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Home My WebLink About07/07/1993 BOH Minutes I I I t' 241 The New Hanover County Board of Health (NHCBH) toured the New Hanover County Jail (NHCJ) at 8:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 7, 1993. Captain Robert (Bob) Spell, Ms. Betty Creech, Community Health Director, and Ms. Penny RaYnor, Physician Extender conducted the jail tour and made a presentation on the Jail Health Services provided by the New Hanover County Health Department (NHCHD). Mr. Coble called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 9:05 A.M. on Wednesday, July 7, 1993, in Room 530 of the New Hanover County Courthouse, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members Present: John M. Coble, Chairman Spiro J. Macris, DDS, Vice-Chairman Mary Lou Alford, RN Thomas V. Clancy, MD Mary King Dean W. Keith Elmore, RPh Robert G. Greer Laura Pitts Maness Mark Veenstra, PE Members Absent: Dennis L. Jackson, DVM Edward L. Paul, Jr., OD Others Present: Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary Ms. Dean presented the invocation. Recognition: Charles F. Shepard Retirement Mr. Coble recognized the retirement of Mr. Charles F. Shepard, Vector Control Crew, Vector Control Division. On behalf of the Board of Health, he presented a plague to Mr. John McCormick, Vector Control Field Supervisor, commemorating Mr. Shepard's 23 years of Public Health service. Mr. Coble called for corrections to the minutes of the meeting on June 2, 1993. The minutes were approved. Departmental Focal: The Board toured the County Jail prior to the regular business meeting. The department focal was on the Jail Medical Services. 242 Committee Reports: Unfinished Business: I smoking Pollution Control Ordinance (SPCO) Mr. Parker announced the Carolina Town Council will hold a public hearing at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 13, 1993, regarding the adoption of a Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance (SPCO) for the Town of Carolina Beach. Board members were invited to attend. HB-459 - No Tobacco Sales to Minors (knowingly) HB-957 - Regulate Smoking In Public Mr. Parker informed the Board that HB-459 - No Tobacco Sales to Minors was defeated and that HB-957 - Regulate Smoking in Public (pre-emption) was alive. Mr. Parker explained if HB-957 is passed by the General Assembly, it will pre-empt local governments control of local smoking pollution control ordinances. He informed the Board that the New Hanover County SPCO will be "grandfathered" and that modifications, if any, to our SPCO should be made effective before HB-957 becomes law. Rankin Terrace Clinic Update Mr. Parker advised the Board that all Rankin Terrace Clinic staff has resigned, except one, as of July 1, 1993. He reported the synthesis of the Rankin Terrace Clinic into the New Hanover Community Health Center has been a smooth transition. At the August Board of Health meeting, Mr. Parker plans to present a recommendation to the Board to officially terminate the NHCHD Rankin Terrace Clinic. The establishment of the New Hanover Community Health Center (NHCHC) will save New Hanover County approximately $150,000 in Fiscal Year 1993-94 Budget. A discussion on the the benefits of the new NHCHC followed. Mr. Parker stated the NHCHD plans to work with the NHCHC on the feasibility of joint outreach clinics and services for the citizens of New Hanover County. I New Business: Cape Fear Area United Way Service Development Grant Program Mr. Coble presented a request for the Board of Health's endorsement of a proposal and application from the New Hanover County Schools for the Cape Fear Area United Way Service Development Grant Program. Mr. Parker explained that the grant will fund a health education instructor to teach an alternative abstinence based sexuality program to middle school students. I The deadline for this grant application for this grant was June 21, 1993. I I I 243 After discussion the Board of Health decided to endorse the New Hanover County Schools Application for the Cape Fear United Way Service Development Program Grant to provide a health education instructor for an alternative abstinence based sexuality program to middle school students. (Note: John Coble, Chairman, New Hanover County Board of Health, and Bob Parker, Health Director, decided prior to the Board of Heal th meeting to send a letter of endorsement concerning the above project, prior to the July Board of Health meeting in order to meet a deadline for the grant proposal. Board action today confirmed the action taken by Mr. Coble and Mr. Parker.) New Home Health Rates Mr. Parker recommended the Fiscal Year 93-94 Home Health rates as follows: Nursing Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Home Health Aide Medical Social Worker $ 82.00 $ 82.00 $ 82.00 $ 82.00 $ 52.00 $110.00 He explained that the above rate proposal is above the North Carolina Medicaid rates. These rates are competitive and will increase revenues for New Hanover County. ORIGINAL MOTION: Mr. Coble increased effective CARRIED. moved that the Board approve the above FY93-94 Home Health rate schedule July 1, 1993. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS NOT A discussion followed regarding the adoption of rates comparable to North Carolina Medicaid rates. These rates are as follows: Nursing Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Home Health Aide $ 77.00 $ 76.00 $ 76.00 $ 76.00 $ 43.00 SUBSTITUTE MOTION: After discussion Mr. Greer moved that the Board adopt the North Carolina Home Health Medicaid rates with the addition of the Medical Social Worker rate at $110.00 per visit. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED. 244 Dog Food and Raccoons I Due to the spread of Rabies, Ms. Donna Neal, Chairman, NHCHD Animal Control Advisory Committee, informed the Boård that Rabies has been reported in surrounding counties. She reported wild animals, especially raccoons, are the major carriers in the latest rabies outbreak. Ms. Neal stated the public's feeding of dog food to raccoons is causing an influx of these wild animals in the urban areas. Ms. Neal requested that the Board address the prevention of purchasing dog food for the feeding of raccoons. Mr. Coble expressed the need to educate the public on the danger of spreading Rabies by feeding raccoons and other wild animals. He referred this Rabies prevention issue to the Health Promotions Committee of the NHCBH. Comments: Board Members Purpose of Board of Health Mr. Coble presented the following statement to the Board: "The purpose of the Board of Health and its members is to I set policy and direction. The process is democratic; and therefore, it is inappropriate for Board members, as individuals, to interfere with processes and policies of the County government beyond the Board of Health. Likewise, it is inappropriate for County Commissioners to interfere with the daily operations of the Health Department and the policy-making processes for which Board of Health members are appointed." Health Director Mr. Parker announced that the NHCHD won the J. Howard Beard Award from the National Association of County Health Officials. On behalf of the NHCHD, Mr. Parker plans to accept this special award on July 16, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Greer commended Mr. Parker for this accomplishment. Mr. Parker announced that the NHCHD Home Health Agency received Accreditation with Commendation. He exclaimed this is a great achievement and it will promote our excellent Home Health Program. I I I I 245 Mr. Parker presented an Abortions, Li ve Births and Pregnancies Data Sheet to the Board. Mr. Parker introduced and welcomed the following new staff member to the Board of Health: Sarah D. Chestnut, Office Assistant, Administration There being no further business Mr. Coble adjourned the meeting at 9:45 A.M. ¿~:::o~ Chairman, Board of Health ~J.-(J~ Robert S. (Bob) Parker Secretary to the Board Approved: