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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 March COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING VITAL STATISTICS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH EDUCATION JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 802 SHERIDAN PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. 98368 (206) 385-0722 HEALTH BOARD Minutes: March 20, 1990 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: B. G. Brown, Chairman Larry W. Dennison, Member George C. Brown, Member (Position Vacant) Director Environmental Health Kathy Stafford, Administrator Irene Senior Pomeroy, Director Nursing Services J. Peter Geerlofs, M. D., Health Officer CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Karen Chang 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 W. Dennison; Commissioner George C. Brown; Kathy Stafford; Irene Senior Pomeroy; and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Huth. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Larry Dennison moved to approve the Minutes of February 20, 1990 as written. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion which unanimously carried. Health Board Minutes: March 20, 1990 Page: 2 Discussion re: How to Handle Enforcement Issues: DeDutv Prosecutinq Attornev, Mark Huth: Kathy Stafford, expressed concern regarding the process of enforcing decisions made by the Health Department. Chairman B. G. Brown noted that the gravity of the situation should determine what is done about the problem. A discussion was held on how to handle enforcement issues, when to take action and what kind of action to take when the Health Department enforcement requests are not met. Mark Huth noted that there is a correspondence system in place within the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to deal with the same kind of problems. He felt the system could be utilized for enforcement of Health Department requests. Kathy Stafford and Mark Huth will meet at a later date to discuss the issue further. Paul Gahr: Fort Worden Concession store re: Licensinq and Permit Proqram: Risinq Costs of Permits: Permit ExemDtion: Paul Gahr appeared to state his dissatisfaction with the current permit program and the rising costs of permits needed. Kathy Stafford reported that the issue is about the criteria which has to be met to determine if a store is a grocery store or not and when to exclude a store from certain types of permits. Chairman B. G. Brown noted that permits are mainly for protecting public health and that seeing which products could create a health hazard determines the sort of permit(s) required. If products are present that could be a hazard it is then the responsibility of the Sanitarian to see that the products are properly stored and handled. Kathy Stafford suggested that the Board put a policy in writing as to the criteria a store would have to meet to be exempt from various permits. She stated that the Sanitarian would like clarification as to whether or not she has the right to exempt a store that doesn't appear to fall into the category requisites for a permit. Commissioner Dennison said that clarification of the Board's position is what is needed. He stated that the Board feels the Sanitarian has the discretion to make decisions and that those decisions can be arbitrated by the Board. The Board concurred that the determination of criteria be left to the Sanitarian's judgment, and if there is a disagreement between a permittee and the Sanitarian, the issue would come before the Health Board for resolution. Health Board Minutes: March 20, 1990 Page: 3 (Permits:) Paul Gahr stated his objection to purchasing two permits for his store and noted that he didn't have a problem with the Food Service Permit. The Board concurred that since the sanitarian felt Paul Gahr's concession didn't require a Grocery Permit, that they would go along with that decision. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Environmental Health Director: Kathy Stafford reported that Larry Faye has accepted the position as Environmental Health Director and that he will start on April 16, 1990. Primary Care Grants: Medical and Dental: Kathy Stafford explained that the Health Department will apply for the Dental Grant again. She asked if the Health Board wanted to make application for the Medical Grant. She reported that in the first year the medical grant only provides a few thousand dollars but after the first year a base portion of about $20,000 or $25,000 in additional, non-matching funds, would be provided. Kathy Stafford further noted that it is the State's decision whether to consider the Health Department a primary care clinic. At present, the County isn't considering a full time doctor and primary services. Chairman B. G. Brown noted that if the County is successful in obtaining the medical grant then the Health Officer should discuss the services needed with the medical community. Kathy Stafford said that if, after the first year, a large sum of money is available, then community input on how to best utilize the funds would be sought. Chairman B. G. Brown felt that there is a lot of need for the primary care medical grant because of the extreme costs of medical care. The Board concurred that both the Primary Care grants should be applied for. Kala Point Trust Account: Kathy Stafford submitted a refund request for approval. She explained that the Kala Point Village Association is requesting reimbursement from the Emergency Trust Reserve Account for work completed on its septic system in 1989. The total amount requested from the Trust Account is $1,859.55. She was directed to submit it to the County Commissioners for approval and payment. Health Board Minutes: March 20, 1990 Page: 4 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - continued Grant ProDosal for Child DeveloDment Proaram: Kathy Stafford requested that the Board of Health approve the proposal to apply for the Fred Meyer, private foundation, no-match grant for the Child Development Program. Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the proposal for a Fred Meyer Grant for the Child Development Program. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. CONTRACT re: Carol HardY for Maternity SUDDort Proaram: Kathy Stafford explained that Carol Hardy is a social Worker available to work on the Maternity Support Program on an on-call basis. Her services will be reimbursed by Medicaid. The contract will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval. CONTRACT re: Barbara Morey for Child DeveloDment proaram: Kathy Stafford explained that Barbara Morey is experienced in grant writing and that she will be researching and producing grant programs for the Child Development Program. She will also be available for critiquing grants written by other staff members and for educating personnel in writing grants. The contract will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval. Local Forum: Kathy Stafford reported that the Local Forum is being held for citizens to express their opinions regarding health issues in Jefferson County. The forum will be held in the Public Works conference room from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., March 20, 1990. Budaet Extensions: Kathy Stafford explained that since the budget extensions are only processed twice a year she felt the Board should be aware of the 1990 budget projections and where the budget is now in relation to requested extensions. She presented a report on the costs of the County Forum ($860), WIC grant increase ($3,938), Dental grant increase ($5,000), and the Maternity Support Services Program ($1,000), and explained the reason for the needed budget extensions. It was suggested that she project the total costs anticipated for the year for the extension request rather than running "in the red" for the remainder of the year. Health Board Minutes: March 20, 1990 Page: 5 DIRECTOR OF NURSING REPORT Sexuallv Transmitted Disease Update: Irene Senior Pomeroy, Director of Nursing Services, reported on STD cases found in Clallam County. There have been cases consisting of a mixture of syphilis and herpes among a group of drug users, the same group that is at high risk for A.I.D.S. Because of the proximity to Jefferson County she felt there is an increased health problem for our residents. The concern was that these people had multiple partners. A.I.D.S.: There have been seven reported cases of A.I.D.S. in Jefferson County which is considered unusually high for a county of our size and population. This is a matter of concern. Reaion VI Grant: Irene Senior Pomeroy reported that there is a Federal Grant from Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) to Washington State to develop plans for continuum of care for A.I.D.S. clients. Yuko Umeda is forming a work group comprised of Health Department personnel, medical providers, an A. I . D. S. Task Force, and community members. The first meeting of this work group will be in April, 1990. Police Department A.I.D.S. Education: Irene Senior Pomeroy explained that Yuko Umeda and Dr. Peter Geerlofs are working on the A.I.D.S. program for the Police Department. Maternitv Support Services proaram ParticiDation. and Social Worker and Public Health Nurse visits: There are now 30 participants in the Maternity Support Services program with an average of three pregnant women signing up each week. Originally the Department anticipated having 20 women for this program for the whole year. The program includes education, information on care and breast feeding, doctor referrals, weights and hemoglobin, monitoring process, nutrition, and visits from a Social Worker. There have been 45 Public Health Nurse visits already. Port Ludlow Medical Clinic: The Medical Community and the residents of Port Ludlow have decided that there is a need for a medical clinic in the area. A committee is working on this clinic, which will be housed in the Port Ludlow Village. More information will be provided later. Soviet Union Families: Irene Senior Pomeroy reported that there will be three Soviet union families located in Jefferson county. A discussion was held regarding the special health problems of these immigrants which include tuberculosis and cerebral palsy as well as the need for interpreters. Health Board Minutes: March 20, 1990 Page: 6 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT Art Jones: Oak Bav Road, Drainaae Diversion: Kathy Stafford updated the Board on Art Jones' concerns regarding the culvert design on his neighbor's property. She reported that the Health Officer and Environmental Health Specialist have cOlDIRunicated with the engineering firm regarding the use of a closed culvert which would cause the water drainage to go around the property owned by Mr. Jones. It was decided that the property owner will be notified of the need to use a closed culvert; if one is not established, then the Health Department would consider revoking the permit. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Lt~J B. G. Brown Chairman [r+~ . .... ?' /y- / ;' 7' .. Ii.! . /-{ (!)(af~f/~ (//{ -cj!~7U fn~.z' UA-C-~.. {! 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