06/06/1990 BOH Minutes
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The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, June 6,
1990, at the New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members Present:
John Leonard, DVM, Chairman
Don Blake, Vice Chairman
Pascal Camak, DDS
Michael Goins, OD
Julius Howard, RhP
Amaryallis Rehder, MA
Sheram Robinson
Marlene Rosenkoetter, PHD
Alan Thomas, MD
Catherine Vangellow, MPH
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Lucie F. Harrell, County Clerk
Bob Pope, County Attorney
Wanda Copley, Assistant County Attorney
Dr. Leonard welcomed the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners and called the business meeting to order at
8: 00 A.M. Dr. Marlene Rosenkoetter presented the invocation.
Dr. Leonard called for corrections to the minutes of the meetings
of May 2 and May 16, 1990. The minutes were approved as
presented.
Department Focal:
Ms. Beth Day, Adult Health/Epidemiology Director, explained that
the New Hanover County Commissioners declared Mayas Handwashing
Month in New Hanover County. Activities included a campaign
enti tIed "Be A Germbuster", video, media coverage, badges,
billboards and a puppet show which was presented in the schools
and day care centers. The puppet show and participants were
presented to the Board of Health and County Commissioners.
Joint Meeting:
Smoking Pollution Control Regulation (SPCR)
A joint session of the Board of Health and the
Commissioners followed regarding the SPCR. Dr. Leonard
the County Commissioners for attending the Board of
meeting.
County
thanked
Health
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Dr. Alan Thomas, physician and Board of Health member, and Dr.
James Snyder, Cardiologist, made presentations on the hazards and I
health problems resulting from passive smoke and smoking. Drs.
Thomas and Snyder requested that the Board of Commissioners
support the SPCR as proposed by the Board of Health.
Dr. Leonard asked the Board of Commissioners for their opinions
of the proposed SPCR. Mr. Retchin, Chairman, County
Commissioners stated that he appreciated the educational efforts
of the Board of Health this morning and that he felt everyone
knew that smoking was unhealthy. He said he received a petition
this morning with 4,271 signatures directed to the New Hanover
County Board of Commissioners asking that they use their
influence on the Board of Health to direct the efforts of the
Board on education and not regulation. He expressed that he felt
the regulation is nothing short of a total ban on smoking. He
stated that he felt the regulation that the Board is proposing
would most certainly be questioned and could not be supported by
the Board of County Commissioners.
Mr. Joe Barfield expressed concern that the Board of Health has
the authority to adopt the regulation without the County
Commissioner's approval. Mr. Mathews expressed his concern over
the inconsistency of the SPCR. Mr. Greer expressed that he feels
that smoking is harmful, but as an individual one should have the
freedom of choice.
Dr. Leonard expressed that the Board of Health was not trying to
show their authority but a desire to protect public health and
cooperate with the County Commissioners. Ms. Rehder expressed
her concern for the protection of the health of nonsmokers. Dr.
Thomas stated that industry is saving money by banning smoking
and that he supported total cessation of smoking in public
places. Mr. O'Neal stated that he had experienced this at the
hospital and that he felt there should be some restrictions in
places of emploYment.
Mr. Blake explained that the Board of Health has more authority
than its appointing board, because in the event of an outbreak of
disease or disaster, then the heal th department must have the
authority to cover the entire county. In this particular case,
the Board of Health sees passi ve smoking as a health problem.
There are no easy answers and the Board feels an obligation to
the health of nonsmokers.
Dr. Thomas stated that there is a $500 fine for the sale of
cigarettes to minors. Dr. Rosenkoetter suggested that perhaps
the County Commissioners could assist with the SPCR sign
requirements and that the Board of Health could initiate an
educational program over a period of two to five years.
Dr. Daniel Gottovi, pulmonary physician, in his presentation to
the Board stated he was concerned with the rights of an
individual to smoke, the responsibility not to do harm to
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others, the growing evidence of the harm of passive smoke and the
responsibilities of the health department to protect public
health. He urged the Board of Health and County Commissioners to
be supportive of the health department to protect the public
health just as the health department is charged to do.
Mr. Retchin suggested that he and Ms. Wanda Copley, Assistant
County Attorney, meet and draft a proposed smoking regulation
which could be accepted by the County Commissioners and then
submit the proposed SPCR to the Board of Health for their review.
It was the consensus of the Board of Health to review and
consider the proposed smoking regulation drawn up by Mr. Retchin
and Ms. Copley.
Committee Reports:
Budget
Mr. Don Blake, Budget Committee Chairman, reported that the
Health Department Recommended FY90-91 Budget was sub~tted to the
County Commissioners. The total budget including salaries is
$5,734, 430 and is an increase of $249,257 over FY89-90. Mr.
Blake stated that Mr. Allen O'Neal, County Manager had
recommended a 5 percent merit increase but did not recommend a
cost of living raise for county employees. Mr. Blake, on behalf
of the Board of Health, requested that the County Commissioners
consider a 5 percent cost of living in addition to a 2.5 percent
merit increase for employees due to the problem of recruiting and
keeping qualified personnel.
One new full time
for the Jail.
recommended. The
was recommended.
Public Health Nurse II position was recommended
The other requested posi tions were not
reclassification of the Vector Control Director
Unfinished Business:
Smoking Pollution Control Regulation (SPCR)
A short discussion was held regarding displaying signs indicating
smoking and nonsmoking areas, feasibility of referendum for City
of Wilmington to get opinions of people, political process and
exemptions to the proposed draft of the SPCR.
New Business:
Board Member Camnents:
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Health Director Comments:
State Proposes to Cut Mosquito Control Funding
Mr. Parker requested that Board members contact their legislators
regarding the cutting of New Hanover County Mosquito Control.
June Blood Drive
Board members were asked to participate in the County Blood Drive
to be held at the health department on Monday, June 18, 1990.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at
10:40 A.M.
~~
Dr. John Leonard
Chairman, Board of Health
~2- (J~
Robert S. Parker
Secretary to the Board
Approved:
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The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, June 27,
1990, at the New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members Present:
John Leonard, DVM, Chairman
Don Blake, Vice Chairman
Pascal Camak, DDS
Michael Goins, OD
Julius Howard, RhP
Amaryallis Rehder, MA
Sheram Robinson
Marlene Rosenkoetter, PHD
Catherine Vangellow, MPH
Members Absent:
Alan Thomas, MD
others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Dr. Leonard called the business meeting to order at 8:00 A.M.
Ms. Vangellow presented the invocation. Dr. Leonard called for
corrections to the minutes of the meeting on June 6, 1990.
Corrections were made to the minutes. The minutes were approved
as corrected.
Request for Public SWinminq Pool Variance
Mr. Jim Hayes, Environmental Health Specialist, explained that
the waterslide at Creative World Primary Day School does not meet
the Rules Governing Construction and Operation of Swimming Pools
in New Hanover County and that the school was allowed three years
from July 1, 1987, to comply with these regulations. Mr. Hayes
explained that the splash pool and deck are too small and that
the waterslide pump intakes are not located in a separate pool as
required. Required handrails and stairs are not available. Mr.
Parker explained that Creative World Primary Day School has
requested a variance to the swimming pool regulations.
Mr. Darrell McCall, owner of Creative World Primary Day School,
stated that it would be expensive to construct the pump intake
pool and that he felt the pool was a safe operation. He stated
that the swimming pool has been in operation for 15 years without
an accident and that the waterslide is not in operation unless
two teachers are present and a lifeguard is in the pool. Mr.
McCall requested that the Board of Health consider a variance to
the rules to allow omission of the pump intake pool, stairs with
handrail and structural modifications to the splash pool and deck
area. Mr. McCall stated that he would then proceed with other
necessary modifications to the pool if the Board of Health grants
the variance.
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Mr. Blake stated that he did not want the Board to consider the
variance unless the pool operation is controlled, safe and only I
used by children attending Creative World Primary Day School.
After discussion, Mr. Blake moved that the variance to the Rules
Governing the Construction and Operation of Swimming Pools in New
Hanover County be granted for omission of the following four
items:
(1) structural modifications to increase splash pool dimensions
(2) separate pool for pump intakes
(3) stairway with handrail
(4) modifications to provide minimum deck width
Also, the swimming pool will be operated only by and for Creative
World Primary Day School and Creative World Primary Day School
will assume full responsibility and will not hold the Board of
Health and New Hanover County responsible for any pool injuries.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Ms. Wanda Copley, Assistant County Attorney, recommended that an
indemnity agreement be drafted to fully protect the Board of
Health, New Hanover County and its employees.
Unfinished Business:
Smoking Pollution Control Regulation (SPCR)
Dr. Leonard reported that on Wednesday, June 20, 1990, Mr. Fred
Retchin, Chairman of New Hanover County Board of Commissioners,
Ms. Wanda Copley, Assistant County Attorney, Mr. Parker and Dr.
Leonard met to review and redraft the SPCR. Dr. Leonard stated
that he felt the Board of Health should ban smoking in public
places but that the County Commissioners' draft of the Smoking
Pollution Control (SPC) Ordinance was a step forward. Mr. Parker
explained that the County SPC Ordinance would apply only to
unincorporated areas. He complimented Dr. Leonard for his work
on the county smoking ordinance.
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A lengthy discussion and review of the County Commissioners
draft of the SPC Ordinance, the health hazards of smoking, the
protection of the public's health from passive smoke, the
enforcement of the SPC Ordinance and the responsibility of the
Board of Health to protect the public from passive smoke
followed.
Mr. Parker presented a proposal to the Board of Health for their
consideration. He suggested that the Board of Health endorse the
County Commissioners' SPC Ordinance and submit their opinions
of the SPC Ordinance to the County Commissioners.
Mr. Parker proposed that the Board of Health go on record
submitting the following facts with their endorsement of the
smoking ordinance to the New Hanover County Commissioners:
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(1) The New Hanover County Board of Health and Commissioners
must protect our residents from the well proven hazards of
passive smoke. We must work toward completely eliminating
passive smoke in all public areas.
(2) We feel that our proposed regulation dated May 31, 1990,
should be adopted by you as an ordinance. A copy is
attached.
( 3 ) We reviewed your proposed ordinance as drafted by Wanda
Copley, Assistant County Attorney, and will accept this as
an important first step toward the eventual elimination of
passive smoke in all public places in New Hanover County.
Dr. Goins
proposal.
moved that the Board accept Mr. Parker's
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
above
Mr. Parker stated that the health department will be responsible
for much of the education and enforcement of the smoking
ordinance.
Committee Reports:
Dr. Leonard asked for Committee Reports.
Committee Reports.
There were no
New Business:
Happy Helmets to You - $7,000 Grant
Ms. Denise Teachey, Health Promotions Director, announced that
the health department was the recipient of a $7,000 competitive
grant from the Injury Control Section, North Carolina Department
of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Bike helmets will
be purchased for children from 8 years to 14 years of age.
Applicants for bike helmets must meet the grant criteria.
Educational sessions will be presented in five locations in the
county.
Mr. Parker congratulated Ms. Teachey for applying for and
securing the bicycle helmets grant.
New Mosquito Funding - Mr. Bobby Waters
Mr. Bobby Waters, Vector Control Director, reported that New
Hanover County Health Department has received an additional
$37,400 funding for mosquito control. Mr. Parker explained that
these funds were received as a result of a proposal to the Corps
of Engineers which was prepared by Mr. Waters.
Mr. Parker stated that the additional mosquito funding and the
bike helmet funding were results of two health department
employees going the extra mile for funding for their programs.
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Mr. Parker commended Ms. Teachey and Mr. Waters for their
accomplishments in securing these resources for New Hanover I
County. Dr. Rosenkoetter stated that she would like to go on
record as congratulating both Ms. Teachey and Mr. Waters for
their initiative and efforts in seeking and securing these funds
for New Hanover County.
Change in Health Department Fee Policy - Add Cat
Mr. Parker explained that when the Board of Health revised and
approved the Animal Control Ordinance which required cat owners
as well as dog owners to purchase licenses that the fee schedule
was not revised to reflect this change. He requested that the
Board add the word "cat" (before "dog") to the Animal Control
Section of the New Hanover County Health Department Fee Policy to
reflect this change of policy.
Mr. Howard moved tha t the word "ca t" be added to the Animal
Control Section of the New Hanover County Health Department Fee
Policy. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Increase in Home Health Charges
Mr. Parker presented the approved Medicaid rates for Fiscal Year
1990-91. These rates will be effective July 1, 1990.
Mr. Howard moved that the Board of Health approve the Medicaid I
recommended increase in the Home Health charges effective
July 1, 1990. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:50
A.M.
j}oí/\/\-- ~
Dr. John Leonard
Chairman, Board of Health
~~(J~
Robert S. (Bob) Parker
Secretary to the Board
Approved:
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