HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING

FEBRUARY 23, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 6:37 p.m.

Adjourned: 8:05 p.m.

 

Present were:      Chairperson Councillor Barbara G. Haller

Councillor Gary Rosen

Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes

                            

Also:                     Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Leonard Morse

Director of Public Health, Jay Gardiner

Assistant City Clerk, Lisa Thomas, clerk

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

1.       Relative to Tobacco Control Program – Contract Expansion.

          #20A CM November 16, 2004

In Committee April 13, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

 

2.       Relative to request for Personnel/Clerk Typist Tobacco Control Program.

          #20C CM November 30, 2004

In Committee April 13, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

 

3.       Relative to the water quality at Coes Pond.

          #20A CM July 19, 2005

Recommend File

 

4.       Relative to the Influenza vaccine distribution.

          #23B CM October 11, 2005

          Recommend File

 

5.       Relative to a report on the West Nile Virus.

          #23C CM October 11, 2005

          Recommend File

 

6.       Relative to recommending the adoption of a Salary Ordinance and the approval of the amended Health and Human Services table of organization to create a position of Social Worker.

In City Council October 11, 2005 #23A CM – Order adopted and Ordinance ordained. In Committee for informational purposes only.

Recommend File

 

7.       Relative to the influenza clinics being conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services.

          #23B CM November 15, 2005

          Recommend File

 

8.       Regarding Response Planning for the Avian Flu.

          #23C CM November 15, 2005

          Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding the Ready Set Quit Program, statistics and successes thus far, and what lessons may be learned from this program.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a detailed report regarding candy cigarette sales in the City.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding the feasibility of reducing health insurance premiums for non-smoking City employees.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding the status of funds from a tobacco settlement received by the Commonwealth and subsequently disbursed to the cities and towns throughout Massachusetts. Said report shall include the dollar amount the City received and how the monies have been utilized thus far.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report recommending that the City gain local control of dispensing flu vaccinations and investigate what legal recourse may be taken to discourage non-medical facilities i.e. retail stores, clubs, casinos etc. from dispending flu vaccinations.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report which divulges the emergency preparedness agenda of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation meeting which will take place on March 9, 2006.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a detailed report regarding the waterfowl control program, especially disseminating public information packets, and recommending an ordinance which would allow the City to charge a punitive fee for feeding the waterfowl.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report relative to the residual health hazard in the top soil of the water foul damaged parks and recommend measures which may be taken to remedy the problem.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an updated report regarding the Lead Collaborative Initiative hosted by the Health Department of the Health and Human Services Division.