04/02/1997
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Mr. Keith Elmore, Chairman, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover
County Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 1997, in
the Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium, New Hanover County Health Department,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members Present:
W. Keith Elmore, RPh, Chairman
Mary King Dean, Vice Chairman
Michael E. Goins, OD
William O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Anne Braswell Rowe
William T. Steuer, PE, RLS
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Robert G. Greer
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
Others Present:
Lynda F. Smith, Acting Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation:
Mrs. Anne Rowe gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Mr. Elmore called for corrections to the minutes of March 5, 1997. The Board of Health
approved the minutes.
Recognitions:
Staff Recognitions
Ms. Smith recognized the following health department employees:
Twenty Year Service Award
Clarence Riley, Vector Control Field Operator, Vector Control
New Employee
John Starck, Animal Control Officer, Animal Control Services
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Department Focal:
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New Hanover County Health Department Involvement in Video for Deaf Entitled:
"Protect Your Baby - Have the HIV Test"
Dr. Ann F. Wolfe, MD, MPH, Director, Maternal and Child Health, Department of
Environment, Health and Natural Resources (DEHNR), presented the department focal.
She advised the Board of Health that the Women's Health Care Division of New Hanover
County Health Department was one of five local health departments which developed a
video for the deaf entitled Protect Your Baby - Have the HIV Test to be shown in North
Carolina local health departments and on television for the hearing impaired.
Ms. Shelia Cromer, Nurse Consultant, Women's Health Section, Division of Maternal and
Child Health, DEHNR, recognized and commended Mrs. Betty Jo McCorkle, Women's
Health Service Director, and staff members involved in this project for the development of
the script and video which was shown during the department focal.
Committee Reports:
Environmental Health Committee
The Environmental Health Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 18. A report is I
to be given at the May Board of Health meeting.
Executive Committee
Mr. Elmore, Chairman, Executive Committee, reported the Executive Committee met at
6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24. Items to be discussed are on today's Board of Heath
agenda.
Unfinished Business:
There was no unfinished business.
New Business:
Request to Submit Partnership for Children Applications for Smart Start Funding
Mr. Elmore informed the Board of recommendations from the Executive Committee for the
New Hanover County Board of Health to approve and to recommend to the New Hanover
County Commissioners the approval of the submission of the following Partnership for I
Children Applications for Smart Start Funding:
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Injury Prevention For A Safer Community
Mr. Elmore recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve the Injury Prevention For A Safer Community Application for a grant to provide
injury prevention initiatives and a Health Educator I position (salary - $25,272) to focus on
childhood injures. The first year funding request is $46,951.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore moved from the Executive Committee for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to approve the Partnership for Children Application For Smart Start
Funding For Injury Prevention For A Safer Community to focus on childhood injuries and
to include a Health Educator I position. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Nutrition Services for Preschool Day Care Program
Mr. Elmore recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve the Nutrition Services for Preschool Day Care Program Application for a grant to
to provide nutritional screening, education, and counseling to improve the nutritional status
of children age 0-5 years. The request includes a Nutritionist III position (salary $27,914)
with a total budget of $44,234.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore moved from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve the Partnership for Children Application For Smart Start Funding for Nutrition
Services for Preschool Day Care Program to improve the nutritional status of children
ages 0-5 years of low socioeconomic status and to include a Nutritionist III position.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Right Step for Dental Health
Mr. Elmore recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve the Right Step for Dental Health Application for a grant to provide dental
screening, education, and counseling for children age 0-5 years of low socioeconomic
status; to include a Public Health Dental Hygienist position (salary $27,914) with a total
budget of $55,416.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore moved from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve the Partnership for Children Right Step for Dental Health Application for a grant
to provide dental screening, education, and counseling for children age 0-5 to include a
Public Health Dental Hygienist position. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Smith advised the Board the Partnership for Children Smart Start Funding is not
included in the NHCHD FY97-98 Budget, but will be added if the grants are approved.
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Resolution Requesting the North Carolina General Assembly to Amend Portions of
Chapter 143. Article 64: Smoking in Public Places
Mr. Elmore recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve a Resolution Requesting the North Carolina General Assembly to Amend Portions
of Chapter 143, Article 64: Smoking in Public Places. This resolution is to amend current
legislation and is to be sent to the New Hanover County legislators requesting them to take
action in the 1997 General Assembly to amend General Statutes to provide that local
boards of health may adopt Smoking Control Rules for their respective counties.
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MOTION: Mr. Elmore moved from the Executive Committee for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to approve a Resolution Requesting the North Carolina General Assembly
to Amend Portions of Chapter 143, Article 64: Smoking in Public Places. (Attachment #1
is a copy of the resolution and is incorporated in and is a part of these minutes.) Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
-ª- Aye
---L Nay - Mrs. Dean
Animal Control Trust Fund Changes
Mr. Elmore recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
approve the revision of the Animal Control Services Trust Fund to permit expenditure of
the fund for capital outlays, spay/neuter programs with local veterinary hospitals, pet I
parks, and pet adoptions. The present code allows funding of only capital outlay
expenditures.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore moved from the Executive Committee for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to approve and to recommend to the New Hanover County Commissioners
the approval of the revision to the New Hanover County Code, Section 3-21: Animal
Control Services Trust Fund to state: "The trust account shall be for the use of animal
control capital outlays, spay/neuter programs with local veterinary hospitals, pet parks, and
programs to increase pet adoptions. 11 Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Animal Control Services Ad Hoc Committee Report to County Commissioners
Ms. Smith summarized the Animal Control Services (ACS) Ad Hoc Committee report and
recommendations to be referred to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners on
Monday, April 21, 1997. For several months the Ad Hoc Committee has evaluated ACS
operations and a summary of the committee recommendations follows:
· Transfer billing and collection of ACS licenses to the New Hanover County Finance
Department. Past due accounts are to be handled by the County Legal Department.
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Develop an automated system which allows electronic transmission of information
from the veterinarians offices to the County.
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When responding to wild animal sightings, ACS officers should become involved only
when a wild animal has bitten or come in contact with a domestic animal, or when
a domestic animal has bitten another domestic animal. Other two available options
to concerned citizens are North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officer or
the Wild Animal Damage Control. There is a charge for this service.
· Continue telephone system review to insure its adequacy for the volume of calls.
· Discontinue using mounted radios in ACS officers' truck.
· Establish a new schedule for coverage by the ACS officers and the operation of the
ACS Shelter which allows various levels of service seven days a week.
· Develop a comprehensive public awareness and education program.
Mr. Steuer expressed concern regarding the handling of potentially rabid animals as
presented in the Ad Hoc Committee recommendations. From his interpretation of media
coverage, he stated there is a rabies epidemic in our county, and this issue has not been
adequately addressed. Mr. Steuer questioned if it is not the responsibility of ACS to
answer wildlife calls, whose responsibility is it?
Mr. Steuer reiterated there is a void, and that either ACS or wildlife staff should respond
to rabid animal calls. He advised potentially rabid animals should be removed from the
population and a prompt response to these calls is necessary. Mrs. Dean inquired who
or what agency does fill this void?
Mr. Elmore reported the ACS Ad Hoc Committee is addressing domestic and wild animal
issues including rabies. It is the Board of Health's responsibility to strive to prevent the
spread of rabies and protect the public's health. The public must be educated to call 911
and must understand Animal Control Services responsibilities according to current policy
regarding potentially rabid animals.
Discussion was held on how to educate the public on ACS issues. Mrs. Dean suggested
for the Health Promotions Committee of the Board of Health to address these concerns.
Mrs. Whitted proposed placing rabies educational bookmarks in schools, churches, and
libraries in New Hanover County.
Mr. Elmore advised the development of a Comprehensive Public Awareness and
Education Program is included in recommendations of the ACS Ad Hoc Committee Report.
Mrs. Denise Houghton, Health Promotions Director, reported an ACS Public Awareness
and Education Program is being developed by the ACS Advisory Committee and a
committee from ACS and Health Promotions Staff. Mr. Elmore suggested perhaps the
county public information officer may also assist with this educational project.
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Mr. Currie reported the ACS staff is daily involved in rabies educational initiatives including
distribution of brochures, speaking to civic and senior citizen groups, and presenting rabies I
control puppet shows to schools and groups. Also, rabies is taught in health sessions in
New Hanover County Schools.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore moved from the Executive Committee for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to approve and to recommend to the New Hanover County Commissioners
the approval of the recommendations from the Animal Control Services Ad Hoc
Committee. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comments:
Board Members:
Dr. Goins emphasized it is important for Board members as well as the public to
understand the ACS Adoption Policies, the importance of rabies vaccination, and the cost
of post exposure rabies inoculation.
Acting Health Director:
March Was Social Work Month
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Ms. Smith, Acting Health Director, advised the Board March was Social Work Month. This
year's theme was Racial and Ethnic Harmony. A Tree Planting Ceremony was held at
10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, at the Department of Social Services (DSS),
Wilmington, North Carolina.
April - Public Health Month
Ms. Smith announced April is Public Health Month and Public Health Week is April 12 - 18.
A list of NHCHD Public Health Month Activities was presented to the Board.
Staff Luncheon - April 18
During Public Health Week, the Board of Health is again hosting a Staff Luncheon between
11 :30 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m. on April 18. Mr. John Coble, former Board of Health Chair and
Member, volunteered to assist with this luncheon.
Eastern District NCPHA Annual Educational Conference
Ms. Smith reminded the Board of the Annual Eastern District NCPHA Educational
Conference to be held at the Sheraton Resort, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, April 23-25,
1997. The theme of the Annual Educational Conference is Channel Markers/Protecting
Quality of Life.
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House Bill 213: Control of County Boards/Human Services Sponsored by
Representative Nichols
Ms. Smith advised the Board the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health recently
voted to oppose House Bill 213: Control of County BoardslHuman Services sponsored by
Representative Nichols. The legislation provides an option to County Commissioners to
eliminate local human services boards and shift the legislative powers of public health,
mental health, and social service boards as they deem beneficial. She inquired if the
Board would send a letter to legislators similar to the letter sent to New Hanover County
legislators regarding "General Statute 153A-77 to remove the population threshold and
enable counties to consolidate human services governing boards."
The Board was referred to a copy of a resolution passed at a joint meeting of the Lincoln
County Social Services and Public Health Boards of Health which advocates retaining local
human services boards as currently provided under North Carolina General Statutes and
opposing HB-213.
Mr. Steuer stated, according to his understanding, HB-213 does not try to eliminate boards
of health; but the proposed legislation will enable counties the ability to consolidate
human service boards as it is deems beneficial. He advised he ,is against any Board of
Health action to oppose HB-213.
Mrs. Rowe stated that she is in favor of boards of health remaining as they are. Dr. Goins
expressed he is opposed to HB-213 based upon history in counties which have eliminated
Boards of Health. He stated it would be difficult to get one board member knowledgeable
enough to serve three different agencies and it would undermine almost 100 years of a
proven system for good government and for the protection of people's health.
Mr. Elmore concluded boards of health provide the best mechanism to protect the public's
health, are in the best position to perform their duties, are appointed by the County
Commissioners, and present issues to the County Commissioners. Mrs. Dean stated that
boards of health consist of a group of professionals with a broad spectrum of expertise.
MOTION: Mr. Steuer moved for the New Hanover County Board of Health to table the
motion to request for the North Carolina General Assembly members to oppose House Bill
213: Control of County BoardslHuman Services, sponsored by Representative Nichols.
DUE TO THE LACK OF A SECOND, THE MOTION FAILED.
MOTION: Mrs. Dean moved and Mrs. Rowe seconded for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to request for the North Carolina General Assembly members to oppose
House Bill 213: Control of County Boards/Human Services·, sponsored by Representative
Nichols.
-ª- Aye
---L Nay - Mr. Steuer
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North Carolina Public Health Forum Special Quotation
Ms. Smith referred the Board to a quotation entitled: Press On complimentary from Robert
S. (Bob) Parker, former NCHD Health Director.
EPllnformation
The EPI newsletter was distributed to the Board.
Goodby to Bob: From the Raisins
Ms. Smith played a portion of the video tape from Bob Parker's farewell luncheon featuring
the Health Department Raisins, NHCHD staff members, performing their original farewell
song entitled, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine." The song's lyrics were written in honor
of and sung at a farewell staff luncheon to honor Mr. Parker on Friday, March 14, 1997,
in the Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium, NHCHD.
Other Business:
Andy Atkinson. Deputy County Manager
Mr. Elmore recognized and expressed appreciation to Mr. Andy Atkinson, Deputy County
Manager, New Hanover County, for chairing the Animal Control Services Ad Hoc
Committee.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, the regular business meeting of the Board of Health was
adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
þÆç~chairman
New Hanover County Board of Health
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Lynda F. Smith, Acting Health Director
New Hanover County Health Department
Approved:
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