11/07/1990 BOH Minutes
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The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday,
November 7, 1990, at 8:00 A.M. in 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
Robert G. Greer
Sheram Robinson
Alan Thomas, MD
Members Absent:
Julius Howard, RhP
Marlene Rosenkoetter, Ph.D.
Amaryallis Rehder, MA
Others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Dr. Leonard called the business meeting to order at 8:00 A.M.
Dr. Goins presented the invocation. Dr. Leonard called for
corrections to the minutes of the meeting on October 3, 1990.
The minutes were corrected and approved.
Hamilton w. Stevens Award
Dr. Leonard recognized Bobby Waters, Vector Control Director, as
recipient of the prestigious Hamilton W. Stevens Award. Dr.
Leonard displayed a framed narrative and plaque presented to Mr.
Waters by the North Carolina Mosquito and Vector Control
Association. On behalf of the Board of Health, Dr. Leonard
congratulated Mr. Waters for his professionalism and dedication
to the fields of Vector Control and Environmental and Public
Health. Mr. Waters expressed his appreciation to Mr. Parker and
the staff for their support.
Departmental Focal:
Relationships of WIC Participation to Birthweight and Infant
Mortality in North Carolina
Dr. Tabandeh Zand, Nutrition/WIC Director, presented to the Board
the results of a study on the Relationships of WIC Participation
to Birthweight and Infant Mortality in North Carolina. This
study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, was
conducted at the Research Triangle and UNC at Chapel Hill. The
results of the study proved that WIC participation decreased the
risk of low birthweight, decreased the chances of infant death
and reduced the risk of infant deaths due to causes preventable
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by prenatal and perinatal care. Dr. Leonard thanked Dr. Zand for
her presentation.
Committee Reports:
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Community Relations
Use of Billboards by Health Department
Mr. Parker presented a report written by Ms. Rehder, Chairman,
Community Relations Committee, on the Use of Billboards by New
Hanover County Health Department. The Community Relations
Committee met on Tuesday, October 23, 1990, to discuss a request
to have the health department discontinue the use of free
billboards for communicating health messages to the community.
This request was made by Mr. Peter Davis at the September 5, 1990
Board of Health meeting.
Mr. Parker stated that the recommendation of the Community
Relations Committee was that the health department continue the
usage of billboards for health education purposes. It was the
consensus of the Board of Health that New Hanover County Health
Department should continue the use of existing free billboard
space for communicating health messages to the community.
Unfinished Business:
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Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance (SPCO) UPdate
Mr. Parker reported that the Wrightsville Beach Town Aldermen did
not pass the SPCO. Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have not taken
action regarding the SPCO. The Wilmington City Council will meet
and consider the adoption of the SPCO.
Dr. Leonard expressed that he would like the Board to get more
involved in education of the public regarding the harmful effects
of smoking. Mr. Blake stated that more staff is needed for
education concerning the dangers of smoking. He encouraged the
Board to convince people of these dangers on a daily basis. Mr.
Greer stated that we accomplished the education of the public
through our negotiations at Wrightsville Beach.
Repeal of 1956 Board of Health Disposal of Garbage and Refuse
Regulation
Dr. Camak stated that the 1956 Regulation Governing the Storage,
Collection, Transporting and Disposal of Garbage and Refuse in
New Hanover County is outdated. The regulation is in conflict
with county procedures and should be repealed. He stated that
the request for repeal of this regulation was advertised in the
newspaper prior to today's Board meeting.
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After discussion Dr. Camak moved that the Board of Health repeal
the Regulation Governing the storage, Collection, Transporting
and Disposal of Garbage and Refuse in New Hanover County adopted
in May 1956. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
Adult Neurology
Ms. Betty Creech, Community Health Director, requested the Board
approve the Federal Poverty Guidelines Eligibility Sliding Fee
Scale in the Adult Neurology Clinic eligibility determination.
She stated that fees are not charged in this clinic and
physicians are paid by a grant. Anyone can attend the Neurology
Clinic twice for diagnostic evaluation, but eligibility must be
established for clinic attendance prior to the third clinic
visit.
Dr. Goins moved that the Board approve the use of the Federal
Poverty Guidelines Eligibility Sliding Fee Scale in the Adult
Neurology Clinic for the determination of eligibility for clinic
attendance and diagnostic services. Upon vote, the motion
CARRIED.
Nominating Committee
Dr. Leonard appointed the following Board members to the
Nominating Committee:
Dr. Thomas, Chairman
Mr. Howard
Mr. Robinson
Dr. Goins, Alternate
The Nominating Committee is to nominate the 1990 Chairman of the
Board of Health at the December Board meeting.
Expanded Services in New Hanover County Schools
Mr. Parker requested that the Board of Health consider a proposal
to Dr. Tom McNeel, Superintendent of Schools, and the New Hanover
County Board of Education, for the Expansion of School Based
Health Services.
Mr. Parker referred the Board to an article in their packet
featured in Time magazine regarding the problems associated with
Teenage Pregnancy. He explained that the health department
conducted a survey in 1989 concerning the behavior and attitudes
of students in the ninth and tenth grades. A Health Education
Task Force (HETF) was appointed by Dr. McNeel, Superintendent of
New Hanover County Schools, and Mr. Parker to review the survey
results and make recommendations regarding health services and
sex education in New Hanover County Schools.
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The proposed additional School Health services in the middle and
high schools would include collection of daily urine samples by I
school nurses for pregnancy tests, daily Family Planning
counselling, provision of contraceptives ( condoms and foam) to
students, referral of students by school health nurses to Family
Planning, Maternity, Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics and
other health services as needed, immunizations and various
education and counselling sessions for students. Mr. Parker
stated that these expanded services should only be offered to
students with parental approval.
Ms. Betty Jo McCorkle, Maternal Child Care Director, expressed
that students need and search for sex education in the schools.
Mr. Blake, Dr. Goins, and Dr. Thomas expressed their concerns
over the Board of Education Human Growth and Development Program
policies which are outdated and do not include contraceptive
education. Dr. Thomas suggested that the Board submit the
Expansion of School Based Health Services Proposal in its
entirety. Mr. Greer suggested the omission of contraceptives to
students be considered before the submission of this proposal to
the Board of Education.
A lengthy discussion followed of the present Board of Education
policy concerning the provision of contraception education and
the proposal of additional school based health services.
Dr. Thomas moved that the Board of Health approve the proposed I
Expanded Health Services in New Hanover County Schools in its
entirety as submitted by Mr. Parker. Upon vote, the motion
CARRIED Unanimously.
Comments:
Board Members
A discussion followed on the success of the Continuing Education
Session for Boards of Health members on Groundwater Contamination
which was held on Tuesday, October 23, 1990. Dr. Leonard thanked
Mr. Blake for his presentation on the program.
Health Director
Mr. Parker stated that the County Commissioners will appoint two
new Board members in December. Applicants for these positions
must be a dentist and a professional engineer. Ms. Rehder has
agreed to serve another term on the Board of Health.
Mr. Parker reported that the first dangerous dog was declared in
New Hanover County by the Dangerous Dog Review Panel in October.
He stated that a rottweiler killed a poodle in October. The
owner of this dog must be in compliance with the Dangerous Dog I
Statute. Ms. Wanda Copley, Assistant County Attorney, said that
the Dangerous Dog Hearing was an emotional hearing. She stated
that the Animal Control Advisory Board did well at the hearing.
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Mr. Parker reminded the Board that the Board of Health is the
appellee board for the Dangerous Dog Statute.
Mr. Parker asked Board members if they would like to have an
identification card designating them as Board of Health members.
Board members will be furnished ID cards if they desire the
cards.
Mr. Parker reminded the Board that the December 5, 1990, meeting
will be held at UNCW. Dr. Rosenkoetter has invited the Board to
have breakfast at 7: 30 A.M. and meet at 8: 00 A.M. in Wagoner
Hall.
Mr. Parker stated that he was on the program for the Board of
Health Training in Greenville on November 15, 1990. He
encouraged Board members to attend another training session of
this type on January 16, 1991 in Raleigh, N.C.
Mr. Parker reminded the Board of the Dedication of the Library to
be held on February 22, 1991, at 4 :00 P.M. and a Reception at
5:00 P.M.
Mr. Parker congratulated Mr. Greer on his election to the Board
of New Hanover County Commissioners. He announced that Mike
Harvell, Sheriff of Brunswick County and husband of Ms. Dianne
Harvell, Environmental Health Director, won reelection.
Mr. Parker stated that in recognition of National Home Care Week,
Home Health is having an Open House and Reception on November 26,
1990. Board members are invited to attend.
Mr. Parker introduced the following new staff members:
Thurman Grady, General Utility Worker, Vector Control
Janice Nixon, Clerk Typist, Home Health
Gail Haertel, Clerk Typist, Home Health
Susan Bryant, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory
There being no further business, Dr. Leonard adjourned the
meeting at 9:48 A.M.
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Of. John Leonard
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Robert S. (Bob) Parker
Secretary to the Board
Approved: