07/05/1995
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Dr. Spiro J. Macris, Chairman, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover
County Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 5, 1995, in
the Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium, New Hanover County Health Department,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members Present:
Spiro J. Macris, DDS, Chairman
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM, Vice-Chairman
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
John M. Coble
Mary King Dean
W. Keith Elmore, RPh.
Robert G. Greer
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Edward L. Paul, Jr., OD
Mark A. Veenstra, PE
Others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation:
Mr. Bob Parker gave the invocation.
Recognitions:
J. Quinn Sweeney. BMS Architects
Dr. Macris presented a wall hanging (picture, invitation, program) concerning the new
Animal Control Services facility to Ms. J. Quinn Sweeney, Architect, BMS Architects, PC,
in recognition of Ms. Quinn's architectural services rendered during the construction of the
New Hanover County Health Department Animal Control Services facility.
New Emplovee
Dr. Macris welcomed the following new health department employees:
Ms. Flora Chavarria, Physician Extender, Women's Health Care
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1995 Academic LinkaQe Award
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Dr. Macris announced that NHCHD won the third prize ($250) 1995 Academic Linkage
Award, "A Collaborative Effort to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes Among Clients of a Local
Health Department."
Ms. Betty Jo McCorkle, Women's Health Care Director, explained this was a joint effort of
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine and School of Public
Health; Coastal Area Health Education Center; New Hanover Regional Medical Center;
and the health department to access needs, to improve existing prenatal programs, and
to develop new programs and policies to positively affect pregnancy outcomes. The
health department will be a participant in the poster session at the National Association
of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Annual Meeting in July in Atlanta, Georgia.
Department Focal:
Dr. Tabandeh Zand, Nutrition Director, and Ms. Brenda Carter, New Hanover County
Cooperative Extension Agent presented the department focal on the 5-A Day Program, a
nutritional program. The Board was served heart healthy refreshments.
Committee Reports:
BudQet
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Ms. Lynda Smith, Assistant Health Director, reported the New Hanover County FY 1995-
96 Budget was approved and adopted by the County Commissioners on June 19, 1995.
The Public Health Nurse position in the Jail was reinstated in the NHCHD FY 1995-96
Budget. The Board of Health's request to reinstate the Animal Control Services clerical
position to full-time and request for a generator at Animal Control Services was not
reinstated in the budget.
A discussion followed on the health department's budget procedure and schedule. Mr.
Parker stated that a prior Board of Health decided to approve the health department's
budget after the County Commissioners' approval of the County Manager's Recommended
Budget.
MOTION: Mr. Coble moved that in the future the Board of Health approve the NHCHD
Budget prior to presenting the health department budget to the New Hanover County
Commissioners for their review. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: Mr. Coble moved for the Board of Health to request from the New Hanover
County Commissioners the establishment of a new Animal Control Officer position for I
Animal Control Services. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
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MOTION: A recommendation and motion from the Budget Committee was made to
approve the NHCHD FY 1995-96 Budget approved by the New Hanover County
Commissioners on June 19, 1995. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Unfinished Business:
Health Department Participation in Smart Start PlanninQ Process
Dr. Spiro Macris addressed the Board on the NHCHD's participation in the Smart Start
planning process. Smart Start is a program designed to offer educational and health care
services to preschool children five years-old and under.
Dr. Macris explained that on June 26, 1995, Mr. Parker received a phone call from Mr.
Mark Lanier, Chair, New Hanover County Partnership for Children (NHCPC), inviting
Board members and health department staff to attend a meeting on Thursday, June 29,
1995, to participate in the initial Smart Start planning process. He stated the Board took
a position against participating in the Smart Start Program in September 1993; therefore,
he decided not to attend the meeting and to address this issue at the Board of Health
meeting today.
Mr. Coble expressed that the invitation from NHCPC to attend the above meeting should
have been more formal. Dr. Clancy stated the Board of Health needs to know the role of
the health department in this program addressing childhood problems, and the health
department should participate in the development of the Smart Start Program.
Mr. Coble inquired regarding identification of the present Chair of the NHCPC. He
recommended securing a more formal request from NHCPC for health department
participation in the Smart Start planning process and securing more details regarding New
Hanover County Smart Start funding.
MOTION: Mr. Coble moved for the Board of Health not to reconsider the Smart Start
issue until a formal request for health department participation in the Smart Start planning
process is secured. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Dr. Macris asked Mr. Parker to convey the Board's request to NHCPC for a formal request
for health department participation in Smart Start. Mrs. Dean inquired about NHCPC
Board of Directors and incorporation, and she requested a list of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Greer inquired regarding Smart Start funding for New Hanover County.
New Business:
Cat Video
Mr. Ron Currie, Animal Control Services Director, showed a video documenting a cat being
stolen from Animal Control Services. The video displayed the effectiveness of the Animal
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Control Services surveillance system.
New Medicaid Rates
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Mr. Parker presented the following changes to the Family Planning Fee Medicaid rates
effective July 1, 1995 pending approval of the Board of Health and New Hanover County
Commissioners:
Complete Physical With Annual
Complete Physical
Extended Revisit With Pelvic
Limited Revisit W/O Pelvic
Limited Service/Pregnancy Test
$136.38
87.80
74.14
43.28
10.51
Mr. Parker reported these rates reflect a decrease and will be effective for Fiscal Year
1995-96.
MOTION: Dr. Jackson moved for the Board to approve the proposed changes in the
Family Planning Program Fee Schedule to be incorporated in the NHCHD Fee Policy
retroactive to July 1, 1995. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Comments:
Board Members
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Health Director
Election of Health Director to National Association of County and City Health
Officials (NACCHO) Board of Directors
Mr. Parker announced that he was elected to the NACCHO Board of Directors and thanked
the Board for their support.
Article on Futch Creek - Wildlife In North Carolina - Mav 1995
Mr. Parker distributed to the Board an article from Wildlife in North Carolina regarding an
experimental dredging project at the mouth of Futch Creek. The Environmental Health
Division conducted a survey to identify septic system contributions to the pollution of
Futch Creek.
Letter - The Nation's Health
Mr. Parker wrote a letter, Forget Single Payer; Save Lobbying for Public Health,
featured in The Nations Health, MaylJune 1995, promoting Public Health and preventive I
health care.
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Fireworks and Iniuries Article
Mr. Parker referred the Board to an article, Serious Eye Injuries Associated with
Fireworks - United States, 1990-1994, featured in MMWR, CDC, June 1995.
. MOSQuito Article
An article, Mosquito Truce, was noted.
Senate Bill 1021
Mr. Parker informed the Board that SB-1021 passed the North Carolina General
Assembly, and Home Health service boundaries will be terminated by July 1, 1996.
Castle Havne Gasoline
Mr. Parker advised the Board that Environmental Health staff are working with Protective
Groundwater Services concerning groundwater contamination in the Castle Hayne area.
A Public Meeting concerning this issue will be held at 7:00 P.M. on July 13, 1995, at the
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources Regional Office, Wilmington,
N.C.
I Adjournment:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 AM.
Spiro . Macris, DDS, hairman
New Hanover County Board of Health
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Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
New Hanover County Health Department
Approved:
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