HomeMy WebLinkAboutNutrition Advisory Council - Minutes - 9/21/2020 1
BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
NUTRITION ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Courthouse Conference Room A, via Phone Conference
September 21, 2020
3:44 p.m.
Committee Members Present
via Conference Call: Lynette Benzschawel, Martha Oie, Sam Ray, Betty Schell,
David Zepczyk
Committee Member Excused: Karen Anderson
Committee Member Absent: Richard Kemmer, Red Cliff Representative
Staff Present
via Conference Call: Carrie Linder, Jane Cook, Elizabeth Skulan
Call to Order and Introductions
Linder called the meeting to order at 3:44 p.m. No introductions were made.
Discussion and Possible Action-Review of July 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Benzschawel to approve the July 27, 2020 Minutes, second by Schell. Motion carried.
2021 Budget – Status of Requests and Recommendations
The department budget was presented at the last DHS Board meeting and to the Executive
Committee. Linder reviewed GWAAR Budget and a comparison between 2020 and 2021.
There is a decrease for congregate meals of $20,000 due to not hosting the traditional congregate
sites in 2021.
The HDM meal budget was increased by $88,400. Several factors are driving that. Grab and Go
meals must be categozied as HDM, as we are provding seniors nutrition but in a different way than
traditional congregate meals. The Federal government has relaxed the eligibility criteria so anyone
60 and over is now eligibile for this service if they are self-isolating. Participants in the Cable and
surrounding area started receivng 6 rather than 4 meals per week in mid April. Deliveries occur
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, two meals each day vs. Monday through Thursday, with one meal
each day. Volunteers who deliver, and seniors receiving the meals have reported liking the change.
DOT –Increase is due to an increase in the allocation and subsequent increase in the local match.
Home Chore and Elder Abuse- no change.
DOT Trust - $40,300 electric bus match and charging station. Special project grant with BART and
the trust fund will provide the match for local share. Unit to be installed somewhere on county
property for BART and the community at large to use.
Total increase for the GWAAR budget is $94,927.
Closure of Port Wing Congregate Meal Site – Review and Recommendations
Grab and Go began in Iron River and Port Wing late spring. Linder received notice from Bear Paw
Café owners in Port Wing, in July that they were going to close their doors and provided Linder with
30 day notice. They were going to offer the service through September but then stated August 28
was their last day of service. When a meal site closes, a formal process normally takes place to
obtain feedback, analyze data, seek other options, etc. The notification did not allow for this process
DRAFT: Subject to change at
the December meeting.
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to fully occur. Linder reviewed the completed Dining Center Closure Approval Form with members.
At this time, this is considered to be a permanent closure with the date of closure for August 28, 2020.
Linder recommended revisiting reopening of a congregate site occur after winter and focus on
contacting those who are at high nutritional risk, low income, and living alone to discuss what
assistance may be available to them.
Motion for recommendation for the closure of the PW meal site.
Motion by Schell, to close Port Wing Meal Site and focus efforts on those people in high nutritional
risk, low poverty level, and living alone, second by Oie. Motion approved.
Home Delivered Meal Program – Route Project
Linder gave a brief history and backgound on the HDM routes. Cable Lions have been providing
delivery in the Cable/Namekagon area. Red Cliff Elderly Program has been providing delivery to the
area around the Red Cliff tribe. Two Bayfield County drivers cover the remainder of the county. With
the pandemic, an increase in the number of meals being served brings concern as routes are long
and getting longer for the two county employed drivers. Drivers start at Chartwells of Northland
College at 8:15 and end their day by 3:00. The length of time meals are held at the proper
temperature affects quality. Linder is hopeful she will work with the UWEX Office with the purpose of
exploring different options on how meals can be delivered. This project is to improve the quality of
the meal and meet safety needs for the consumers and drivers.
Nutrition Program Updates
A. Grab and Go – Brief review by Linder.
B. Comments from HDM participants – Linder briefly reviewed Satisfaction Survey Results from HDM
participants. One ongoing request is removal of spinach. Currently working with the vendor to
come up with some different options to incorporate it into main entrees. Ashland County Aging
Unit has historically taken the lead on designing the menus and having them analyzed by a
dietician to ensure nutritional content is being met. Always a fine balance to address nutritional
needs and those who are trying to eat something dictated by their doctor or by their own palette.
No easy task to meet everyone’s preferences and dietetic needs.
C. Review number of meals for 2nd Quarter of 2020 – Brief discussion. Congregate meals have not
been provided since April. Cable meal count increased due to provision of 6 meals per week from
4/week. A significant decrease in Red Cliff area; will continue to reach out to elders in that area.
A general increase across a majority of the county.
D. Resuming vegetarian options for some routes – had been providing vegetarian options prior to
pandemic. Will hopefully resume in October. Comments show consumers are receptive to this
option.
Other (Informational Items)
COVID Operations – Ample PPE for staff in place. Go kits available if entry into home is warranted.
Just ordered goggles (eye protection) for ENP staff use.
Future Meeting Date
Next meeting: December 7, 2020 follows ADAC Meeting scheduled earlier for same day.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 4:31 p.m. by Zepczyk, second by Ray. Motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jane M. Cook, Clerk III
07/28/2020