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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 March JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES March 18, 1999 BOARD MEMBERS Dan Harpole, Member - Ctmnty Commissioner District #1 Glen HuntingfiJrd, Member - Ctmnty Commissioner District #2 Richard Wt1t, Chairman - Ctmnty Commissioner District #3 Geo.f:frey Masci, Member - Ptrrt Tuwnsend City Crnmci/ Jill Buhler, Member - Hospital Commissioner District #2 Sheila Westerman, Member - Citizen at La'lJe (City) RDberta Frissell, Vice-Chairman - Citizen at La'lle (Ctmnty) STAFF MEMBERS David Specter, Health Department Director Jean Baldwin, Nursing Serr>ices Director Larry Fay, Environmental Health Director Thomas Locke, MD., Health Officer Prior to the meeting the Jefferson General Hospital staffheld a demonstration of their new telemedicine and televideo technology, with a link to Virginia Mason Hospital. Chairman Wojt called the meeting to order. All Board and staff members were present with the exception of Member Westerman. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Harpole moved to approve the minutes of February 18, 1999. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comment. OLD BUSINESS David Specter reported that Governor Locke appointed Mary Selecky as the new Secretary of Health. He feels she will contribute greatly to local public health and Washington State. David Specter reminded the Board that the "Local Board 01 Health Leadership" workshop will be held next week in Olympia. Commissioner Harpole asked about HIY/AIDS name reporting and a possible new approach to this issue. Dr. Thomas Locke responded that the use of coded reports at State and Federal levels are being developed. One controversial side to this issue is whether name records should be destroyed at a local level, after the initial work has been completed. Dr. Locke feels that it will eventually be decided by local Boards of Health. David Specter announced that on March 11,1999, he presented Attorney General Christine Gregoire with the "Excellence in Public Health" Award for her efforts in the tobacco settlement. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - MARCH 18, 1999 Page 2 Member Buhler reported that the hospital has increased staffing levels and have not had to divert any patients to other health care facilities for the last two weeks. APPEAL OF SEPTIC PERMIT DENIAL: VINCENT VENTIMIGLIA: Larry Fay stated that Mr. Ventimiglia owns property on Madrona Vista Road located in Shine. In December 1998 Mr. Ventimiglia applied for a septic permit and was denied based on the size of his lot which does not meet minimum land area requirements. In 1997 the Board of Health adopted policy #97-02 with the intent to review and possibly approve septic permits for sites not meeting minimum land area requirements. When such an application is received, the Health Department researches the ownership history of the land to see how it correlates to the effective date ofthe policy. For example, if an individual owned a block of lots that does not meet the land area requirements prior to adoption of policy #97-02, a waiver would be granted. Mr. Ventimiglia purchased the property after the effective date of the policy, and therefore, is not eligible for a waiver. Larry Fay went on to say that the required minimum lot size is 12,500 square feet and Mr. Ventimiglia's lot is a little under 11,300 square feet. Mr. Ventimiglia's son represented his father who was unable to attend. He handed out a map of the property and surrounding land. Mr. Ventimiglia stated that when this lot was established it either met or exceeded minimum lot size. He feels this lot meets the required usage and is not a public health risk. John (Duke) Shold, a licensed septic system installer, asked if the lot had two separate parcel numbers prior to adoption of policy #97-02 would it have met the requirements for a septic system permit? Larry Fay replied that it doesn't matter if the lot is a single parcel or not, what is taken into consideration is who owned the property and surrounding land at the time the policy was adopted. Member Buhler asked if the division of these lots was approved by the County Commissioners? Commissioner Huntingford responded that these lots went through the proper channels and are legal lots of record. Member Buhler asked if the County changed the standards for what constitutes a legal lot after these parcels were approved? Chairman Wojt answered that the land density in that area has decreased due to the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Huntingford pointed out that the staff at the Health Department are only following the guidelines set by policy #97-02. Larry Fay said that if the problem is the criteria adopted in the policy, then perhaps it should be changed. Member Masci suggested changing the policy to say that a waiver be granted if the lot size is + or - 10% of 12,500 square feet. He then asked how the amount of 12,500 square feet was determined? Larry Fay replied it is the amount established in State regulations. Commissioner Harpole stated that in the case of this development where the Public Utility District (PUD) recently installed a water system, he feels that should be taken into consideration ifthe policy is to be changed. Commissioner Harpole moved to uphold staffs recommendation to deny the appeal. Vice-Chairman Frissell seconded the motion. Hearing no discussion, Chairman Wojt called for a vote. Vice-Chairman Frissell and Commissioner Harpole voted for the motion. Member Masci, Commissioner Huntingford, and Member Buhler voted against the motion, Chairman Wojt abstained from voting. Commissioner Harpole clarified that what is being voted on is whether staff appropriately followed current policy guidelines. The motion did not pass. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - MARCH 18, 1999 Page 3 Commissioner Harpole moved to direct staff to draft policy changes that would capture situations that are unique to the relationship of the densities surrounding the property and whether or not there is a water system available. Member Masci seconded the motion for discussion. Commissioner Harpole amended his motion to add that staff provide a distinction between individual wells and public water systems and which one would affect the environment the least. Chairman Wojt called for a vote on the motion which carried unanimously. Commissioner Harpole moved to uphold staffs recommendation to deny the appeal. Vice Chairman Frissell seconded the motion. Commissioner Huntingford, Member Buhler, Commissioner Harpole, Vice Chairman Frissell and Chairman Wojt voted for the motion. Member Masci voted against the motion. The motion carried. Member Buhler asked ifMr. Ventimiglia will be allowed to resubmit his application? Larry Fay responded that he will hold the application and process it when the new policy is adopted. DRAFT SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE: Larry Fay stated that the 2nd draft of the proposed solid waste ordinance includes changes that were identified during the Board of Health meeting held in January. Some of the key issues that are included in the draft ordinance are: :) Frequency of Pick up :) Storage of Garbage :) Handling of Biomedical Waste Larry Fay stated that solid waste facilities are usually issued a five year operating permit with the idea of reducing some of the administrative costs, however, an annual operating permit can be implemented in the ordinance as a requirement. This is a decision that would have to be made by the Health Board prior to adoption. Member Masci asked who would issue infractions? Dr. Locke stated that the Health Officer or any staff member delegated to do so would issue tickets. Larry Fay outlined the process for adopting this ordinance by the end of the year as follows: :) Review by Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SW AC) :) Review by Prosecuting Attorney :) Public Hearing Held by Board of County Commissioners :) Adoption by Board of County Commissioners ONSITE SEWAGE CODE REVISIONS: Larry Fay reported on the 2nd draft of the onsite sewage code revision and the changes resulting from public input. He indicated that there are unresolved issues regarding alternative dwellings such as people living in buses, RV's and yurts. These individuals do not apply for building permits and do not have proper sewage systems which in turn, can generate public health concerns. Larry Fay suggested that alternative dwellings be required to have either a waterless toilet, composting toilet, incinerator toilet, or an approved Forest Service vault privey. At the time a well is installed, the owners would then have to comply with code regulations. Larry Fay will include some general provisions regarding alternative dwellings and what needs to be done to comply with the onsite sewage code revisions. This will ensure an effective method of enforcement for these types of dwellings. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - MARCH 18, 1999 Page 4 HEAD LICE UPDATE: Jean Baldwin reported that at the beginning of the school year the Health Department conducted head lice screening at all five school districts. This process was very successful and the local schools would like it done again. She is in the process of working with the schools and determining what the costs are and who would be paying for the screening. She will keep the Board updated on this issue. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 15, 1999 at 2:30 p.m. -------- JEFFERsON CO p_ S-> \'Ge6ffrey Masci, Member CLl) [),/) 1_ :wi Buhler, Member t/ (Excused Absence) Sheila Westerman, Member