Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 January COMMUNICABLE . 'DISEASE CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING VITAL STATISTICS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH EDUCATION 802 SHERIDAN PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. 98368 (206)385.0722 HEALTH BOARD Minutes: January 15, 1991 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: B. G. Brown, Chairman Larry W. Dennison, Member Richard E. Wojt, Member Larry Fay, Director of Environmental Health Kathy Stafford, Health Administrator Nancy Gow, Acting Director of Nursing Services J. Peter Geerlofs, M. D., Health Officer CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Sheila Westerman The meeting was called to order at the appointed time by Chairman B.G. Brown. The following Board and staff members were present: Commissioner Larry Dennison; Commissioner Richard Wojt; Kathy Stafford; Larry Fay; Nancy Gow; and Dr. Peter Geerlofs. John Heal of Bionomics, Inc. and Gary Rowe, Public Works Director, were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the Minutes of December 18, 1990 as corrected, and Chairman Brown moved to second the motion which carried by unanimous vote. Health Board Minutes - January 15, 1991 Page: 2 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Suace: Kathy Stafford reported that the lack of space is a continuing struggle and updated the Board on her point of view regarding moving to the Castle Hill Mall versus renovation of the Multi-Services Building. A move to the shopping center has advantages of parking, accessibility to the handicapped, proximity to the Department of Social and Health Services office, and access to the bus line. Remodelling the present structure will not fulfill the Health Departments needs and too much money would be utilized for such a renovation. Kathy Stafford will report her findings in a letter to Carter Breskin of Facilities Management. Cleaninll: Kathy Stafford explained that although there has been an improvement in the cleaning of the Health Department, the time allotted to the cleaning contractor is apparently not adequate. Babies frequently crawl on the carpets, which have not been cleaned for about three years. After a discussion of how the conditions can be improved, why the cleaning contractor is not meeting the Health Department needs, and how poorly the condition of the office reflects on the Department, it was determined that Kathy Stafford will discuss the needed improvements with Carter Breskin of Facilities Management. Rug cleaning will be scheduled as soon as possible, and a maintenance system for deep cleaning will be considered. DIRECTOR OF NURSING REPORT Statistics - Monthlv Reuort: Nancy Gow commented on the statistics presented to the Board and reported the following: * The Well Child Clinic had over 700 visits in 1990 when the projected number of visits was between 600 - 650. * Brinnon will have two Well Child Clinics in January. Beginning in February 1991, Chimacum and Quilcene will each have a monthly Well Child Clinic. * Kiwanis will donate dental services to the Early Childhood Evaluation and Assistance program (ECEAP) in the form of time and dental assistant services. The Health Department will donate the equipment. The Women's Infants and Children program (WIC) is vouchering at 100 percent. Currently children up through the age of five are eligible in Jefferson County, but the program may have to drop five year olds and then four year olds due to a potential lack of Federal funding, which is administered through the State. The problem is with demonstrating greater need in Jefferson County while many counties only receive enough funding to provide WIC vouchers for pregnant and breast feeding women. * Health Board Minutes - January 15, 1991 Page: 3 Director of Nursinl! Reuort . Continued * The Maternity Support Services Program (MSSP) continues to expand. Eleven individuals were tested for HIV last month, which was twice as many as anticipated. * Hirinl! New Staff: Nancy Gow reported that she hopes to have two new staff positions filled by the end of February. A brief discussion was held regarding how the current personnel would provide services. West End Services: Nancy Gow explained that nursing services for West End residents are being contracted with Clallam County. The MSS program, immunization clinics, and Well Child. Clinics are not available in the West End. The only immunizations currently available to this population are those provided by the school. The Indian Health Services representatives and the County will attempt to face the needs of the West End. It was noted that limited time and money, and the prevalence of poverty and isolation add to the difficulty of solving the problems of the West End. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT Statistics - Monthlv Reuort: Larry Fay explained that there is a significant decrease in the number of new applications for sewage permits. The deceleration of permit processing this winter is seen as an opportunity to clarify policy matters. There were 819 permits issued in 1990, which was a sixty to seventy percent increase over 1989 permitting. Seutal!e Manal!ement: Larry Fay reported that Gary Rowe, Public Works Director, would address the issue of septage since a septage treatment plant is no longer a feasible option. Gary Rowe read a letter (attached) to the Board on septage treatment in which it was explained that the septage lagoon at the County Landfill had been slated for closure this year with the plan being to incorporate the treatment of septage into the upgrade of the Port Townsend Wastewater Treatment Plant. Now that this is no longer an option he pointed out that lime stabilization is not the only other viable alternative. Other options should be considered, such as solar aquatic treatment on a regional basis as indicated by Bionomics, Inc. and the treatment of septage at the Port Ludlow Treatment Plant. Gary Rowe requested the Board of Health's consent to activate a Request For Proposals, which could be out sometime in March. The vendors and the various methods of septage treatment would be assessed for the method best able to meet the County's needs. Regional treatment of septage would also be evaluated in coordination with adjacent counties. Health Board Minutes - January 15, 1991 Environmental Health Reuort . Continued Page: 4 John Heal of Bionomics, Inc., was present for the discussion held regarding the minimum requirements vendors might be expected to address in their proposals and which agencies would be likely to provide guidance. He provided information on how much septage could be anticipated from various areas and what the quality of the cleaned water could be, using potential septage systems. Gary Rowe was directed to implement the Request For Proposals and then report to the Board of County Commissioners. Sanitation SYStems . Reuairs and UUll1'ades: Larry Fay reported that there isn't a program for systematically investigating septic systems and that most of the repairs and upgrades occur as a result of complaints from concerned individuals and neighbors. Investigations are subsequently provided to get malfunctioning systems into compliance. Another way systems are targeted for investigation are through loan inspections. A discussion was held regarding the possible ways in which routine inspections could be implemented and system repairs, pumping, and upgrades completed. Dr. Geerlofs stated that the Health Department should be sure that the new systems that are installed are good systems and that the owners of these systems know how to facilitate repairs and maintenance. Larry Fay added that operating permits could be issued with one of the conditions being periodic inspections. He noted that some states, such as North Carolina, have already initiated State operating permits. The Public Utility District #1 has qualified personnel for these inspections. Tobacco Sales Rel!Ulations: Larry Fay presented a letter and data (attached) regarding what Snohomish County did in terms of licensing vending machine operators and retailers to limit the sale of tobacco to minors. The success of the Snohomish County Ordinance to Reduce Sales of Tobacco to Minors has been documented. Requirements, which are similar to those utilized in the sale of alcohol, include posting signs that state that tobacco is not sold to minors, and the checking of identification. Kathy Stafford explained that the State Department of Health is looking at the presentation of a bill which would provide revenues to the State, and grants to counties for regulating tobacco. She suggested that the time to develop a permitting process is now, as this provides an interval to pay for the mandates that will be issued next year. The chances of State funding would also be increased by implementing a program this year. A discussion was held on how to develop a permitting process and what fees could be initiated. It was noted that the development of licensing requirements would not drastically change the inspection procedures since the majority of cigarette retailers and vending machine placements are already in areas that offer food service. The consensus of opinion of the Board was that a draft policy should be pursued. t . ."" Health Board Minutes - January 15, 1991 Environmental Health Reuort - Continued Prouosed Policies - On Site Sewal!e Comments: Larry Fay reported that comments will be received, until the February Health Board meeting, on the draft policies that will regulate design, management, and maintenance of small, on site, community systems. The draft policies were sent to designers, installers, engineers, and realtors for comment. Public comment is also welcomed. A meeting will be held to discuss the comments. Page: 5 OTHER BUSINESS Chanl!e of Meetinl! Date: Commissioner Richard Wojt made a motion to move the next Health Board meeting date from February 19, 1991 to February 12, 1991. Commissioner Larry Dennison seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote. Legal notification will be published. Executive Session: An executive session regarding personnel was held. The Board, Kathy Stafford, and Dr. Geerlofs were all present. ******* The next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, February 12, 1991. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH g~ B. G. Brown, Chairman dlkOl2591 ,~ ...... !~- <:;./"" ""';..N",).,),'. '--:- ....-~ . .;.,. "- -..::t.~~;, .;.C ._CF ..;$, --,( ',",;',~.:.~_<.~::'.;-- . I'; JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 1820 Jefferson Street PO. Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 (206j 385.9160 Gary A. Rowe, P.E.) Director Robert G. Nesbitt, P.E., County Engineer January 15, 1991 Board of Health Jefferson County Health Department 802 Sheridan Port Townsend, WA 98368 Re: Septage Treatment Gentlemen: The septage lagoon at the County Landfill was planned to be closed this year with treatment of septage to be incorporated into the upgrade of the Port Townsend Wastewater Treatment Plant. At this time this plan is no longer feasible, When we inttially made the decision to take septage to the Port Townsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, we also reviewed the feasibility of other treatment methods, At that time, lime stabilization was the only other viable option but was not pursued further because we felt working with the City provided longer term securtty. Other options appear to be feasible now; Bionomics, Inc. has indicated that solar aquatic treatment is feasible on a regional basis and Pope Resources has indicated that they are interested in treating septage at the Port Ludlow Wastewater Treatment Plant. With viable options available, we can start developing a plan for treating septage. With the direction of the Board and the assistance of the Health Department, I will develop requests for proposals from vendors to treat septage. The request would start an evaluative process in selecting a treatment method that would meet the County's needs. Regional treatment of septage can also be evaluated in coordination wtth adjacent counties. I anticipate the RFP could be out sometime in March. Sincerely, 4~Q.~ Gary A. Rowe, Director c: Board of County Commissioners Larry Fay 100'/0 Recycled Paper , l-~-=o. l\lunUlv,,;;,n .. . HEALTH , . DISTRICT ~ ">"'''''!lI ,.." r "''''''''' .......... ...' -"-'.~''''-' --- ., --. -- -- - - - M. WARD HINDS. MoD.. M.P.H. "'e= rn OfllCf!f Vital Stallstlcs Clinic ServIces Sanltallon procram .2061339.5280 1206)339.5220 12061339-5270 ).,dmlnlstratlon OUice Community Health Division cnvlfonmenUl1 Healttl DivISion (206)339.5210 {2061339.5230 12001339.5250 SHD Memo 1990 - 394 December 6. 1990 From: The Honorable Pete Kinch. Mayor Everett City Councilmembers M. Ward Hinds. M~ Health Officer To: Re: Ordinance to Reduce Sales of Tobacco to Minors In 1989. the Everett City Council enacted Ordinance No. 1565-89. which contained a number of provisions designed to decrease the illegal purchase of tobacco products by minors. I am very pleased to report to you that this ordinance is working. In October, 1989. I had a survey completed by 221 Everett High School 10th graders. The ordinance went into effect in January 1. 1990. In October, 1990. I had the same survey completed by 279 Everett High School 10th graders. The results indicate that: . The percentage of students regularly using tobacco dropped from 25.3% to 19.7%. . The percentage of students age 14-15 years regularly using tobacco dropped from 22.0% to 14.2%. . The percentage of female students regularly using tobacco dropped from 26.4% to 11.5%. . The percentage of tobacco users who buy from stores and who have been asked for proof of age increased from 29.3% to 61.5%. . The percentage of tobacco users who buy their tobacco from stores decreased from 82.4% to 75.5%. . The percentage of tobacco users who buy their tobacco from vending machines increased from 15.7% to 24.5%. . The percentage of tobacco users who indicated that they steal tobacco increased from 11.8% to 17.0%. . The percentage of 10th graders who agreed that sale of tobacco to minors should be illegal increased from 53.6% to 62.8%. Heal t' Off ic, Main Offices. County Courthouse Building, First Floor. 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett. WA 98201 Repor 5.0 Ordinance Provisions To Prevent Sale of Tobacco Products To Minors In Snohomish County Provision Everett MtLk Terrace Edmonds Lynnwood County Restriction on YES YES YES YES YES Vending Machine Placement Posting of Sign YES YES YES NO NO "Illegal to Sell to Minors" ID Required YES YES YES NO NO License Required YES YES NO VEND ONLY VEND ONLY License Fee $25-VEND $25-VEND NONE $25 $80 $50-RETAIL $25-RETAIL NONE NONE NONE Civil Penalty $100-15t $10-15t $500 $300 NONE $500-2nd $20-2nd RECEIVED o 'r~., ". J :. ~ I ,-. - 1 ...,.("....c'.' ,--. . ..... ".,~,' ~---_. TOBACCO FACTS . Cigarette smoking is the most important single preventable cause of illness and premature mortality in the United States. . Approximately 320,000 premature deaths Occur each year in the United States as a result of cigarette smoking. . Cigarette smokers have a 70 percent greater overall rate of death than non-smokers. . ApprOXimately 10 million Americans suffer from chronic illness caused by cigarette smoking. . Approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and 30 percent of all cancer deaths are the result of cigarette smoking. . Approximately 30 percent of all deaths from coronary heart disease are the result of cigarette smoking. . Cigarette smokers are about 10 times more likely to die from chronic bronchitis and emphysema than are non-smokers. . Use of snuff and chewing tobacco, along with cigarettes, is the most important cause of cancer of the mouth and throat. . Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is one of the most important factors associated with low birthweight babies. . Tobacco use is addicting, and nicotine is the addictive component of all tobacco products. . Tobacco addiction is very similar in nature to, and often as hard to control as, addiction to drugs such as cocaine and heroin. . Most tobacco users become addicted during late childhood or adolescence, before they realize the danger of addiction. . More than 4000 children and adolescents become users of tobacco each day in the United States. JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Policy Statement 1 - 91 Program Area: On-Site Sewage Treatment systems Subject: Community Sewage Treatment Systems Effective this date, The following policy shall be adopted concerning community sewage treatment systems. 1) Community sewage treatment system shall mean any sewage treatment system with a design flow of less than 3,500 gallons per day, having more than one service, with services located on more than one parcel and utilizing a soil absorption system or alternative system for treatment and disposal of effluent. 2) Design of community sewage treatment systems shall be performed by or under the supervision of a professional engineer or registered sanitarian. 3) Management, maintenance and operation of community sewage treatment systems shall be provided by an entity approved by the Health Department. The type of entity required and degree of management shall be commensurate with the complexity of the system. A management plan which includes items a,b,c and d of WAC 248-96-075(8) shall be submitted with the application for approval before a permit will be issued. Frequently, most effective sewage treatment can be provided by "Clustering" several households and utilizing limited areas of suitable soils for a common soil absorption system. operations and maintenance of community systems is complicated by multiple ownership, variable use patterns between households and limited resources of a small group. Management may best be provided by assigning operations to an entity with the infrastructure and financial capability of providing long term service. This policy shall remain in effect until amended or repealed by the Jefferson Coun Board of Health. .."2/22ft ) Effecti've Date dfi.&,,~/ Chairperson - Board of Health February 12, 1991 Date of Review JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE Policy Statement Number 2 - 91 Program: On-site Sewage Treatment Systems subject: Horizontal separation From Marine Waters Effective this date the following policy shall be adopted concerning "Standard Marine Systems" as defined in WAC 248-96-020(26). 1) Where the horizontal distance between the soil absorption system and the ordinary high water mark is between 50 and 100 feet and the vertical separation is greater than 36 inches, pressure distribution shall be required. 2) Where the horizontal distance between the soil absorption component and the ordinary high water mark is between 50 and 100 feet, and the minimum vertical separation is less than 36 inches alternative systems providing a higher level of treatment than pressure distribution alone shall be required. Historically, Jefferson County Health Department has enforced a minimum horizontal separation of 100 feet between soil absorption systems and ordinary high water mark of marine waters as per WAC 248-96-100. 1989 revisions to WAC 248-96 allow for the installation of soil absorption systems less than 100 feet from marine shorelines. The intent of this policy is to allow for the use of soil absorption systems less than 100 feet from marine shorelines but to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts of reduced setbacks by requiring a higher level of effluent treatment before discharge into the soil. 1 remain in effect until amended or repealed by action C unty Board of Health. ~z-!J/ Ef ect ve Date 8d~/ Chairperson - Board of Health February 12, 1991 Date of Review JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Policy Statement Number 3 - 91 Program: On-site Sewage Treatment Subject: vertical separation I. Effective this date, the following table shall be adopted concerning minimum vertical separation/soil depth for installation of on-site sewage systems in Jefferson County. A) Minimum soil depth/vertical separation required for approval of soil absorption systems and alternative designs shall be as provided for in Table 1990-1, "Minimum Soil Depth/Vertical Separation". B) Appeals may be made in writing pursuant to Jefferson County Policy Statement 2-88. II. WAC 248-96-100(2) states that soil absorption systems shall not be permitted where 36" of vertical separation cannot be maintained, however, the separation may be reduced to one foot by the Health Officer under certain conditions. Effective sewage treatment in soils is a function of soil texture, depth and extent of saturation. Shallow soils provide less retention time because of reduced volume and are prone to effluent short circuiting where steps are not taken to provide for uniform dosed applications. Therefore, 36 inches of vertical separation shall be required for conventional drainfields. The table addresses alternative systems suitable for various soil depths and textures. III. This policy shall remain in effect until amended or repealed by the Jefferson County Board of Health. g Eft(f;(zJe Date L?J~ Chairperson - Board of Health February 12, 1991 Date of Review