Way back in early March we heard Ms. Stephanie Seaworth was becoming the Administrator for Boone County Health Department. But it is very interesting that she actually was not approved as an administrator or hired as an employee by the Board of Health, ( until the March 30, 2009). As of the writing of this posting, the Boone County Public Health Administrator listed on the Health Department website is Malafu Tiatia.
So I really wonder what is happening here. I have a copy of the March 14, 2009 Rockford Register Star article which explains the “problem” with Ms. Seaworth’s appointment. Following that, are the agendas and minutes for all Board of Heath meetings from Mr. Malafu Tiatia’s resignation to the present. They are all silent as to Ms. Seaworth’s selection and the Board of Health’s hiring of Ms. Seaworth. Now it is possible that the Board of Health acted on March 30th, however the agenda does not indicate that such a vote was scheduled. On March 2 Agenda, an introduction of Ms. Seaworth is scheduled and so indicated in the minutes. But the minutes are silent as to any vote on her appointment. My understanding of the law indicates that such an appointment would require a role call vote in open session. I see none. In light of the controversial, if not questionable, appointment of Ms. Seaworth, should not the public demand the Board of Health provide a documented, roll call vote of Ms. Seaworth’s appointment?
UPDATE: I received a statement from a witness at the March 30 meeting indicating that the Board came out of the closed session, voted that Ms. Seaworth be named “interim administrator” and the Board requested that she prepare a contract with Ray Empereur. Well maybe everything is technically OK? Right—the board did vote to hired Ms. Seaworth.
Ms. Seaworth was not qualified for the administrator’s position. So the Board hired her anyway and got a cheap mentor to be technically the administrator. Mr. Empereur is going to be paid $500 per month, how much mentoring/work does $500 buy?
Does anyone have any questions? What about the other candidate which the Board dined with at Giovanni’s Restaurant? Assuming he/she was qualified as an administrator is there legal recourse for hiring the unqualified candidate?
Are any state/federal grants in jeopardy? What about agency accreditation?
I understand that our states attorney, Michelle Courier, advised the Board of Health regarding the personnel issues involved. Perhaps we should seek her advice as to which state and federal agencies have a right to review (and possibly disapprove) this appointment and to whom we can write to seek such an action?
Click on the photocopy to enlarge.
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
CLOSED SESSION
January 15, 2009
BOONE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Members Present: Dr. Kent Hess, Allen Sisson, Deborah Loos, Dr. Conder, George
Sprecher and Dr. Mary Simmons
Staff Present: Malafu Tiatia, and Sandy Romanek.
The meeting was called to order at 12:35 by Dr. Hess. A motion to approve the agenda
was made by Allen Sisson and seconded by Ron Conder. Motion carried.
A motion to go into closed session was made by Deb Loos and seconded by Allen
Sisson. Motion carried.
The Board of Health went into closed session at 12:36 on January 15, 2008 to discuss
Personnel Issues.
Dr. Hess presented Malafu Tiatia’s letter of resignation to the Board of Health. The tentative
effective date for his resignation is March 6, 2009, but he would like to make himself available
to the new Administrator for a short period of time.
The Committee returned to open session at 1:00.
A motion to adjourn was made by Allen Sisson, and seconded by George Sprecher.
Motion carried.
Submitted through Deborah Loos.
Sandy Romanek
AGENDA
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
SEARCH COMMITTEE
JANUARY 29, 2009 – 5:00 p.m.
AT
GIOVANNI’S RESTAURANT
610 N. BELL SCHOOL ROAD, ROCKFORD, IL
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Executive Session
● Discuss Personnel Issues
IV. Adjournment
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
February 2, 2009 ♦ 12:00 p.m.
Boone County Health Department ♦ 1204 Logan Avenue ▫ Belvidere ▫ IL 61008
AGENDA
1. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
a. Soil Bores – Mary Alice Peterson and Jim Mulcahy
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
a. Approval of previous meeting minutes pg # 1
b. Department Reports:
i. Personal Health pg # 2-4
ii. Environmental Health pg #5-6
c. Personnel Reports
i. Public Health Coordinator position
d. Contracts and Agreements – RENEWALS
i. none
4. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS – NEW
a. Women Out Walking Grant
5. FINANCIAL REPORT
a. Health Fund & Grant Fund pg # 7-12
6. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS pg # 13-20
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion)
a. None
9. NEW BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion)
a. Annual Report – Draft pg # 21-26
b. Emergency Response – Jan Noble
10. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Update-County use of generator
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Approval of January 15, 2009 Closed Session Minutes pg.# 27-28
12. ADJOURNMENT
PLEASE call Debbie at 547-8540 or e-mail at djeanmaire@boonehealth.org if you will be unable to attend
this meeting. Next regularly scheduled meeting: March 2, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
February 2, 2009
BOONE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Members Present: Dr. Hess, Dr. Frost, Allen Sisson, Deb Loos, Dr. Conder, Dr. D’Souza, Gary
Turner Brad Rightnowar and George Sprecher.
Staff Present: Malafu Tiatia, Bill Hatfield, Lisa Gonzalez, Mary Alice Peterson, Ellen Genrich and
Sandy Romanek.
Guests Present: Jim Mulcahy and Jan Noble
Jim Mulcahy and Mary Alice Peterson presented on soil bores.
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 by Dr. Frost.
A motion to approve the Amended Agenda was made by Allen Sisson and seconded by Deb
Loos. Motion carried.
Jan Noble explained to the Board that a donation of $1,500.00 was received, and that he was
requesting from the Board of Health a donation of up to $500.00 to be added to the $500.00
already donated by the Fire Department to build a scale model of the downtown Belvidere area.
This scale model would be used for instruction and training purposes. Malafu stated that this
could be paid for through the Emergency Response Grant. This project should be completed in
3 – 5 months. A motion to approve funding, not to exceed $500.00 for the scale model of the
Belvidere area was by Dr. Frost, and seconded by Gary Turner. Motion Carried.
A motion to approve the minutes of January 5, 2009 was made by Allen Sisson and seconded
by Dr. Conder. Motion carried.
Department Reports:
Personal Health: Lisa updated the Board on activities that will be going on
supported by the Cosmopolitan Grant, and the status of the search for a case
manager.
Environmental Health: Bill invited the Board to the Contractor’s Workshop
being held on February.
The reports for December 31, 2008 are in the monthly packets.
Personnel Report: Malafu presented some changes that have been implemented at the Health
Department.
o The creation of a Public Health Coordinator position
o A modification of the LEHP job description
o A modification to the Food inspector job
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There was open discussion concerning enhancing the policy manual concerning permanent parttime
employees who accept full-time positions. The Board requested a draft policy be
presented at the next Board of Health Meeting on March 2, 2009.
Approval of Claims: A motion to approve the claims was made Allen Sisson and seconded by
Dr. Frost. Motion carried.
Contracts and Agreements (new): None
Financial Report: Malafu presented the financial reports. The Health Fund report was
presented for January 31, 2009, and the Grant Fund Report was presented for the month of
December 31, 2008. A motion to approve the financial reports was made by Gary Turner and
seconded by Allen Sisson. Motion carried. Malafu also explained that we are paying for a
maintenance agreement on the telephone system, and that this item was not budgeted.
Committee Reports: Dr. Frost updated the Board on the progress being made by the Search
Committee.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: Malafu presented the Draft of the annual report. A motion to approve the
annual report was made by Dr. Frost and seconded by Gary Turner. Motion carried.
Administrative Report: Malafu updated the Board on the county asking for use of the Health
Department’s generator. The use would be limited, and the County would pay for 50% of the
annual maintenance fee.
Executive Session: Staff and guests was asked to leave, Sandy and Malafu were asked to
remain. The Board went into closed session a 1:00 p.m. to approve the meeting minutes of
January 15, 2009. The Board returned to open session at 1:02 p.m.
A motion to adjourn was made by Gary Turner and seconded by Deb Loos. Motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned.
Submitted through Deb
AGENDA
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
SEARCH COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 3, 2009 – 5:00 p.m.
AT
GIOVANNI’S RESTAURANT
610 N. BELL SCHOOL ROAD, ROCKFORD, IL
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III.
IV. Adjournment
Executive Session
● Discuss Personnel Issues
IV. Adjournment
AGENDA
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
FEBRUARY 6, 2009 – 12:30 p.m.
AT
BOONE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Executive Session – Closed Session
● Presentation by Search Committee
to present Personnel Issues
IV. Adjournment
MEETING
March 2, 2009 ♦ 12:00 p.m.
Boone County Health Department ♦ 1204 Logan Avenue ▫ Belvidere ▫ IL 61008
AGENDA (Amended)
1. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
a. Plat Approval – Bill Hatfield
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
a. Approval of previous meeting minutes pg #1-2
b. Introductions:
i. Stephanie Seaworth, new Health Department Administrator
ii. Michelle Courier, Boone County State’s Attorney
c. Department Reports:
i. Personal Health pg #3-5
ii. Environmental Health pg #6-7
d. Personnel Reports
i. New Public Health Nurse, Susan Karras
e. Contracts and Agreements – RENEWALS
4. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS – NEW
a. None
5. FINANCIAL REPORT
a. Health Fund & Grant Fund pg #8-11
6. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS pg #12-19
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion)
a. Bridging time in service policy pg #20
9. NEW BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion)
a. Program prioritization
b. Fee change water testing/Groundwater Awareness Week
10. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Approval of closed session minutes:
o January 29, 2009 & February 3, 2009 pg #21
o February 6, 2009 pg #22-23
12. ADJOURNMENT
PLEASE call Debbie at 547-8540 or e-mail at djeanmaire@boonehealth.org if you will be unable to attend
this meeting. Next regularly scheduled meeting: March 30, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
March 2, 2009
BOONE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Members Present: Dr. Hess, Dr. Joseph Frost, Dr. Mary Simmons, Dr. D’Souza, Allen Sisson, Jim Cox, Dr. Conder,
Dr. D’Souza, Gary Turner and George Sprecher.
Staff Present: Malafu Tiatia, Stephanie Seaworth, Bill Hatfield, Lisa Gonzalez, Ellen Genrich, and Sandy Romanek.
Guests Present: Michelle Courier, Boone County State’s Attorney
Bill Hatfield presented an overview of the Plat Approval/ Review process.
The meeting was called to order at 12:13 by Dr. Frost.
A motion to approve the Amended Agenda was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Gary Turner. Motion carried.
A motion to approve the minutes of February 2, 2009 was made by Gary Turner and seconded by Deb Loos.
Motion carried.
Malafu introduced Stephanie Seaworth, the new Boone County Health Department Administrator, and also Michelle
Courier, the Boone County State’s Attorney.
Department Reports:
Personal Health: Lisa updated the Board on the Influenza activity, the WOW mini-grant, and the
community presentations taking place which are paid for by the Cosmopolitan Club Diabetes grant.
Environmental Health: Bill updated the Board on the contractor’s workshop, food recalls,
nuisance inspections and the West Nile Surveillance Grant.
The reports for January 2009 are in the monthly packets.
Personnel Report: Malafu updated the Board on the new nurse that will be starting on March 9, 2009. Her
salary will be paid from the grant fund.
Contracts and Agreements (new): None
Financial Report: Malafu presented the financial reports. The Health Fund report was presented for the month
of February 2009, and the Grant Fund Report was presented for the month of January 2009. A motion to approve
the financial reports was made by Gary Turner and seconded by Allen Sisson. Motion carried. It was explained to
the Board that currently the interest rates for the Health Fund checking account is the same as the rate of return
for one month C.D. which is why there is currently no C.D. for excess funds.
Malafu confirmed that a Letter of Commitment would be sent to Jan Noble for the $400.00 coming from the
Bioterrorism Grant for the scale model of the Belvidere area to be used for training purposes.
Approval of Claims: A motion to approve the claims was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Allen Sisson.
Motion carried.
Committee Reports: None
Unfinished Business: A motion to approve the vacation time bridging policy was made by George Sprecher,
and seconded by Jim Cox. Motion carried. This policy establishes criteria for bridging time in service – when an
employee changes status from part-time to full-time – for the purpose of calculating vacation days/hours.
A non-exempt full-time employee may request bridging of his/her part-time status with his/her
current status when all of the following criteria have been met:
1. There was no break in service during part-time status;
2. Hours worked, as a part-time employee must equal to at least three years of full-time
employment;
3. The employee must complete three years of continuous full-time employment.
New Business: The Program prioritization item was postponed until the next Board of Health meeting held on
March 30, 2009. Information will be mailed in advance to the Board Members. Bill proposed to the Board that for
Groundwater Awareness Week (March 8 – 14) we should reduce the fee charged for laboratory costs. A motion to
approve the temporary fee of $30.00 from $40.00 was made by Gary Turner and seconded Dr. Ron Conder.
Motion carried.
Administrative Report: Malafu thanked to entire Board for the opportunity to serve as the Boone County Health
Department Administrator. Dr. Hess presented a certificate to Malafu, thanking him for his service.
Executive Session: A motion to go into closed session was made by Allen Sisson, and seconded Dr. Frost.
Motion carried. The board returned to open session.
A motion to adjourn was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Gary Turner. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned.
Submitted through Deb Loos.
Sandy Romanek
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
March 30, 2009 ♦ 12:00 p.m.
Boone County Health Department ♦ 1204 Logan Avenue ▫ Belvidere ▫ IL 61008
AMENDED AGENDA
1. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
a. Approval of previous meeting minutes pg # 1-2
b. Department Reports:
i. Personal Health pg # 3-5
ii. Environmental Health pg # 6-7
c. Personnel Reports
d. Contracts and Agreements – RENEWALS
3. NEW BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion)
a. Boone County Smoke Free Ordinance Amendment
4. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS – NEW
5. FINANCIAL REPORT
a. Health Fund & Grant Fund pg # 8-11
6. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS pg # 12-18
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion)
a. Program Priorities
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Personnel Issues
10. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
11. ADJOURNMENT
PLEASE call Debbie at 547-8540 or e-mail at djeanmaire@boonehealth.org if you
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