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)
Agenda Item
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes from December 3, 2025
Community Updates
Presentation of DHS 140 Level III Certification by DHS Southeast Region Director Matthew Collie
Presentation of the City of Milwaukee Substance Use Response Strategy and Budget by Commissioner Totoraitis and MFD Chief Aaron Lipski
Communication from Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis
Future Agenda Items
Adjournment
Communication relating to the documents submitted to the Board of Health for its meetings in 2026.
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.
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact the City Clerk's Office ADA Coordinator at 286-2998, (FAX)286-3456, (TDD)286-2025 or by writing to the Coordinator at Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information.
Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street.
Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Associated Bank River Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier.
Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances are required to register with the City Clerk's Office License Division. Registered lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.
Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm.
Vice Chair Tahira Malik motioned to approve, Dr. Martin seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.
Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang shared that Vice Chair Tahira Malik was recognized by MKE Elevate’s Safe & Supportive Communities group at the End of Year Celebration.
Board Member Ericka Sinclair shared information about the upcoming Black Health Day MKE 2026 (2/7) and the 4th Annual Intergenerational Colorectal & Prostate Cancer Awareness Health Fair and Charity Basketball Game (3/14).
Link to flyer: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jvxegsb/lp/cb7b0a95-7d0a-4b09-bb3f-f3d473aff4fc
Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom highlighted two resources, the Know Your Rights webpages at the city and county level:
City - https://city.milwaukee.gov/cityclerk/know-your-rights-and-available-resources
County - https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Know-Your-Rights
DHS Southeast Region Director Matthew Collie presented Commissioner Totoraitis and the Board with a plaque representing MHD's continued certification as a Level III Health Department after its latest DHS 140 review. Director Collie highlighted MHD's commitment to health equity and organizational change.
Commissioner Totoraitis and Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski presented an Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) Strategy update, including priorities, contextual tools & frameworks, collaborative work group membership, the Continuum of Care, and budget requests (overall and across the Continuum of Care).
Q&A
Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked about the timeframe of implementation. Commissioner Totoraitis said there had been spending of OSF between MHD and MFD already; however, this plan looking forward is over a multi-year timeline.
Board Member Dr. Ian Martin asked about the status of the fund. Commissioner Totoraitis said different settlements are still coming in so the total was not yet known.
Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang highlighted the recovery element in the budget. Public Health Strategist Anna Narvey explained the subtotal lines in each of the 4 areas reflect the budget allocation from each of the respective departments.
Board Member Tahira Malik thanked MHD and MFD for the plan. She asked about future partnership with treatment facilities. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD does not have an active contract with a recovery facility right now but is open to it in the future. Senior Public Health Strategist Anna Narvey explained the budget indicated spending in treatment space itself but not necessarily direct treatment – other counterparts would be providing direct service. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD’s role was not to duplicate the role of the county/healthcare system on OSF. Chief Aaron Lipski said previous grants for MORI were restrictive about how and when to put individuals into treatment and that he was interested in how OSF might support this in the future.
(A) STI Clinic
Commissioner Totoraitis provided an update on the STI Clinic. MHD is planning to reopen the clinic the week of the 16th, and the clinic will be fully staffed after offer for a Nurse Practitioner. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD wants to hire another NP/PA-level practitioner.
Commissioner Totoraitis indicated there was potential future partnership with health systems for the STI clinic's work.
Commissioner Totoraitis thanked Deputy Commissioner Jefflyn Brown, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health Naomi Jenkins, and HR Director Lindsey O’Connor, as well as Director Jackie Carter and Kristin Urban of the Department of Employee Relations for their dedicated work around the clinic reopening and hiring efforts.
Board Member Ericka Sinclair congratulated MHD on the progress it has made with the clinic.
(b) MCH Strategic Plan
Commissioner Totoraitis shared that MHD has entered into a contract with P3 Consulting. The kickoff steering committee meeting occurred this week. There will be an upcoming data scan and a future feedback role for the Board. It is intended for the plan to be done early summer. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD is hoping to apply additional funding to implementation and will update the more next month. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD had onboarded a new Deputy Commissioner of Family & Community Health, Lori Plahmer.
Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked about the Board’s involvement in the MCH Strategic Plan. Commissioner Totoraitis said the consultant will be reaching out to the Board to interview the Board and for feedback about a month from now.
(a) Improving Branch Collaborations / Branch Collaboration Assignments
(b) Review Board's bylaws
(c) CHAP update
(d) Introducing new FCH Deputy Commissioner Lori Plahmer
(e) Presentation of the CHA
(f) Dr. Ian Martin requested a lead update
(g) Board Member Ericka Sinclair requested a discussion on how the Board can have public comment be a regular of Board work
(h) Board Member Ericka Sinclair requested a discussion of ICE operations
Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang motioned to adjourn, Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin seconded the motion,
and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:58 pm.