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07/10/1996 ,..... Dr Dennis Jackson, 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 10,1996, in the Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington, North Carolina. ~ Members Present: Dennis L. Jackson, DVM, Chairman W Keith Elmore, Vice-Chairman Mary Lou Alford, RN Thomas V Clancy, MD John M. Coble Mary King Dean Michael E. Goins, OD Spiro J Macris, DDS Mark A. Veenstra, PE Estelle G. Whitted, RN Members Absent: Robert G. Greer Others Present: ,........ Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director Frances F De Vane, Recording Secretary ...- Invocation: Dr Spiro Macris gave the invocation. Minutes: Dr Jackson called for corrections to the minutes of June 5, 1996 The minutes were corrected and approved by the Board of Health. Recognitions: Mr Parker recognized the following health department employees: New EmDlovees: -- Vivian C Purifoy, Public Health Nurse I, Child Health (Not Present) Barbara M. Coy, Public Health Nurse II, Women's Health Care -~_..... .';:~ (~I Department Focal: - Think TB (Tuberculosis) Ms. Cynthia S. Johnson, Public Health Nurse, presented a department focal entitled Think TB. She presented a brief history of Tuberculosis. Since 1943 TB has been a treatable disease and is now a curable disease. The number of TB cases has increased since 1983. The objectives of the NHCHD TB Program include TB prevention, education, and treatment. - Committee Reports: Budaet Committee Mrs. Dean, Chairman, Budget Committee, advised the Board that Budget Program Review Reports must be completed by August 1 She announced that Dr Jackson and the Executive Committee have decided to dedicate the August Board of Health meeting to a work session for the Budget Program Reviews submitted by the Budget Committee. Ms. Lynda F Smith, Assistant Health Director, reported that the New Hanover County FY 1996-97 Budget was approved and adopted by the County Commissioners on June 17, 1996. She presented a summary of Personnel and Capital Requests which were approved _ in the health department budget. New personnel positions approved were: - (1) Environmental Health Program Specialist (1) Animal Control Services Officer (1) Ombudsman (Public Health Nurse II) (1) Tuberculosis Public Health Nurse I (1) Animal Control Services Clerical Assistant A Public Health Nurse I position in the Tuberculosis Program was reclassified to a Public Health Nurse II A Health Educator II position received a salary upgrade. Ms. Smith explained that the Environmental Health Program Specialist and the Animal Control Clerical Specialist positions were approved, but funding for these positions was to be found in the existing FY 1996-97 budgeted amount. The total funded for additional personnel requests for Salary/Fringe was $166,252. Mr Parker informed the Board that the General Assembly did not give New Hanover County the authority to have an Ombudsman position. Ms. Smith reported that the approved Capital Requests in FY 1996-97 Health Department Budget includes the requested computers and software, portable radios, one (4) wheel drive truck in Animal Control Services, one (4) wheel drive truck in Vector Control, a copier, and a desk. The total amount approved for Capital Outlay requests was $154,209 --- - ,...... Environmental Health Committee - Mr Coble, Chairman, Environmental Health Committee, reported that the Environmental Health Committee met at 6: 15 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 1996. Items discussed have been placed on the Board agenda. Executive Committee Dr Jackson, Chairman, Executive Committee, reported that the Executive Committee met at 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 1996. Items discussed have been placed on the Board agenda. Unfinished Business: Final Environmental Health Fee Schedule Mrs. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, presented the final Environmental Health Fee Schedule for fees charged in the Soil and Water Program. She explained the Board of Health and County Commissioners approved this fee schedule which was phased in over a three-year period with a 33% fee increase each year Mr Parker stated the user fees cover the costs of new construction and home building and were adopted to make - Environmental Health Soil and Water Program self-sufficient. ........ Environmental Health - Sewaae Spills Mr Coble informed the Board that there is no notification system for the public regarding sewage spills. He explained that a sewage spill from a county line occurred prior to the July 4th weekend at Pages Creek. The public being unaware of the spill continued to utilize the creek for recreational activities. Mrs. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, stated that the Water Quality Division, Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, was notified and investigated the sewage spill; however, the health department and public were unaware of the Pages Creek sewage spill. Mr Parker advised that the state does provide backup water testing for coliform bacteria reading. If the Board approves, the health department will develop policies and procedures to notify the public of sewage spills. Mr Coble recommended from the Environmental Health Committee for the Board of Health to develop a system to notify the public of a significant sewage/effluent failure when it reaches a body of water utilized for recreational purposes. - MOTION: Mr Coble, Chairman, Environmental Health Committee, moved from the Environmental Health Committee, for the Board to develop a system to notify the public of a significant sewage/effluent failure when it reaches a body of water used for recreational purposes. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. - Public Hearina - Renewal of NPDES Permit (Bridgeoortl Mr Coble encouraged Board members to attend a Public Hearing to be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 1996, in the New Hanover High School Cafeteria regarding the renewal of the NPDES permit to discharge wastewater at Bridgeport into the Northeast Cape Fear River at Castle Hayne. DEHNR and New Hanover County Engineering are investigating the cause of high fecal coliform water samples from wastewater discharge at Bridgeport into the Northeast Cape Fear River - - Chanae in Health Deoartment Fees and Fee Scales - New Medicaid Rates Mr Parker presented the new Family Planning Fee Medicaid rates effective July 1, 1996 pending approval of the Board of Health and New Hanover County Commissioners. MOTION: Dr Goins moved and Mr Coble seconded for the Board of Health to approve the proposed changes in the Family Planning Fee Schedule to be incorporated in the NHCHD Fee Policy retroactive to July 1, 1996 Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Mr Parker presented the changes to the Laboratory Fee Scale. He stated that fees for coliform bacteria in water and pregnancy tests were deleted from the schedule. MOTION: Mrs. Whitted moved and Dr Goins seconded for the Board of Health to approve - the changes in the Laboratory Division Fee Schedule to be incorporated in the NHCHD Fee Policy Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY - New Business: Friends of Felines Reauest for Exemotion from Pavment of Countv License Fee Dr Jackson recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to approve and recommend to the County Commissioners for Friends of Felines to be exempted from payment of county license fee. He stated that this practice will be reviewed semiannually by the Animal Control Advisory Board and sunset for a full review every three years. He stated as a Public Health issue he sees this as beneficial. Dr Clancy inquired regarding the objectives of Friends of Felines. Mrs. Donna Neal, Chair, New Hanover County Animal Control Services Advisory Committee, introduced Ms. J<ay Joyner, Chair, Friends of Feline. She explained that Friends of Felines catches feral cats and transports them to veterinarians for rabies immunizations and altering (spay/neuter). Veterinarians perform these services free of charge for Friends of Felines. The cats are set free after having their ears notched and clipped indicating their rabies vaccination. Dr Jackson reiterated that this is a Public Health issue which could have a positive impact on the spread of rabies. Dr Clancy asked if Friends of Felines plans to report these services to Animal Control Services and if the cats get licenses. Ms. Joyner stated that Friends of - - - Felines will prepare a six-month report which will be sent to Animal Control Services. Mrs. Neal stated that the Pilot Program will be reviewed and evaluated on a six-month basis to see if it reduces the spread of rabies and the number of cats. - MOTION: Dr Jackson, Chairman, Executive Committee, moved from the Executive Committee, for the Board of Health to approve and recommend to the County Commissioners for Friends of Felines to be exempted from payment of county ($9) license fees. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Public Health Nurse Lanev Hiah School Dr Jackson recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to approve and recommend to the County Commissioners a new Public Health Nurse position to be funded by the New Hanover County Board of Education. Mr Parker advised the Board that this request is in accordance with the plan to transfer Board of Education school nursing positions to the health department as they become vacant. The Public Health Nurse will fill the Laney High School vacant nursing position. MOTION: Dr Jackson, Chairman, Executive Committee, moved from the Executive Committee, for the Board of Health to approve and recommend to the County Commissioners the approval of a new School Health Nurse position for Laney High School - to be funded by the Board of Education. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 10.- Animal Control Ordinance Dr Jackson recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to approve a revision to New Hanover County Ordinance, Chapter 3, Animals and Fowl, Article I, Section 3-6, Impounding Animals, Subsection I) Animals imoounded oursuant to iudicial orocess or administrative seizure. He stated this amendment to the ordinance will give Animal Control Services the authority to terminate impounded animals and reduce county costs. MOTION: Dr Jackson, Chairman, Executive Committee, moved from the Executive Committee, for the Board of Health to approve and recommend to the County Commissioners the revision of New Hanover County Ordinance, Chapter 3, Animals and Fowl, Article I, Section 3-6, Impounding Animals, by the addition of a new subsection, to be designated Subsection I) Animals imoounded oursuant to iudicial orocess or administrative seizure. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. - Comments: -- c - , / L Board Members: - Budaet Proaram Reviews - Mrs. Dean advised the Board that it would be helpful for them to go back to the Budget Committee's Mission Statement after reviewing the Budget Program Reviews in August. National Association of County and City Health Officials INACCHOI and National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOHI Annual Meetinas Mr Coble reported that he and Mr Parker attended the NACCHO and NALBOH Annual meetings from June 12-15 in Bellevue, Washington. North Carolina had the largest delegation. He informed th!,! Board that he learned that the county could save money if they did not renew their membership with the NALBOH. MOTION: Mr Coble moved and Mrs. Dean seconded for the Board not to renew membership in the NALBOH. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Board of Health Trainina on June 18. 1996, Mrs. Alford reported that she and Ms. Lynda Smith attended the Association of North Carolina Board's of Health Training and Services Update held on June 18, 1996, at the Onslow County Health Department in Jacksonville, N. C Ms. Smith reported that this session focused on the importance of certification and other Public Health issues. She presented audio visuals and expressed her appreciation to the Board of Health for all their services to Public Health and the community .... - Health Director: Political Candidates to Board of Health Meetinas. Auaust. September. and October Mr Parker advised the Board that he had discussed with Dr Jackson the idea of inviting political candidates to the Board of Health meetings in August, September, and October to address Public Health issues. Questions could be prepared for the candidates. Dr Jackson informed the Board that the Executive Committee decided to let the Board of Health decide whether they would like to extend an invitation to political candidates to participate in the Board meetings. Mr Coble expressed that he thought it was a great idea to prepare questions for political candidates regarding Public Health issues. He stated he wondered if the Board of Health meeting was the proper place for this and suggested that the Board may desire to work through the League of Women Voters which has a forum for this. - Other Business: - Hurricane Bertha --- Mr Parker reported that the Health Department has an emergency plan which can be activated if Hurricane Bertha becomes a threat to New Hanover County He stated Animal Control Services will shelter animals. Environmental Health and nursing staff will be on call and work if emergency shelters are opened. Mr Parker and Ms. Smith will be at the Emergency Operations Center United Way Camoaian Mrs. Beth Jones, United Way Coordinator for New Hanover County, invited the Board to join the health department in their United Way Campaign. The health department, a pacesetter organization, will hold their campaign from July 29 through August 9 The county goal is $33,750 and the health department goal is $4,000 Health Promotions Committee - Mr Parker announced that the Health Promotions Committee meeting scheduled on July 26 has been canceled and will be rescheduled on either July 29 or 30 The definite date will be announced. ~ There being no further business, the regular meeting of the Board of Health was adjourned at 9:27 a.m. D~J Dennis L. Jackson, Cha rman New Hanover County Board of Health [)~~ W~ Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director New Hanover County Health Department Approved: - -