02/02/1994
I
I
I
7
Mr. Coble called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover
County Board of Heal th (NHCBH)
Wednesday, February 2 , 1994 , in
Library, New Hanover County
Wilmington, North Carolina.
to order at 8: 00 A.M. on
the· Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood
Health Department (NHCHD) ,
Members Present:
John M. Coble, Chairman
Spiro J. Macris, DDS, Vice-Chairman
Mary Lou Alford
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Mary King Dean
W. Keith Elmore, RPh.
Robert G. Greer
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
Laura Pitts Maness
Mark A. Veenstra,PE
Members Absent:
Edward L. Paul, Jr., OD
Others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Mrs. Mary Dean presented the invocation.
Mr. Coble called for corrections to the minutes of the meeting on
January 5, 1994. The minutes were approved.
Recognition:
Super Staff Award
Mr. Coble recognized and congratulated Ron Currie, Animal
Control Director, as recipient of the Semi-Annual Super Staff
Award.
100% Smokefree Establishment
Mr. Coble announced that Robert's Grocery, Wrightsville Beach,
N.C. will be presented a Smokefree Certificate in recognition as
a 100% Smokefree Establishment.
Departmental Focal:
Ms. Beth Day, Epidemiology Director, presented the department
focal entitled "They Know NOW" on Communicable Disease reporting
and the services of the Epidemiology Program.
8
Committee Reports:
Communi ty Planning
I
Mrs. Mary Lou Alford, Chairman, reported that the Community
Planning Committee met on December 10, 1993 to review the
Community Diagnosis Report. Ms. Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health
Director, presented the New Hanover County Community Health
Problems FY 94 Community Diagnosis Report. Health concerns
listed in the report are as follows:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Including HIV
Injury
Maternal and Infant Health
Physical Fitness and Chronic Diseases
Substance Abuse
Ms. Smith explained that the report will be submitted to the
State Center for Health and Environmental Statistics and will be
used in the preparation of the State Expansion Budget.
Unfinished Business:
New Business:
Proposed Ordinance on Rabies Vaccination and County Pet License
I
Mr. Ron Currie, Animal Control Director, presented a plan for the
revision of pet license tags and Rabies vaccination regulations.
Mr. Currie recommended that pet owners purchase only one dog/cat
tag indicating pet registration and Rabies vaccination. Tags
would be renewed annually on the anniversary date of pet's Rabies
vaccina tion. Second year tags could be renewed by the Animal
Control Shelter by mail; but, the third year licenses/tags would
have to be secured from a veterinarian at the time of the
animal's Rabies vaccination.
Mr. Currie stated that a three-year tag would concur with the
three-year Rabies vaccination and would be cost effective for pet
owners and the county. Local legislation would need to be
approved by the General Assembly to enable this tax collection
and administrative fee every three years.
Mr. Currie requested that the Board consider his recommendation
to proceed with the proposed changes to Section 3 . 5 of the
Animals and Fowl Ordinance ( Licence Tag and Rabies Tag). He
stated he would like to present his proposal to the Animal
Control Advisory Committee and local veterinarians for their
input and participation.
Mrs. Dean moved that the Board approve for Mr. Currie to proceed I
with the proposed modifications to Section 3.5 of the New Hanover
County Animals and Fowl Ordinance (License Tag and Rabies Tag).
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
I
I
I
9
Dr. Jackson inquired about the inclusion of ferrets in the above
license and Rabies tag regulations. Mr. Currie stated that the
wording of the ordinance could reflect this change.
Committee Appointments
Mr. Coble made the following 1994 Board of Health Committee
appointments:
Animal Control Liaison
- Dr. Dennis L. Jackson
Budget
- Mr. Mark A. Veenstra, Chairman
Mr. W. Keith Elmore
Mr. Robert G. Greer
Mrs. Laura Pitts Maness
Conununity Planning
- Mrs. Mary Lou Alford, Chairman
Dr. Thomas V. Clancy
Mrs. Mary King Dean
Mr. Mark A. Veenstra
Environmental Health
- Dr. Spiro Macris, Chairman
Mrs. Mary King Dean
Mr. W. Keith Elmore
Mr. Mark A. Veenstra
Executive Committee
- Mr. John M. Coble, Chairman
Dr. Dennis L. Jackson
Dr. Spiro Macris
Dr. Edward L. Paul
Health Promotions
- Mrs. Laura Pitts Maness, Chairman
Dr. Thomas V. Clancy
Mrs. Mary King Dean
Dr. Edward L. Paul
Home Health
- Dr. Thomas V. Clancy, Chairman
Mrs. Mary Lou Alford
Mr. W. Keith Elmore
Mr. Coble thanked Board members for their willingness to accept
the Committee assignments and requested that Chairpersons be
considerate of Board members and staff time.
Chairman's Plans for 1994
Mr. Coble informed the Board that his plans and goals for the
Board of Health are being formulated. He suggested that the
Board entertain the idea of another cookout for the health
department staff. It was the consensus of the Board to sponsor
a staff cookout during April, Public Health Month, either on
Friday, April 8 or April 29, 1994.
10
Kindergarten Health Assessment Fees
Mr. Parker presented a request to the Board for a change from $28
to $30 in the FY 1993-94 Kindergarten Assessment Fees. He
explained when applying the sliding fee scale percentages, fees
need to be in a whole dollar amount for bookkeeping purposes.
Mrs. Alford moved for the Board to approve the Kindergarten
Assessment Fee rate at $30. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Comments:
Board of Health Members
Mr. Greer introduced and welcomed Mr. Andrew Atkinson, former
Finance Director and recently appointed Deputy County Manager to
the Board of Health.
Mr. Coble inquired about the Hurricane Operations Course. Ms.
Lynda Smith, Assistant Health Director, reported that she
attended the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hurricane
Operations Course held at the Emergency Manágement Institute in
Emmitsburg, Maryland. Mr. Greer stated New Hanover County was
well represented.
Mr. Elmore complimented Mr. Currie on his presentation on the
Animal Control Program to the Civitan Club.
Dr. Jackson expressed his concern regardi~g the present Animal
Control Dangerous Dog procedure. He stated it creates poor
relations for the Animal Control staff. Dr. Jackson explained
that Mr. Currie investigates dangerous dog complaints, and then
Mr. Currie decides if a dog should be declared dangerous or
potentially dangerous. Mr. Coble reiterated that Mr. Currie is
both the investigating officer and judge.
After discussion Dr. Jackson moved to have Mr. Currie and Animal
Control Officers investigate dangerous dog complaints and to have
the Chairman of the Animal Control Advisory Committee hear
Dangerous Dog cases and decide if the dog should be declared
dangerous or potentially dangerous. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED.
Dr. Clancy invited Board members and guests to a Annual Trauma
Symposium to be held from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. on February 12, 1994,
in Morton Hall at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington,
N.C. Registration is $45 - lunch included.
Health Director
I
I
Mr. Parker informed Board members that the 1994 Orientation to I
Board of Health Service will be held on February 25 in
Jacksonville, March 4 in Raleigh, and March 18 in Sylva.
I
I
I
}J
Mr. Parker encouraged the Board to attend the Boards of Health
inservice on Health Care Reform to be held on April 28, 1994,
from 6:30 P.M. - 9.P.M. at the Wilmington Hilton.
Mr. Parker distributed statistical information on Rabies in North
Carolina.
Mr. Parker announced that Board members may get their pictures
taken for personnel ID cards immediately following the Board
meeting.
Beavers
Mr. Greer informed the Board that the County Commissioners have
discussed the control of the beaver population in New Hanover
County and would like for the Board of Health to address and make
a recommendation regarding this problem.
Mr. Atkinson stated he has discussed the beaver problem with Mr.
Parker. Information regarding beaver control needs to be
provided to the public possibly by Animal Control or Vector
Control. Mr. Atkinson informed the Board of a State Beaver
Management Assistance Pilot Program. Special legislation will be
required if the County would like to join at a cost of $4,000.
There being no further business Mr. Coble adjourned the meeting
at 9:30 A.M.
~~~, ~
M~ohn M. Coble
~r()~
Robert S. (Bob) Parker
Secretary to the Board
Approved:
I
I
,