BOARD OF HEALTH

Agenda

1. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.
2. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang welcomed new Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin. Dr. Irum Ziauddin introduced herself and her background to the rest of the Board. Board Member Ericka Sinclair highlighted the success of the Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit on November 1, commending City Staff Darryl Davidson and Robert Walker (MHD).
3. Public Health Strategists Hannah Trasser (Food Systems) and Amanda Richman (Housing & Transportation) presented on the MKE Built Environment Action Team, including an overview of MKE Elevate, main topics of the Built Environment work (healthy housing, transportation and active spaces, and food justice), recent projects, and further exploration of the ideas of proactive housing inspection, Vision Zero, and the current food and fund drive. Public Health Strategist Amanda Richman highlighted the Engage MKE page for public comment on proposed built environment projects. Public Health Strategist Amanda Richman highlighted that next Saturday is the World Day of Remembrance for traffic loss. Flyers will be shared with the Board. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked if medical providers could also report issues with housing to DNS. Public Health Strategist Amanda Richman answered that anyone could call in a complaint, citing an example in which the RON Coalition has previously submitted complaints. Complainants need a thorough description of the issue and the address. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked about the capacity of Tricklebee Café’s mutual aid food refrigerator. Public Health Strategic Hannah Trasser said that the fridge was limited and it was important to avoid overwhelming the capacity. Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked about how this information is shared with the community. Public Health Strategist Amanda Richman answered that MKE Elevate sent out a regular newsletter as well as a Built Environment-specific newsletter. MKE Elevate also runs its own social media. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang encouraged all board member to attend MKE Elevate meetings.
4. Commissioner Totoraitis updated the Board on the Council Member vacancy, reporting that the Mayor’s Office has not heard back yet. Commissioner Totoraitis spoke of the recent city-lead food and fund drive in light of the shutdown-driven issues with SNAP benefits. It is unclear about how soon litigation will result in restoration of any level of SNAP benefits. As of current knowledge, WIC appears to be funded through this month. MHD is awaiting confirmation of award of federal grants. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom mentioned Milwaukee County plans to propose amending its budget (150k) in contingency funding for food assistance. Board Member Ericka Sinclair thanked MHD and asked to be told if there was any way the Board could support. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked how many people had accessed the food drive yet. Public Health Strategist Hannah Trasser said that information was not available yet as pick-ups are still occurring. Commissioner Totoraitis gave an update on opioid settlement funds (OSF). MHD is putting together a broad 5-year budget for OSF. That file has not been brought before Common Council yet but expected late November. Commissioner Totoraitis suggested this budget could be presented to the Board as a future agenda item. Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked if OSF was different than JUUL settlement funding. Commissioners Totoraitis confirmed they were separate and that JUUL settlement funding was housed within the Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) and focused on tobacco cessation. Commissioner Totoraitis noted the Director of OAAA would also be on the OSF work group. Commissioner Totoraitis said that the request for proposals (RFP) is out for the Maternal and Child Health Strategic Plan. Commissioner Totoraitis will later ask the Board to weigh in on the plan during its development.
5. Board Member Dr. Darlene Beck recently met with Deputy Commissioner Jefflyn Brown, sharing the food drive flyer as well as information on hiring for Public Health Nurses. There have been shortages of Bicillin (for treatment of syphilis) but MHD has inventory for now.
6. a. Improving Branch Collaborations / Branch Collaboration Assignments (tentative hold for February) b. OSF Budget c. CHAP update (tentative hold for February) Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang proposed to cancel the January meeting due to the holidays.
7. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang motioned to adjourn, Board Member Dr. Ian Martin seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:56 pm.
8. Vice Chair Tahira Malik motioned to approve, Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.
9. This meeting will be in-person with a virtual option. Please join from your computer, tablet or smartphone using the link provided below or by calling the number provided. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86995479556?pwd=5ZDur1AT3dlznN7xsUaUxbbmSqbO22.1 Meeting ID: 869 9547 9556 Passcode: 111270 One tap mobile +13092053325,,86995479556#,,,,*111270# US +13126266799,,86995479556#,,,,*111270# US (Chicago)
10. Untitled item
11. Call to Order
12. Roll Call
13. Approval of Minutes from October 1, 2025
14. Community Updates
15. Communication from Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis
16. MKE Elevate Built Environment Presentation by Public Health Strategists Amanda Richman and Hannah Trasser
17. Branch Collaboration Items
18. Future Agenda Items
19. Adjournment
20. Untitled item
21. 241393 Communication relating to the documents submitted to the Board of Health for its meetings in 2025.
    Communication
22. Untitled item
23. In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting.
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