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04/04/1990 BOH Minutes I I I '17 The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, April 4, 1990, at the New Hanover County Health Department Animal Control Division, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members Present: John Leonard, DVM, Chairman Don Blake, Vice Chairman Pascal Camak, DDS Michael Goins, OD Amaryallis Rehder, MA Sheram Robinson Marlene Rosenkoetter, PhD Alan Thomas, MD Catherine Vangellow, MPH Members Absent: Albert Corbett Julius Howard, RhP Others Present: Robert S. Parker Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary Wanda Copley, County Attorney Department Focal: Mr. Ron Currie, Animal Control Director, and Ms. Miriam Nell, Animal Control Supervisor, conducted a tour of the Animal Control Shelter prior to the Board of Health meeting. Mr. Currie introduced new employee, Chloe Rivenbark, Animal Control Officer, to the Board. Dr. Leonard called the business meeting to order at 8: 45 A.M. Ms. Amaryallis Rehder presented the invocation. Dr. Leonard called for corrections to the minutes of the meetings of March 7, 1990 and March 13, 1990. The minutes were approved as presented. Committee Reports: Personnel Upgrade of Home Health Administrative Administrative Officer I: Assistant I to Ms. Vangellow, Personnel Committee Chairman, reported that the Personnel Committee met on April 4, 1990, at 7:30 A.M. to consider the upgrade of the Home Health Administrative Assistant I position to Administrative Officer I. She stated that Mr. Alan Mozingo, Assistant Finance Director, Ms. Karen Hogan, Home Health Director, and Mr. Parker have recommended the upgrade of this position. 18 Ms. Vangellow moved that the Board of Health approve the reclassification of the Home Health Administrative Assistant I I position to Administrative Officer I and submit the request to the New Hanover County Commissioners for their consideration. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED. Budget Ms. Lynda Smith, Assistant Health Director, reported that the FY90-91 Budget will be submitted to Mr. Allan O'Neil, County Manager on April 5, 1990. Mr. Blake, Chairman, Budget Committee, will present the recommended budget at the next Board of Health meeting. Mr. Parker stated that the budget request includes the establishment of six new positions in the health department. The staffing of the New Hanover County Jail has become a problem and is taking staff time from other Health Department programs. The responsibility for medical staffing of the Jail belongs to the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Parker expressed the crucial need for one additional position to staff the Jail. New Business: New Animal Control Shelter Ms. Donna Neal, Chairman, New Hanover County Animal Control Advisory Board, presented the need for a new Animal Control Shelter to provide adequate space to house animals and a separate area for diseased animals. She stated that the present shelter does not meet the specifications of the proposed Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Control Advisory Board is considering creating a Foundation to assist in acquiring funds for a new Animal Control Shelter and to study the feasibility of a merger between New Hanover County Animal Control and the Humane Society. The Humane Society would shelter all the animals and Animal Control Division would serve as the enforcement agency. I Ms. Neal stated that the need for a new Animal Control Shelter is on the County Commissioners Capital Projects Agenda. She requested the support of the Board of Health in presenting this request to the County Manager and County Commissioners. Unfinished Business: Smoking Pollution Control Regulation Dr. Leonard stated that he met with the New Hanover County Commissioners on March 26, 1990, to present the Proposed Smoking Pollution Control Regulation (SPCR). Dr. Leonard stated that the County Commissioners felt the SPCR was too restrictive. He I referred the Board to a letter to the Commissioners written by Dr. Goins and Dr. Leonard. Board members were asked to review this letter. I II I 19 A lengthy discussion was held regarding the SPCR and the health hazards of smoking to the general public. Dr. Thomas stated that because of the no smoking policy at New Hanover Memorial Hospital, the decrease in health problems has resulted in increased staff attendance and an enormous savings of dollars. Ms. Rehder and Dr. Leonard suggested that the Board consider furnishing the County Commissioners with more data on the health hazards of smoking and the smoking regulation. He stated that he would like to see the Board get the County Commissioners endorsement of the SPCR. Mr. Parker reminded the Board that the proposed SPCR does allow smoking in a bar area. Dr. Camak expressed concern over the financial expense the regulation would cost restaurant owners. Ms. Wanda Copley, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Board that revenues from bars in New Hanover County are based upon a percentage of income earned from food and bar services. Mr. Blake suggested that the Board should check ABC laws that designate the proportionate percentage of food and bar revenues. Dr. Thomas stated that he was in favor of presenting the proposed SPCR as a draft at the Public Hearing without modifications. Ms. Rehder expressed that she concurred with Dr. Thomas due to community response in favor of the SPCR. Dr. Rosenkoetter and Dr. Goins also supported presenting the proposed regulation as a draft at the Public Hearing. Dr. Leonard moved that the Smoking Pollution Control Regulation state that no smoking would be allowed in bar areas in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. After discussion Dr. Leonard asked the Board for their direction on whether to send a letter inviting the County Commissioners to meet with the Board of Health to discuss the proposed SPCR. Dr. Leonard called for a vote on this issue. Upon vote, the VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS. The Board of Health decided to hold the first Public Hearing on the SPCR at 7 P.M. on Monday, April 30, 1990, in the New Hanover County Health Department Auditorium. Mr. Blake, on behalf of the Board of Health, thanked Ms. Copley for the outstanding legal services she has rendered to the Board of Health and New Hanover County regarding the SPCR. He expressed his appreciation for the inordinate amount of time Ms. Copley has spent drafting this policy. Board Member Comments: Dr. Leonard stated that the Public Health Celebration and Health Fair was excellent and an example of great community relations. Dr. Goins expressed his appreciation to the staff. Ms. Rehder commented that the program and displays were excellent. Dr. Leonard and Mr. Blake recommended that the Board officially 20 express their appreciation to the staff for the overwhelmingly successful event. Health Director Comments: Mr. Parker stated that the staff had been working on the Public Health Celebration and Health Fair since last summer. The positive effects of the celebration had been morale building and had received peak staff support. Mr. Parker reported that between 500 and 600 attended the Health Fair. Mr. Parker thanked the Board for their support of the Public Health Celebration and Health Fair. Copies of the program for this event were distributed to Board members. Mr. Parker stated that Mr. Dan Shingleton, Regional Maternal and Child Care Supervisor and Keynote Speaker for the Public Health Celebration, had presented to the Health Department a framed picture of the home of Dr. Thomas Wood, Father of Public Health in North Carolina, and an article which is displayed on the Library hallway wall. Dr. Leonard suggested that the dedication of the Health Department Library to Dr. Wood should be considered. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 A.M. ~~ Dr. John Leonard ~ ~rfJ:: Robert S. Parker Secretary to the Board Approved: I I I