Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 February Human Services HEALTH BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 1997 BOARD MEMBERS: Glen Huntingford, Chairman Richard Wojt, Member Dan Harpole, Member STAFF MEMBERS: David Specter, Health Department Director Jean Baldwin, Director of Nursing Services Larry Fay, Director of Environmental Health Chester Prudhomme, Director of Substance Abuse Thomas Locke, M.D., Health Officer CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Ted Shoulberg The meeting was called to order by Chairman Glen Huntingford. The following Board and staff members were present: Commissioner Richard Wojt, Commissioner Harpole, David Specter, Jean Baldwin, Larry Fay, Gwen Howard, Chester Pruhomme, Judi Morris and Ted Shoulberg. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Harpole moved to approve the minutes of January 28, 1997 as presented. Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: No public comments. o ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT PRESENTATION/1996 FOOD SERVICE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: Environmental Health Director Larry Fay explained that this is the third year that the Health Department had issued outstanding achievement awards for maintaining food service sanitation standards. He introduced Environmental Health Specialist Gwen Howard who explained that the State Board of Health inspection codes are used in evaluating public health sanitation in local food service establishments. She displayed the inspection sheet and discussed the criteria used to determine which establishments qualifY for 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 - FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Page: 2 the award. Larry Fay introduced Jefferson County's Health Officer Dr. Thomas Locke who assisted Gwen Howard in presenting awards to the managers/owners of the following food service establishments: 1st Year Recipients Daystar Cafe Lonny's Waterfront Naturals Bodeger's Belmont Portside Deli Cellar's Market Deli Ajax Cafe Bayview Jordini's Java Port Cafe 2nd Year Recipients 1995 & 1996 Qui1cene School Cafeteria Geoduck Tavern Shanghai Burrito Depot Valley Tavern 3rd Year Recipients Ku Larb Thai Pizza Factory Salal Cafe Del's Deli Ferinos Discovery View On Common Grounds 1994 & 1996 Halfway House Manresa ONSITE SEW AGE SYSTEM DESIGNER CERTIFICATION: Larry Fay stated that Jeff Nesset, Centerline Construction, is a licensed septic system installer in Jefferson County and he is interested in becoming a designer of onsite sewage systems. He explained that Jefferson County has not certified septic system designers since 1990. The designer certification program is no longer offered because some licensed professional engineers filed a lawsuit against the State Department of Health and all counties which had designer certification programs in place. The suit contested the authority of the State and counties to license individuals to design septic systems, a practice they view as the work of professional engineers. After a couple of years the Court ruled in favor of the professional engineers. Only the State Board of Licensing for Engineers is authorized to issue engineering licenses or take actions against engineers. The decision of whether or not the design of onsite sewage systems constitutes engineering was deferred by the Judge to the State Department of Health to work out an arrangement with the engineers. Last year the State Board of Licensing for Engineers in conjunction with a couple of counties, put together a pilot project to demonstrate the effectiveness of a limited practice engineering license. The proposal requires that they get some legislative authority for this limited practice of engineering. Jefferson County is participating in this program, however, it is not moving very quickly. Larry Fay reported that there was a meeting in December with representatives from the State Board of Licensing for Engineers to discuss criteria and the overall certification mechanisms. There has not been a meeting since that time, but they are working toward implementing the pilot program. Larry Fay stated that approximately two years ago, a local ordinance was drafted to implement a certification program for designers which the Prosecutor recommended be set aside until the issues have been resolved. Mr. Nesset's concern is that Jefferson County has not withdrawn the licenses from the individuals certified prior to the lawsuit. From Mr. Nesset's perspective as an installer, he has a disadvantage from an individual who is a designer/installer, and he would like to see a program in place locally. Larry Fay stated that the Health Department is working to get a program in place by the end of the year. Commissioner Huntingford asked if Linda Atkins, the Health Department employee who reviews septic systems designed by engineers, has an engineering degree? Larry Fay answered no, however, the Court did affirm the Health Department's responsibility and authority to review engineering work. The Health Department is qualified to do that, but they do not have an engineer on staff. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Page: 3 Commissioner Huntingford asked if after the engineers have worked to help these individuals get certified, their designs will be required to have an engineer's stamp before they are submitted to the Health Department? Larry Fay replied that in a pilot project, they would develop a State examination process to test skills. The County would partner with the State Board of Licensing for Engineers to work out any problems. It is hoped that at least 6 Counties will participate for a about 2 years in order to document the experience and go back to the legislature with a proposed change to engineering laws. Larry Fay stated he will send Mr, Nesset infomation on the status of this project. OLD BUSINESS EXPANSION OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERSHIP: David Specter presented the Board with a list of discussion issues and a second chart of membership options for the expansion of the current Health Board. The number of members serving on the Health Board makes no difference to the Health Department, although it is the general feeling that more involvement by the public and the City of Port Townsend in health policy development is very desirable. Expansion of the Health Board may accomplish that. David Specter stated that he spoke with the Mayor of Port Townsend, Julie McCullough, who seems very interested in this concept. Commissioner Wojt stated that he personally prefers option 5.c, a five member board consisting of3 County Commissioners and 2 City Council members, He feels that 5 members reflects the composition of the County without it going to an even number. The City represents approximately 1/3 of the County, so 2 City Council members would represent a good view. It is the mission of the Health Department to provide for the public health of the citizens of the County and the City is certainly a very important element of that. Disease knows no borders, and many health related services, such as the hospital, are tied to the City. Commissioner Harpole stated that he is personally in favor of option 7.a, a 7 member board consisting of3 County Commissioners, 1 City Council member, 1 Port Townsend resident, and 2 County residents. This way the total elected representatives remains at 4, with 3 non-elected representatives. He appreciates what Commissioner Wojt said about the City needing and deserving a voice, and having City Council representatives is certainly an option. He prefers this option for a couple of reasons: 1) As Commissioner he tries to reflect the preferences of the majority of the County, however, he also feels that he was elected to represent District #1, so he tries to pay attention to the City's perspective as well. 2) He likes the idea of including 3 non-elected members. Commissioner Huntingford asked if the non-elected members would be non-voting? David Specter answered that all the members would have voting privileges. The existing Health Board consists of3 voting members (Commissioners) and one non-voting member (City Council member). Changes in the law in 1995 allow Health Board's to appoint additional voting members. Commissioner Huntingford asked what happens if the three elected County Commissioners are outvoted by the other members on a budget issue? How will the Board of Commissioners reconcile that during the budget process? David Specter replied that the Board of Health does not have any authority to make decisions on budget issues. Only the Board of Commissioners has the authority to act on budget issues and it would remain that way. The Board of Health as it exists now, does not make any decisions regarding budget issues. Ted Shoulberg stated that consistency is a critical issue. If individuals are appointed who develop policies, there can be inconsistencies if they do not control the budget. The desire to create policy usually entails money. Appointed individuals may not have the budgetary concerns in the forthfront of their minds when they see certain health situations that the Health Board deals with. David Specter replied that the Board of HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Page: 4 Commissioners who establish the budget may want to consider delegating the responsibility of establishing priorities and determining how the funding is expended to the Board of Health. Dr. Locke pointed out that under the law the Health Board is not a budgetary body. The only fiscal authority the Health Board has is to set health related fees necessary in carrying out required functions. While in Jefferson County the Commissioners set health related fees, essentially these fees can be set by the Commissioners or the Health Board. In a future Health Board, arguably they would have the power to set fees according to the State code, unless the Commissioners specifically took that right away. Other than that, the Health Board could approve any program they wanted, but if they did not have the support of at least two Commissioners they could not fund it. Dr. Locke stated that he does not know if the notion of a Board of Commissioners giving budgetary authority to a Health Board through an ordinance process has been tested, although a legal opinion would be necessary if the Board was interested in doing that. Commissioner Wojt stated that he would not be interested. Commissioner Wojt stated that health issues are a community interest. The community is broader than the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Huntingford stated that he is not opposed to expanding the Health Board but he is interested in knowing why the proposal was brought forward. He asked if there have been problems? He feels comfortable with how Health Department staff and the Health Board address the concerns and issues of citizens, so he requested some background and the reasoning for wanting to make a change. Commissioner Wojt answered that from his point of view, expanding the Health Board, would broaden the perspective of what the Health Board can do for the community. Having a broader representation will allow the City to take part in health related issues and give them some ownership of it as well. Expanding the Health Board was not proposed because a particular problem needs to be solved, it was proposed to get more City representation. Jean Baldwin stated that expanding the Health Board would allow the Commissioners to share the decision making process. Commissioner Huntingford asked about the concept discussed earlier of establishing an advisory board to the Health Board? Larry Fay stated that Health Department staff feels that advisory boards work well when a specific problem is being addressed. There may not always be a an issue to address or problem to solve, so individuals just doing general review and policy advisement may lose interest and it may be difficult to get individuals to volunteer. Commissioner Harpole stated he feels there is a need to have a City Council representative on the Health Board and he is resolved about that element. With this in mind, the options are narrowed to: 5.b (3 Commissioners, 1 City Council member and 1 County resident); 5.c (3 Commissioners, 2 City Council members); or increase to 7 members which he believes would be beneficial. Discussion continued regarding who non-elected community representatives might include: a hospital commissioner, a school board member, a law enforcement official, a physician, etc. Commissioner Harpole moved to accept option 7.a to expand the Health Board to 7 members. This option consists of3 County Commissioners, I City Council member, I Port Townsend resident and 2 County residents. Commissioner Wojt suggested the motion be amended to include a stipulation that one of the non-elected members must be a hospital commissioner. Commissioner Harpole amended his motion as suggested. Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion as amended. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Page: 5 The Health Department will work with the Prosecuting Attorney to draft an ordinance to expand the Health Board. Discussion ensued regarding the recruitment process for the non-elected positions. The Hospital Commission will nominate their own representative. Commissioner Wojt suggested establishing a per diem for the additional members being asked to serve on the Health Board, when meetings take place during regular working hours. Commissioner Huntingford stated that the Board may want to consider the numerous committees currently working for the County that do not get paid. This might set a precedent for the other board and commission volunteers to request payment and should be discussed with the County Budget Manager, Commissioner Wojt stated that he still feels it is something that should be considered, at least for the City Council members. Commissioner Huntingford stated that the County cannot pay only the City Council members and not the non-elected members. He feels it's something the Board can consider, but he is concerned about the consequences. David Specter stated that the Health Department will look into the matter. .. DIRECTOR'S REPORT FINANCIAL REPORT: David Specter reported that 9% of the budget has been expended and 4.7% of budgeted revenues have been collected as ofJanuary 31,1997. Revenues are tracking right on target. Expenses are also in line with budget projections. ~ NURSING DIRECTOR'S REPORT PROGRAM UPDATE: Jean Baldwin reported that the Quilcene School Board has finally voted to contract with the Health Department to provide sex education and A.lD. 's education for students. This is a big achievement since it has taken a very long time and Health Department staff worked very hard to get this contract. COMMUNITY MOB" ,TZA TION/COMMUNITY NETWORK: Jean Baldwin reported that the second summit meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 1997. It is being held in Port Ludlow in order to reach individuals from Chimacum and Quilcene. The Board is invited to attend. She presented an article on the network plan that was published in the Peninsula Daily News. David Specter will be reviewing the plan today for Health Department stipulations, then it will be forwarded to Olympia for approval. Commissioner Harpole stated that the article mentioned support for the Boiler Room in Port Townsend. Last year the City gave support for the Boiler Room with the agreement that the Boiler Room would set up a network for jobs or a job referral bank. He asked Jean if she knew if that has come up in the discussion this year? Jean replied that it has not. She stated that there is a great deal of difficulty dispensing the funds. Many individuals have called and many more will be calling Senator Hargrove asking him to release the funding. A fiscal audit must done on every organization that funding is released to. That is why funding the Boiler Room project will be difficult during the first three months, however, over the ten year plan they may receive funding through the network. Commissioner Harpole asked ifit is possible for the network to release funding to the City government to disperse? Jean answered yes and stated that the applicants who will receive the initial funding are: Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene School Districts as well as the City and County Parks and Recreation. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Page: 6 @ ALCOHOL and DRUG ABUSE SERVICES DIRECTOR'S REPORT PROGRAM UPDATE: Chester Prudhomme stated that substance abuse numbers are up. Some individuals who had initially gone to competitors for evaluations are now coming to the Health Department. The Health Department will be instituting an intensive outpatient program for kids 17 or younger. This is being done due to many requests from the Courts and Human Service providers. The program will be offered six hours a week for twelve weeks, using existing staff time. o ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT - CONTINUED DRAFT CATCHMENT POLICY: Larry Fay presented the existing water availability requirements for building permits as well as a draft policy concerning the use of rain water catchment systems for proof of water adequacy for building permits. These policies and requirements are the result of the Growth Management Act. The State Department of Ecology and State Department of Health developed a guidance document that was used to develop Jefferson County's Policy. Since, alternatives were left open in the State guidance document, Jefferson County staff left alternatives open in their policy as well. The Health Department gets a lot of requests for the use of catchment systems to meet the water adequacy requirement for building permits. Due to the increased interest, Health Department staff feels that this policy can supplement the existing policy #93-02. He stated that he has reviewed and approved 3 water catchment systems proposed in the County. This new policy will provide actual guidelines for the Health Department to follow in reviewing proposed catchment systems. Discussion ensued regarding catchment systems and the possibility of owners of property without potable water contracting to truck water to their property, The policy will be brought back to Board for final approval after legal review. T HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT LEGISLA TIVE UPDATE: Dr. Thomas Locke reported that the legislature meets next week to review program funding. Any surplus there might be in the State's budget has been committed to property tax relief In addition there are two deficits in the budget that greatly affect public health. One is in the Health Services account which funds the local health capacity as well as Basic Health. This account currently has a deficit of$160,000,000. The second shortage is in the Medicaid program which has a $150,000,000 deficit. Both of these accounts are major sources of public health funding. There have not been any proposals to balance these accounts. From a legislative standpoint regarding Bills, anything that is not out of committee by the middle of next week dies. Dr. Locke reported that the Administrative Search Warrant Bill and the County Sales Tax Reversion Bill are alive. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 1997 at 1:30 p.m.