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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 January JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES January 21, 1999 BOARD MEMIlERS Dan HllIpdt, chairman - county commissiona District I Glen H1Infill(lford, Memba - ulUnty commisslontr Distritt 2 Rlthard wojt, Member - county Commissioner Distrtct 3 Ted shoufberg, Member - port TOWJ1S(nd City coundI Jill Buhler, via Chairman - HosyilllI Distrltt #2 commissWner sheila wesUrmJVl, Member - ctfizen at Large (City) Roberfll Frissell, Member - citizen at Large (county) STAFF MEMIlERS DlNid syecter, HtaIth Dtyarfinmt Director JeilJ1 Baldwin, Direcwr of Nursing Services Larry FI1}', Dimwr of Environmental Htalth Thomas Locke, M.D., Health officer The meeting could not be called to order due to the lack of a quorum. The following items were discussed by those present: * 1998 Public Health Improvement Plan issued by the State Department of Health * Notice of Local Boards of Health Meeting on March 24 & 25 in Olympia * Notice of "How to Run an Effective Meeting," Workshop on February 12 at WSU Cooperative Extension * Ted Hunter spoke on behalf of the Lake Leland Improvement Club regarding water issues and improving the water quality of the lake * Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell reported on the Linda Sexton case * Status of the Tobacco Settlement * 1999 Budget Update * Draft On-Site Sewage Ordinance The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Jill Buhler. All Board and staff members were present with the exception of Commissioner Harpole, and Member Shoulberg. Draft Solid Waste Ordinance: Larry Fay presented and discussed the first draft ofthe Solid Waste Ordinance. Member Westerman asked how the amount of a fine is determined if a violation or penalty occur? Larry Fay responded that fines are based on RCW. Member Westerman suggested that instead of removing garbage once a week, as stated on page 10, #3 Removal, that recycling and garbage be picked up on alternating weeks. This is the way it is done within the City of Port Townsend and she feels there hasn't been any problems. Discussion continued regarding how often removal of garbage should occur and storage of garbage in between pick ups. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JANUARY 21,1999 Page: 2 Larry Fay reported that this draft ordinance will be sent to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for their review. Currently there is not a deadline for adoption. Vice Chairman Buhler asked Larry Fay what he needed from the Board? He replied that he needs guidance on enforcement. He would like to know what kind of penalty would occur if someone did not comply with the regulations. The Health Department receives more complaints about trash than any other issue. He would also like to see permit application procedures for a solid waste facility be drafted. The Kitsap County solid waste ordinance was used as a model for the draft currently before the Board. Vice Chairman Buhler requested that Larry Fay compile a list of issues he would like guidance on and present them at the February meeting. Fee Waiver Policv: Larry Fay reported that non-profit organizations are charged a food service fee, typically $25-$50, and sometimes are unable to make money at the fund raiser after the fee is paid. Individuals or organizations may request a fee waiver which has to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Huntingford stated that this issue is on the agenda because a local non-profit group has requested that the County stop charging food service permit fees for all non-profit organizations. Larry Fay stated the permit process allows the Health Department to meet with the applicants, go over the menu and teach them how to handle and prepare food. As a result of the adoption of the Fee Waiver Policy, the Health Department changed the Temporary Food Service Permits to be good for 14 days in a year at multiple events provided the same menu and personnel are used at each event. Larry Fay stated that if a waiver is approved, the County then makes a contribution to offset the budget. Approximately $6,700 of permit fees each year come from non-profit organizations. Larry Fay reviewed 5 options: 1. Don't license or inspect non-profit organizations (not recommended). 2. Waive the fees for non-profit organizations and increase the fees for other establishments to off set the loss in revenue. 3 . Waive the fees and off set the loss of revenue by increasing the fees for other programs like nursing or on-site sewage. 4. Use the existing fee waiver policy and transfer funds from current expense. 5. Continue with the existing fee waiver policy. Commissioner Huntingford stated he is concerned that the volunteers who are giving their time are not going to continue because they feel the County is taking money for permits that could be put back into the community. After discussion of the options the Board concurred to continue with the existing policy. Election of 1999 Chairman and Vice Chairman: Member Westerman moved to nominate Commissioner Wojt as Chairman. Member Buhler seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Huntingford moved to nominate Member Frissell as Vice Chairman. Member Westerman seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JANUARY 21,1999 Page: 3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Westerman moved to approve the minutes of November 19, 1998. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion. Dr. Locke asked that the minutes be amended as follows: Page 4; 3'd paragraph, The Authority olthe. . . '" d~ tJ,~.,~, u:~., replace with "to vass confidentialitv statues." Page 4; 4th paragraph, He added that in terms. . . hu.J /Iv uut;,o, dJ replace with "can o/llv write rules when it has clear statutory authoritv." Member Westerman amended her motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. CONSENT AGENDA Member Westerman moved to approve the letter to Dennis Braddock, State Board of Health Chairman, regarding HIV Named Reporting. Member Frissell seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. AGENDA CALENDAR REVIEW The following items are scheduled to be discussed at the next meeting: .. Review Health Report .. Updmeon1999Budgct '* Briefing on Solid Waste Contract .. Legislative Update on Public Health Issues Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 2:30 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH () uAt- ~~~Wlt,\vf~ Sheila Westerman, Member t{t/!'r~ /d;I~(L Roberta Frissell, Member (Excused Absence) Ted Shoulberg, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 9, 1999 Dennis Braddock Chair, Washington State Board of Health P.O. Box 47990 Olympia, WA 98504-7990 Re: HIV Reporting in Washington State Dear Mr. Braddock: The Jefferson County Board of Health has been carefully considering the issue ofHIV reporting for much of the past year in light of its statutory obligation to "provide for the control and prevention of... infectious disease within the jurisdiction of the local health department." As you and the other members of the State Board of Health are well aware, the debate over HIV reporting has been highly contentious, pitting medical and public health providers against passionate advocates for the privacy rights of those infected with HIV. This debate has raged for over two years at a state and national level and prompted resolutions from many local boards of health and specific action from the Pierce County Board of Health declaring HIV reportable within its jurisdiction. The Jefferson County Board of Health is acutely aware of the responsibility we share with the Washington State Board of Health to carefully balance the life and death imperatives of communicable disease control with the privacy rights of individuals. These privacy concerns are of particular importance in small towns and rural populations where improper public disclosure of an individual's HIV positive status can lead to social stigmatization and discrimination. We can well understand the intense fears and anxieties that members of our community who are living with HIV/AIDS have felt when confronted with the inflammatory rhetoric of the public debate over HIV reporting. We also appreciate the urgent concerns of public health officials and health care providers who must confront the human reality of the HIV epidemic and strongly believe that our current preventive efforts can and must be improved. Infectious disease epidemics have powerfully shaped human history and have always sparked intense fears. The fundamental challenge for public health policy makers is to separate fears from facts and chose epidemic control measures that are based on sound scientific research. As we approach the 3'd decade of the HIV epidemic, we are fortunate to have learned much about the nature and treatment of the disease, the effectiveness of different preventive interventions, and the impact of HIV reporting methods on human behaviors. Scientific research strongly supports the following fmdings: . confidential reporting ofHIV infection to public health officials does not lead to public disclosure of private medical information -_._-~---"-- -. 615 Sheridan. Castle Hill Center. Port Townsend. W A (360) 385-9400 Dennis Braddock Page 2 . name-based reporting systems do not discourage individuals from being tested for HIV infection . notification of sexual and needle-sharing partners who have been exposed to HIV leads to increased testing and earlier detection ofHIV infection . access to anonymous testing is important in promoting early diagnosis ofHIV infection. In the [mal analysis, epidemics are not brought under control by fearful speculation but instead by accurate, verifiable scientific knowledge translated into effective treatment and prevention efforts. We commend the State Board of Health for taking up the difficult task ofrevising Washington State's communicable disease health codes to more effectively respond to the ongoing HIV epidemic. We support the Board's goal of creating uniform, statewide reporting requirements that are protective of individual confidentiality while allowing public health officials to carry our their statutory responsibilities to prevent person-to- person spread of this deadly infectious disease. In reviewing specific changes to these health codes, we urge you to carefully consider the impact of these regulations on rural as well as urban populations and to study the potential costs to local health jurisdictions of implementing enhanced HIV surveillance. As Jefferson County's Board of Health we are committed to maintaining an active partnership with HIV I AIDS advocates within our community and continuing our strong advocacy for accessible, high quality medical care, strict confidentiality protections, and the prohibition ofHIV-related discrimination. We are hopeful that in the months ahead the public policy debate over HIV reporting will shift from impassioned advocacy of entrenched positions to a thoughtful consideration of how best to deal with the ongoing public health threat posed by Washington State's HIV epidemic. We stand ready to support and assist the State Board of Health in carrying out its mission to preserve, protect, and promote the health of all of Washington State's citizens. rv ~JJ<&1- p Richard Wojt "7J Chairman, Jefferson County Board of Health Jefferson County Commissioner, District 3