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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/1999 BOH Minutes I I I 76 Mr. William T. Steuer, Chainnan, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Health to order at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 1999. Members Present: William T. Steuer, Chainnan Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS, Vice-Chainnan Henry V. Estep, RHU Michael E. Goins, OD Robert G. Greer, Vice-Chair, County Commissioners Gela N. Hunter, RN, Nurse Practitioner Members Absent: Others Present: David E. Rice, Health Director Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director Frances De Vane, Recording Secretary Invocation: Dr. Michael Goins gave the invocation. Minutes: W. Edwin Link, Jr., RPH Anne Braswell Rowe Philip P. Smith, Sr., MD Melody C. Speck, DVM Estelle G. Whitted, RN Mr. Steuer asked for corrections to the minutes of the September 1, 1999 New Hanover County Board of Health meeting. The minutes of the September 1, 1999 Board of Health meeting were corrected by Dr. Speck and then approved as corrected by the Board of Health. Recognitions: Personnel Mr. Rice recognized and congratulated the following New Hanover County Service Awards recepients: Service Awards Ten (10) Years Service Shirley S. Lloyd, Clerical Specialist, Administration Page Tootoo, Public Health Nurse, Women's Health Care Fifteen (15) Years Service Sandra Brooks, Clerical Specialist II, Women's Health Care Mr. Rice introduced the following health department employees: 1 77 New Emplovees Joan H. Blue Clerical Specialist I, Child Health Lisa Gans, Public Health Nurse 1, Women's Health Care Cristy C. O'Herron, Public Health Nurse I, Women's Health Care Yolanda K. Perkins, Clerical Specialist I, Communicable Disease Shannon R. Slocum, Animal Control Officer, Animal Control Services I Mr. Rice introduced. the UNCW nursing students observing the Board of Health meeting. They were Susan Anderson, Sarah Abrams, Angie Blalock, Sarah Cuttingham, Jill Milligan and Kim Reinking, On behalf of the Board of Health; Mr. Steuer expressed appreciation to the Service Award recepients for their years of service and welcomed new employees and the UNCW nursing students. North Carolina Public Health (NCPHA) Annual Meetine: - Awards Mr. Rice reported the Health Department won three NCPHA Awards. The three awards recognizing outstanding achievement and accomplishment were: NCPHA Undergraduate/Graduate Education Scholarship Robert Kenan, Program Specialist, Environmental Health Glaxo Wellcome Child Health Public Health Staff Recognition Award - Pamela Heath, Public Health Nurse II, Child Care Nurse Coordinator 1999 NCPHA Public Health Month Award for Outstanding Achievement New Hanover County Health Department I The North Carolina Public Health Association met on September 14-17, 1999, in Asheville, North Carolina. Due to Hurricane Floyd award winners could not attend the Awards Banquet on September 16. Mr. Rice expressed the outstanding achievement awards are an honor for our Health Department and staff. In recognition of receipt of these prestigious awards, a round of applause followed. Department Focal: "Postine: of Numeric Grades at Food Establishments" Ms. Diane Harvell, Environmental Health Director, gave the department focal on the Posting of Numerical Grades at Food Establishments, a pilot project of the New Hanover County Health Department sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Health. New Hanover County was one of six counties chosen to participate in the project. In August 1998, the posting of numeric scores in food establishments instead of alphabetic scores was the primary change in the pilot project. Ms. Harvell explained each participating county is evaluating and reporting their results to the North Carolina Commission for Health Services. Ms. Harvell reported the State Office of Statistics surveyed restaurants and consumers. In May, a 60 per cent response from the survey indicated improved relationships with Environmental Health personnel, better infonnation to the public, and improvement in food sanitation and safety practices. Two bonus points are given to restaurateurs for attending food certification training that makes a perfect numeric I grade of 102 possible. Also, Environmental Health Specialists were surveyed. They rated the pilot program as successful and supported the numeric system for food establishment scores. The same level of compliance was observed with the numeric grading system; however, the benefits of the new numeric 2 I I I ~.,. ~'~-'""'.. .-~' ¥_i' .,.,-¥' ~''''_''''''''~,''''~ 78 system were better scores, a better opportunity to educate foodhandlers, and an opportunity to improve food sanitation and safety procedures. Ms. Harvell infonned the Commission for Health Services requested a larger county (Mecklenburg County) to participate in the pilot program making a total of seven counties currently in the project. The consensus of the NHCHD Environmental Health staff was that the numeric grading system is successful and promotes better food sanitation practices. Dr. Jewell and Mr. Link inquired if the implementation of the numeric grading system increased food inspections. Ms. Harvell responded number of visits and inspections have increased; however, the numeric grading system promotes competition and sanitation-grading scores are actually higher. The pilot study of the numeric grading system will continue another year. The North Carolina Commission for Health Services will make their final decision regarding the usage of the numeric system for foodhandling establishments at the completion ofthe project. Committee Reports: Executive Committee Mr. Steuer, Chainnan, Executive Committee, reported the Executive Committee did not meet 10 September 1999. Unfinished Business: Generators/Hookups at Emere:encv Shelters Mr. Steuer stated progress is continuing slowly in the obtaining manual transfer switches for the disaster shelters. He reported during the hurricane two of the emergency centers had large generators with hookups and the other two had smaller portable generators. A meeting will be planned to address pennanent generator equipment hook-ups at the disaster shelters. New Business: Notification of Sewage Spills Ms. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, introduced Mr. Hugh T. Caldwell, P.E., Director of Public Utilities, City of Wilmington. She reported an estimated 10,000-gallon wastewater spill occurred on August 30, 1999 on Pine Grove Drive in Wilmington, North Carolina. In June 1998, the City of Wilmington agreed to assume the responsibility for notifying the public and the New Hanover County Health Department of wastewater spills that impact surface waters and pose a public health risk. Ms. Harvell stated the Health Department received a notification of the sewer spill on Pine Grove Drive on September 2, 1999. Mr. Caldwell explained to the Board, the North Carolina Clean Water Act requires any spill that exceeds 1,000 gallons should be reported to the N.C. Division of Water Quality and the public through a media release. If the spill exceeds 15,000 gallons, the City should notify the state, publish a notice of the occurrence of the spill, and notify the Health Department of the spill. 3 79 Mr. Caldwell confinned in the future the City of Wilmington will follow the Division of Water Quality guidelines for spill reporting and public notification and will notify the Health Department at the same time. Dr. Speck inquired about the constant flooding of this area on Hewlett's Creek. Mr. Caldwell stated this location cannot handle the growth and infiltration of stonn water. Plans are in process to improve this situation of overflow at Hewlett's' Creek. Hurricane Flovd - Response and Recovery - Heath Department Staff Mr. Rice displayed photos taken during Hurricane Floyd. He gave an audiovisual presentation entitled the New Hanover County Health Department: Response and Recovery - Hurricane Floyd. On September 15, 1999, the New Hanover County Commissioners issued a Proclamation for a State of Emergency and an order to evacuate from coastal and low-lying areas. Mr. Rice's cumulative hurricane report will be presented at a Local Health Directors' Legal Conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It contained statistical infonnation, paths of hurricanes from 1886-1998 on the eastern coast of the United States, a chart of past North Carolina hurricanes, and the paths of Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd. Mr. Rice explained Hurricane Floyd was a Category II stonn when it struck our area. A FEMA report of September 19, 1998, indicated 236,250 families sought disaster-housing assistance; there were 48 confinned deaths; and animal losses were 30,500 hogs, 760 cattle, and 2.5 million fowl in North Carolina. From September 15-18 disaster shelters housed 695 citizens at Trask, Dorothy B. Johnson, Laney, and Codington Schools. Mr. Rice reviewed the Emergency Operaiton Center activities. Ms. Betty Creech expressed her appreciation to Mr. Steuer, the Board of Health, and to the New Hanover County Commissioners for the provision of generators in the emergency shelters. DSS was trained to operate the generators. Ms. Creech stated she will work with DSS to furnish and distribute additional cots. Additional shelter space in the schools needs to be identified in the schools. Dry clothing is needed for residents in the shelters. Ms. Creech stated the shelter conditions were improved. The shelter residents felt safer and were calmer with unifonned security personnel. Dr. Speck asked if New Hanover County has sufficient shelter space for either a Category IV or V hurricane. Mr. RIce explained eight shelter locations and eight shelter teams have been identified for stronger storms. Mr. RIce showed a short video on the Trask Disaster Shelter to give the Board an idea of the actual operation and special equipment requirements at the shelters. Dr. Jean McNeil, Ammal Control Services Director, reported Animal Control Services housed 157 dogs, 57 cats, and 4 chickens. The facility had two portable generators that contributed to the 24-hour operation. Ms. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, advised Environmental Health transported and setup portable generators, managed the Vector Control Program for pesticide of mosquitoes, evaluated water supplies, food service operations, institutions, schools and other public facilities and wastewater treatment facilities, and provided mformation to the media and public regarding environmental issues. She emphasized the recovery efforts will be experienced for months. I I Ms. Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Director, commended the Laboratory staff for culturing approximately 2,046 water samples. The testing of water began one day after the storm and test results were given to citizens withm 24 hours. There were 432 (23%) positive coliform water samples and 47 (3%) positive E. coli water samples from Hurricane I Floyd. 4 I I I 80 Ms. Beth Jones, Communicable Disease Director, advised the Communicable Disease DivisIOn is looking at surveillance of medical visits related to the storm i.e. illnesses, emergency room visits, insect bItes, cuts, and injuries. Additional staff has been requested from the state to collect data for prevention methods and initiatives in disaster situations. Dr. Goins emphasized how dangerous it is to drive through water. He suggested addressing car safety issues and preventing deaths due to high water and drowning during a storm. Mr. Steuer expressed his appreciation to the stafffor their response to Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd. Appointment of Nominating Committee Mr. Steuer appointed the following Board of Health members to the Nominating Committee for the selection of nominees for the 1999 Chainnan and Vice Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Health: Mr. Link, Chainnan Ms. Hunter Ms. Rowe Mr. Steuer thanked the members of the Nominating Committee for serving. Ms. Rowe asked Board members to submit their suggestions for the nominees to any of the committee members. Comments: Board of Health Dr. Jewell expressed the community and staff responded as a whole during the disasters and to the surrounding flooding areas. He expressed appreciation to the staff and county employees who leave their families to work during disasters. He stated it means a lot to the community. Dr. Smith echoed Dr. Jewell's statements and stated we should consider helping other counties that have suffered so much loss from Hurricane Floyd. Dr. Goins concurred. He asked if the Health Department could offer services to other counties by loaning staff, assisting with water sampling, spraying for mosquitoes and other duties as needed whenever and wherever possible. Mr. Rice stated he plans to deal with this issue and work closely with other Health Directors in the state to provide extra services. He stated public health does not stop with geographical boundaries. These needs will be addressed through our local and state communication channels. Ms. Whitted expressed New Hanover County is so blessed and she endorsed assisting the damaged surrounding counties. Ms. Hunter, Mr. Link, and Dr. Speck complimented the staff for their extra work during the hurricanes. Health Director Encephalitis - West Nile Virus Mr. Rice expressed the encephalitis West Nile Virus in Queens, New York is a real concern. Ms. Beth Jones, Communicable Disease Director, advised this is the first identification of the virus in the United States. Mosquitoes transmit the encephalitis virus to birds. Dr. Smith added these virus are always around, and people should take preventive methods to avoid mosquito exposure and to reduce the mosquito population. 5 81 Festivals - Piney Woods - Carolina Air Expo Although there were hurricanes, the Piney Woods Festival was held during Labor Day weekend, and the Carolina Expo Air Show was held on September 25-26, 1999. Environmental Health staff inspected the food service vendors for the festivals. Health Department staff had a display tent at the Carolina Expo Air Show. Model Community Heath and Human Services Assessment Mr. Rice infonned the Grant Application for Model Community Assessment ($17,375) was submItted to the Office of North Carolina Healthy Carolinians with letters of support. The core function of the grant is to assess community needs through collaboration between the local health department and the New Hanover Healthy Carolinians Task Force. The goal of the needs assessment is to improve the social, physical, and mental well-being of people in southeastern North Carolina. Stop Red Lie:ht Runnine: Press Conference. September 28. 1999 A Stop Red Light Running Press Conference was held on September 28, 1999, at the Canterbury Annex to infonn citizens of the Stop Running Red Light Running Week. The campaign is to raise awareness about the dangerous and costly practice of running red traffic lights. It is a collaborative effort of the New Hanover County Safe Communities Coalition, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and the Health Department. Proe:rammine: and Maintainine: Files and Records Seminar. September 29.1999 Mr. Rice and Ms. Frances De Vane attended a How To Organize and Maintain Files and Records Seminar on September 29, 1999. The seminar stressed the importance of assessing, selecting, and maintaining a filing system that works for each individual. BCCCP Grant Proposal- Breast Health Grant Application ($19.882) Mr. Rice presented a request to pursue a Grant Application for Breast Health/Breast Cancer Education/Treatment/Screenings Projects from the N.C. Triangle Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Grants are offered from $1,000.00-$20,000 for innovative projects in the areas of breast health or breast cancer. Applications must be postmarked by October 6, 1999. Mr. Rice stated due to the deadline for the grant application, it did not go before the Executive Committee. The grant will assist with the funding for mammograms for women ages 30-64 that are not otherwise eligible for breast cancer screening and follow-up services within our community. It will compliment the New Hanover County Health Department Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP). A focused sub-population is Latino women and includes interpretation/translation services ($3,648). The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Grant total budget is $19,822. I I I 6 I I I 82 MOTION: Ms. Hunter MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Link for the Board of Health to accept and approve the Grant Application for Breast HealthlBreast Cancer Education/Treatment/Screening Projects from the N.C. Triangle Affiliate of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ($19,882) and to submit the grant request to the New Hanover County Commissioners for their consideration. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chamelion Software - Animal Control Services (ACS) On Line Mr. Rice advised the ACS staff is on line with the Chameleon software, and the Spay/Neuter Program began on October 1, 1999. Dr. Jean McNeil, Animal Control Services Director, reported the implementation of the computer system and the Spay/Neuter Program has been challenging. Both endeavors are going very well. Since the increase in the adoption fee, 13 animals have been adopted. Mr. Ken Fortner has trained the staff on the new computer system. Dr. McNeil expressed her appreciation to the Board of Health for their support of both the computer system and the Spay/Neuter Program. Dr. Speck inquired about the availability of a list of veterinarians participating in program. Dr. McNeil stated a list of veterinarians participating in the Spay/Neuter Program is being sent to all veterinarians. Flu Shots for Board of Health - November 3 Mr. Rice announced flu injections will be offered to the Board members following the November 3 Board of Health meeting. TAP Funded bv Cape Fear Memorial Fund Mr. Rice advised the Teen AIDS Prevention (TAP) Grant Application has been funded for $35,000 at 70 percent by the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation. The program using teen peer educators will start again in November 1999. Christmas Party December 9 Mr. Rice invited Board members to attend the Health Department Annual Christmas Party to be held on December 9, 1999, in the auditorium. Other Information Mr. Rice referred the Board to infonnation in their folders regarding Hurricane Floyd, the three NCPHA Public Health Awards received by the Health Department for outstanding achievement, an EPI Infonnation Newsletter, a Food Talk Newsletter, an Animal Control Advisor Committee Dangerous Dog Detennination Hearings and Bites Report, a North Carolina Association of Local Boards of Health Newsletter, and additional infonnation on the BCCCP Grant proposal. 7 83 Other Business: Health Laws Protect Individuals and Public Ms. Beth Jones, Communicable Disease Director, advised legal action is a last resort to achieve patient compliance. She explained a patient was released from prison and visited the health department. The individual completed adequate treatment, is no longer a public health threat, and is well and glad to be home. Mr. Steuer adjourned the regular meeting ofthe New Hanover County Board of Health at 10: 10 a.m. dA:¿."cI ¡jj;;~ William T. Steuer, PE/RLS, Chainnan New Hanover County Board of Health Davi E. Rice, M.P.H.,M.A., Health Director New Hanover County Health Department Approved: I I I 8