Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board
Meeting Summary
Monday, November 16, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 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
Present
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
X
X
Absent
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Other Meeting Participants:
Debra Anderson, Hennepin County; Jeff Brown, City of Edina; Kim Carlton, Steven Diaz, Michelle Messer,
Denise Schumacher, (Minnesota Department of Health, Environmental Health Division); Kris Keller,
Washington County; Jason Newby, City of Brooklyn Park; Lorna Schmidt (Local Public Health
Association); Cindy Weckwerth (City of Minneapolis)
Facilitators:
Stephanie Lenartz, Chelsie Huntley, and Megan Drake-Pereyra (Minnesota Department of Health,
Health Partnerships Division)
Welcome and Introductions
The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) co-chair Tom Hogan, MDH
welcomed everyone to the EHCIB’s November meeting. Mr. Hogan proceeded to review the meeting
agenda and objectives. Meeting participants each introduced themselves. Mr. Hogan acknowledged
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 – November 16, 2015
both EHCIB members and other meeting participants and invited everyone to fully participate in the
meeting activities.
Meeting Objectives:
1. Initiate development of potential FPLS program performance measures.
2. Discuss and make decisions about the potential new FPLS program evaluation model.
Goal: Discuss and make decisions about the potential new FPLS program
evaluation model
Steven Diaz, MDH EH, shared and reviewed the draft of the potential new Food, Pools, and Lodging
Services (FPLS) program evaluation model (Appendix A). Instead of evaluating each program, in its
entirety, one at a time, over the course of five years, all FPLS programs would be evaluated one
standard at a time at the same time. In this standard by standard model each program would be
evaluated over the course of five years rather than once in five years. The benefits of this model could
include increased learning across programs; the ability to identify and implement continuous
improvements; greater consistency in evaluation findings and resulting actions; and a more even,
manageable workload for MDH’s Partnership and Workforce Development unit. It could also reduce
the wait time and allow field evaluations to be completed in the warmer months.
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) members shared constituent feedback
they had gathered about the potential new FPLS program evaluation model. Constituent comments
about the model were positive. Most of the concerns constituents had revolved around the
relationship between MDH and local EH programs and not the model itself. Meeting participants
agreed that communication and improving trust will be crucial to the success of the new model and
that the EHCIB needs to get others involved.
Overall, meeting participants like the sharing and conversation the new model will foster if
implemented as described. They also like the frequency of interaction, shared ownership, and
partnership the model allows. However, there are still many decisions and details to work out, so
meeting participants were concerned about how the timeline will look.
In order to help make some decisions about the new FPLS program evaluation model so that a timeline
can be developed and the work can begin, meeting participants broke into three groups. Each group
considered available options and made recommendations to the full group on how to proceed. Below
is a summary of the discussion:
 Which program elements and criteria do we use?
o Use what already exists. Use the FDA food program standards along with MDH criteria.
Small group participants felt that a lot of work went into developing the existing criteria
and, therefore, there was no need to start over. Also, using the FDA food program
standards helps promote MDH-MDA alignment. However, because FDA standards only
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 – November 16, 2015


cover food, there will still need to be a hybrid for Minnesota. Small group participants
also felt that the existing MDH criteria should be evaluated for value to determine what
is kept, improved, or removed. EHCIB meeting participants agreed with this
recommendation.
How is the EHCIB involved in the process of developing and implementing the new model?
o A workgroup should be formed to do the work of developing the new FPLS program
evaluation model. It will help evaluate program elements and criteria and be
responsible for communicating its decisions to other stakeholders, including reporting
back to the EHCIB at its regular meetings. The small group felt this would be the most
efficient method and the best way to get participation from others outside of the EHCIB.
EHCIB meeting participants agreed with this recommendation.
o Workgroup members should be selected by the EHCIB. Delegated programs could have
someone appointed to the workgroup. EHCIB meeting participants felt that selection
and invitation rather than appointment is a better way of seeking participation. Also, a
few EHCIB members should also participate on the workgroup.
o The EHCIB and MDH EH need to consider the resources necessary to carry out the
workgroup: facilitator, project manager, travel expenses (mileage, etc.), meeting space,
and logistics (conference call line, video conferencing, etc.). The EHCIB and MDH EH
staff agreed to look into the necessary resources.
How do we report the status of each agency overall and how do we deal with the existing status
designations?
o Design the new process so that it meets what 90% of programs need and the other 10%
(programs not performing well) can be put in another process that uses the regulatory
approach. Meeting participants agreed that the new process should be developed for
the majority of programs rather than focus on a minority that need more regulation.
o Have every program start fresh with the new process, including MDH. Meeting
participants agreed that this was the easiest and fairest way to move forward.
o Status designations should be given after evaluating each standard, with an overall
rating at the end of all standards. Status rating should be “meets” or “does not meet.”
Meeting participants agreed that this makes the most sense for the new model.
o Status rating could be kept on a website and periodically updated. Programs can
continually work on improving their rating and their status would be updated
accordingly. Meeting participants liked this idea. Small group members suggested that
30 days be the timeframe for periodic updates. However, MDH may not have the
capacity to review and update status ratings every 30 days. Meeting participants agreed
that there should be a set timeframe, but that timeframe can be determined once the
process is developed more thoroughly.
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 – November 16, 2015
Based on constituent feedback, small group work, and discussion, the Environmental Health
Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) decided to approve the proposal for a new Food, Pools, and
Lodging Services (FPLS) program evaluation model and make the following recommendations for
implementing the new model:
 Use the existing FDA Food Program Standards and incorporate Minnesota specific (MDH or
MDA) criteria and elements where valuable. The existing FDA food program standards serve as
a good foundation and using them will promote MDH-MDA alignment. In addition, the EHCIB
would like to see MDH and MDA use consistent program elements and evaluation processes.
 Initiate a workgroup to develop the new FPLS program evaluation process. This will allow the
new FPLS program evaluation process to roll-out efficiently and in partnership. The EHCIB will
work with MDH EH staff to develop a charter and recruit members; the workgroup will begin
work in March 2016.
 Implement a new program rating method – “meets” or “does not meet.” Since programs will
be evaluated over time the EHCIB recommends a status of “meets” or “does not meet” be given
to each program at the end of each standard review and then an overall status after all
standards have been reviewed.
Goal: Initiate development of potential FPLS program performance measures
One of the EHCIB’s 2015 work plan goals is to “establish a common understanding of a quality FPLS
program and develop corresponding metrics.” To move towards accomplishing this goal, Stephanie
Lenartz and Megan Drake-Pereyra, MDH Health Partnerships Division, led meeting participants through
a facilitated brainstorming session using the Results-Based Accountability performance measure
exercise. This exercise asks participants to brainstorm performance measures that answer the
questions: how much did we do, how well did we do it, and is anyone better off. The result of this
brainstorm is in Appendix B. To move towards the work plan goal, EHCIB members agreed to gather
information from constituents regarding what performance measure data is currently being collected.
Business Items
Participants discussed and made decisions about the following business items.
Progress on Action Items
All previous action items have been completed or are in-progress for completion.
Approve September Meeting Summary
The September 9, 2015 EHCIB meeting summary was presented for approval. John Weinand, City of
Minnetonka, made a motion to approve the summary. Daniel Huff, City of Minneapolis, seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously without discussion.
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 – November 16, 2015
2015 Community Health Conference Feedback
Several EHCIB members attended the 2015 Community Health Conference concurrent session that
Karen Swenson, Brown-Nicollet Counties, Allie Friedrichs, Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Counties, Tom
Hogan, and Steven Diaz, MDH, conducted. The concurrent session was about environmental public
health and the EHCIB and included a short presentation with the majority of the time spent in small
group discussion. Feedback from the small group discussions revealed that, although many feel that
the EHCIB is helping improve the state-local relationship, progress is slow and there is still a lot work to
be done for both MDH and the EHCIB to gain constituents’ trust and confidence. It was noted by
several meeting participants that it is hard to understand and feel the progress that has been made on
the state-local partnership unless one attends the meetings. EHCIB members will continue to
encourage others to attend EHCIB meetings and think about other ways to engage constituents.
Re-evaluation Process Updates
MDH has almost completed the Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (FPLS) program re-evaluation
process. The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) will formally gather
feedback from those involved about the FPLS program re-evaluation process. The feedback will be
used to improve the process in the future.
2016 EHCIB Meetings and Membership
The 2016 Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) meeting schedule is now
available. All meetings will be held from 9am-1:30pm at the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental
Trust building in St. Paul. Any changes will be announced on the EHCIB’s webpage.
 Wednesday, January 27, 2016
 Wednesday, March 9, 2016
 Wednesday, May 11, 2016
 Wednesday, July 13, 2016
 Wednesday, September 14, 2016
 Wednesday, November 9, 2016
The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) is in the process of filling the
following four (4) open EHCIB member positions by March 2016:
 Metro, locally run environmental health (EH) program – currently held by Jeff Travis,
Washington Community Health Board
 Non-metro, locally run EH program – currently held by Karen Swenson, Brown-Nicollet
Community Health Board
 City EH program – currently held by John Weinand, City of Minnetonka
 State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC) – currently held by Bill
Groskreutz, Faribault County
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 – November 16, 2015
City EH programs will choose their new representative. John Weinand, City of Minnetonka, will contact
city EH programs and ask them to select their new EHCIB representative prior to the next EHCIB
meeting in January. SCHSAC will choose its new representative. Health Partnerships Division staff,
MDH, will contact the SCHSAC coordinator about choosing its new representative prior to the next
EHCIB meeting in January. The Local Public Health Association (LPHA) is responsible for recruiting and
selecting representatives for the metro and non-metro locally run EH programs. Lorna Schmidt, LPHA,
shared that LPHA will discuss EHCIB member recruitment at its next meeting on Wednesday,
November 18, 2015. When the EHCIB first formed, LPHA recruited members via an application process.
If this process is used again, meeting participants expressed that LPHA may want to consider being
more transparent, over-communicating, clarifying selection criteria, and communicating with all
applicants why they were or were not chosen. Ms. Schmidt agreed to share these suggestions with
LPHA members.
Meeting participants briefly discussed transitioning new members into their roles. Everyone agreed
that the EHCIB’s March 2016 meeting will be the overlap meeting where both the out-going and new
members attend. Once the new members are known, the EHCIB will discuss other transition plans.
Member Updates
Mr. Hogan provided MDH updates:
 MDH, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Public Finance Agency leadership
along with the Governor’s office have been hosting listening sessions throughout the state on
drinking water and waste water infrastructure needs. These sessions are intended to formulate
a bonding proposal for the 2016 Legislative Session to support local communities’ water
infrastructure needs. Five greater Minnesota cities and three metro cities hosted the listening
sessions. Local community officials, legislators and water/waste water operators were invited
to attend and share information on their community systems and experiences.
MDA and MDH continue to develop and work on alignment strategies which include:
 Establishing a task force to assist in reviewing the methods of alignment and develop
implementation plans within the context of the voluntary national regulatory food program
standards
 Reviewing statutory and rule language as appropriate that would provide for alignment
 Clarifying the definition of retail food establishment
 Revising the Memorandum of Understanding between MDA and MDH regarding licensing of
food establishments under 28A and 157
 Aligning job descriptions and classifications for staff in MDA and MDH that are doing similar
work
 Planning to further address training, inspection, enforcement roles and responsibilities
 Improving and addressing differences in delegation to local agencies
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 – November 16, 2015
Word on the Street
 MDH shared the following in response to the rumor that the door to becoming a delegated
program has closed: Minnesota Statutes allows for the delegation of Drinking Water-Non
Community; Food, Pools and Lodging; and Well Construction programs to local jurisdictions to
provide these services directly. MDH’s goal in entering into these agreements is to ensure that
the local program does this work successfully and with a level of consistency across the state –
that concept is embedded in the statute. There are no date limitations provided for in the
statute for entering into a delegation agreement (see MS 145A.07). MDH staff are currently
working with Partnership4Health (P4H) to expand their existing delegation agreement for
Drinking Water-Non Community and Food, Pools, and Lodging. As the transition plan is
developed to expand this delegation agreement, MDH is working with P4H to create tools that
will help local programs and MDH with this process in the future. MDH is also in the preliminary
stages of discussing expanding the delegation agreement for South West Health and Human
Services (SWHHS). The work with P4H will help inform how we proceed with SWHHS.
Throughout these discussions we have come to appreciate the complexities of operating these
programs and the effort that it takes from the local program and MDH to ensure success.
 Ms. Swenson shared that there is a new environmental health manager group forming in
Southwest Minnesota. No one from the EHCIB has been formally invited to participate in the
group, but the group leaders have talked to Ms. Swenson about it. Meeting participants agreed
that it is concerning to see another group forming but it shows that the EHCIB still needs to
work on its communication and constituent engagement. Ms. Swenson will personally invite
and encourage leaders and participants in the new group to attend EHCIB meetings.
 MDH was able to dispel rumors that MDH and MDA disagree on the food code. The draft
language is posted and everyone is encouraged to review it and submit feedback now prior to
the rules hearing.
Constituent Engagement
The feedback from the community health conference session and information about a new
environmental health managers group led meeting participants to discuss constituent engagement.
EHCIB members noted that they often hear from the same constituents. Meeting participants noted
that there are still many misperceptions looming and that one thing the EHCIB members should do is
encourage and invite people to attend the meetings. Jeff Brown, City of Edina, offered that he is willing
to talk to people about the EHCIB and encourage them to attend meetings. Jeff noted that his
attendance at the EHCIB has changed his attitude towards the group and he feels welcome at
meetings.
Take-home Points, Action Items, and Adjournment
Meeting participants agreed on the following take-home points and action items.
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 – November 16, 2015
Take-home points:
 The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) approved a proposal for a
new Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (FPLS) program evaluation model. The key difference in
the evaluation model is that all programs will be evaluated on one standard at the same time;
evaluations will be conducted standard-by-standard vs. program-by-program. The EHCIB made
the following recommendations for implementing the new model:
o Use the existing FDA Food Program Standards and incorporate Minnesota specific
(MDH or MDA) criteria and elements where valuable. The existing FDA food program
standards serve as a good foundation and using them will promote MDH-MDA
alignment. In addition, the EHCIB would like to see MDH and MDA use consistent
program elements and evaluation processes.
o Initiate a workgroup to develop the new FPLS program evaluation process. This will
allow the new FPLS program evaluation process to roll-out efficiently and in partnership.
The EHCIB will work with MDH EH staff to develop a charter and recruit members; the
workgroup will begin work in March 2016.
o Implement a new program rating method – “meets” or “does not meet.” Since
programs will be evaluated over time the EHCIB recommends a status of “meets” or
“does not meet” be given to each program at the end of each standard review and then
an overall status after all standards have been reviewed.

One of the Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board’s (EHCIB) goals for 2015 is to
“establish a common understanding of a quality Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (FPLS)
program and develop corresponding metrics.” At its November meeting, the EHCIB worked
towards this goal by conducting a performance measure exercise where they answered the
following questions from a FPLS program perspective: How much do we do?; How well do we
do it?; and, Is anyone better off?. The exercise resulted in a list of potential FPLS program
performance measures. EHCIB members will gather information about the availability of data
for these measures prior to the next EHCIB meeting.

MDH has almost completed the Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (FPLS) program re-evaluation
process. The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) will formally gather
feedback from those involved about the FPLS program re-evaluation process. The feedback will
be used to improve the process in the future.

The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) is in the process of filling
the following four (4) open EHCIB member positions by March 2016:
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 – November 16, 2015
o Metro, locally run environmental health (EH) program – currently held by Jeff Travis,
Washington Community Health Board
o Non-metro, locally run EH program – currently held by Karen Swenson, Brown-Nicollet
Community Health Board
o City EH program – currently held by John Weinand, City of Minnetonka
o State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC) – currently held by Bill
Groskreutz, Faribault County
City EH programs will choose their new representative. SCHSAC will choose its new
representative. The Local Public Health Association (LPHA) is responsible for recruiting and
selecting representatives for the metro and non-metro locally run EH programs. If you are
interested in serving on the EHCIB contact your EHCIB representative for more information.

The Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) welcomes and appreciates
feedback and participation from others. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in all
EHCIB meetings.

The 2016 Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board (EHCIB) meeting schedule is
now available. All meetings will be held from 9am-1:30pm at the Minnesota Counties
Intergovernmental Trust building in St. Paul. Any changes will be announced on the EHCIB’s
webpage.
o Wednesday, January 27, 2016
o Wednesday, March 9, 2016
o Wednesday, May 11, 2016
o Wednesday, July 13, 2016
o Wednesday, September 14, 2016
o Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Action Items
 MDH EH staff and EHCIB members will develop the new FPLS program evaluation model
development workgroup charter, determine necessary resources, and begin recruitment for the
workgroup by the next EHCIB meeting in January 2016.
 EHCIB members will share their recommendations for the new FPLS program evaluation model
with constituents and gather feedback.
 EHCIB members, MDH EH staff, and Health Partnerships Division staff will develop a plan for
pilot-testing the possible new FPLS program evaluation model.
 EHCIB members will gather information from constituents regarding what performance
measure data is currently being collected.
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 – November 16, 2015




MDH EH staff, Health Partnerships Division staff, and EHCIB members will gather feedback from
participants in the FPLS program re-evaluation process.
John Weinand, Lorna Schmidt, and Health Partnerships Division staff will begin the recruitment
process for new EHCIB members for their respected groups.
MDH EH staff and Health Partnerships Division staff will develop a draft map/inventory of
existing environmental health committees, networking groups, forums, etc. for the EHCIB to
review at a future meeting.
Health Partnerships Division staff will update the EHCIB’s work plan online.
The next EHCIB meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 9am-1:30pm 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 | 10
Appendix A: Draft of new model for the FPLS Program Evaluation Process
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 | 11
Appendix B: FPLS Performance Measure Brainstorm Results
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 | 12