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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 October JEFFERSON coUNTY BOARD OF HEALm MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 1998 BOARD MEMBERS Dan Hmyole, chairman - county commtlsioner District 1 Glen Huntiword, Mlmber - county commf5sioner District 2 Richard w~t, Mlmblr - county commf5sioner Distrtct 3 nd shouIbel{J, Mlmblr - port Towmend City council JiU Buhler, vice chairman - Hosyital District #2 commf5siona shliIa wrstlrman, Mlmber - Citizen at Law (City) Roberta Frtssdl, Mlmber - Citizen at Lal{JI (county) STAFF MEMBERS David syuter, Hwlth myartment Director Jean Baldwin, Dtrector of Nursi'l'J SllVices Lall)' Fay, Director of EJ!'Iironmental Hlalth Thomi15 Lockl, M.D., Health officer Chairman Harpole called the meeting to order. All Board and staff members were present. Commissioner Wojt arrived shortly after the meeting began. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Westerman moved to approve the minutes of September 23, 1998 as presented. Member Shoulberg seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Member Westerman moved to approve the letter to Governor Gary Locke regarding the Secretary of Health appointment with the following changes: . Third paragraph, last sentence: change the word "support" to "fUnding. " . Change last sentence of letter to read "... responsibility a hi'i!h priority... improvement, can continue to move forward ..." . Copy ofletter to Representatives Kessler, Buck and Hargrove. Vice-Chairman Buhler seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS UPDATES: Jean Baldwin reported on the mV/AIDS Prevention Planning Seminar that was held in September. She stated that the 3 priorities for service recommended were to 1) explore syringe exchange programs for injection drug users; 2) continue peer education programs for youth; and 3) offer support groups for bisexual/gayllesbian youth and outreach to women with multiple sexual partners. She went on to discuss priorities for Region 6, which includes the Olympic Peninsula and Thurston County. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - OCTOBER 15,1998 Page: 2 David Specter handed out a summary of the following programs: )( Youth Tobacco Program )( Foot Care Program )( Sexually Transmitted Disease Program These items will be discussed at the next meeting. Chairman Harpole asked that each Board member receive a packet that includes all the information from the program updates with an acronym glossary to help decifer the language. He also asked that a staffing report be put together listing the names and duties of staff members. David Specter passed out a weekly summary put out by the Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) regarding the tobacco litigation currently happening in the Seattle Superior Court. David Specter handed out a copy of an article that was forwarded to the Health Deparhnent by the Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) titled "State plan hurt by withdrawals, rate hikes. " Chairman Harpole asked if there was an update on Linda Sexton? Larry Fay replied that he has no new information for the Board. Member Shoulberg asked if there have been any appeals regarding the asphalt batch plant decision by the County? Larry Fay stated that he is not aware of any appeal. He will check and report back. NEW BUSINESS APPEAL OF PERMIT DENIAL: ALICE TOWNSEND: Larry Fay stated that the property is located at 200 Carroll Avenue in Port Townsend and currently has a two (2) bedroom home with a permitted septic system. The applicant has applied for and received a permit for a home occupancy business. Subsequent to receiving approval she applied for a building permit to place a structure on her property to conduct the business. The applicant stated on her building permit application that she wanted to place a three (3) bedroom mobile home on the property adjacent to her home. Larry Fay said that the permit was denied based on the fact that the existing septic system is only permitted for the two (2) bedroom home and the application is to connect a three (3) bedroom mobile to the same septic system. He stated that the existing system doesn't have the capacity to handle a second home on the site. Mark Beaufait, Attorney for Alice Townsend, stated that Ms. Townsend is starting a craft studio in a double-wide, 30 year old mobile home shell. The mobile contains a craft sink, an oven, two (2) bathrooms, and three (3) bedrooms with the doors removed. One of the requirements to be considered a home base out building usage was to remove the flooring. Mr. Beaufait said that there were some concerns about domestic water supplies and the applicant indicated that bottled water would be used for public consumption. He stated that his client is asking the Health Deparhnent to approve the septic system for the installation of a home base out building. Chairman Harpole asked how many bedrooms were indicated on the application? Larry Fay said that the original application indicated that it was a three (3) bedroom mobile home, which is what the decision was based on. Linda Atkins said that the Deparhnent of Labor and Industries (L & I) told the building inspector that in order to decertify a mobile home as a residential structure, built prior to 1976, all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical fixtures would have to be removed. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - OCTOBER 15,1998 Page: 3 Member Westerman stated she is concerned about having three (3) functional restrooms on site. Linda Atkins suggested that if the mobile home can be permitted as a non-residence perhaps a water meter could be installed to mitigate the additional, potential flow from the instructional classes held at the site. This would address the concerns of the Health Board. Member Shoulberg asked what is the excess design capacity of the existing system? Larry Fay replied that the design capacity of the existing system is estimated at 240 gallons per day. The excess capacity would be determined from what the current usage is. Mark Beaufait reported that Ms. Townsend will not be holding instructional classes at this location. Chairman Harpole stated that even though there will not be any classes held on site, there still may need to be some kind of monitoring device to look at the mitigation of the additional impacts from the home business. He would like to see staff work with the applicant to resolve this issue. Larry Fay asked if the business would employ a staff? Ms. Townsend replied that she would sub-contract to people who would work out of their homes. Vice Chairman Buhler asked if the septic system design is based on the number of bedrooms? Larry Fay said that is what is used for residential permitting requirements. Member Shoulberg suggested removing all water fixtures from the mobile home as an alternative to a water meter. He then moved to direct staff to work with the applicant to find a solution. Member Frissell seconded the motion. Chairman Harpole stated that if staff and Ms. Townsend work out the problem, the Health Board would not make any further decisions on this matter. However if the applicant and staff are unable to come to an agreement it can be appealed and will be scheduled during the next Health Board meeting. Larry Fay asked the Board if there are any parameters or limitations for staff? Member Shoulberg replied that it is up to staff to reach an agreement with regard to public health. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. RESOLUTION: HIV INFECTION AS A REPORTABLE CONDITION: Dr. Locke reviewed three major issues of Name Reporting ofHlV Infected persons: * What is the political context of this resolution? The State Board of Health determines the majority of which communicable diseases are reportable and how they are reported. The legislature also has that authority. Locally, the Health Officer or Board of Health can designate a disease reportable. * What are the main issues? Should the surveillance system be expanded to include a unique identifier system? The unique identifier system bypasses local Boards of Health It is a data transaction between diagnosing physicians and state agencies. A code is submitted to the State and the name stays with the lab who perform the tests. The unique identifier system keeps a statewide tally of the number of new people infected with my. The choices are to do a confidential surveillance or do nothing and let the State Board of Health handle the regulations. * What is the local public health stake in this matter? Dr. Locke feels it is important for local Boards of Health to be involved. Dr. Locke reviewed a resolution modeled after Snohomish Health Districts Resolution. Chairman Harpole handed out and discussed a resolution adopted by the Northwest AIDS Foundation supporting unique identifier and non-named based surveillance systems. He would like to see as much information as possible regarding this issue so he is well informed. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - OCTOBER 15,1998 Page: 4 Member Shoulberg asked if the State Board of Health is only an advisory authority to the local Health Board? Dr. Locke responded that the State Board of Health has the statutory authority to adopt the WACs that put this into law. He stated that this draft resolution, if adopted, is only a recommendation to the State Board of Health. Member Westerman passed out a letter from Jefferson AIDS Service (JAS) supporting name reporting. Member Frissell stated that she feels passing a resolution would be after the fact and it wouldn't change anything. The problems in rural communities need to be communicated to the State Board of Health. She suggested a workshop be held to discuss details, rather than rushing into approving the draft resolution. Member Shoulberg asked if the local Health Boards can determine how to enforce the regulations adopted by the State? Dr. Locke said that rules that are more stringent can be adopted. Chairman Harpole asked the members of the public if they would like to comment. Ms. Alice Townsend commented that she would like to see HIV as a reportable condition. Mark Horton said he supported what the Health Board is doing. Chairman Harpole suggested that Dr. Locke bring back proposed language that the State is drafting. The Health Board will then review the language and adopt a resolution stating the concerns such as distinction of rural and urban counties, and issues of confidentiality. Member Shoulberg stated that he thinks it is important that the Health Board let the State know the issues of rural counties before they start drafting the WAC. He wants the Board to review a new resolution with possible adoption at the next meeting. Member Shoulberg said he doesn't want to see this as an unfunded mandate. Chairman Harpole directed staff to draft a new resolution using the body of the draft resolution before the Board today, and strengthen and incorporate the issues talked about at this meeting. BREAST AND CERVICAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUMMARY: Jean Baldwin reported that the Jefferson County Health Department is currently doing the outreach and the community education for the Breast and Cervical Cancer program. The hospital has been providing the screening and enrollment section. Both of these items are funded by the Center for Disease Control. The hospital does not want to continue to screen and enroll eligible patients, however they will still perform the mammography and bill for that service. Member Frissell stated that this is a very important program and would like to see it improved. She moved to have the Health Department take over the administration of screening and enrollment of the Breast and Cervical Cancer program. Member Shoulberg seconded the motion for discussion. He then asked if funding was available to cover the Health Department's costs? Jean Baldwin replied that the County receives $5,000 a year for this program. Member Shoulberg asked how many patients are seen in a year? Jean Baldwin said that it depends on how large the Center for Disease Control contribution is. Member Buhler suggested that the hospital be asked to cover any shortfalls if needed. Commissioner Huntingford proposed to have the program reviewed each year. Member Frissell accepted both suggestions as an amendment to her motion. Member Shoulberg seconded the motion as amended. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - OCTOBER 15,1998 Page: 5 CALENDAR REVIEW: The following items were discussed for the November 18,1998 meeting to be held from 2:30-4:30 p.rn.: '*' Program Reports '*' Tobacco Advertising Issue '*' Discussion re: HIV Name Reporting Resolution '*' Discussion re: Enforcement and Compliance of Health Violations Regarding the Enforcement and Compliance of Health Violations Commissioner Wojt moved to have Chairman Harpole meet with the Prosecuting Attorney to discuss moving ahead with the Linda Sexton Violation. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1999 PRELIMINARY BUDGET REVIEW: David Specter reported that the Health Department has approximately 75 individual program budgets divided into five (5) sections: Administration; Nursing; Environmental Health; AlcohollDrug; and Developmental Disabilities. He then passed out and discussed an overview of the Health Department's budget. Member Shoulberg asked if the $200,000 water quality grant is included in this budget? Larry Fay stated that it was not in their budget, however it will be put in a separate fund. Member Shoulberg stressed that he wants to be involved in the decision making of where the grant money is spent. Chairman Harpole asked how Jefferson County compares to other counties in regard to how much is spent per person for public health care? David Specter responded that depending on the services provided, Jefferson County is on the high end. Member Westerman asked what the process is for requesting that more money be used for a certain program? She would like to see more money being used in the area of family planning. Chairman Harpole suggested that an individual attend the budget hearings held by the County Commissioners. Member Shoulberg stated that he was disappointed that the Health Board didn't have more input in the budget process. Member Westerman suggested beginning the budget process earlier next year. Discussion continued on the budget process. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held Thursday, November 19,1998 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. A 1 Buhler, Vice Chairman '~l~lL- UJ1.hJ;A~ Sheila Westerman, Member i&tre~4~pe Roberta Frissell, Member Ted Shoulberg, Member .. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 15, 1998 Governor Gary Locke Legislative Building PO BOX 40002 Olympia, W A 98504 Dear Governor Locke: As members of Jefferson County's Board of Health, we are writing to express our concern regarding the lack of a appointed Secretary for the Washington State Department of Health. We note the recent temporary appointment of Ms. Mary Selecky as Acting Secretary and feel that this is a very positive step forward but does not replace the need for selection of a permanent Secretary. Since its formation in 1989, the Department of Health has played a crucial leadership role in the development and implementation of Washington State's Public Health Improvement Plan. This Plan has been hailed as a national model for public health reform and is based on an ambitious vision of a fully functional statewide public health system capable of steadily improving the health of Washington State's residents. The Jefferson County Board of Health is strongly committed to this vision and has devoted considerable time and resources to making it a reality. True public health improvement requires a solid, long-term partnership between local and state health agencies sustained by committed leadership at all levels of government. The current lack oflong-term leadership within the Department of Health threatens this partnership and the functional integrity of the State's public health system. Effective public health protection requires state and local health departments to maintain a broad range of essential services necessary to deal with immediate health threats, develop long-term preventive strategies, and anticipate future public health needs. We are concerned that the multiple leadership vacancies within the Department of Health (Secretary, State Health Officer, and State Epidemiologist), ifleft unfilled for an extended period, will seriously effect both the morale and performance of the Department. This leadership void has the potential to .seriously impair our statewide ability not only to respond to immediate public health crises, but also to sustain legislative support for the process of public health improvement begun in 1995. We appreciate your appointment of a highly qualified local health official to serve as Acting Secretary. This action will help address the many urgent backlogs which have developed within the Department of Health. As 1998 enters its [mal quarter and the legislative session approaches, we strongly urge you to redouble your efforts to recruit and appoint a new Secretary of Health. We appreciate the difficulty of the task and the many conflicting demands on your time and attention. As members of a local board of health, we are frequently reminded that public health protection is among the most 615 Sheridan . Castle Hill Center. Port Townsend. W A (360) 385-9400 ~. Governor Gary Locke fundamental responsibilities of government. We trust that you will give this responsibility your highest priority and we, as a active partners in public health improvement, can once again move forward in creating our vision for a healthier Washington State. Sincerely, Dan Harpole, Chairman - Jefferson County Commissioner District 1 Glen Huntiford, Member - Jefferson County Commissioner District 2 Richard Wojt, Member - Jefferson County Commissioner District 3 Ted Shoulberg, Member - Port Townsend City Council Jill Buhler, Vice Chairman - Hospital District #2 Commissioner Sheila Westerman, member - Citizen at Large (City) Roberta Frissel, member - Citizen at Large (County) Page 2 Please Publish one (1) time: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 Bill: Jefferson County Commissioners P.O. Box 1220 Port Townsend, W A 98368 NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF HEALTH BOARD MEETING The Jefferson County Board of Health has canceled their regular monthly meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 1998, at 2:30 p.m., at the Health and Human Services Department. Next month the regular schedule for this meeting will be resumed, which is the third Thursday of each month (January 21, 1998) from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Health and Human Services Department. c:: E~~ Jefferson County Board of Health