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Home My WebLink About06 June Health & Human Services BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS Robert Hinton, Chairman Richard Wojt, Member Glen Huntingford, Member David Specter, Health Department Director Jean Baldwin, Director of Nursing Services Larry Fay, Director of Environmental Health Chester Prudhomme, Director of Substance Abuse J. Peter Geerlofs, M.D, Health Officer CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Bob Sokol The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert Hinton. The following Board and staff members were present: Commissioner Richard Wojt, Larry Fay, David Specter, Chester Prudhomme, Lisa McKenzie, and Judi Morris. Commissioner Huntingford, Jean Baldwin and Bob Sokol were not present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Wojt moved to approve the minutes of May 25, 1995 as presented. Chairman Hinton seconded the motion. The motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: No public comments. DIRECTOR'S REPORT FINANCIAL REPORT: David Specter reported that 42.5 % of the budget has been expended and 36,5% of budgeted revenues have been collected as of May 31, 1995. Records indicate that Health Department expenses are over budgeted projections and revenue is below budgeted projections. This is not of great concern to him since it is still early in the year, however, the budget will be tracked carefully. He is in the process of updating revenue projections and preparing a mid-year forecast. Judi Morris added that they have cut back office and operating supplies considerably due to increased costs. PROGRAMS/GRANTS UPDATE: David Specter reported on the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MYEl) distribution to Jefferson County. New legislation requires cities to pay a certain amount for health services. He presented a forecast for years 1996 through 2001 which contains estimated funding amounts that Jefferson County will receive based on figures received from the Department of Licensing. The figures from the Department of Licensing are based on population forecasts and increase approximately 4%-5% a year. The HEALTH DEPARTMENT 206/385.9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 206/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 206/385-9400 ALCOHOl/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 206/385.0650 FAX 206/385-9401 HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JUNE 27, 1995 Page: 2 amount of funding the City of Port Townsend is now required to pay is less than the amount in the current agreement between the City and County. The amount in the current agreement also increases based on population forecasts, but at a rate of 7 % a year. A higher rate than what Jefferson County will get as a result of the new legislation, This means less funding for the Health Department and additional revenue for the City. The City should give a portion, if not all, of the additional revenue to the Health Department in order to maintain health services at the current level. State-wide there have been difficulties getting individuals enrolled in the State's "Basic Health Plan" due to the high deductible. The Legislature has made some changes limiting the amount to a maximum of $10.00 per month which will make the program much more affordable. The State is proposing to use the County's WIC program to reach low-income individuals for enrollment and will pay the County $2.00 for each person enrolled. This amount may not cover the costs incurred by the Health Department to do this work. Information was received about funding for building a State-wide public health infrastructure. Jefferson County's portion of this funding will be $16,500 for 1996. David Specter stated that Whatcom County recently had a measles outbreak which cost them $185,000 to immunize 9,000 people. A total of five cases were discovered. Disease outbreaks can be very expensive and Jefferson County's immunization rates are lower than they should be for this kind of exposure. Additionally, he noted that under State law, Counties are liable for hospital costs related to T.B. cases, Whatcom County had one T.E. case that cost them $87,000. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT APPEAL OF PERMIT DENIAL. #SEP94-0483: .TAMES PIERCE. APPLICANT: Larry Fay stated that Mr. Pierce applied for a septic permit to install a septic system on his property located in Shine near Squamish Harbor. Ryan Tillman of Tillman Engineering did a design for the system and based on his observations of the property, proposed installing a sand-filter pressure distribution system. Linda Atkins visited the site in December and had concerns about the seasonal and tidal water tables since the property is adjacent to the shoreline, Of further concern was the presence of fill on the site. The Onsite Sewage Regulations require that the system be installed in regional undisturbed soil, Having these concerns she required a wet season evaluation of the site. If there were no other limitations on the site the septic system would have been adequate. Larry Fay visited the site in March and found a considerable amount of tidal water behind the site and surface water within approximately 56 feet of the proposed reserve drainfield. Based on the distance of surface water, soil depth, the amount of fill on the site, and the fact that he owns a separate parcel above the proposed site that already has a drainfield installed, the Health Department recommends that this permit be denied. After a discussion about the definition of undisturbed soil, Mr. Pierce stated that the property originally sloped from the easement down toward the shoreline and approximately 8 inches of fIll was placed on the property in 1984 so that it now slopes from the shoreline down to the easement. He agrees that surface water is present after heavy rains, but within a few days the water is gone. There had been a considerable amount of rain in March when the Health Department inspected the property. In reviewing the map of his property Mr. Pierce suggested moving the proposed system to a different site on the property to mitigate the surface water concerns. He stated that the other houses in his neighborhood all have conventional systems with the drainfields near the shoreline, He HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JUNE 27, 1995 Page: 3 built a house for his brother 14 years ago and his system has never had a problem or needed repairs. It is his feeling that a sand-filter system would be more than adequate for his property. He wants to get septic approval for this site so he can sell it and use the money to build himself a house on the separate parcel of land he owns above this one. Discussion ensued regarding Mr. Pierce's options, Chairman Hinton moved to continue this discussion and make a decision at the next meeting. Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion. The motion carried. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 20, 1995 at 1:30 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED (EXCUSED ABSENCE) Glen Huntingford, Member