02/05/1997
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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, February 5,1997,
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
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Michael E. Goins, OD
Robert G. Greer
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
William O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Anne Braswell Rowe
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
William T. Steuer, PE, RLS
Others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
I Invocation:
Mrs. Estelle Whitted gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Mr. Elmore called for corrections to the minutes of January 8, 1997. The minutes were
corrected by the Board of Health.
Recognitions:
Staff Recognitions
Mr. Parker introduced and welcomed the following health department employees:
New Employees
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Lauri Fish, Public Health Nurse, Child Health
Pamela Heath, Public Health Nurse, Child Health
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Department Focal:
Buckle Up Kids
Mrs. Janet McCumbee, Child Health Director, and Mrs. Denise Houghton, Health
Promotions Director, presented a department focal entitled Buckle Up Kids. Mrs.
McCumbee explained the goal of the Buckle Up Kids Campaign is to raise public
awareness of the importance of selecting and securing child safety seats in automobiles.
Types of car safety seats were demonstrated and a slide presentation on a recent Car
Seat Safety Clinic held in cooperation with the Governor's Highway Safety Program were
shown.
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Committee Reports:
Environmental Health
Dr. Jackson, Chairman, Environmental Health Committee, reported that the Environmental
Health Committee met at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13. He stated Mr. Tony Loreti,
Carolina Beach Mayor, Mrs. Camille Loreti, and Mr. Bruce Shell, New Hanover County
Finance Director, attended the meeting. Discussion was held regarding the feasibility and
cost of connecting Hanby and Wilmington Beaches to the Carolina Beach sewer system.
Dr. Jackson informed the Board that Mr. Shell is to contact the Department of Environment, I
Health and Natural Resources to pursue the possibility of increasing the volume of sewage
to the Carolina Beach plant to accommodate the above two beaches. Mr. Shell is to
investigate cost to connect the beach communities to the Carolina Beach sewer system.
Mr. Parker stated Environmental Health staff is collecting water samples from Hanby and
Wilmington Beaches and a report of the water sample results from this area will be
provided to the Board of Health.
Health Promotions
Dr. Michael Goins, Chairman, Health Promotions Committee, reported that the Committee
met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, ~anuary 29. Items discussed on the Board agenda are
legislation requiring teen drivers to have more driving experience before obtaining their
drivers license, a program to teach handgun safety, and Governor Hunt's proposal to get
tougher on drunk drivers. The Board was requested to support the funding for the new
Health Educator position in Injury Prevention in NHCHD Fiscal Year 1997-98 Budget.
Budget Committee
Mrs. Mary Dean, Chairman, Budget Committee, reported Board members have received I
assigned program budgets and are meeting with health department division directors to
review designated program budget requests.
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Ms. Lynda Smith, Assistant Health Director, informed the Board that Budget Workbooks
are being distributed to the Executive Committee today. At the February 10 Executive
Committee meeting, the health department Budget Request FY1997-98 will be reviewed.
Unfinished Business:
Animal Control Services Ad Hoc Committee Update
Mr. Ron Currie, Director, Animal Control Services, presented an Animal Control Services
(ACS) Ad Hoc Committee report. On December 16 the New Hanover County
Commissioners requested for county management staff to review the Animal Control
Services Program and evaluate the animal license fee process.
The following were appointed to the ACS Ad Hoc Committee:
Andy Atkinson, Deputy County Manager, Chairman
Barbara McClure, Internal Auditor, New Hanover County
Bill Clontz, Director, MIS, New Hanover County
W. Keith Elmore, Chairman, New Hanover County Board of Health
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM, Animal Control Services Liaison
Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director
Ron Currie, Director, ACS
The Ad Hoc Committee held its first meeting on January 6 to identify problems and issues
to be addressed. The committee decided to develop a mission statement for ACS, to
study what is mandated by the county and/or the state, to establish goals for ACS, to
research transfer of licensing program to Data Processing or Finance Division, to provide
more education to the public regarding ACS, and to address wildlife and rabies control.
The committee plans to meet at 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday and give the committee's
recommendations to the New Hanover County Commissioners on March 31.
Mr. Currie presented an ACS Phone Report indicating that ACS personnel had received
107,960 voice and phone mail calls from December 1995 through November 1996.
Stop Tobacco Sales to Minors in North Carolina Update
Mr. Parker informed the Board on January 31, 160 North Carolina organizations had
passed the Stop Tobacco Sales to Minors Resolution passed by the Board of Health on
May 8, 1996. He reported that Mr. Michael Easley, North Carolina Attorney General,
spoke at a conference addressing Tobacco Sales and Distribution to Minors sponsored by
North Carolinians for Tobacco-Free Kids. Mr. Easley's proposed legislation is to be
introduced in the 1997 North Carolina General Assembly to stop tobacco sales to minors
in North Carolina.
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Mr. Parker stated the original four points included in the resolution to stop tobacco sales
to minors are:
1. remove the word llknowingly"from the present legislation
2. require photo identification checks
3. remove vending machines from access by kids
4. repeal preemption law
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Mr. Parker explained that the final legislation proposed by Attorney General Easley for the
1997 General Assembly will include the first three of the four above items and exclude the
fourth item which is the repeal of the preemption law.
Sewage Spill Policy
Mrs. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, explained the Sewage Spill Policy
developed by the Board of Health requests that City of Wilmington and New Hanover
County officials are to notify the health department of any sewage spills resulting from
failure or malfunction of their respective sewage systems.
Mrs. Harvell explained that the health department notifies the news media of sewage
spills in New Hanover County which has resulted in the discharge of untreated sewage to
the ground surface and/or surface waters and constitutes a public health threat. She
stated a sewage spill report must be completed from the city, county, or any other agency I
or entity and submitted to the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
and to the NHCHD Environmental Health Division.
New Business:
Wilmington Rotary Club Funding
Mrs. Betty Creech, Community Health Director, advised the Board that the Wilmington
Rotary Club established the Orthopedic Clinic in 1924 and has supported the clinic since
this date by both staffing the clinic and funding services. The Rotary Club now plans to
provide to the Orthopedic Program $33,152 in funding for a temporary clerical/specialist
and to purchase a computer and printer for the clinic.
Mrs. Creech stated that physicians serving the clinic return their salary reimbursement to
the Orthopedic Clinic.
Graduated Driver Licensing System
Dr. Goins recommended from the Health Promotions Committee for the Board of Health
to send a letter to New Hanover County Legislators asking them to support the proposed I
legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly endorsing the Graduated Driver
Licensing System (GDLS). He explained that the National Highway Traffic Safety
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Administration has recommended for states to implement and enforce GDLS to reduce
teen motor vehicle accidents. The GDLS is a public health intervention that will allow
young drivers to acquire driving experience incrementally.
MOTION: Dr. Goins moved from the Health Promotions Committee for the Board of
Health to support legislation to implement the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS)
in North Carolina.
The above motion did not carry.
Mrs. Dean expressed that she felt this is a sticky issue and she would abstain from voting.
Dr. Clancy and Mrs. Whitted expressed that the GDLS proposed legislation is a public
health issue. Mr. Greer expressed concern regarding the complication of a record keeping
system for GDLS, additional personnel for Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and he
suggested that learner's permits be issued by DMV for one year.
Mrs. Janet McCumbee, Child Health Director, and Member, New Hanover County ChUd
Fatality Team, explained this legislation did not pass last year and that Child Fatality
Teams are supporting the three levels of GDLS to legislate limitations on young drivers.
She emphasized New Hanover County has experienced its share of deaths as a result of
young drivers.
Dr. Clancy stated that the purpose of GDLS is to minimize morbidity and mortality among
young drivers and others involved in automobile accidents.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Mr. Greer moved and Dr. Jackson seconded for the Board of
Health to support legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly which will require a'
mandatory learner's permit before obtaining a full North Carolina driver's license. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
-ª- Aye
--2- Nay
--L Abstained
Handgun Awareness Campaign
Dr. Goins recommended from the Health Promotions Committee for the Board of Health
to endorse the request for the health department to participate in a 1997 Handgun
Awareness Campaign. The campaign is an educational endeavor of health professionals
and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence to create public awareness through media
coverage of the dangers of handguns and to protect children from handgun injuries and
deaths.
Mr. Greer stated that you can't legislate morality. Dr. Clancy and Dr. Jewell concurred that
many injuries and deaths are a result of handguns. Mrs. Dean expressed she needs to
understand both sides of this issue and that the public sector cannot assume this
responsibility .
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MOTION: Dr. Goins moved from the Health Promotions Committee for the Board of
Health to approve health department participation in a 1997 Handgun Awareness
Campaign in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
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2- Aye
~ Nay
--L Abstained
Governor Hunt Crackdown on Drunk Drivers
Dr. Goins recommended from the Health Promotions Committee for the Board of Health
to endorse Governor Hunt's Crackdown on Drunk Drivers. He referred the Board to
Governor Hunt's response letter to Mr. Parker recommending proposed changes in
legislation to crackdown on drunk drivers. The Board reviewed this proposal.
Mr. Greer stated he opposed endorsing Governor Hunt's initiatives on drunk driving. He
expressed at times he thinks the Board gets off track addressing issues which dictate to
the world the way it should be, when efforts should be concentrated in other areas. Mrs.
Alford said that upon reviewing the health department mission statement, she wondered
if these issues are Board of Health matters; however, she is against drunk drivers. She
stated drivers license should be the responsibility of parents. She concluded we try to
take on everything instead of focusing on issues.
Dr. Clancy reminded the Board to look at budget items and the cost of handgun injuries, I
accidents, and other injury problems versus other treated diseases in hospitals; therefore,
injury prevention is a public health issue.
MOTION: Dr. Goins moved from the Health Promotions Committee for the Board of
Health to endorse and to request New Hanover County legislators to support legislation to
implement Governor Hunt's Crackdown on Drunk Drivers. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED.
2 Aye
~ Nay
Comments:
Board Members:
John Coble. President-Elect. Association of North Carolina Boards of Health
(ANCBH)
Dr. Goins announced that John Coble, former Chairman, New Hanover County Board of
Health, was elected President-Elect at the ANCBH Annual Meeting on January 24 at the I
Velvet Cloak Inn, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Elmore, Mrs. Dean, Mrs. Alford and Dr.
Goins attended the annual meeting.
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Trauma Symposium
Dr. Clancy invited the Board to attend a Trauma Symposium from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on
February 8. Topics will include Clinical Trauma Care and other related topics.
Health Director:
North Carolina and New Hanover County Vital Statistics
Mr. Parker referred the Board to North Carolina and New Hanover County Vital Statistics
reports distributed to Board members.
Save Our Boards of Health
On January 9, the delegates of the Legislative Goals Conference of the County
Commissioners Association voted to remove the legislative goal to seek legislation to
remove the population threshold and enable all counties to consolidate human service
governing boards from their legislative goals packet.
New Hanover County Births - Total -1995
Mr.. Parker distributed a New Hanover County 1995 Total Births Report to the Board.
Updated County Commissioners and Board of Health Member List (01/27/97)
Mr. Parker distributed an updated County Commissioners and Board of Health Member
List dated 01/27/97 to the Board.
North Carolina Health Statistics Pocket Guide
Mr. Parker distributed North Carolina Health Statistics Pocket Guides to the Board.
Other Business:
Mega Bar Proposal
Mr. Parker informed the Board that he had received a request from Mr. John Coble,
President-Elect, ANCBH, on behalf of the North Carolina Restaurant Association to ask
the North Carolina Commission for Health Services (NCCHS) to delay action on the Mega-
Bar Restaurant Proposal until the Commission for Health Services May meeting. This will
enable time for further study of the Mega-Bar Restaurant Proposal. The letter requesting
the delay will be submitted to Dr. Ronald H. Levine, State Health Director, North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Dr. Levine will present the
Board of Health's request to the NCCHS.
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MOTION: Mr. Greer moved and Dr. Jackson seconded for the Board of Health to request
for the North Carolina Commission for Health Services to delay action on the Mega-Bar
Restaurant Proposal until the NCCHS May meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
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Resignation of Robert S. (Bob) Parker. Health Director
Mr. Elmore presented a letter of resignation to the New Hanover County Board of Health
from Mr. Parker, Health Director. Mr. Parker's resignation is effective at 5:00 p.m. on
March 24. He has served as New Hanover County Health Director for 14 years and has
accepted the position of Vice-President of Home and Community Health at North Carolina
Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Mr. Elmore expressed his appreciation to Mr. Parker for his services to New Hanover
County. Dr. Goins commended Mr. Parker for asking hard questions, addressing difficult
issues, and thanked Mr. Parker for the legacy he will leave. Mrs. Alford expressed that
Mr. Parker will be missed by the community and staff. She stated that she would like to
see staff involved in the selection process for Mr. Parker's successor. Mrs. Whitted stated
that our loss is Baptist Hospital's gain.
Mr. Parker thanked the Board for their support. He stated that his years as Health Director I
have been the most rewarding, exciting, fulfilling, and wonderful years of his professional
life. He stated that the New Hanover County Board of Health and health department staff
are leaders in the public health industry. He reiterated that the Board of Health and staff
are the best in North Carolina.
Mr. Parker explained that his new position will enable him to continue to be a leader in
community health in Forsyth County and North Carolina. He also gave notice of his intent
to retire from the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees Retirement System on
September 14, 2000.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, the regular business me~~ the Board of Health was
adjourned at 10:25 a.m. wA ~
W. Keith Elmore, RPh, Chairman
New Hanover County Board of Health
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Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
New Hanover County Health Department
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Approved: