Board of Health meeting summary

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Agenda Item

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Continued Bylaw Review

Communication from Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis

Community Updates

Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 1, 2026

Roll Call

Call to Order

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

Future Agenda Items

Improving Branch Collaborations and Assignments

Adjournment

Agenda Item

Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.

Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang announced the Board had received the Board of the Year Award from WALHDAB. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang thanked the Board for their work. There will be an award ceremony during the WALHDAB conference. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang said Penelope Stewart has resigned from the Board. The Board acknowledges her service. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom said the DHS is hosting a “Partner Webinar on Federally Required Changes to Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens” on May 12 at 1 pm: https://dhswi.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_BAZGfkCmRd-BXfHwe4as2w#/registration Commissioner Totoraitis announced it was National Nurses Appreciation Week. Board Member Dr. Darlene Beck said the Hoan Bridge would be lit up in honor of the event. Board Member Ericka Sinclair congratulated Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang on his MSOE award for Advisor of the Year. Board Member Ericka Sinclair said on June 6 there will be a community healthcare access day at Washington Park.

a. Lead Commissioner Totoraitis said Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Health Tyler Weber would come to present to the Board in the near future for a more in depth lead update. Commissioner Totoraitis highlighted the recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel series on lead poisoning. Commissioner Totoraitis reported that enforcement has improved; QI has improved court success with the City Attorney’s Office. No cases have been dismissed since August. Commissioner Totoraitis also clarified MHD’s available funding is aimed at supporting children in the home, focusing on holding landlords with capital accountable for repairs. At the federal level, Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD had received $750k from HUD via Congresswoman Moore’s office for supporting lead screening clinics and related work. Commissioner Totoraitis highlighted the success of the recent CDC site visit and possible future presentation to the CDC in September. MHD is working on publication with CDC to highlight the work for peer organizations. Commissioner Totoraitis thanked COLE for their work on parent engagement. MHD is on track to spend ARPA funding by October. b. Opioid Settlement Plan On April 30th, MHD and the Fire Department’s plan for allocating the City’s Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) was heard in front of the Public Safety & Health Committee. Commissioner Totoraitis thanked Alderwoman Taylor for her work on that committee and President Perez for his feedback. Commissioner Totoraitis said there would be regular reporting to the Board on the impact of strategies and contracts MHD pursues. One change since MHD and MFD last presented to the Board was the inclusion of the Department of Community Wellness and Safety in the OSF allocation, particularly the existing Credible Clinicians program; MHD is also interested in amplifying their work with youth for health education. MHD has worked to create templates for small grants in the community. The file goes before the full Common Council on May 12th. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang thanked the Council for their current support of the file and also emphasized the need for at least annual reporting to the Board. He reiterated that the Board is ready to support in any way. Board Member Alderwoman Taylor wanted to highlight a program in Utah called the “Other Side Village” that provides a tiny home village, counseling, and education. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin compared it to the Veterans Community Project as a similar idea. Vice Chair Tahira Malik asked about the overall stated purpose of the OSF. Commissioner said it depended on the particular fund. Some are very broad. Others specify usage. MHD aims to fund a wide variety of strategies across the Continuum of Care. MHD will be funding community groups and internally will fund staff members doing substance use work, Narcan distribution, training, etc. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom asked about MHD intends to ensure the funding is coordinated across the organizations being funded and other governmental entities. Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD has a work group with representation and understanding of the Milwaukee landscape. MHD continues coordinating with DHHS and has received a letter of support from Shakita LaGrant-McClain on our partnership. Public Health Strategist Anna Narvey sits on the selection committee for the County to ensure we have visibility on what the County is funding.

Board members have the updated bylaw copy with edits from last meeting. Vice Chair Tahira Malik motioned to approve, and Board Member Dr. Ian Martin seconded. The motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.

Board Members would like to keep current format. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang suggests the Board add MKE Elevate as a separate assignment. Board assignments are as follows: Office of the Commissioner: Dr. Wujie Zhang, Tahira Malik, Ericka Sinclair Policy, Innovation, and Equity: Ald. Taylor, Caroline Gomez Tom Family and Community Health: Dr. Irum Ziauddin Clinical Services: Dr. Ian Martin: Dr. Darlene Beck, Ericka Sinclair Environmental Health: Caroline Gomez Tom MKE Elevate: Caroline Gomez Tom, Dr. Wujie Zhang, Tahira Malik The Board would like to establish a Standard Operating Procedure for meeting with their assignments, particularly the frequency of meeting with Deputy. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked about the objective of the meetings with branches. Board Member Ericka Sinclair said it’s about staying connected with the Branch, highlighting departmental successes with the community, and providing community connections to the health department in turn. Board Member Ericka Sinclair suggested Board members meet 3x a year at minimum with their assigned branch. Commissioner said it’s helpful for our staff to have a regular cadence. Deputies will be informed of the new assignments and to expect meeting requests.

- Youth Council for STI Support - Scales Neighborhood Nursing Update - Board Elections in September Chair Zhang asked if the Board want to alter the schedule for the summer. Board Member Dr. Ian Martin suggested cancelling the July and August meetings. Chair Zhang and Vice Chair Malik will be unavailable during the June meeting. A designee will run the meeting. Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang reminded everyone Board elections will be in September.

Vice Chair Tahira Malik motioned to adjourn, Board Member Dr. Ian Martin seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:50pm.

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