City of Milwaukee Board of Health meeting minutes — April 1, 2026

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Call to Order

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes from 3/4/26

Community Updates

Communication from Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis

Board Bylaw Review

Improving Branch Collaborations & Assignments

Future Agenda Items

Adjournment

Board Member Dr. Ian Martin motioned to adjourn, Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:58.

Communication relating to the documents submitted to the Board of Health for its meetings in 2026.

Agenda Item

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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Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm.

Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang announced MHD’s recognition by the Public Health Accreditation Board. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom highlighted that early voting was ongoing and election day is on Tuesday. Board Member Ericka Sinclair stated that City on a Hill is closing. Board Member Alderwoman Taylor asked if the reason was known. Board Member Ericka Sinclair said the reason was stated to be financial. The last day of operations will be April 3. Board Member Penelope Stewart asked if they had reached out to the FQHCs about transitioning patients – Board Member Ericka Sinclair said she thought they had not. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin said Ascension was hosting "Medical Mission at Home" on May 2 at St Margaret’s Elementary school with free dental and medical exams. https://about.ascension.org/news/2026/04/ascension-wisconsin-to-host-medical-mission-at-home-in-milwaukee Chair Dr.Wujie Zhang said the Steering & Rules committee on Monday (4/6 at 1:30pm) will consider designating the City as a Certified Sensory Inclusive City.

a. Lead (standing item) Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD continues working with MPS and NOVIR to do advanced screenings. Congresswoman Moore’s office has allocated $750k for testing. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD intended to present summary data soon on the clinics. MHD has been working with the CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention team – documenting what happened last year and advanced surveillance as a best practice b. CHAP Commissioner Totoraitis presented CHAP enrollment and renewal data through February 2026. He highlighted the seasonal peaks for re-enrollment. Commissioner Totoraitis spoke to concerns with decreased volume of foot traffic into clinics as well as health insurance subsidies ending. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD’s data mimics similar trends at the county level. There are concerns about work requirements in 2027 further decreasing enrollment. MHD encourages currently enrolled clients to ensure their information is up to date so MHD can contact them successfully for re-enrollment. MHD has emphasized communicating information around the upcoming changes. MHD recommends people establish a relationship with a navigator/support program so they can ask questions about the many rapid changes. Call MHD’s CHAP program with questions, free of charge: 414-286-8620 Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom said work requirements may come into effect as early as October and encouraged CHAP to be up to date on eligibility for immigrant communities. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom asked about CHAP’s virtual options. Commissioner Totoraitis said the best solution was to call – staff can make arrangements for calls or video visits.

The Board will make motions to alter the current rules and regulations. At the next meeting, the Board will receive the corrected version and approve it at that time. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang brought up the duties of the Chair and amending current bylaws to make the communication function of the chair more explicit. (1) Change language to chair and vice chair rather than president -Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom moved to update the language. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin seconded. The motion passed with all in favor and none opposed. (2) Clarify Chair’s duty on media to match DHS language: “speak for the Board as delegated by the Board” into (4.3f) -Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom moved, Dr. Martin seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed. (3) Board Member Dr. Darlene Beck spoke to section 4.7 regarding orientation and said there was a need for a more formal orientation process. -Board Members considered leaving the bylaws as is but altering practice. -Board Member Dr. Ian Martin suggested the Board Chair could help with the day to day elements of onboarding, such as a pre-meeting conversation with new members. - Add “prior to attending their first meeting” considered as an amendment (4) Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked if anything in the bylaws allowed for public comment. -Board can notice on the agenda for public comment. Board discussed adding explicit reference to public comment in the sections of the agenda about the Chair setting the agenda (4.3.d) and 5.2 -Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom rescinded her motion to alter Section 5.6 to include “public comment” in Board of Health agendas until there’s input from city clerk. To be discussed next meeting. (5) Board Member Dr. Ian Martin asked to confirm if there is any other requirements about conflicts of interests/declaring them. Commissioner Totoraitis said this referred to the statement of economic interest. In past situations, the member brings any issue to the chair and Commissioner, who brings it to the city attorney, and then the issue may be referred to ethics board. - Staff will check with City Clerk. .

Tabled due to time.

(a) continue discussion on bylaws (b) finish branch assignments (c) CHA - Roadshow Series (d) Youth Council for STI Support

Vice Chair Tahira Malik motioned to approve, Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.