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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 May .~ :i~~ County Health & Human Services HEALTH BOARD MINUTES MAY 28, 1996 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 Thomas Locke, M.D., Health Officer The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert Hinton. The following Board and staff members were present: Commissioner Glen Huntingford, Larry Fay, Jean Baldwin, Judi Morris, Sherrie NeSmith, and Thomas Locke, M.D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Huntingford moved to approve the minutes of April 23, 1996 as presented. Chairman Hinton seconded the motion in the absence of Commissioner Wojt. The motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: No public comments. DIRECTOR'S REPORT FINANCIAL REPORT: In the absence of David Specter, Judi Morris reported that 32.9% of the budget has been expended and 27.8% of budgeted revenues have been collected as of April 30, 1996. Revenue is low due to the lag in grant payments from state agencies and overdue payments from other funding sources. Health Department expenses are high as a result of the following: Purchase of software to assure proper licensing of each computer; methamphetamine training; and preventative substance abuse training. Animal Services has expended 30% and is at 75% of budgeted revenue for the year. ASSESSMENT DATA WORKSHOP: Judi Morris invited the Board to attend an Assessment Data Workshop which will be held on Thursday and Friday, May 30 and 31,1996. The purpose of this workshop is to put together a community health report. Dr. Locke recommends the Board attend the workshop on Friday, if they can only attend one of the workshops. Commissioner Huntingford stated he will attend the workshop on Friday. HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - MAY 28, 1996 Page: 2 NURSING DIRECTOR'S REPORT PROGRAM UPDATE: Jean Baldwin reported that as a result of a measles outbreak in Clark County, she and Dr. Locke are working on a new infectious disease policy for Health Department staff. Forty-four percent of the 22 cases reported in Clark County originated from medical facilities. The policy will not affect other County departments. It is mainly for individuals who have a high exposure to infectious diseases. Commissioner Huntingford asked about the status of the measles outbreak in the West End? Dr. Locke stated that the cases reported in the West End were German MeasleslRubella. German Measles are not as serious as measles because it is not an airborne disease. The symptoms are fairly mild and uncomplicated but can be very dangerous to pregnant women. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS) CONTRACT/EARLY INTERVENTION: Jean Baldwin stated that the Prosecuting Attorney had some concerns regarding liability issues with the CPS contract. She asked if the Board had the same concerns or any questions regarding the contract? Chairman Hinton responded that the Board did not have any concerns. Jean Baldwin stated that the Prosecuting Attorney may not understand the role of the Health Department in relation to home visits. Health Department staff conducts home visits through other programs they offer and many times they see the same families. Staff is often times visiting the least desirable and most violent families in the community. Sherry NeSmith presented information explaining the Early Intervention Program. This State-wide program involves Child Protective Services working with local Health Departments on identifYing and reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Since Health Department nurses conduct home visits they are one of the only effective interventions and deterrents of child abuse and neglect. If child abuse is suspected the Health Department staff is mandated to report it, just like any other medical provider. Health Department staff does not investigate or take on any other role in dealing with the suspected child abuse. They only report it. After further discussion ofintervention and prevention, Chairman Hinton suggested that the Health Department meet with the Prosecuting Attorney to discuss his concerns regarding the contract. ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE SERVICES DIRECTOR'S REPORT PROGRAM UPDATE: Judi Morris stated that Chester Prudhomme could not attend the meeting today because he is in the West End doing outreach for an annual review of what direct services they need to be involved with in the West End. He is also doing a prevention needs assessment in that area as well. The Health Department applied for a UGN grant which will be used for a youth prevention program. NURSING DIRECTOR'S REPORT - CONTINUED Jean Baldwin stated that she also applied for a UGN grant for Family Planning. Family Planning is becoming more self-sufficient and is using less funding from the County general fund. It was thought that the Board of Commissioners no longer favored funding Family Planning because they are receiving less funding. Jean Baldwin explained that the goal of Health Department programs is to try to become as self-supporting as they can while still insuring public good. Family Planning has become more self-supporting and less reliant on public funding. She urged the Board members to contact her if they received any phone calls regarding Family Planning. HEALTHBOARDMlNUTES -MAY28, 1996 Page: 3 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT PROGRAM UPDATE: Larry Fay eXplained that last month he presented the Board with a draft agreement with the Department of Ecology for well construction and delegation. A policy statement was also drafted which explains the process, assuming the agreement is completed. The agreement is currently being reviewed by the Risk Manager and the Prosecuting Attorney. DRAFT POLICY REOUIRING UTILITY SERVICE REVIEW OF NEW WELLS: The Health Department attempted to develop policies outlining the process which are concurrent with the Department of Ecology's. The policy statement explains the procedure for a well contractor or individual homeowner to notifY the Health Department for an inspection of the well in addition to notifYing the Department of Ecology of the intent to construct the well. The Department of Ecology currently requires well drillers to file a start notification at least 3 days and no more than 120 days prior to construction of the well. The Health Department's policies refer to it as a utility service review and request for inspection. Larry Fay stated that one element of the policy is potentially controversial. This element is in the Coordinated Water System Plan and in RCW 19.27.97, Section 63, under water availability. More specifically, when an applicant is proposing to drill a well in a utility service area of which the County has an agreement with the utility (such as P.D.D.), the utility has the first right of service to the property. If service is available then the applicant would be required to connect to that system. Discussion ensued regarding the language of the policies. The Health Department held a workshop with well drillers to discuss these policies. Lany Fay stated that the response was mainly positive, however, some had concerns about the required connection and the additional review by the County possibly holding up the process. Maps will be available for well drillers to check to see if a proposed well site is in a utility service area. Chairman Hinton asked how the language regarding a 36 month time line affects individuals who continue to renew their building permits each year over long periods oftime? Lany Fay explained that an applicant must demonstrate an adequate supply of water prior to getting a building permit. Providing proof of adequate potable water is only required once. Applicants are not required to show proof every time the building permit is renewed, therefore, if an individual continues to renew a building permit over several years, the water availability or potability may have changed over time. This is particularly a concern on Marrowstone Island where changes occur in wells due to saltwater intrusion. According to this policy, after approval of a building permit an applicant will have 36 months to begin building on the site. If construction is not started by the end of the 36 month time frame, the applicant will be required to conduct water quality testing on the well. To assure water quality the Health Department feels that there needs to be some limit to the approval. Discussion ensued regarding the language of this policy. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT WELCOME TO PUBLIC HEALTH: BOARD OF HEALTH ORIENTATION MANUAL: Thomas Locke, M.D. presented the Board with "Welcome to Public Health" pamphlets. He discussed various topics covered in the pamphlet and stated it is mainly for newly elected Commissioners, however, it contains some good information that may be of interest to experienced Commissioners as well.