager
 Overview of the market and new SNAP program

 “Bringing nutrient dense produce to all members of the community,
 while supporting local farmers and the local economy in Skokie!”

 IV. Chair’s Report



 V. Director’s Monthly Report



 VI. Old/New Items of Business




 VII. Next Meeting:

 March 14, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
 Village Hall 2nd Floor Conference Rooms D & E

 Bruce A. Jones, LEHP, MS
 Husna Khaleeluddin, MPH (c)
 Environmental Health Supervisor
 Skokie Rat Control Program Overview


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Skokie Board of Health
 February 14, 2019

Present Absent Excused
Dr. Gaynes Ms. Urbanus Trustee Bromberg Mr. Abbasi Ms. Moy Wooten
Ms. Jones Dr. Vernon Dr. Usman Dr. Dave Mr. Pandya
Dr. Shim Dr. Werner Dr. Drachler Dr. Prince
Dr. Sood Dr. Williams Ms. Nickisch Ms. Varma
Dr. Topouzian Duggan
 Ms. Haido


Dr. Catherine Counard, Director of Health Janelle Silva, Skokie Farmer’s Market Manager
Mr. David Clough, Staff

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Dr. Werner, Acting Chairman. Dr.
Werner declared that due to lack of quorum the meeting would be an informational session with no
official actions taken.

Approval of Minutes - The minutes will be approved at the March meeting when there are enough Board
members present to meet quorum.

Janelle Silva, Skokie Farmers’ Market Manager – See attached report
Janelle Silva began the presentation by showing a YouTube video highlighting the work of the Skokie
Farmers’ Market. Here is a link to the video: Skokie Farmers' Market Video

Ms. Silva reported that this past season was the first year that the market was able to accept USDA
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Through a generous grant from
NorthShore University HealthSystem, the Farmers’ Market was able to provide up to $10 in matching
dollars per day per customer with SNAP benefits. This effectively doubled the amount of money SNAP
recipients could spend at the market. News of the SNAP benefits program spread quickly through word
of mouth. We worked to ensure that the SNAP recipients felt welcomed and valued. On average 26
SNAP recipients came each week to the market, and the entire match fund grant was used.

The majority of Skokie SNAP recipients were Russian language speakers. To facilitate communication
with this community, explanations of the benefit program were translated into Russian.

The market runs for twenty two weeks, and hosts forty vendors. The market donated fresh produce to the
Niles Township Food Pantry, in partnership with the Commission on Family Services Produce Initiative.
This ensures that those in need can receive healthy food.

The market has taken on a number of green initiatives including a “Waste Wise” station to encourage
recycling. The Waste Wise station had a large pictorial display showing what items could go in which
containers so recycling was easy regardless of English ability. Additionally, a “Bring Your Own Bag”
initiative was created to offer rewards for bringing a reusable bag to the market.



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Lakeshore Recycling has been a strong partner in the markets green initiatives. They have contracted to
offer weekly compost pick up at the market giving Skokie residents a convenient way to dispose of their
organic materials. They also offer pumpkin composting after Halloween each year.

Ms. Silva mentioned some of the additional programming available at the market. When she first began
managing the market, she noticed that there weren’t many children in attendance. To encourage more
children to come she reached out to other Village Departments like Fire and Health to bring activities to
the market each week. Programs such as the “touch a truck”, “meet an animal control officer”, “Rethink
Your Drink”, and car seat checks all attracted more families. North Branch Yoga offers free morning
yoga once a month as well.

The Skokie Farmers Market will run again this year from June through early November.

With that, Ms. Silva concluded her presentation.


Dr. Werner asked if the SNAP grant would be renewed next year. Ms. Silva reported that NorthShore
was very impressed with how well the initiative was carried out, so she imagined it would be.

Ms. Topouzian asked about smoking at the market. Ms. Silva reported that the Skokie Farmers’ Market
is a smoke free event hosted by the Village. No smoking or vaping is allowed at the market past the
entrance barricades.

Dr. Williams recommended sand gardens as a great way to teach kids where food really comes from.
Ms. Silva agreed adding that she was hoping to start red worm composting at the market as well.

Ms. Jones said that the children’s initiatives had been very successful. She was wondering if there was
any possibility of similar programming being made available year round.

Ms. Silva responded that the consumer affairs commission has been discussing exploring a winter market.
Additionally, the Village is working with the Skokie Park District and Emily Oaks to provide additional
nature programming at the market.

Dr. Williams mentioned that the boy and girl scouts are often looking for service projects and could help
with some of the market initiatives.

Dr. Gaynes stated that at the Evanston Farmers’ Market there are often people with petitions and such.
He hasn’t noticed a similar presence at the Skokie Farmers’ Market and wondered if there was some
control over that. Ms. Silva replied that Skokie has specific rules that no non-profits, businesses, or other
non-official vendors are allowed in the market.

Ms. Silva also wanted to stress that there are no dogs allowed at the Skokie Farmers’ Market. Ms. Silva
reported that people frequently bring dogs despite signage and other promotional materials clearly stating
that it is against the rules. She explained that this was to remain in compliance with health department


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sanitation codes. Dogs aren’t allowed for the same reason they aren’t allowed in a grocery store or a
commercial kitchen.

Dr. Shim asked if the farmers are donating their food at the end of the market. Ms. Silva said that was the
case. The farmers donated more than 6,000 pounds of produce to the Food Pantry last season. Dr. Shim
followed up by asking if Skokie had any community gardens. Ms. Silva replied that the Skokie Park
District, the Talking Farm, and Niles Township all have plots for rent.


Chair’s Report
Dr. Werner spoke about the Skokie Resilient Communities Collaborative (SRCC) meeting on January 29.
Dr. Werner said that he was impressed with the variety of fields represented in the group and found it to
be an excellent discussion.

Dr. Werner also shared an article from the CDC reporting that teen tobacco use has increased for the first
time in a long time. The article cited vaping and JUUL in particular as being responsible for the increase.
An Illinois Tobacco 21 bill was introduced and passed the general assembly last year but was vetoed by
Governor Rauner. Dr. Werner encouraged everyone to support the new Tobacco 21 bill being introduced.

Dr. Topouzian mentioned a previous discussion of books related to Adverse Childhood Experiences. The
Board discussed books on the topic they had read recently, including Hillbilly Elegy, All Over but the
Shoutin’, The Body Keeps the Score, and Educated.


Director’s Monthly Report – a copy is attached

Highlights included:
• Focus on Food Safety Program
 During 2018, the sanitarians conducted 1,551 establishment inspections to ensure that food is
 prepared, served and stored in a manner that will prevent people from becoming ill. The
 inspectors also monitor food safety practices during large events such as the Farmers’
 Market, Festival of Cultures, Backlot Bash and Fourth of July Celebration.

• Tobacco 21 is taken up by Illinois Senate
 The Senate Public Health Committee voted 008-004-000 in favor of SB21, which will raise
 the age to purchase tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products
 to 21 in Illinois. Sen. Laura Fine is a Co-Sponsor of the bill, which is now under
 consideration by the full Senate.

• Community Development Block Grant for Adult Dental Care Screening
 Access to dental care is exceedingly difficult to obtain for low income adults who do not
 have dental insurance. The Asian Human Services Family Health Center Skokie clinic
 willingly provides this service to anyone in need regardless of ability to pay, and was
 awarded $7,000 to defray the cost for Skokie residents.


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• Influenza Deaths Highlight the Importance of Vaccination
 Five middle aged Skokie residents became ill enough with influenza to be admitted to the hospital
 intensive care unit (ICU). Two of these individuals died. None had been vaccinated.

Dr. Williams reported that the Asian Human Services Family Health Center will be opening a new facility
at the corner of Milwaukee and Golf in Niles.

Dr. Werner asked if the adults who died from influenza had underlying health conditions. Dr. Counard
said that she would need to verify that information, but she believed a number of them did have other
health issues.


Old Business
No old business


New Business
Pat Urbanus discussed the Next Door app, which allows people in a neighborhood to communicate and
share information. She was surprised at how few people seemed aware of the services offered by the
Village. Dr. Williams suggested sharing the main Village number on Next Door for people to call.
Dr. Counard added that Board of Health members are ambassadors for the Village, and can certainly refer
people to the Village for help with issues.

Dr. Counard shared an invitation from the Muslim Educational Center in Morton Grove, and asked if the
Board of Health would consider attending their May 9th Community Iftar dinner. This is the date of a
regularly scheduled Board meeting, and would be treated the same as when we visited the Holocaust
Museum. Board members would need to arrive by 6:30 PM.

Ms. Jones asked when the Annual Boards and Commissions dinner would occur this year. Dr. Sood
mentioned that it was scheduled for Monday, April 8th.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.



Next meeting:
Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 PM
Village Hall
5127 Oakton Street




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