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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/1982 BOH Minutes I I I "~ ... 009C6 The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, July 14, 1982 at the New Hanover County Health Department. Members Present: Carl Durham, Chairman Roma Lee Hall, Vice Chairman J. William Eakins, M. D. William Grathwol James Strickland Hobart Whaley Members Absent: Donald Blake Hal A. Franklin, II, M. D. Larry Neal, D. D. S. Others Present: James McMahan, Consultant Robert Pope, County Attorney Mabel Price, Recording Secretary Mr. Durham, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:00 A. M. and called for corrections to the June 16, 1982 minutes. Mrs. Hall moved the minutes be approved. Mr. Whaley seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Consultant Report: Jim McMahan gave a report on his activities since the June meeting of the Board. He reported that he has been exploring the use of staff resources in development of policy. Examples of such policy would be Fee Collection and a Spay Neuter Policy. Mr. McMahan told the Board that 1) A committee made up of key members of the staff have been working with him giving their input on collec- tion of fees and how this will affect the various departments. 2) The Home Health One-Write System is in place - two training sessions have been held with the staff on how to use it. 3) Continuing development of the role for principal assistant to the Director, focussing primarily on an administrative officer-type position, responsible for personnel, planning and special projects. 4) He has begun the role of Acting Director in the absence of the Health Director. 5) He is collecting addi- tional names of potential applicants for Environmental Health Chief. 6) Has talked with the Assistant Director of New Hanover Memorial Hospital about tying into their telephone system and was advised there is not enough equipment to take care of the Health Department's needs. 7) Noted the positive articles in the local newspaper on activities of the department regarding Mosquitos and Fire Ants. Shellfish and Seafood Ordinance: Pete Davis, Environmental Health Supervisor, told the Board that he has received copies of seafood ordinances from several other counties and will pass these along to Dr. Neal. Fee Schedule Committee: Dr. Eakins reported that the Committee had met on July 8, 1982 and gave a summary of their discussion as follows: Goals/Philosophy of New Fee Policy: 1. Give free medical care to indigent. 2. people who can pay (for medical services), should pay competitive private rates for comparable services. '-" ~00907. 3. Non-medical services - People getting select services, (e.g. animal control, environmental) need to be charged fees. 4. Some Health Department areas ought to be as nearly financially sufficient I as possible. Implementation: 1. Set fees at a reasonable prevailing rate. 2. Sliding fee scale system will be used with income declaration. 3. Try to charge and collect at door if possible. 4. Bill only if necessary (to uninsured patients); bill medicaid (and other third parties) if possible. 5. Take phase-in approach, by program, beginning with: a. Chronic Disease b. Laboratory c. X-Ray for non-TB program patients Continued Development of Policy Prior to Implementation: 1. Get comments and feedback from Board of Health, Commissioners, etc. I 2. Send policies to Raleigh for State review and approval. Ordinance Schedule - Committees: Mr. Durham reminded members of the Board to review the schedules for presentation of ordinances presently being worked on. Water Sampling for Community Water Systems: After a brief discussion of the concerns with the way water sampling is done for Community Water Systems, Mr. Durham appointed a committee to look into this and make recommendations. The Committee is as follows: Mr. Blake, Chairman, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Grathwol and Tom Stich of the Environmental Health Staff. Rabies Vaccination of Cats: Charles Newkirk, Director of the Animal Control Divi- sion gave a report regarding the vaccination of cats and experiences other Counties have had implementing this ordinance. He stated that in his opinion the vaccination of cats can be promoted in New Hanover County without too much controversial publicity. He also reported that the Animal Control Advisory Committee would meet in September to discuss an ordinance to cover the vaccination of cats and will bring a firm recom- mendation to the Board of Health as soon as possible. Figure Eight Condominium Septic Field Application: Mr. Paul Foster appeared before the Board of Health with his concerns about what septic tanks to support a proposed condominium on Figure Eight Island would do to the shellfish in that area. His main concern with appearing before the Board of Health was to protest a letter from the Health Department to the project sponsor stating "The plans and design are acceptable to meet the requirements for water supply and sewage disposal." He stated that even though the last part of the letter also contains the standard disclaimer requiring I I I I 009C8 individual septic tank permits for each of the twenty-four row houses proposed, that the project sponsor is pointing only to the statement indicating it is acceptable as an indication that the Health Department has already approved septic fields at 50 foot intervals along the causeway. Mr. Foster feels that the Health Department should not make a statement until each site is approved individually. He also felt that high tide levels should be considered in deciding conformance with water table-related restrictions. No action was taken - this presentation was to make the Board of Health aware of the situation. Health Department Response to Tire Burning Episode: Mr. Volney Gilbert, Supervisor of Insect & Rodent and Drainage Control, reported that he has surveyed the area of the tire burning incident for reports on rats and has sprayed the area for mos- quitos. A field of tires adjoining the one that burned will be moved in the very near future. Members of the Board complimented the Department on the way the inci- dent was handled. Mr. Pope mentioned that an Act to Allow Counties to Abate Anything Dangerous to Public Health had recently been passed. Mr. Pope stated that he plans to discuss this Act with the County Commissioners and will keep our Board advised. Mr. Durham moved the Board adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel matters. Dr. Eakins seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Mr. Durham moved the Board adjourn executive session and return to regular session. Dr. Eakins seconded the motion and it unanimously carried and the Board entered regular session. There being no further business, Mr. Whaley moved the meeting be adjourned. Mrs. Hall seconded the motion and it carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned. ¿¿:;;;¡~ Chairman, Board of Health ~c;o~~ Approved: