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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 April COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING VITAL STATISTICS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH EDUCATION ~ 'ii~..r. JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 802 SHERIDAN PORT TOWNSEND, WASH, 98368 (206) 385,0722 HEALTH BOARD MINUTES APRIL 21, 1992 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: B.G. Brown, Chairman Larry W. Dennison, Member Richard E. wojt, Member Larry Fay, Director of Environmental Health David Specter, Administrator Nancy GoW, Director of Nursing Services J. Peter Geerlofs, M.D., Health Officer CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Sheila Westerman The meeting was called to order by Chairman B.G. Brown. The following Board and Staff members were present: Commissioner Larry W. Dennison, Larry Fay, David Specter, Nancy Gow, and Dr. Geerlofs. Commissioner wojt was not present due to an excused absence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the minutes of March 17, 1992 as presented. Chairman B.G. Brown seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT WATER SYSTEMS/GMA SECTION 63 UPDATE: Cy Heffernan and Frank Dubla of the Coyle Community Center were present when Larry Fay presented a letter from Bill Liechty of the State Health Department , and reported that section 63 of the Growth Management Act requires varification of adequate water supply prior to approving building permits. The State Department of Ecology adopted guidelines to implement provisions of section 63 that address public water systems, by stating that an applicant must have a letter of notification from the water purveyor stating they can supply the water and that the water system has to be approved by the State Health Department. Public water systems, like the one that will serve the Coyle Community center, must be submitted to the State Health Department to be reviewed and approved before the building permit can be approved. Health Board Meeting Minutes - April 21, 1992 Page 2 In order to expedite the process the state Health Department is proposing a partnership between the County Health Department, the county PUD, and the state Health Department to review Group B public water systems (those systems which do not fall under federal regulations). The Coordinated Water Utilities Committee voted to support the partnership to review Group B public water systems. Larry Fay is meeting with Bob Leach and Bill Liechty from the state Department of Health to discuss this further. He expressed his concerns with staffing this project. Chairman Brown suggested working with the engineers from the County Public Works Department if PUD is not willing to take on this task. The Public Works Director Gary Rowe would then be asked to attend the meeting with the state. cy Heffernan asked that a building permit be granted to the coyle Community Center and stated his understanding is that the water is approvable although no one can approve it at this time. Bid openings are set for Monday, April 27, 1992 on the Jefferson County Board commissioners' Agenda, and they would like to proceed if the bids are within the budget. Larry Fay stated he met with Prosecuting Attorney Mark Huth about this water system. The siting, supply, and potability criteria have been met, the plans were put together and sent to the State and the covenants are in place. Mark Huth suggested Larry Fay send a letter to the Building Inspecter recommending a provisional approval of a building permit that would not allow a certificate of occupancy until the water system plan has been approved. DIRECTOR OF NURSING'S REPORT PROPOSED PEDIATRIC SEXUAL ASSAULT CLINIC: Sydney schneidman, M.D. was present when David Specter reported on the proposed pediatric sexual assault clinic. The program would be set up to provide physical examinations and interviews of children who are victims of sexual abuse. He discussed the need of such a program in Jefferson county and neighboring counties, and how to respond if the demand is greater than anticipated. Dr. Geerlofs, stated that Jefferson County has a high number of reported incidents and stressed the importance of having a program. Commissioner Dennison stated there are other organizations working on similar programs and suggested the County work with them in dealing with this problem. Sydney Schneidman, M.D. agreed and added that the program is needed in this area. David Specter reported on each aspect of the program. He advised that the proposed program would require a budget extension of approximately $8,000 for 1992, which will be offset by revenue from the Crime Victims Program. Nancy Gow reported on the clinical aspect. The Board suggested checking with other Counties about the liability insurance needed. Sydney Schneidman, M.D., stated he also has liability insurance. After further discussion commissioner Dennison moved to approve the proposed clinic, Chairman B.G. Brown seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Health Board Meeting Minutes - April 21, 1992 Page 3 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT David Specter reported that the state Secretary of Health is coming to visit. The County Health Department will put together the agenda. FINANCIAL REPORT: For the first quarter of 1992, 23.4% of the budget was expended. Salaries and benefits are in good shape while professional services are down. David specter spoke with Public Works Accountant Anne Sears about the budget. They found that one budget line has more money than is needed for this year and may be transferred to other budget lines if necessary. Revenue is down for the first quarter, partially due to the lag time of grants coming in. The fees are down largely due to the move. PROGRAM/GRANTS UPDATE: Larry Fay stated the Solid Waste Enforcement Grant was just received this week so he has not been able to do billing or accounting for any time until now. PROPOSED REVISIONS TO MONTHLY STATISTICS REPORTS: David Specter and Dr. Geerlofs presented and reported on the new format of the monthly statistical report DIRECTOR OF NURSING'S REPORT CONTINUED CHILD D'RVRT.nPMRMT PROGRAM/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STAFFING: Nancy Gow presented a letter from the Washington Elks and reported on their therapy program for children and the support this program has provided in the past. When the Elks began this service there were 5 children in the program, five years ago there were 10, and currently there are 50. Due to the increase in case load it is not possible for the current Elks therapist to provide all the screening, assessment, and treatment of these children, therefore, Nancy Gow is proposing an "in-home" occupational therapist to help. She presented a proposed budget for the position. After further discussion of occupational therapy Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the position, Chairman B.G. Brown seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Nancy Gow also reported on the rules and regUlations set forth by OSHA and how the Health Department is working to comply with those rules. She stated that medicaid will match 50% of the monies paid to administrative staff for time that goes into the Well Child Clinic. They are keeping track of the hours spent in order to get reimbursed. Nancy Gow will be going to the west-end May 5th and 6th to administer vaccines at the correction facility and the Queets/Clearwater school. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT CONTINUED STATISTICS/MONTHLY REPORT: Larry Fay reported that the food service health inspector is getting behind due to the reduction in - . Health Board Meeting Minutes - April 21, 1992 Page 4 hours for that position. He suggested that food service inspecting be focused on higher risk establishments such as restaurants in order to utilize the time efficiently. The number of sewage permits has risen since this time last year. BEDROOM BUILDING PLAH & SEWAGE DISPOSAL PERMIT CONSISTENCY: Larry Fay proposed to the Board that they amend the Bedroom policy to raise thresholds by 500 square feet, but keep the 500 square foot increments. Building and sewage permits would still be issued which would identify the limitations of the structure. This would also reduce the number of notices having to go out to people. Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the proposed pOlicy change. Chairman B.G. Brown seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. STATE ONSITE SEWAGE CODE: Larry Fay reported on the proposed revisions to the state Onsite Sewage System. The changes would not affect site approvals or permits issued five years before adoption, however, those approvals and permits would be limited to five years. Specific requirements and enforcement were then reviewed. He also reported on water systems and the new food service code approved by the state Board of Health. SHRf.I.FISH PROTECTION INITIATIVE GRANT APPLICATION: The Department of Ecology announced it has a $3 million pool of funding targeted for non-pollution programs that affect shellfish beds. An application will be sent to the Department of Ecology to request funding for applicable projects. The Board went into Executive Session regarding potential litigation. The next regular meeting will be held Hay 19, 1992. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ~..~J B.G. Brown, Chairman