02/06/1985 BOH Minutes
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The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, February
6, 1985, at the New Hanover County Health Departrment.
Members Present:
Jean Credle, Chairman
William Grathwol, v. Chairman
Carl Durham
Irvin Roseman, D.D.S.
Harley Phillips, D.V.M.
Arnold Sobol, O.D
James Strickland
Hobart Whaley
Members Absent:
Dr. Maurice wilson
Nolan O'Neal
Others Present:
Robert S. Parker, Secretary to the Board
Margaret Payne acting for Mabel Price as ReCording Secretary
Mrs. Credle, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8 a.m. and
called for corrections to the January 2, 1985 minutes. There were
no correct ions and the minutes were approved as read. The meeting
proceeded according to Agenda, excepting administering oath of
office to Mr. O'Neal who could not attend.
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Department Focal
Michael Rhodes, Director of Environmental Health, cited the new
regulations governing New Hanover County's enforcement of the Milk
Ordinance. He referred specifically to Sees. 2, 4, 9 and 10 of
the Ordinance which speak to the issuance of permits, the labeling
of containers, sampling of milk, and container delivery.
Personnel Committee
Mrs. Credle expressed appreciation to those members who had sent
their evaluations of Bob Parker to her, and urged those who had
not to please comply as soon as poss ible. She asked for
suggestions as to the evaluation process to entertain for possible
changes in the future.
Budget Committee
Jim Strickland, Chairman for this Committee, stated that Lynda
Smith, Assistant Health Director, informed him that the management
team has met and is making preparation for the budget. On
February 11, 1985, Mr. Parker is to meet with Mr. Cooper.
Hopefully, the budget committee will meet the last week of
February or the first week of March.
Capital Improvements
_ Dr. Wilson's absence removed this item from Agenda.
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Old Business
Super Staff Program
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Susan 0' Brien reviewed briefly the history of this awards program
and asked for the Board's approval of its revisions, i.e., semi-
annual award to include a $100 bonus (bonus would be retroactive
to the previous 3 receipients), and attendance at a Board Meeting
for recogn i tion. Wi th the Board's approval, the proposal will be
presented to Mr. Cooper. Mr. Durham moved (1) that it (Super
Staff) be awarded twice a year (January and July), (2) that there
be a cash bonus of $100, and (3) that it (bonus) be retroactive to
the 3 previous awardees (specifically citing Bobby Waters who has
since left the department). The motion was unanimously approved.
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New Business:
City of Wilmington Bond Issue
Lynda Smi th introduced two guests, Ca therine Moore, member of the
Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and
Susan Dankel, Assistant City Manager, both of whom spoke to the
issue of a bond referendum. Ms. Dankel made a visual
representation with slides to show the problems being addressed
and talked of their impact upon residents and transients. A
brochure showing dollar assignment to the 5 projects and avenues
for repayment was furnished to the Board Members. Mrs. Credle ...
asked for a mot ion of support from the Board. Dr. Hicks moved
that the Board's support be made and Carl Durham seconded, with _
request there be discussion. There ensued a lengthy discussion
regarding the problem of drainage, at the conclusion of which a
mot ion was made that each i tern of the bond referendum be voted
upon separately. Whereupon Mr. Durham and Dr. Hicks withdrew
their previous second and first motions. Dr. Hicks then moved
that each item be voted upon separately and Mr. Grathwol seconded.
There followed discussion of the master drainage plan and its
maintenance. Dr. Phillips urged the Board to vote the package and
recommend that these other items being discussed be done, stating
that the Board could not stipulate to the City. Dr. Roseman made
a substitute motion that the Board adopt the bond issue but
recommend to the City Planners to, in future, avoid this cost to
the taxpayers by placing responsibility on developers. Mr.
Durham seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
Animal Control LongRange Goals
Ron Currie, Director of Animal Control, presented his plan for
prevention and control of rabies; proposal for Saturday and Sunday
coverage to include a budget request for an additional officer to
work Sunday through Thursday; public education program that is
ongoing with the canvassing and enforcement of the rabies law; low-
cost neutering is being planned; ID with County and Rabies tags
being encouraged; requiring that cats be tagged; program to
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acquaint the public with the duties of an animal control officer;
education as to the value of altering animals through the news
media; a program to take animals to inmates of resthomes for
pleasure and therapy; a budget request for computer recording of
tags. Mr. Currie was asked for figures on the number of animals
having to be terminated per day and there followed a recitation of
a three-year average of about 7 animals per day, underlining the
real need for a neutering program. Mr. Currie was commended for
his work.
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Animal Control Advisory Committee
Scott Singleton commented upon Mr. Currie's "eu" figures and
advised the Board that the Advisory Council for Animal Control
would be coming to them regarding a neutering program that would
cost some money but in the longrun would save money. Mr.
Singleton asked that the Board appoint AC Advisory Council Members
to serve two-year terms on a staggered basis, i.e., every December
half the group will be reappointed. Dr. Phillips made the motion
and Dr. Hicks seconded. Mrs. Credle then extended the present
serving Council (Singleton, Rullman, Neal and McKenzie) tenure to
December 1985; the upcoming council (Huffine, Filion, Davis and
Connor) tenture to be January 1985 to December 1986. Unanimously
approved.
proposed Cat Tags
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Mr. Singleton referred to Mr. Currie's longrange goal of the cat
__ population sharing some of the burden with tagging, especially the
ID problem, thereby reducing the number being terminated. There
was discussion of reciprocity between the City, the County and
Wrightsville Beach. Dr. Phillips was asked to speak to the issue
and he expressed his feeling that ". the timing is terrible."
He said that in view of having just got the rabies tag in effect
for cats, it wasn't the best time to start on tax tags. He also
noted that the County has always subsidized (animal control), and
"it's always going to subsidize it." Mrs. Credle asked for a
motion regarding the cat tag. Dr. Phillips suggested holding off
until we see what the committee appealing the kennel tax is going
to do. Mr. Currie stated that he receives many favorable calls
regarding tags for cats. Dr. Phillips said we should wait until
we have enforced the rabies tags. Dr. Hicks said that cat owners
are not neglecting rabies shots but we need collars put on the
animals with some form of ID. Mr. Currie said it was very
stressful when it is not known if a cat has had the rabies shot.
Mrs. Credle thanked Mr. Currie and Mr. Singleton and expressed
appreciation and support for all they are doing but asked that the
cat tag item be brought back to the Board in another few months.
Contract for Home Health Nurses
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Bob Parker proposed contracting with HPH (Harrison, Parker &
Harrison) Associates (a group of registered nurses) to provide
relief on weekends and holidays for the Home Health Agency nurses.
He said that formal approval of contracts is required of the
Board. Mrs. Credle asked for a motion of approval. Unanimously
approved.
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March Meeting Change
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Mrs. Credle asked that the upcoming Board Meeting in March be
moved to the 13th because of the time element. She asked if
anyone had a problem with this change. No voice was heard.
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Public Health Nurse Supervisor Position
Mr. Parker requested approval for a new pos i t ion in Home Health
for a Public Health Nurse Supervisor. He referred to the
separating of Home Health from Personal Health which created a
program director's position. He told the Board of steps that have
been taken regarding description and classification with the State
and County and said it would need the Board's approval before
going to the Commissioners. He stated that the position, as with
others in Home Health, would require no supporting County funds.
Mrs. Credle asked for a mot ion of approval. It was unanimously
approved.
Katie Beckett Budget
Mr. Parker said that Home Health will be asking for contracts with
some privateduty nurses to take care of this specific situation.
Mr. Parker suggested that Karen Hogan present this special need to
the Board. Mrs. Hogan asked that she be allowed to introduce
Rebecca McCullough from the Department of Social Services to ~
explain what the "Katie Beckett Waiver" is and what is going to be
expected of the Health Department. Ms. McCullough outlined an -J
unmet need in community health of a 14 y.o. quadriplegic
ventilatordependent young girl who with nursing help can remain in
her home instead of being sent out of ,state to an institution.
State Medicaid will pay for this care in the home, but it must be
contracted through the Health Department's Home Health Agency.
Mrs. Credle said she was unclear of the motion needed. Mr. Parker
said he thought just a motion to approve a contract. Mrs. Credle
then called for a motion of the Board approving the contracting
with certain nurses, as follows: Camille Autry, Joy Benton, Kim
Brinson, Candy Garrett, Maxine Lewis, Faye Smith, and Kaye
Tompkins. Unanimously approved.
Health Director's Comments
Mr. Parker talked of Thelma Briggs who had been lead nurse for
Family Planning, that she had been with the Health Department for
20 years, that we would miss her very much, that her position has
been filled with an inhouse R.N. He talked of Bobby Waters who
had been here for 12 years as Sr. Investigating Officer for the VD
Program and has resigned to be Director of the Sheltered Workshop.
Mr. Parker commended Lynda Smith on our new OPX LD phone system
and asked her -to comment. Lynda gave some background on the State
Network Telephone System and State Telecommunications Office in ~
Raleigh through which she has secured our OPX Line. She cited
costs and savings and commented to the Board that "rarely do we _
have the opportunity to let you know we're working on things that
save money. II
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Mr. Parker commented upon the first agreement worked out with
NHMH, what he termed "a joint venture." Beginning February 18,
1985, the hospital will be assisting with our Laboratory needs in
Home Health.
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Mr. Parker than recognized three new people who were present:
Carlette McCoy, new clerk in Home Health; Carol Peay, formerly a
ClerkTypist here in the Health Department, has returned as an LPN,
and Emily Hester who is interning for one month in Dental Health.
Mr. Parker praised the Health Department Staff for their
willingness to take interns into the department.
Mr. Parker surprised some of those present with his announcement
that 56% of the Board wore their seatbelts this morning. He
explained about the survey and that our staff last Friday only
reached 36%. There was a drawing for those who wore their
seatbelts and Carl Durham won the Teddy Bear. Mr. Durham donated
the Teddy Bear to Mrs. Price as a "get well" present.
Mrs. Credle thanked everyone for coming.
Mot ion to ad j ourn was made and seconded.
adjourned at 10 a.m.
The meeting was
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Res ectful~ 't
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Chairman, Board of Health
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Secretary to the Board
Approved:
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