HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 November
Human Services
HEALTH BOARD MINUTES
NOVEMBER 28, 1995
BOARD MEMBERS:
Robert Hinton, Chairman
Richard Wojt, Member
Glen Huntingford, Member
STAFF MEMBERS
David Specter, Health Department Director
Jean Baldwin, Director of Nursing Services
Lany Fay, Director of Environmental Health
Chester Prudhomme, Director of Substance Abuse
1. Peter Geerlofs, M.D., Health Officer
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
REPRESENTATIVE:
Bob Sokol
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert Hinton with the following Board and staff members
present: Commissioner Glen Huntingford, Lany Fay, Commissioner Richard Wojt, Jean Baldwin, Bob
Sokol, David Specter and Judi Morris.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Wojt moved to approve the minutes of October 24,
1995 as presented. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion. The motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: None.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT: David Specter reported that 82.7% of the revenues have been collected
and 84.4% ofthe budget has been expended.
David Specter reported that the current Health Officer, Peter Geerlofs, doesn't have time to work one day
a week, attend all the local and State Health Board meetings for the Health Department and have a private
practice. The Clallam County Health Officer spent a full day at the Jefferson County Health Department
and is interested in the position but he is asking for $18,000 per year. Peter Geerlofs was offered more
money but he declined and told the Health Department that money was not the issue, time is. Vie Dirkson,
at the hospital, informed local doctors of the Health Officer position and a couple are interested. David
Specter asked the Board if they would be willing to sit in on the interviews? Chairman Hinton asked if
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 - NOVEMBER 28, 1995
Page: 2
location was an issue for the Health Officer? Jean Baldwin answered, no. Chairman Hinton then asked if
we could lower the scope of duties for that position? Jean Baldwin said that we are at the minimum
standards right now. Chairman Hinton asked if the salary is $18,000, would their duties increase? Jean
Baldwin said she would like to see that happen. The Board declined the invitation to sit in on the
interviews because they don't have the knowledge to hire a qualified person.
David Specter said two grants they applied for were approved: 1) to improve South Jefferson County
Clinic for $17,000.00; 2) A Data Base to improve tracking clients for $40,000.00.
David Specter introduced Chris Hale, Ph.D and told the Board that she will be setting up a Community
Health Assessment Program for Jefferson County. Dr. Hale discussed the program she set up in Pierce
County. The Community Health Assessment Bridge Grant will have a computer at the Health Department
to be accessed by anyone with all kinds of statistics stored in this data base. For example, how many
people arrived dead at Jefferson General Hospital in 1995? This information comes from police reports,
death certificates, court petitions and homicide data. Chairman Hinton asked what good is this
information? Dr. Hale replied that it gives you the information you need to make decisions about
reprioritizing resources and budgetary perspectives. Dr. Hale discussed staffing for the Community
Assessment Program. Jefferson General Hospital will help with the cost of staffing. Commissioner
Huntingford asked if this program will save money in the long run? David Specter said that he thinks that
it will save money. Dr. Hale said that once you have this information you can charge people for this
information. She is looking forward to working with Jefferson County and will be giving updates
periodically.
NURSING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Jean Baldwin said she is on the Jefferson County Oversite Committee that is reviewing the management
care plans. In the past the only option for the management care program for Jefferson County was KPS
Sound Care Plan. Now there are two choices; 1) KPS Sound Care Plan; 2) United Physicians of
Washington administered by KPS.
Jean Baldwin reported on the Youth Violence Prevention Network. The lead agency, ESD, is looking into
continuing support for the network which may dissolve in the coming year. She asked if the Board wants
to continue to participate in this program? David Specter suggested that she keep going to the meetings,
offer support and data and see what happens in 1996. Jean Baldwin said that she will continue to go to the
meetings and won't volunteer the County as a financial banker.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Lany Fay discussed two party wells and said that we should rescind the current policy, developed in 1983,
establishing requirements for a two party well. Commissioner Huntingford asked if the policy for two
party wells will now be the same as it is for a single party well? Larry Fay said that is going to have to be
discussed when developing the new policy. One requirement should be to have some kind of recorded
agreement between the two parties to share the well and all the responsibilities. Commissioner
Huntingford asked if single family wells will be exempt from any requirements such as water rights? Lany
HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - NOVEMBER 28, 1995
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Fay responded that two party wells would be exempt from water rights. He will have a packet ready for
the next Health Board meeting.
Larry Fay discussed Draft Rules and Regulations for well inspections. The State Department of Ecology
has three objectives: 1) Inspect surface seals on new wells; 2) Inspect abandoned wells to make sure they
are being abandoned properly; 3) Make sure each well gets an identification number. Lesa Barnes met
with Pierce, Mason, and Kitsap Counties all of whom have been doing this for several years and received
some good ideas. Lany Fay said that his Department has developed a basic procedure with the following
key steps:
. Notification from the land owner/representative three days prior to drilling
. Notification from the well contractor 48 hours prior to construction
Lany Fay stated that it is the driller's responsibility to notify the County and the County's responsibility to
be there to inspect at least 40-50% of the seals. Discussion continued on the draft Rules and Regulations
submitted to the Board. David Specter said that he was on a technical advisory committee for the State
Department of Health called the Finance and Governance Committee and they are looking at fees and fee
policies statewide. Larry Fay said that Environmental Health will continue to meet with the drillers and
identify the problem areas. The draft rules and regulations don't affect any ordinance already in place.
Commissioner Huntingford asked about the consultant agreement that was deleted from the November 27,
1995 County Commissioners' meeting by the Board. What is the reason for the consultant? Larry Fay
responded that the reason for the consultant is to develop the methodology for evaluating susceptible areas
and establishing the monitoring networks to determine vulnerable areas. Larry Fay said that there was an
explanation of finances missing from the packet. He will talk with Gary Rowe to make sure there are
funds available and will resubmit the agreement next week for approval by the Board of Commissioners.
Larry Fay discussed a draft policy for onsite sewage systems in Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas and the
implementation of them in the Critical Area Ordinance. This will require the Board of Health to develop
the BMPs for onsite sewage standards, make a recommendation to the Planning Commission and then give
them to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval. Larry Fay noted a couple of changes he
would like to see made. Larry Fay said depending on what the Planning Commission suggests, he will
draft a resolution declaring the Aquifer Recharge Areas as areas of special concern to be approved at the
next Health Board Meeting. Larry Fay will set up a meeting with AI Scalf, Director of Community
Development to develop and define more accurate maps for the critical areas. Commissioner Huntingford
asked Larry Fay what he is going to do with the information that the Water Resource Council is putting
together? He replied that is one of the things he will discuss with AI Scalf The Resource Council may
end up doing a lot of the work for them.
Larry Fay talked about increasing fees for the food program. The food service establishment fees (see
enclosed) have been broken into three categories: 1) Immediate Consumption; 2) Not for Immediate
Consumption; 3) Temporary Permit. David Specter said they projected about $35,000 in food fee
revenues and the costs for that program are between $55,000-$60,000 total, so there is County money
going into this program.
Larry Fay gave the Board a comparison, between Jefferson County and some surrounding counties, for
onsite sewage disposal fees. Jefferson County is lower than the other counties. Commissioner
HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - NOVEMBER 28, 1995
Page: 4
Huntingford asked ifboth the food program and the onsite sewage disposal fee increases have been figured
into the Health and Human Services budget for 1996? David Specter said that it was budgeted. Larry Fay
will continue to work on these figures and discuss them at the next Health Board Meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Hinton said that he received a call from a person who lives at the West End. This person
applied and paid for a road approach and septic permit only to find out that the zoning would not allow
the subdivision of his 10 acres. Chairman Hinton asked what the policy is for refunding their money?
Larry Fay replied that there is not a policy for refunds and offered to contact them with a couple of
suggestions.
David Specter reported that Michelle Sanchez, Substance Abuse Counselor is leaving the County to
work for ESD.
Commissioner Huntingford asked Judi Morris if she had talked with somebody from the Rural
Assistance Team regarding the grant for $1O,000? She said that she had contacted them and that
Community Action Council has since applied for it.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 1995 at 1:30 p.m.
RSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
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Glen Huntingford, et