Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Meeting Summary
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust Building
Members Present and Absent:
Name
Dawn Beck (co-chair)
Allie Freidrichs
Bill Groskreutz
Tom Hogan (co-chair)
Daniel Huff
Ben Miller
Carol Schefers
Karen Swenson
Jeff Travis
John Weinand
Organization
Olmsted County
Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Counties
Faribault County Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Health
City of Minneapolis
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Wright County
Brown-Nicollet Counties
Washington County
City of Minnetonka
Present
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Absent
X
Other Meeting Participants:
Jeff Brown (City of Edina), Hank Schreifels (Stearns County), Jim Topie (Minnesota Environmental Health
Association – MEHA), Cindy Weckwerth (City of Minneapolis)
Facilitators:
Megan Drake-Pereyra, Chelsie Huntley (Minnesota Department of Health – Public Health Practice
Section)
Welcome and Introductions
The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) co-chairs Dawn Beck, Olmsted
County, and Tom Hogan, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), welcomed everyone to the EHCIB’s
first meeting in 2015. Ms. Beck proceeded to review the meeting agenda and objectives. Meeting
participants each introduced themselves. Ms. Beck acknowledged both Board and non-board members
and invited everyone to fully participate in the meeting activities.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Health Partnerships Division – Public Health Practice Section
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 1
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
Meeting Objectives:
1. Develop and approve 2015 work plan.
2. Discuss progress and next steps on the FPLS program re-evaluation process.
3. Discuss progress and next steps on a manager’s group/collaborative policy development
process.
4. Review and edit draft “declaration of support.”
5. Identify sources of FPLS program quality definitions and metrics.
Co-Chair Remarks
Mr. Hogan shared that he and Ms. Beck recognize that the EHCIB does not always get through its entire
agenda. Agenda items represent conversations/decisions the Board needs to have; not the time that
should be allocated to each conversation. To date, Mr. Hogan and Ms. Beck have not cut conversations
off because they have felt they were important for the Board to continue. Unless the Board feels
otherwise, the co-chairs will continue to plan the agendas in this fashion.. Ms. Beck shared that she
and Mr. Hogan presented at the January Local Public Health Association (LPHA) meeting about the
EHCIB and its history. Due to time constraints discussion/questions were limited. The PowerPoint
presentation is on the EHCIB website. Ms. Beck noted that she feels 2014 was the year of building
partnership among the EHCIB members and that 2015 will and should be the year of action. Mr. Hogan
also noted that Steven Diaz and the MDH’s food, pools, and lodging services (FPLS) staff will play a
significant role in supporting the Board’s work.
Business Items
Participants discussed and made decisions about the following business items.
Approve November Meeting Summary
The November 21, 2014 EHCIB meeting summary was presented for approval. Jeff Travis, Washington
County, made a motion to approve it. John Weinand, City of Minnetonka, seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously without discussion.
Status Updates on November 2014 Action Items
• Re-evaluation Process progress
o Ms. Beck pointed out that the FPLS program evaluation process was created to include
three components: self-evaluation, evaluation, and improvement. To-date the process
stopped at evaluation and remains incomplete. The EHCIB’s goal should be to establish a
complete process.
o Environmental Health (EH) managers of FPLS programs that received an “unacceptable”
status on their evaluation have been informed that MDH and the EHCIB would like to
get their input on a re-evaluation process. Mr. Hogan, Ms. Beck, Mr. Diaz, and April
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 2
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
•
•
Bogard (MDH’s FPLS section) will all participate in the conversations. Dates are not set;
they will happen before the next EHCIB meeting in March. Each program will determine
if the meeting is in person or via phone. It was suggested that every attempt be made to
have the conversation in person.
o The draft questions were shared and initial feedback was positive. Two additional
questions were suggested:
 What are your thoughts on having a peer participate in the re-evaluation of your
program?
 Who would participate in your program’s re-evaluation? What decision-makers
will be involved in your program’s re-evaluation?
Board members were asked to share any additional feedback via email.
o It was noted that there has been no communication about the evaluation process
and/or re-evaluation process; many do not know that the process is on hold and are
preparing to be evaluated. Members suggested the MDH send out a message outlining
that 1) the evaluation process is on hold, 2) MDH is working with the EHCIB on a reevaluation process, and 3) annual self-evaluation is important and expected. Mr. Hogan
volunteered to draft a message and share it with the EHCIB for feedback before
disseminating it.
Manager’s Meeting progress
o Environmental Health managers were not convened by Steven Diaz as discussed at the
last meeting. Instead Mr. Hogan and Ms. Beck provided an update to the Local Public
Health Association (LPHA) and asked for their input on how best to convene EH
managers. There was not enough time at LPHA for a thorough discussion. Further
discussion is needed during the work plan portion of the meeting.
2015 Meeting Dates
o Meetings are scheduled and the dates are posted on the EHCIB website:
 January 28, 2015 – Wednesday
 March 11, 2015 – Wednesday
 May 13, 2015 – Wednesday
 July 8, 2015 – Wednesday
 September 9, 2015 – Wednesday
 November 16, 2015 – Monday
o Meeting participants shared that the May meeting is scheduled during MEHA’s spring
conference which many of them attend. Jim Topie, MEHA, clarified that the conference
is May 14-15. There is a scholarship fundraiser/golf outing on May 13. The conference
and scholarship event is held at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, Minnesota. Chelsie
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 3
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
Huntley and Megan Drake-Pereyra, MDH, will investigate options for rescheduling
and/or holding the meeting in Alexandria on the afternoon of May 13 so that
participants can easily attend both.
Member Updates
• Tom Hogan shared the following updates from MDH:
o Dani Pollock was named the new Deputy Commissioner for MDH. He brings a very
strong background in the legislative process to the position. He replaced former Deputy
Commissioner Jim Koppel, who took a position with the MN Department of Human
Services.
o Chris Brueske is serving as the Interim Assistant Commissioner for MDH’s Health
Protection Bureau which includes the Environmental Health Division. He replaced
former Assistant Commissioner Aggie Leitheiser, who retired in December. Mr. Brueske
temporarily left his position as Assistant Director of the Public Health Laboratory to fill
this interim role. Commissioner Ehlinger plans to select an Assistant Commissioner at
the end of January.
o Two Community Health Boards have changed structure and requested an expansion of
their delegation agreements – Southwest Health and Human Services and
Partnership4Health.
o Changes to the food code are moving forward and will be open for public comment
sometime in the spring.
o Dan Disrud, MDH, is now the supervisor of internal operations for the FPLS section. He
oversees licensing, finances, data, etc. Mr. Disrud’s former position is in the process of
being filled.
o Before filling his former position of Assistant Section Manager for FPLS, Steven Diaz is
determining how to structure the FPLS section. More information will be forthcoming as
the structure of the section is determined.
o The Governor’s Budget was released and includes a number of environmental healthrelated items including:
 Alignment of MDH and MDA licensing program statutory language (e.g. license
based on risk, same fees, etc.). Mr. Hogan reinforced that no organizational
changes are being discussed at this time and that local input on MDH/MDA
alignment needs to occur in the near future.
 Indoor buildings proposal (i.e. licensing for radon mitigators and testers).
 Establishing lead repair requirements so that MN can do its own licensing.
Currently, EPA does the licensing.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 4
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
Increase in the water connection fee, which supports the drinking water
program. The fee increases every 10 years and the last increase was in 2005.
o MDH is aware of two FPLS issues that are supported at the legislature by advocates –
cottage foods and parking of vehicles in motor home parks.

Meeting participants discussed the impact of changes in MDH’s executive office and LPHA’s executive
director on the EHCIB. Since MDH’s former deputy director, former assistant commissioner, and LPHA’s
former executive director were all involved in the establishment of the EHCIB, participants agreed to
attempt to engage the newly appointed individuals in the EHCIB either by inviting them to a meeting or
meeting with them individually to provide the EHCIB history and progress.
Word on the Street
A question was raised about possible adjustments to how inspections of assisted living facilities are
completed, specifically whether or not the Health Regulation Division (formerly Compliance and
Monitoring) at MDH would look at food issues during the inspections. MDH noted that the Health
Regulation Division focuses on risk associated with care and not lodging. Mr. Hogan noted that there is
confusion/challenges in who regulates new types of facilities (other than traditional nursing homes)
and that the EH Division has been in conversation with both the Health Regulation Division and the
Department of Human Services (DHS) to discuss updating the lodging rules to add clarification to issues
like this one.
Constituent Engagement
Ms. Beck reminded members of their responsibility to engage with and represent their constituents
and asked members to share how each of them were carrying out this responsibility. The following
items were shared.
• EHCIB is a standing agenda item at both the SW and SE LPHA regional meetings.
• Updates are shared at the EH managers meeting.
• Members continue to share take-home points with their constituents and occasionally receive
feedback.
• Jim Topie, MEHA, shared that MEHA can be used as a mechanism to get information out to a
broad group of EH professionals.
2015 Work Plan
Meeting participants discussed two areas of the work plan in detail – the FPLS program re-evaluation
process and a standing manager’s meeting.
Re-Evaluation Process:
(Determine how (and when) the FPLS program evaluation assessment tool will be applied for reevaluations)
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 5
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
Meeting participants agreed that there are three distinct issues with FPLS program evaluations: 1)
completing the current round of evaluations; 2) establishing a process for and conducting reevaluations for those who receive an “unacceptable” rating; and 3) improving the evaluation process.
Meeting participants voiced their comfort with and support of the direction and next steps for the reevaluation process (refer to page 2 under Business Items for details about the re-evaluation process
discussion and action steps). In addition, members voiced concern that improving the overall
evaluation process was missing from the EHCIB’s 2015 Work Plan. Some noted that making progress on
the re-evaluation process and establishing a definition/metrics for a quality FPLS program would lead
to improvements in the evaluation process. All agreed that the EHCIB had a responsibility to address
the overall evaluation process and it needed more prominence in the work plan. Participants discussed
whether or not to wait until the re-evaluation process was complete before tackling the other
evaluation issues; all agreed that they could make progress on both issues simultaneously. The EHCIB
2015 Work Plan will be updated to include a new goal – gather information and feedback to improve
the FPLS program evaluation process.
Meeting participants then proceeded to discuss the status of the current evaluation process and it was
noted that four delegated programs and MDH have not yet been evaluated even though they were
scheduled to be evaluated. It was noted that there has been limited communication about the
evaluation process being put on hold. Meeting participants discussed at length the value in/need for
the remaining programs to be evaluated before improving the process. The following points were
discussed:
• Since it is an inefficient and incomplete process and comparison data is not important, meeting
participants agreed that delegated programs should not be evaluated using the current process.
However, they noted that everyone has the right to be evaluated and should be evaluated.
Therefore, MDH and the delegated programs awaiting evaluation should be the first to test the
improved evaluation process.
• The fact that MDH has not been evaluated is a point of contention for many delegated
programs. Participants agreed that at least one MDH program should be evaluated using the
current process so that they are able to contribute their experience and ideas to the
improvement efforts.
• To develop an improved evaluation process, meeting participants agreed that more information
will need to be gathered from those who went through the current evaluation process to
determine what improvements should be made. Members wanted to be careful not to indicate
that the evaluation tool or specific parts of the evaluation process weren’t working before
gathering more information.
Meeting participants agreed that improvements to and continued implementation of the evaluation
process should be done using continuous quality improvement. The discussion turned into a
recommendation for MDH and the EHCIB to gather information and feedback about the current
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 6
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
evaluation process in order to develop an improved process. Board members did not want to finalize
the recommendation before getting input from their constituents. It was noted that CHBs without a
delegation agreement will need to be provided information about the evaluation process and its
history before being able to weigh in on the recommendation. The decision was made to draft a
recommendation and gather input by the next EHCIB meeting where a final recommendation will be
developed.
Manager’s meeting
(Establish a standing manager’s meeting and develop a formal, collaborative process for policy
development and roll-out)
Participants were reminded that the goal of this work plan item is to use the manager’s meeting as a
formal forum for collaboration. Participants agreed that they do not want to duplicate or create
another forum if one already exists, such as LPHA or the EH managers group. They noted that LPHA
does not currently have an EH focus and that the EH managers group is metro-centric and more
informal, so it would take some work to mold either of these options into the right forum to use for the
EHCIB’s goals. There was agreement that input is needed from LPHA, EH managers, MDH, and nondelegated programs to determine the best way to have a formal forum for collaboration.
The agreed upon next steps included:
1) Carol Schefers, Wright County, and Allie Freidrichs, Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Counties, who serve
on LPHA’s executive committee will ask to get on the next agenda and invite Tom to discuss
what LPHA’s role might be in engaging EH managers; and
2) Steven Diaz will convene a meeting with EH managers to introduce himself and discuss possible
options for an ongoing forum for EH collaboration and policy discussions. Steven will also
extend an invitation to Community Health Boards without delegation agreements. If needed,
Jon Weinand will find space at the city of Minnetonka to hold the meeting.
It was also noted that there is not consistent communication from MDH to CHBs without a delegation
agreement. Some noted they do not get communication about issues and/or complaints in their areas,
others noted always receiving communication. Participants agreed the issue should be addressed in
the “clarify and improve EH communication channels” goal area.
“Declaration of Support” for Local FPLS Programs
Due to time constraints meeting participants were unable to discuss the declaration of support in
detail. However, everyone agreed that this declaration of support should communicate two messages
1)MDH values delegated programs and 2) locals value MDH; because both are important in protecting
the health of Minnesotans and neither can do it alone. Participants also agreed that the “declaration”
or letter should come from the EHCIB rather than MDH as originally intended. Ms. Huntley and Ms.
Drake-Pereyra will update the draft language and seek additional feedback via email.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 7
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
Defining a “Quality” FPLS Program
Due to time constraints this agenda item was postponed to a future meeting.
Take-home Points, Action Items, and Adjournment
Meeting participants agreed on the following take-home points and action items.
Take-home points:
• The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board developed a draft work plan to
achieve the following goals:
o Determine how (and when) the FPLS program evaluation assessment tool will be applied
for re-evaluations
o Gather information and feedback to improve the FPLS program evaluation process
o Issue a statement about the value of state-local partnership and delegation agreements
o Establish a standing manager’s meeting and develop a formal, collaborative process for
policy development and roll-out
o Establish a common understanding of a quality FPLS program and develop
corresponding metrics
o Clarify and improve EH communication channels
o Ensure Board effectiveness and accountability
•
The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board acknowledges that their
constituents want to see action from the Board. The Board also acknowledges that to be
successful they 1) need a solid foundation of trust to work from and 2) they need to allow time
for constituents to contribute to and/or participate in the decision making process. The Board
believes their work in 2014 set the foundation for action to occur in 2015. You can help the
Board make progress by providing feedback to your Board representative and/or by
participating in upcoming EHCIB meetings and activities.
•
The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board is making progress on their goal to
determine how the FPLS program evaluation assessment tool will be applied for re-evaluations.
Between now and the next Board meeting, each of the programs that are currently in
unacceptable status will be contacted by a team of Board members and MDH staff to gather
information to inform the development of a re-evaluation process. The Board will use the
information gathered during these meetings to agree on a re-evaluation process to be
implemented.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 8
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
•
The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board had a substantial discussion about
the need to improve the FPLS program evaluation process.
o All meeting participants – which included representatives from delegated programs in
the metro area, delegated programs from greater MN, MDH, CHBs without delegation
agreements, and guests from various organizations – agreed:
 The current FPLS program evaluation tools [self-evaluation, evaluation
documentation] are useful aspects of the evaluation program which will need to
be evaluated at for improvements
 The program evaluation process has deficiencies in a number of areas and is not
fully effective for a number of reasons including: it is not efficient; it is
incomplete (i.e. a means for making the process a cycle that promotes ongoing
continuous improvement—as was intended, has not been put into practice); and
communication mechanisms before, during and after the process are not fully
developed.
o MDH confirmed that the FPLS program evaluation process is currently on hold. Four
delegated programs and MDH have not yet been evaluated (even though they were
scheduled to be evaluated).
o The Board determined that:
 It is more important to fix the process than to have every program go through
the same process.
 Establishing a re-evaluation process is an important step in the right direction,
but is not enough to fix the current overall evaluation process.
 Having a complete set of comparison data from a flawed and mistrusted
evaluation process is not a good reason for making everyone go through the
same process.
 The programs that have not yet been evaluated have the right to be evaluated.
They also should be evaluated under a process that is beneficial to them and to
the public.
 At least one MDH program should experience the current evaluation process so
they know first-hand what works and doesn’t work about the process.
 More information needs to be gathered from those who went through the
evaluation process to determine what improvements should be made.
o The discussion resulted in the following recommendation by the Board :
 MDH undergo an evaluation of one of their programs so that they have
experience to contribute to an assessment of the process.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 9
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
The remaining programs that have not yet been evaluated continue to hold and
not be evaluated under the current process.
 MDH convene a meeting(s) to gather feedback on the current evaluation
process.
 MDH and the EHCIB improve the evaluation process based on feedback and seek
additional input on the improved process before MDH begins implementation.
 MDH and the four programs that have not yet been evaluated are the first to
undergo evaluation under the improved process.
 The improved process is implemented in the spirit of continuous improvement.
The EHCIB ensures that the evaluation process is reviewed on a regular basis.
o The Board wants the support of its constituents before moving forward. Board members
are seeking input on the above recommendation between now and the March meeting
when a decision on how to proceed will be made. As always, all are welcome to attend
the Board meetings.

•
The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture continue
to have conversations about where their food safety programs do and do not align. Local input
will be sought in the near future. There are no immediate plans to merge the programs.
Action items:
• Members to review questions for re-evaluation process interviews and email Tom and/or Dawn
with feedback.
• Tom and Dawn to continue work with MDH staff to collect input from FPLS programs rated as
“Unacceptable” and develop a re-evaluation process for the Board’s consideration in March.
• Tom Hogan to develop a letter about the current state of the evaluation process and email to
EHCIB members for feedback.
• Tom Hogan and Dawn Beck to look for opportunities to introduce MDH’s new Deputy
Commissioner and LPHA’s new Executive Director to the EHCIB since both of their predecessors
were involved in the establishment of the EHCIB.
• OPI staff to investigate the possibility of holding the scheduled May 13th EHCIB meeting in
Alexandria in conjunction with the MEHA Spring Conference or reschedule the meeting.
• Allie Freidrichs, Carol Schefers and Tom Hogan will have a discussion with LPHA’s executive
committee about how to use LPHA as a forum for engaging EH managers.
• Steven Diaz will invite Environmental Health Managers and Community Health Boards without
delegation agreements to a meeting. The purpose of the meeting is for Steven to introduce
himself as the new Manager of MDH’s Food, Pools, and Lodging Services Section and discuss
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 10
EHCIB Meeting Summary – January 28, 2015
•
•
possible options for an ongoing forum for EH collaboration and policy discussions. If needed,
Jon Weinand will find space at the city of Minnetonka to hold the meeting.
Tom Hogan and Karen Swenson to re-draft the statement of support based on the Board’s
discussion and send to members for further input.
OPI to update the EHCIB work plan to reflect the meeting discussions.
The next EHCIB meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 10am-2:30pm at the Minnesota
Counties Intergovernmental Trust Building in St. Paul.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Practice Section – Health Partnerships Division
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201-3880
Page | 11