HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Health Board - Minutes - 12/16/2024
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Partnership4Health Community Health Board
12/16/2024
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Dead Lake Room Otter Tail County Government Services Center
Minutes
2:00 Call to Order by Commissioner Frank Gross at 2:01 pm
♦ Establish Quorum
♦ Board Present by Roll Call Vote
o Commissioner David Meyer (Becker County)
o Community Member Katie Vassey (Becker County) o Commissioner Frank
Gross (Clay County) o Community Member Kathy Anderson (Clay County)
o Commissioner Wayne Johnson (Otter Tail County) o Commissioner Rick Busko (Wilkin County)
♦ Alternate Board Member Present
o Commissioner David Ebinger (Clay County) o Commissioner Dan Bucholz (Otter Tail County)
♦ County Leadership
o Amanda Kumpula
o Kathy McKay
o Jody Lien o Kristi Goos o Becky Tripp
o Maggie Wiertzema o Melissa Duenow (Board Secretary)
o Brandon Nelson (Financial)
♦ Guests o Erica Keppers (MDH) o Kristen Erickson (MDH)
o Deeann Finley (MDH) o Lynne Penke Valdes
o Denise Warren (Becker County) o Lori Larson (Clay County)
o Kent Severson (Clay County)
♦ Approval of Agenda
o Motion to Approve the Agenda as Presented by Commissioner David Meyer, seconded by Commissioner Wayne Johnson. The motion carried.
Membership of Partnership4Health Community Health Board Commissioner Wayne Johnson announced that the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners has decided to send a letter of withdrawal from the Partnership4Health Community Health Board to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and to Partnership4Health. The primary reasons for this decision are based on an assessment conducted by Otter Tail County, which identified both strengths and challenges. This assessment included four work sessions.
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Chair Frank Gross raised the question of whether the Otter Tail County Board has approved this withdrawal. Commissioner Wayne Johnson confirmed that there is a resolution on the agenda for the Board of Commissioners Meeting scheduled for December 17, 2024, and it is expected to be passed by
all board members. Commissioner Johnson further explained that this notification initiates a one-year transition period, allowing the county a year to unwind from their ongoing collaborative work. The Otter Tail County board believes that this is the right decision for moving forward to effectively deliver services to county residents. Commissioner Wayne Johnson opened to questions. Deeann Finely from MDH clarified that any county choosing to withdraw from a Community Health Board must notify the Commissioner one calendar year before the start of a new Community Health Board. If Otter Tail County submits notification by the end of this calendar year, they will work collaboratively with both parties—Otter Tail County and others—on the transition. The new Community Health Boards would commence on January 1, 2026. Throughout the upcoming year, three processes
will take place: a new Community Health Board will be formed, the remaining Community Health Board will address necessary actions, and the current Community Health Board will operate as usual in 2025. A significant aspect of this transition relates to grants and financial allocation.
Chair Frank Gross then inquired if a specific reason is required for withdrawal. Deeann Finely answered that no reason is needed unless stipulated in the bylaws. Jody Lien from Otter Tail discussed the Joint Powers Agreement, which includes a withdrawal clause stating that no withdrawal can occur until five years after joining, a threshold they have now surpassed after ten years as a Community Health Board. Notification must also be provided to each county, including each County Chair and Auditor, as well as the Partnership4Health Community Health Board (P4HCHB). Otter Tail County will prepare the necessary documentation for this process. Chair Frank Gross opened the floor for any final questions or comments.
Commissioner David Meyer discussed the financial contribution from Clay County to the Community Health Board, emphasizing the need for an increase as the current funding of 0.33 FTE is not feasible.
Kathy McKay, Clay County Public Health Director, mentioned that Brandon is on board with this plan and can increase his time commitment to the Community Health Board. Commissioner Meyer is seeking a resolution on this issue by the February meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 by Chair Frank Gross. Next Meeting Date: 2/21/2025 Location: Clay County