Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2014-11-13

Skokie Board of Health
 November 13, 2014
 7:30 p.m.
 AGENDA
 U




MEETING LOCATION: SKOKIE PUBLIC LIBRARY 2ND FLOOR BUSINESS CENTER

 I. Call to Order


 II. Approval of Minutes


 III. John T. Lockerby
 Skokie Village Manager


 IV. Chair’s Report


 V. Personal Statements


 VI. Director’s Monthly Report


 VII. Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates


 VIII. Adjournment/Next Meeting:


 Thursday, December 11, 2014

 Terry Mason, M.D.
 Chief Operating Officer
 Cook County Department of Public Health

 7:30 p.m.
 Location TBD!




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Skokie Board of Health
 November 13, 2014


Present Absent Excused
Mr. Abbasi Dr. Polin Dr. Prince Ms. Varma
Dr. Drachler Dr. Sood Dr. Williams
Ms. Nickisch Duggan Ms. Jones Thorne
Dr. Gaynes Dr. Topouzian
Ms. Langguth Ms. Urbanus
Dr. Luka Dr. Usman
Mr. Nidetz Dr. Usman
Mr. Pandya


Dr. Catherine Counard, Director of Health
Mr. Bruce Jones, Staff
Mr. David Clough, Staff


Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman

Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Presentation – John T. Lockerby: Village Manager

Mr. Lockerby was appointed Village Manager in January 2014 and had been the Assistant Village
Manager for the prior 9 years.

Mr. Lockerby spoke about the Village leadership’s philosophical views and what has been done to
improve the Village as a whole to better the community.

Skokie has outstanding services and provides these services in the most efficient and ethical manner.
• Three Nationally Accredited Departments: Police, Fire, and Public Works
• State of Illinois Certified Health Department
• Construction of a major addition to Village Hall to relocate Human Services into a shared area with
 the Health Department to improve continuity of services for residents.

Economic development is an extremely important issue for the Village:
• Village has the Highest AAA bond rating
• Frozen property tax since 1990; was 15% of tax bill in 1990, now approx. 7% of tax bill.
• Focusing on Dempster St., with the Village purchasing properties by the CTA and hoping to attract
 mixed use developers to build.
• Acquired parcels in downtown – Floral & Cleveland – “not so big homes” and Old Desiree property
 at Oakton & Lincoln.
• Downtown streetscape has been completed to improve the look of downtown along with Oakton
 CTA Station 2 years ago and now changed to free parking in the downtown area.
• Science & Technology Park continues to expand and now has approx. 1400 employees.
Other major initiatives
• “Wednesdays on the Green” showcasing restaurants and entertainment and now “First Fridays of the
 Month” series started this year. New Restaurants Downtown: El Fuego, Fogo Peri Peri.

• Residential Housing Integrity Ordinance approved in Jan 2014; with education to landlords that
 strengthens our neighborhoods.

• Nov. 2nd first community forum for the Village – What do you want the Village to be like in 2020?
 All input will be summarized with more to come from this event.

Structural issues
• Increasing the resources for street resurfacing – focusing on major corridors but now looking at the
 residential areas (hoping to do approx. 5 miles per/year).

• Looking at green alleys in order to allow rain water to absorb back into the ground – Public Works is
 researching this issue.

Other commissions working on topics: Human Relations commissions working with the Holocaust
Museum on a Race Exhibit and will be holding 3 community forums on the topic.

Other Large stores Opened in 2014 and currently in build out process:
Wal-Mart opened with no financial assistance from Skokie
Mariano’s scheduled to spring 2015 with no financial assistance from Skokie
Floor & Décor
Uncle Julio’s
Buffalo Wild Wings
Jewel remodeled
Skokie Hospital major expansion

Bike paths continue to be a priority – path south from Oakton to Lincolnwood and paths from Dempster
north towards Northbrook and improvement to the Old Orchard Rd corridor including a bike path – in the
design phase.

Again the Goals & Priorities are to provide the very best services in the most efficient and ethical
manner. Resident survey done every 3 years and is scheduled for 2015 looking for feedback and
suggestions to improve the community. Mr. Lockerby also thanked the Board of Health and all the
commissions on their hard work and dedication to the Village.

Pat Urbanus commented that the Village Public areas look great but the Skokie Post Office could use
some work. Also, while attending the Citizen Police Academy at the Skokie Police Department, she
noticed that water bottles are not recycled. Mr. Lockerby said we could look into both matters. He
mentioned that on the front page of the November NewSkokie is an article dedicated to recycling and the
benefits to Skokie and the environment.

Mr. Pandya asked about Public Street recycling. Mr. Lockerby mentioned that this was initiated in the
Downtown area of Skokie.

Dr. Sood asked what tax incentives were given to Wal-Mart & Mariano’s and what incentives are there
for small businesses. Mr. Lockerby stated that neither Wal-Mart & Mariano’s received any tax


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incentives or financial assistance to locate in Skokie. He suggested that small businesses could contact
the Village Economic Development division for possible suggestions, and the Chamber of Commerce
since there are no specific incentive programs.

Dr. Gaynes commented how the sidewalk on Skokie Blvd under the railroad bridge near Howard St. is a
potential hazard to pedestrians. Dr. Drachler said that at the community forum someone mentioned this
area needs to be cleaned better. Mr. Lockerby stated that we could communicate with the State on these
issues.

Dr. Drachler commented on several issues including: Highland Park recycling textiles, asking if Skokie
could do the same, and that Skokie needs more businesses to recycle. He also asked if the Village would
consider beginning grey water recycling programs to keep some of the 8 million gallons removed from
Lake Michigan for Skokie each day in the area.

Ms. Nickisch Duggan asked about an incentive for people getting rain barrels for collection. Mr.
Lockerby mentioned there is such a program through the Water Reclamation District and we should
publish this option.

Dr. Drachler spoke about changing the smoking age to 21 in Skokie. Dr. Counard said the Board was
approved to address the e-cigarette topic and should smoking age to 21 be brought before the Trustees all
at once. Mr. Lockerby agreed that changing the smoking age to 21 years was a good idea, and should be
brought forward by the Board of Health at the same time as the e-cigarette issue. He felt it would be best
in two separate memos but brought before the Trustees at one time.

Dr. Drachler mentioned that some streets in Skokie do not have sidewalks. Mr. Lockerby stated that there
is a new program with a funding measure to address this issue. Mr. Lockerby asked that any areas of
concern be sent to Eric Cook in the Engineering Division.

Dr. Drachler mentioned that many of the issues brought up at the community forum were also items
within our IPLAN.

Dr. Drachler’s final suggestion was to expand the CTA yellow line to Old Orchard. Mr. Lockerby said
there has been a great deal of thought put into this matter but presently it comes down to dollars that are
not available.

Mr. Pandya asked about getting stop signs on the north-south streets in his neighborhood. Mr. Lockerby
explained that this is done based on an engineering analysis of the intersection and traffic incidents at the
locations. Mr. Lockerby said he would have Engineering Division look at the area again.

Dr. Gaynes commented on another traffic issue at Church St. & Skokie Blvd. where the lights and
crosswalk signs are not synchronized. Mr. Lockerby said this could be look at.

Dr. Drachler thanked Mr. Lockerby for attending and stated the Board of Health tries to provide the best
possible suggestions and recommendations to the Village Board in order to make Skokie a healthy and
safe community.


Chair’s Report
Dr. Drachler thanked Dr. Williams for chairing the October meeting.


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Dr. Drachler mentioned letters from the Mayor thanking both Dr. Herwitz and Dr. Veis for their service
on the Board of Health.

Dr. Drachler stated there are currently three vacancies on the Board and if they know of anyone
interested please let Dr. Drachler or Dr. Counard know.

Dr. Drachler acknowledged the two year reappointments of the following Board of Health members: Dr.
Gaynes, Dr. Luka, Dr. Polin, Ms. Urbanus, and Dr. Williams.

Dr. Drachler noted in last month’s meeting minutes a comment about food recycling. Dr. Counard said
that Dr. Williams was referring to preparing foods in a manner that made it easy to use leftovers in a
different recipe, to cut down on waste.

Dr. Counard spoke about the visit to SWANCC for red worm composting and mentioned that the issue of
food scrape recycling is still being looked at.

Dr. Williams mentioned that the next summer dinner could be held at the Talking Farm. Dr. Counard
said that it could be possible to have a picnic type dinner and have produce products from the Talking
Farm be included in the meal.

Personal Statements
Ms. Jones Thorne gave a brief personal and professional background overview to the Board.

Director’s Monthly Report
Dr. Counard presented the October monthly report (attached). The highlights included:

• Ebola Virus Response – no cases to date in Illinois
 A multi-disciplinary Village team has been meeting weekly to prepare for a potential case of Ebola in
 the Village or neighboring communities. Steps have included posting information on the Village
 website; reviewing Village and state laws pertaining to quarantine and isolation; collaborating with
 local hospitals to develop protocols for EMS; and responding to calls from residents, schools and
 healthcare providers. We have been in frequent communication and collaboration with regional,
 state and federal public health colleagues.

• Environmental Health and Animal Control Divisions Relocate for Construction
 The Environmental Health and Animal Control Divisions successfully relocated to the Community
 Room in the lower level of Village Hall, to accommodate the highly anticipated remodeling of their
 workspace.

• Anti-tobacco Ads Running in Skokie Movie Theaters
 Since the beginning of October, the Department has sponsored anti-tobacco ads in movie theaters at
 Village Crossing and Old Orchard using Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities grant funds. The ads will run
 through December.

Dr. Luka asked what exactly a GIS system is. Dr. Counard & Mr. Jones explained that GIS “Geographic
Information System) is a computer system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present
all types of maps.




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Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates
• Access to Healthcare – Dr. Counard spoke about the South Asian community forum/town hall style
 meeting on January 24, 2015 to look at health disparities in this group. Dr. Abbasi suggested a flyer
 be created for the event. Dr. Counard and Mr. Clough stated that this is being developed.

• Dr. Counard updated the Board that both High Schools in District 219 will have a Federally
 Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) for students. Part of the funding for these FQHCs is being
 provided from grant money from the North Suburban Health Care Foundation.

 Dr. Gaynes asked how the students are provided with care. Dr. Counard stated that the parents would
 need to sign consent for treatment.

 Dr. Drachler mentioned to the Board that one way to get tested for all viral illnesses is to give blood.
 It was also mentioned there will be a blood drive at NorthShore Skokie Hospital on December 4th.

• Obesity Prevention – Dr. Drachler spoke about the NorthShore Skokie Hospital “Rethink Your
 Drink” program that involves the IPLAN committee, BOH, Skokie Schools, Skokie Park District and
 Skokie Library. We are in the process of determining appropriate outcome measures for the program.

 Dr. Counard distributed an American Journal of Public Health Article "Sugar Sweetened Beverage
 Ban" – showing how much sugar is in one can of soda per day over one year. Visual demonstration
 is an effective means to reach people on this topic.

• Tobacco Use Prevention – Dr. Drachler discussed Sue Reisberg working with Turning Point smoking
 cessation program and Mr. Lockerby is in support of the issue of strengthening our code to regulate
 the use of e-cigarettes as any other tobacco products and changing the smoking age. It was also
 explained that Oakton Community College will become a smoke free campus in 2015.

 • Healthy Environment – Dr. Counard presented the Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan to the
 UIC School of Public Health Environmental Health faculty and students. The faculty included
 Sherry Brandt-Rauf, who lives in Skokie and is the wife of the Dean of the School of Public
 Health. Ms. Brandt-Rauf is very interested in this issue and willing to have her students write a
 draft comprehensive environmental health plan for the Village. More to come on this topic.


Old Business
None due to meeting ending at 9 pm since Library was being closed.

New Business
None due to meeting ending at 9 pm since Library was being closed.


Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.




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