Los Angeles City Health Commission Minutes

 

Monday, July 13, 2020

 

JOHN FERRARO COUNCIL CHAMBER ROOM 340, CITY HALL 200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 - 6:00 PM

Roll Call

Meeting started at 6:02 p.m.

 

Members Present:  Avila, Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, Sirota, and Whittington (11); Absent:  Lemus (1); Vacant:  Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)

 

Approval of the Minutes from March 9, 2020.

 

Minutes from the March 9, 2020 meeting were approved.

 

Motion:  Shannon - Avila

 

Ayes:  Avila, Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Mandel, and Shannon (6); Absent:  Lemus (1); Abstentions:  Kato, Khalfani, Ossey, and Sirota (4); Vacant:  Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)

 

ITEM NO.(1)

Presentation by Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, Professor and Chief of UCLA Medicine-Pediatrics, Director of UCLA Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health, and Associate Director of UCLA Preventive Medicine, relative to reopening Los Angeles schools during the Coronavirus pandemic; and possible Commission action.

 

Dr. Kuo provided a PowerPoint presentation and discussed the effectiveness of distance learning for children in low-income and minority households, and the impact of social distancing on the mental health of vulnerable children.  Dr. Kuo responded to questions from the Commissioners.

 

Members Present:  Avila, Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, Sirota, and Whittington (11); Absent: Lemus (1); Vacant: Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)

 

ITEM NO.(2)

Presentation by Arturo Valdez, Deputy Superintendent, Los Angeles County Office of Education, relative to the Los Angeles County plan to reopen Los Angeles schools during the Coronavirus pandemic; and possible Commission action.

 

Mr. Valdez discussed the considerations in the decision-making process of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, in determining the opening of schools for in-classroom instruction, and the influence of stakeholders such as the unions.  Mr. Valdez responded to questions from the Commissioners.

 

Members Present:  Avila, Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, Sirota, and Whittington (11); Absent: Lemus (1); Vacant: Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)

 

ITEM NO.(3)

Items for future discussion.

 

Commissioners discussed the importance of further discussing the role of income disparity in the transmission of COVID-19, and the need for the allocation of funding to the Commission, in order to properly advise the Mayor and City Council on health issues affecting the City.

 

Members Present:  Avila, Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, Sirota, and Whittington (11); Absent: Lemus (1); Vacant: Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)

 

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

Motion: Shannon - Sirota

 

Ayes:  Avila, Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (10); Absent: Lemus (1); Vacant: Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)