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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 November COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING VITAL ST A TI STies ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH EDUCATION JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 802 SHERIDAN PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. 98368 (206) 365.(J722 HEALTH BOARD Minutes: November 21. 1989 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; Irene Senior Pomeroy, Dr. J. Peter Geerlofs, and Environmental Health Specialist, Linda Atkins. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the Minutes of October 17, 1989 as written, Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion which passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR'S Stafford, was absent. REPORT: The Administrator, Kathy Board of Health Minutes: November 21, 1989 Page: 2 Environmental Health Director: Commissioner Larry Dennison read the progress report concerning the search for an Environmental Health Director. Job opening announcements have been sent to all the Health Departments in Oregon and Idaho. An advertisement of this position will also appear in the next issue of the Environmental Heal th Journal. The two prospective employees who inquired by phone did not apply due to the salary. A strategy session was suggested if positive inquiries are not received by the first of the year. Commissioner Dennison did not think the Board should wait until the end of the year to address the situation. After a discussion of the responsibilities of the position, the current County liability for decisions made in the interim, and the salary offered, the consensus was to meet as soon as possible to discuss this matter in depth. Dr. Geerlofs suggested that an half-day retreat be held in December with as many of the Board Members present as possible. Chairman B. G. Brown stated that there are alternatives to the way we are operating. There may be a need to change various aspects, including the salary offered. It was noted that the person acting as Environmental Health Director is not being paid to take the kind of responsibility and stress that goes along with the position. Administrator Kathy Stafford will be notified of the intent to hold a retreat, and arrangements will be made. DIRECTOR OP NURSING REPORT: Senior Pom~roy was present to report. Nursing Director, Irene Nurses Retreat With Dr. Geerlofs: that the retreat was successful and to the nurses was helpful. Irene Senior Pomeroy reported discussion on topics of concern Public Health Nurse Substitutes: Two substitute nurses have been brought in to cover the Well Child Clinics. No expense to the County will ensue from these arrangements. Women Infants and Children, and the Child Development programs are amply covered by in-house staff. The substitute nurses will be available for other needs such as taking blood pressure for the Port Townsend Paper Company employees. There have been situations in the past where nurses were taken from their positions to cover the functions of another nurse. One more substitute nurse is being sought to cover the Foot Care Clinic. Board of Health Minutes: November 21, 1989 Page: 3 Flu and Pneumonia Clinics: Irene Senior Pomeroy reported that Yuko Umeda has been covering the flu and pneumonia clinics. She has done eight Community Clinics for the seniors, three for the schools, and one for the Kai Tai Care Center. Altogether she has served 737 people in these clinics. She will be holding one more clinic in the Health Department on November 30th as a result of the demand. It was noted that this year a larger number of people are being served by these clinics. Dr. Geerlofs reported that these clinics encompass some of the most effective services the Health Department offers for the high risk groups. Sexual Iv Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic Report: The Public Health Nurse has completed two orientation sessions, and his H.I.V. training in counseling and testing, as well as STD training at Harborview. He is now ready to take on the STD Clinic. Senior Screening Proqram: Irene reported that after Dr. Addison's presentation, Kathy Stafford called him and told him that the Heal th Department would seek other ways of handling the Senior Screening Clinic. In the meantime, not wanting to lose all the work completed, and not wanting to disappoint the communi ty, a geriatrics nurse practitioner was identified and contacted. This nurse appears to be qualified and willing to take on the program. If this occurs, there are advantages for the Health Department in that the nurse can do the paperwork and another nurse does not need to be in the room with the female patients. Taking into account the projected revenue from the senior screening program it is estimated that the net cost to the county per year would be $240.00. The position will need to be advertised. Commissioner Larry Dennison moved to approve the proposal for the Senior Screening Program. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT: Environmental Health Specialist, Linda Atkins, was present to report on the following: Department of Ecology (DOE) Response Re: Inert Status for Solid Waste Site; Port Townsend Paper Company: Commissioner Dennison summarized what has occurred between DOE and the County in relation to the issuance of a Port Townsend Paper Company (PTPC) permit for an inert solid waste disposal site. The waste is not being classed as inert by DOE. The problem is that the DOE does not substantiate this determination with factual, scientific data and they appear to be unwilling to support the County in carrying out the inert Board of Health Minutes: November 21, 1969 Page: 4 The County cannot find any criteria to deny the permit and DOE will not supply the appropriate information for the recommended denial. The County approved the permit and the material being deposited in the landfill as long as certain tests and standards are being met by PTPC. DOE asked the County to deny the designation of inert to the PTPC landfill. DOE has since appealed the County's decision to the Pollution Control Hearing Board (PCHB). Chairman B. G. Brown asked when the Pollution Control Hearing Board would hold a hearing on this question? Linda Atkins stated that it was set for May 6th and that she spoke with Greg Bean of the DOE Industrial Section to ask when a meeting between the parties involved would occur. Greg Bean told her that the DOE did not feel there was any point in a meeting as their position is in opposition to the County stance. He stated they would just meet before the PCHB. Chairman B. G. Brown pointed out that the Hearings Board generally encourages reconciliation before the hearing date. It is Linda Atkins' opinion that unless the PCHB calls a meeting, it probably won't occur. Commissioner Dennison suggested that we request a meeting with DOE before the hearing date. He commented that what may be accompl ished is a clear set of standards and cr iter ia. Currently the standards change, depending on the DOE staff. Linda Atkins informed the Board that DOE has consistently said they did not think the waste was inert based on barium, zinc and pH issues. PTPC has done research and testing which showed that this was not an issue. Consequently, DOE decided that barium and zinc was not the problem. DOE then decided that pH was the issue. Subsequently, a permit was issued to PTPC with the stipulation that the pH would be moni tored on a weekly basis and be reported quarterly, and that the barium would be monitored bi-annually. By the end of November PTPC will have a washing process to wash the ash and grits to lower the pH. Ms. Atkins just received the last monitoring results and the pH was from 12.25 to 12.26. A reading of 12.25 is considered dangerous waste. The previous test results came in below 12. There should be current results by December which reflect a lower pH as the new equipment should be in operation by then. The high pH is from waste that hasn't been treated. Linda Atkins pointed out that even if the pH is lowered, DOE's position is that they would not be calling the waste hazardous or dangerous, but they would not call it inert either. Board of Health Minutes: November 21, 1989 Page: 5 Commissioner Dennison noted that what needs to be clarified is the classification and definition of inert. After further discussion of the situation and environmental factors, the Board concurred that a letter to the Department of Ecology would be drafted and reviewed by the Board. THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1989. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~ B. G. Brown, Chairman ~y". ..~...", . .,- c ' i, W-u..~J-?f7J---' DarrY~lS0n, Member A~~ {[~~ George dI. Brown, Member