08/05/1998
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Dr. Dennis L. Jackson, Chairman, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover County
Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 1998, in the Dr. Thomas
Fanning Wood Memorial Conference Room, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members Present:
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM, Chairman
William T. Steuer, PE/RLS, Vice-Chairman
Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Michael E. Goins, OD
Robert G. Greer, County Commissioner
W. Edwin Link, Jr., RPH
Anne Braswell Rowe
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Henry V. Estep
Gela N. Hunter, Nurse Practitioner
Others Present:
David E. Rice, Health Director
Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director
Allen O'Neal, New Hanover County Manager
Pat Melvin, New Hanover County Assistant Manager
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation: Mr. Edwin Link gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Dr. Jackson asked for corrections to the minutes of the July 1, 1998 New Hanover County Board of
Health Meeting. The minutes of the meeting of July 1, 1998 were corrected and approved by the New
Hanover County Board of Health.
Introduction of Assistant County Manager
Mr. Allen O'Neal, County Manager, introduced Ms. Patricia Melvin, Assistant County Manager, to
the Board of Health. Ms. Melvin worked with the Department of Human Resources from 1980 -
1993, served as Assistant to the County Manager for the past five years, and now is Assistant County
Mana~er. Mr. O'Neal stated Ms. Melvin will strive to complement and work with human service
agencIes.
Mr. Rice reported Ms. Melvin attended an orientation session to review the broad spectrum of health
department services and a Management Team Meeting. Ms. Melvin stated she looks forward to work
with Mr. Rice and the health department staff.
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Recognitions:
100% Smoke-Free Establishment Recognition
Mr. Rice presented 100% Smoke-Free Establishment Certificates to the following smoke-free
establishments:
Bagel Oven Cafe
Lowe's
R. Dawson Salon
Silver Shears Hairstyling
Target
Wilmington Athletic Club
Mr. Rice recognized and presented a 100% Smoke-Free Establishment Certificate to Mr. Tierre
Middlebrooks, Human Resources Manager, Lowe's.
Retirement
Mr. Rice displayed a retirement plaque presented to retirees for their years of public health service in
New Hanover County. Recipients receiving retirement plaques as mementoes are:
Clarence Riley, Field Operator, Vector Control, Environmental Health
Donald Ray Boyd, Field Operator, Vector Control, Environmental Health
Joyce Deshields, Public Health Nurse, Communicable Disease
Dottie Gillies, Clerical Specialist, Communicable Disease
Daniel Foy, Field Operator, Vector Control, Environmental Health
John McCormick, Crew Leader, Vector Control, Environmental Health
Super Staff Award
Mr. Rice announced Mr. John McCormick, Crew Leader, Vector Control, Environmental Health, and
an above recipient of a retirement plaque, was the winner of the Semi-Annual Super Staff Award.
They acknowledged Mr. McCormick with a Super Staff Award for the quiet standard of excellence
during his 35 years of service in the Vector Control Mosquito Control Program.
Personnel
New Employee
Mr. Rice introduced the following new health department employee:
Vivian Purifoy, Public Health Nurse I, Child Health
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Recognitions:
100% Smoke-Free Establishment Recognition
Mr. Rice presented 100% Smoke-Free Establishment Certificates to the following smoke-free
establishments:
Bagel Oven Cafe
Lowe's
R. Dawson Salon
Silver Shears Hairstyling
Target
Wilmington Athletic Club
Mr. Rice recognized and presented a 100% Smoke-Free Establishment Certificate to Mr. Tierre
Middlebrooks, Human Resources Manager, Lowe's.
Retirement
Mr. Rice displayed a retirement plaque presented to retirees for their years of public health service in
New Hanover County. Recipients receiving retirement plaques as mementoes are:
Clarence Riley, Field Operator, Vector Control, Environmental Health
Donald Ray Boyd, Field Operator, Vector Control, Environmental Health
Joyce Deshields, Public Health Nurse, Communicable Disease
Dottie Gillies, Clerical Specialist, Communicable Disease
Daniel Foy, Field Operator, Vector Control, Environmental Health
John McCormick, Crew Leader, Vector Control, Environmental Health
Super Staff Award
Mr. Rice announced Mr. John McCormick, Crew Leader, Vector Control, Environmental Health, and
an above recipient of a retirement plaque, was the winner of the Semi-Annual Super Staff Award.
They acknowledged Mr. McCormick with a Super Staff Award for the quiet standard of excellence
during his 35 years of service in the Vector Control Mosquito Control Program.
Personnel
New Employee
Mr. Rice introduced the following new health department employee:
Vivian Purifoy, Public Health Nurse I, Child Health
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Mr. Steuer emphasized the Board should study the lead e~pos~e issue at Lucia !oint. Dr. Goins
asked about how much groundwater involvement at LUCIa Pomt and surroundmg property. Dr. I
Reynolds, Medical Consultant, expressed concern reg~ding lea~ exposure to c~ildren wh? can be
poisoned at much lower levels than adults. He stated pnor plannmg and connectmg to the CIty water
system should correct the problem.
Mrs. Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Director, advised there is a North Carolina State Lead Abatement
Law. Elevated blood lead levels are reported to the health department. Blood lead testing is
available at the Laboratory to Lucia Point residents.
Mrs. Harvell advised additional soil samples will be collected at Lucia Point by DENR Division of
Waste Management.
The Board of Health concurred they need a study of the lead abatement issue at Lucia Point. Dr.
Jackson referred this issue to the Health Promotions Committee.
Mr. Rice stated the purpose of the "Lead Abatement Update" was to raise awareness of the Board of
Health on the project. He advised it shows how health department multi-disciplines are working
together to serve our community.
Dr. Jackson thanked Ms. Harvell, Ms. McCumbee, and Ms. O'Brien for their presentation on the
Lead Abatement Project at Lucia Point.
Committee Reports:
Executive Committee
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Dr. Jackson, Chairman, Executive Committee, reported the Executive Committee met at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 24, 1998, at the health department. The Executive Committee did not meet in July.
Environmental Health Committee
Mr. Steuer, Chairman, Environmental Health Committee, reported the Environmental Health
Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 1998. The Environmental Health Committee
is reviewing the cost of services and fees. The committee scheduled the next committee meeting at
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 1998.
Unfinished Business:
1990 Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance - 1995 Smoking Control Regulation Update
Mr. Rice presented summaries of the 1990 Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance and the 1995 Board
of Health Smoking Control Regulation to clarify the status of the current 1990 Smoking Control
Ordinance effective in New Hanover County.
Mr. Rice explained due to a Court Appeals decision (regarding the Halifax County Board of Health
Smoking Regulation), on May 7, 1997 the New Hanover County Board of Health voted to hold in
abeyance the 1995 New Hanover County Board of Health Smoking Control Regulation and to
enforce the 1990 New Hanover County Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance. Mr. Rice advised I
until they change the law, the 1990 Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance (passed by the New
Hanover County Commissioners) is in effect in New Hanover County.
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Mr. Rice explained the Board of Health was legally advised in May 1997 to use the 1990 Smoking
Pollution Control Ordinance passed by the New Hanover County Commissioners. Mr. Steuer advised
it was the safest position for the Board. Mr. Steuer asked Mr. Greer if the Board of Commissioners
have revisited or considered revision of the 1990 Smoking Pollution Ordinance. Mr. Greer stated the
Board of Commissioners have not discussed the ordinance.
New Business:
Comments:
Board Members:
Mr. Steuer commended Mr. Ken Sholar, Vector Control Manager, and staff for their outstanding
Mosquito Control Program in the Environmental Health Division. He emphasized the boat to
larvacide islands for mosquito control needs to be replaced, since the present boat is a safety hazard
to staff.
Mr. Link advised he is interested in the licensing requirements for body piercing in New Hanover
County. He stated Guilford County now requires parental permission for body piercing to anyone
less than 18 years of age.
Mr. Steuer noted he enjoyed the restaurant series on the local television news program. Ms. Dianne
Harvell, Environmental Health Director, reported the presentations on the new numerical grading
system effective October 1, 1998 are beneficial to restaurant owners, managers, and foodhandlers.
Health Director:
North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) Annual Meeting. September 16-18,
Fayetteville. N.C.
Mr. Rice invited Board members to attend the NCPHA Annual Meeting on September 16-18, at the
Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville, N.C. An itinerary and application for registration are included
in the Board packet.
APEXlPH Update
Mr. Rice informed the AEIOU Team met on July 27, 1998. The Team currently is addressing 32
opportunities to improve. Two themes surfacing are more health department and more staff
involvement in the community. The AEIOU Committee is composed of 13 health department staff
members (6 supervisors and 7 general staff members).
Car Passenger Safety Training
Mr. Rice reported he attended the Car Passenger Safety Training given by the Health Promotion and
Child Health Divisions on July 22, 1998. A number of law enforcement participated in the injury
prevention training. Mr. Rice thanked Ms. Houghton and Ms. McCumbee for the planning of the car
seat training.
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Vital Records Update
Mr. Rice informed the Board the press contacted the health department regarding a death certificate
filed at the health department 25 days after the date of death. As mandated by N. C. General Statute,
it is the responsibility of the funeral director to file the certificate within five days. However, a
miscommunication between the attending physician and funeral director delayed the processing of the
death certificate. Mr. Rice reported he appeared on the local news and explained the vital records
process is monitored by the North Carolina Vital Records Division, DHHS, and is satisfactory.
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Rabies Prevention Manual
Mr. Rice presented a Rabies Prevention Manual provided to medical providers for patients referred
for rabies post-exposure evaluation. The Animal Control Services and Communicable Disease
Divisions, and EPI Team prepared the manual.
Blood Drive. August 4, 1998. Health Department
Mr. Rice invited Board members to participate in the New Hanover County Blood Drive. It was held
Tuesday, August 4, at the New Hanover County Health Department. Donors may give blood before
and after the Blood Drive.
FEMA
Mr. Rice stated he will attend an FEMA Integrated Emergency Management Course/Hurricane: I
Recovery and Mitigation held at the National Emergency Training Center on August 17-21, in
Emmitsburg, Maryland.
County CommissionerslBoard of Health Directory
Mr. Rice referred the Board to a revised County Commissioners/Board of Health Directory in their
Board packet.
Animal Control Services Advisory Committee Information and Report
Mr. Rice referred the Board to a copy of an article entitled Dog Fighting Is A Crime, an ACS
Advisory Committee Update, and a Dangerous Dog Determination Hearings Report for cases heard
by the Animal Control Advisory Committee Dangerous Dog Panel.
United Way Agency Information
Mr. Rice announced Ms. Janet McCumbee, Child Health Director, chairs the Health Department
United Way Campaign. He asked Board members to participate in the Health Department United
Way Campaign. Mr. Greer advised Mr. Andy Atkinson, Deputy County Manager, is Chairman for
the Cape Fear Area United Way Campaign.
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National Association of Local Boards of Health "NewsBrier'
I Mr. Rice distributed copies of the National Association of Local Boards of Health "NewsBrief."
Other Business:
Health Department Ramp
Ms. Smith reminded Board members of a Ribbon Cutting for the new ramp at the front entrances of
the health department Wednesday, September 2, 1998, before the New Hanover County Board of
Health meeting.
Adjourn:
There being no other business, the regular business meeting of the Board of Health was adjourned at
9:20 a. m.
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ennis L. Jackson, D , Chairman
New Hanover County Board of Health
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David E. Rice, M.P.H., M.A., Health Director
New Hanover County Health Department
Approved:
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