City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 3, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Amend the City Code to Accomplish Changes to the Public Health Advisory Commission’s Membership. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Council consideration of an ordinance to amend and reordain Article V (Public Health Advisory Commission) of Chapter 4 (Committees, Boards and Commissions) of Title 2 (General Government) of the City Code to change the composition of the Public Health Advisory Commission.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That the City Council hold the public hearing and adopt the ordinance on final passage on Saturday, June 13.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION: The Public Health Advisory Commission is currently composed of 14 members representing the following: Three (3) citizen members who shall be health professionals; Five (5) citizen members who shall not be health professionals; One (1) physician practicing in the City; One (1) dentist practicing in the City; One (1) representative from the Alexandria Community Services Board; One (1) representative from the Inova Alexandria Hospital; One (1) representative from the Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services; and One (1) representative from the city’s office of emergency preparedness.
Due to a desire to broaden its base, and the change over time in the titles of member groups, the Public Health Advisory Commission requests that its membership be revised. The background for each change is as follows:
• The change of “Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc, Board of Directors” to “Neighborhood Health, Board of Directors” to reflect the name change of that organization.
• The change of the “a representative from the city’s office of emergency preparedness, nominated by the city manager” to “a representative from the city’s Fire Department, nominated by the city manager”, the Commission requests this change to the roster to provide for greater flexibility with who could represent emergency preparedness efforts in Alexandria. This request is supported by the Commission.
• The creation of a new position which would include “a representative from the Alexandria City School Board, nominated by such board”. The Commission requests this change to the roster because of the natural synergy of the two groups, as ACPS works to further a healthy environment and healthy lifestyles among its students. This request is supported by the Commission, as well as Karen Graf, School Board Chair.
• The creation of a new position which would include “a representative from the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Steering Committee, nominated by such committee.” The Commission requests this change to the roster to ensure continued collaboration between the Commission and the Partnership for years to come. Currently, the Chair of the Partnership’s Steering Committee attends Commission meetings and provides valuable insight on efforts to develop and implement health related projects in the City. It is critical that a strong collaboration exist between the Commission and the Partnership as the Commission addresses public health policy issues in the City and the Partnership works to implement them. This request is supported by the Commission and Allen Lomax, Chair of the Partnership’s Steering Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be no fiscal impact associated with this ordinance change.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Ordinance Cover
Attachment 2: Ordinance
STAFF:
Dr. Stephen Haering, Director, Alexandria Health Department
Diana Sanchez, Executive Administrative Assistant, Alexandria Health Department
James Banks, City Attorney
Mary O’Donnell, Assistant City Attorney
Jackie Henderson, City Clerk/Clerk of the Council
Meredith Taylor, Chair, Public Health Advisory Commission