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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 August JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES AUGUST 19, 1998 BOARD MEMBERS Dan Haryole, chmrman - county Commissioner District 1 Glen Hunti'l'ford, Member - county commiJsioner District 2 Riehard woJt, Member - county commissioner DiJtrict 3 Ted shoulbe'1J, Member - port TOwnsend City council JtU Buhler, vice chairmilJl - HOspttAl District #2 commissioner shtiill We5terman, Member - citizen at Lal{je (City) Roberta Fri.mU, Member - Citizen 111 Lal{je (county) STAFF MEMBERS David syecter, Helllth Deyartment Director Jean Baldwtn, Director of Nursi'l'! Services Limy Fay, Director of EnvironmentAl Helllth Tlwmas Locke, M.D., Helllth officer Chairman Harpole called the meeting to order. All Board and staff members were present with the exception of Commissioner Huntingford, Sheila Westerman and Jean Baldwin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Wojt moved to approve the minutes of July 16, 1998 as presented. Member Shoulberg seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Member Shoulberg introduced Mark Gordon from the Jefferson County Housing Authority. Mr. Gordon remarked that during the last Board of Health meeting Mr. Kelly Scott spoke about the issue ofHIV name reporting. He has concerns that Mr. Scott doesn't live in our community and doesn't have first hand knowledge of what is happening in Jefferson County. Mr. Gordon supports the name reporting issue and feels the only way to handle disease control is to get to people as soon as they are infected. He stressed that this is a sensitive issue which needs to be discussed in an open forum with all the facts. Chairman Harpole stated that name reporting is scheduled to be discussed during the Board of Health meeting on October 15, 1998. Mr. Gordan was invited to attend. OLD BUSINESS UPDATE REGARDING JEFFERSON COUNTY V. LINDA SEXTON: Larry Fay reported that he talked to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Paul McIlrath, and was told that Ms. Sexton's attorney has filed a response to the County's action. A court date will be scheduled and this matter will be argued in court. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - AUGUST 19, 1998 Page: 2 Larry Pay's only concern is that Ms. Sexton's attorney is implying that the County didn't properly serve notice on his client. Larry Pay explained that notice was served on Mark Beaufait who was Ms Sexton's attorney at the time. She has since fired Mr. Beaufait and said she was never served papers. Chairman Harpole asked that the Board continue to be updated on this issue. Commissioner Wojt asked what the status is of the bats jiving in a roof of a house in Brinnon? Larry Pay said that he talked with the owner of the house who is aware of the problem. The owner doesn't believe that any bats are actually getting into the house, but will not be renting it out until he gets the bat population under control. NEW BUSINESS David Specter handed out and briefly discussed the following (see attached): . Snohomish Health District Resolution No. 98-24 regarding Ban on Tobacco Advertising . AIDS in Rural America Article . News Brief of National Association of Local Boards of Health Chairman Harpole asked that the tobacco advertising issue be discussed during the September meeting. Member Shoulberg asked if the new contract for the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Center includes supplying preventative drugs to drug abusers as part of their maintenance? Dr. Locke replied that typically drug treatment programs are prohibited by law from giving preventative drugs. They are only allowed to use the abstinence method of drug treatment. Dr. Locke went on to say that it is illegal for anyone except an approved methadone program to give maintenance drugs to addicts. This issue will be discussed further at a later date. DRAFT BIOSOLIDS DELEGA nON OF RESPONSmILITIES MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU): Larry Fay gave a brief history of the Biosolids program. Currently there are three (3) planned application sites permitted in Jefferson County. The City of Port Townsend operates a composting facility on County property and would not be subject to this MOD. Larry Fay stated that biosolids are no longer regulated as solid waste. They are now regulated under the State Biosolids Program. He discussed the process of the program and stated that there would not be any additional workload on staff. If the Board chooses not to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Ecology then the State would be responsible for handling all aspects of the program. Larry Fay listed some advantages for Jefferson County to continue overseeing the biosolids program such as the ability to track what is going on and where the sites will be placed. Vice Chairman Buhler asked who handles the enforcement of the rules and regulations if a problem occurs? Larry Pay answered that it is the responsibility of the State Department of Ecology to enforce compliance and the County would alert them of any problem. David Specter reported that the County would still receive grant funding for this program. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - AUGUST 19, 1998 Page: 3 Member Shoulberg moved to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Ecology and approve the Biosolids Memorandum of Understanding (MOD). Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. OUALIFIED 3RD PARTY SANITARY SURVEY PROGRAM/NON-COMMUNITY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROJECT: Larry Fay reported that the Qualified 3'd Party Sanitary Survey Program is a way for the State Department of Health to implement some of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Requirements. Currently under the Federal Drinking Water Requirement all individuals with group A systems are required to submit a minimum of five (5) coliform samples per month. Anyone can apply for a reduction or waiver from that requirement if they have had a satisfactory mandatory survey completed within the last five (5) years. If a reduction is granted only one (1) sample a month would be required. The State has initiated this project to certify an agency, whether it be the County, PUD or private sector water operators, to perform the sanitary surveys. Larry Fay briefly discussed how the Qualified 3,d Party Sanitary Survey Program and the Non Community Public Water System Enhancement Project are linked. Member Frissell asked what the difference was between the different color permits? Larry Fay replied that a green permit means in compliance; red means out of compliance; and blue means a water system exists and is functioning, but needs to be evaluated and given a green or red permit. Member Buhler asked if there are any disadvantages with these two (2) programs? Larry Fay answered yes, and stated that there are some disadvantages such as dealing with people who may not be overjoyed with the Health Department inspecting their property. Member Shoulberg moved to authorize staff to enter into the Qualified 3'd Party Sanitary Survey Program and the Non Community Public Water System Enhancement Project with the State Department of Health. Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. FUTURE HEALTH BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE: The Board discussed and agreed upon the following schedule: .:. September 23, 1998, 1 :30-3 :30 p.m. This meeting will be held on Wednesday (Fourth week of September) due to a scheduling conflict. Topics for discussion will include program reviews; discussion on tobacco advertising ban; and regular business. .> October 15, 1998, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Topics for discussion will include budget overview; HIV name reporting; program review; and regular business. .,. November 19,1998,2:30-4:30 p.m. Commissioner Wojt suggested adding a consent agenda for items that don't need discussion. Chairman Harpole said that was a good idea and it would be added to future agendas. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAM REVIEW: Dr. Tom Locke stated that there are three (3) parts to the Communicable Disease Program: Epidemiology; Diagnosis and Treatment; and Immunization. Dr. Locke introduced Public Health Nurse, Lisa McKenzie and she discussed the activities of the program. .,. Public Education for both citizens and physicians. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - AUGUST 19, 1998 Page: 4 .t. Case Reporting on reportable conditions that are mandated by the State to be able to track illnesses and whether they are increasing or decreasing or if an outbreak is occuring. .:- Follow up/contact identification. (i.e. STD anonymous notification of people who may be infected) -t. Immunization Program. Up until two years ago the Health Department was the only place that handled immunizations. Local physicians are now offering this service to their patients. The Health Department helps train the clinic nurses and are now suppling them with State supplied vaccines. + Tracking System. It is difficult to know, for example, what percentage of two year olds are up to date with their immunizations because the Health Department doesn't handle every vaccination. The Health Department is trying to implement a program called Child Profile System which is a tracking registry where all the records Statewide would be available. Vice Chairman Buhler asked when a person calls and suspects they might have a communicable disease where do they go for information? Lisa McKenzie answered that the person is encouraged to see their physician. If it is a minor problem and they don't have a physician they can be seen at the Health Department. Chairman Harpole suggested that the tobacco advertising issue be scheduled for discussion on the September 23m agenda. Dr. Locke stated that he will arrange for someone to speak to the Board regarding this issue at the next meeting. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, September 23, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH f:.:., ,'_~f )_ ;I / I ,,-,/ / (Excused Absence) Sheila Westerman, Member ,~~p'e Roberta Frissell, Member