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Kane County

KC Public Health Committee

Meeting Minutes

STRATHMANN, Sanchez, Juby, Silva, Tarver, Williams, Young, ex-officio Pierog (County

Chair) and ex-officio Tepe (County Vice Chair)

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

9:00 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Committee Chair Strathmann called today's meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.

Roll Call

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Board Member Leslie Juby

PRESENT

Board Member Monica Silva

Board Member David Young

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Bill Tarver

Board Member Rick Williams

REMOTE

ABSENT

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Bates*, Kenyon, Kious*; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt;

KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson & staff Alleman, Barrett, Onwuta, Peterson, & Soriano;

Snowden*; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock* & Peters; Spec. ASA Shepro; and

members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

Committee Chair Strathmann announced the remote attendance requests for today's

meeting. She asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee

Members Sanchez, Tarver, and Williams attending today's meeting remotely. There

were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: January 17, 2024

RESULT:

APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE

David Young

Monica Silva

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Monica Silva,

Bill Tarver, and David Young

AYE:

Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Public Comment (Agenda Items)

Kane County Resident, Ed Marth, shared his concerns regarding the new health

department facility. He offered an endorsement for the idea of using available funds to

construct a new health department facility. Marth believes that building a new and

modernized health facility would benefit the county greatly, and encouraged the

Committee to proceed with the new health department proposal.

Kane County Resident, Lori Powell, shared her thoughts and concerns on the

resolution authorizing the Infection Prevention and Control Grant. She asked the

Committee to vote 'no' on this resolution. She advised the Committee to look further

into the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) website,

and decide if they see any real benefits to this $80K grant. Powell believes that it is

time for people to guide their own public health and not be controlled by outside

agencies or the federal government.

Finance/Budget

Monthly Finance Reports

The monthly reports are on file. No additional report was made.

Animal Control

Animal Control Reports

Animal Control Admin. Youngsteadt stated that the monthly reports were on file.

He announced that the rabies vaccine fee needs to be increased to five dollars.

He stated that there will be a new vaccine clinic opening on April 27, 2024.

Youngsteadt reviewed the additional cost increases that the public will see.The

neutered boarding fee will change from $17.50 to $25 a day, and the

non-neutered boarding fee will change from $35 to $50. Lastly, the owner

surrender cost will increase from $20 to $50. Youngsteadt explained that there

will be an added stray animal fee, a subsequent offense fee, an after hours

pick-up fee, and a low cost euthanasia service fee. He indicated that post-Covid,

behavioral euthanasia has increased across the nation. He asked the

Committee for their feedback and input on these fees, and if they are acceptable

for the new services in Kane County. Much discussion ensued.

Authorizing Update to Rabies Vaccine Fee

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

David Young

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Monica Silva,

Bill Tarver, Rick Williams, and David Young

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Executive Director

Health Department Updates

KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson highlighted several upcoming events. The Kane

County System of Care (KCSOC) will present their Self Love Isn't Selfish event

on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Saturday,

February 24, 2024, Isaacson will participate in a panel discussion with

Congressman Foster and Jim Scarpace from the Gateway Foundation talking

about opioids and other substance use in the community. The Empowering

Tomorrow Cultivating Family Resilience event will be held on Wednesday,

February 28, 2024 at the Parent Power Center in Aurora. There will be a

Substance Use and Trauma Webinar Series on February 28, March 13, and

March 20, 2024. Lastly, the Aurora African American Health Coalition will have

their 17th Annual Health Fair on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Prisco

Community Center in Aurora at 9 AM to 12 PM.

Gun Violence Discussion

Co-founder of "Be Smart Illinois," Steve McCue, presented the results of the

2023 Illinois Secure Storage survey that was conducted in October 2023. The

results showed that households that lock up their firearms, have a significantly

lower risk of suicide and accidents among children and teens. About 80% of

firearms used in school shootings by teens come from their parents homes or

homes of friends and relatives. McCue stated that there are half a million

firearms stolen each year, mostly from vehicles. He stated that within the

research, it was found that 26% of all gun owners do not have children or teens

in their homes. He noted that this survey was self-funded and self-sponsored.

The goal for "Be Smart Illinois" and Secure Storage effort is to increase

awareness year over year. There are 42% of Illinois households that claim to

own at least one firearm, and ownership is highest in Central and South regions

of Illinois. The main reason why residents do not lock up their guns is for the

simple fact that they want to have access to it quickly. Over a quarter of Illinois

homes with firearms store at least one of them unlocked. Locked safes or cases

are most widely used, while cable and trigger locks are used the least.

KCHD Violence Rights Coordinator, Katelyn Soriano, presented an overview of

the Violence Prevention Program. The Illinois Department of Human Services

(IDHS) website stated that firearm violence is a multifaceted challenge that

requires a public health approach to stop the cycles of violence in

disproportionately impacted communities. The Office of Firearm Violence

Prevention (OFVP) was created as a result of the Reimagine Public Safety Act

(RPSA). It is a comprehensive approach to violence prevention in response to

the State of Illinois' heightened experience of loss, harm, and trauma by the

hands of firearm violence. The Violence Prevention Coordination Council is the

lead agency to work across each community to coordinate violence prevention

resources. This council provides consistent feedback to IDHS on Aurora's best

practices, challenges, and barriers. Through this grant, the Project Safe Aurora

Violence Prevention Coalition was created. A total of 2,200 gun locks have been

distributed since fall 2023, and have collaborated with over 20 distribution

partners through Kane County. There will be a Community Violence Panel and

Resources Fair on May 11, 2024. (Committee Member Sanchez left at 10:30

a.m.)

Opioid Update

KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson announced that there will be a free Naloxone

Training for Opioid Overdose Prevention in Elgin on Saturday, March 23, 2024

at 1:30 p.m. Residents will learn the signs of an opioid overdose and how to

respond with naloxone, the life-saving nasal spray that can reverse an opioid

overdose.

13.

Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

Kane County Resident and Committee Member, David Young, shared information from

a published article. He stated that the article was the largest global study conducted on

the effects of Covid-19 vaccines. The study found links to increased blood, heart, and

neurological related conditions. The examined data from 99 million vaccinated

individuals was performed by the Global Vaccine Data Network and published in a

journal called "Vaccine" on February 12, 2024. It was found that Messenger RNA

(mNRNA) vaccines, those made by BioNTech, Moderna, and Pfizer, were linked to an

increased risk of myocarditis and brain blood clots. Young indicated that researchers

looked for thirteen medical conditions considered adverse events of special interests

among 99 million vaccinated individuals in eight countries seeking to identify higher

than expected cases following a Covid-19 vaccine. The scientists also discovered a link

between mNRNA vaccines and an increase risk of pericarditis, increased risks of the

inflammation of the spinal cord, and brain after taking viral vector vaccines. This is the

largest and most comprehensive study that allude to serious health risks associated

with Covid-19 vaccines. Young suggested that the Committee showcase this

information on the Kane County website. Lastly, he shared a report that stated reports

of myocarditis following the vaccines were 233 times higher than the average of all

vaccines combined for the past 30 years.

14.

Adjournment

RESULT:

APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

Monica Silva

David Young

MOVER:

SECONDER:

This meeting was adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

Rachel Santora

Recording Secretary