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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 June 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 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: B. G. Brown, Chairman Larry W. Dennison, Member George C. Brown, Member City of Port Townsend Representative: Karen Chang Rick Miklich, Director Environmental Health Mary Catlin. Administrator & Director of Nursing J. Peter Geerlofs, M.D. Health Officer - MIBUTES: JUNE 21, 1988 Chairman B.G. Brown opened the meeting at the appointed time. Commissioner Larry W. Dennison and Commissioner George C. Brown were both present as well as Mary Catlin, Rick Miklich and Dr. Geerlofs. City Representative Karen chang was also present. APPROVAL OJ!' MIlIUTES: Commissioner George Brown moved to approve the minutes of the May 17. 1988 meeting as read. Commissioner Dennison seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Nursing Recruitment: Mary Catlin reported that several resumes have been received for the position of Director of Nursing. She then reviewed the "Help Wanted" advertisements from a recent Seattle newspaper to illustrate the fact that there is a shortage of nurses as well as the fact that the salary level for Public Health Nurse needs to be reviewed. She added that Health Board Minutes: June 21, 1988 Page: 2 the salary for Director of Nursing is adequate to attract qualified applicants, however the salary for Public Health Nurses is not. Chairman Brown reported that the Salary Administration committee has submitted a request to the Board that the salary for Public Health Nurses be reviewed. The discussion continued regarding the need to hire someone for this position as soon as possible and impact to the Department if the position is not filled as soon as possible. Dr. Geerlofs clarified that there is consensus among the Health Board members that: 1) a new Public Health Nurse position is needed, 2) that the position will continue to be advertised, and 3) that the salary will be reviewed. RURSE5 REPORT: Monthlv Statistics: Foot Care Clinics are serving over the 120 clients per month that were anticipated when the budget was set. 80 clients per month were budgeted. Mary Catlin asked how the Board would like to proceed with this program? Chairman Brown stated that he feels this program is a high enough priority that all of the clients that come to the clinics should be served. The program is subsidized by donations. Dr. Geerlofs added that this is a popular program and if more money is to be put into the program, then the Department needs to make sure that the general public knows that it is a service the Department provides to the community. The discussion continued regarding the best way to make the community aware of the services that the Health Department provides. Commissioner Dennison suggested that the Community Health Nursing Advisory Board review this issue. Classes for Sex Education in Schools: All of the classes to be offered in sex education have to be reviewed by the school curriculum commi ttee. Chimacum Schools have asked for help from the Health Department with their sex education program for next year. AIDS Grant: Current legislation on AIDS has determined that it is a responsibility of local health departments to provide all health care providers (this includes morticians, beauticians, opticians, etc.) with education on AIDS. Since that would be a major program on the local level, Mary Catlin is participating in writing a grant to provide funding for a State committee that would prepare curriculum modules for the various providers. This program would then become a State responsibility if the grant is approved and funded. This legislation also requires community input on a Task Force on the services needed in this area with regard to AIDS. Mary Catlin will be contacting other county departments for information. Health Board Minutes: June 21, 1988 Page: 3 Parenting Grant: The most common services that are needed are young parent support programs such as: day care, parenting education, transportation, etc. A grant is being written to help provide funding for these services. The grant is being written in conjunction with the Clallam Jefferson Community Action Council. This will help the County prepare for the State's "Family Independence Program" for welfare recipients. School Contracts: Port Townsend, Chimacum, Queets and Brinnon schools were contacted and will be asking for services again next year. Chimacum has asked for more services and a change in their services will have to be reviewed. Dental Hygienist: Since a staff person is needed to be in the school to supervise the children in the dental rinse program, Dr. Geerlofs has suggested that the PTA organization, or a student club be contacted to see if a volunteer would be willing to do this program. There is money available in this grant to pay a person to supervise this program which could instead be given to the organization. The schools were interested in this suggestion. Commissioner George Brown asked why Quilcene School was not included in the list of those that the Health Department serves? Mary Catlin advised that Quilcene Schools felt that they were not getting enough service for their money and have decided to provide the required services themselves. IDIVIROIOIB1ft'AL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Environmental Health Section Activities Report: The written report of environmental health activities was submitted for the Board's review. Pat Corcoran Sewage Disposal System: Rick Miklich read a letter that the department sent to Mr. Corcoran dated May 24, 1988 regarding a trailer being used on his property at Paradise Bay without a valid sewage disposal permit. The trailer was using a sewage holding tank which is not permitted. Mr. Corcoran advised that he contacted an engineer to design a septic system for his property. This engineer said he could draw up a system that could be approved for $1,500.00. Another engineer looked at the property and said that a system could not be designed to work on this site because of the soils. An alternative system would cost $25,000 to $35,000 which Mr. Corcoran advised that he cannot afford. Mr. Corcoran added that he would like to have a full time residence on this site if it can be done. He has checked with adjoining neighbors about purchasing an piece of property for on off-si te sewage disposal system. There is one lot close to his that has an approved Health Board Minutes: June 21, 1988 Page: 4 septic system on it which is for sale for about $15,000. However, the cost to design the needed system to pump the sewage to that site makes the idea too expensive. Currently, Mr. Corcoran explained that he parks a fifth wheel trailer on the site. He had a 120 galloon fiberglass sewage holding tank made which he empties as needed at the State Park. The tank is placed in the ground to allow gravity feed. Rick Miklich explained that the State allows sewage holding tanks only on a temporary, emergency basis for a residences. If a trailer is on a site for over 30 days per year, it is considered as a full time usage of the site and not allowed. Mr. Corcoran said that both engineers he talked with explained that if an alternative septic system can be designed and approved for the site it would require an on-going maintenance contract with the PUD. He asked if such a maintenance agreement could be developed that would allow him to use his holding tank system? Chairman Brown clarified that if Mr. Corcoran has exhausted all of the possible alternative solutions to his problem, the Board will have to decide if a maintenance contract with the PUD can be approved for this site. The discussion turned to the precedence that such an approval would set and how policies would have to be developed to control this type of sewage disposal alternative. Mr. Corcoran stated that he does not plan on living on the site twelve months per year. Chairman Brown advised that if this holding tank was approved, that approval would be for the si te no matter who purchases it in the future. Rick Miklich recommended that he and Mr. Corcoran meet at the site and make sure that all possible alternative solutions have been explored. Mr. Corcoran asked if he could be allowed to continue with the system as it is until a decision is made on this issue or if he has to move from his property? Chairman Brown stated that if Rick Miklich doesn't feel there is a significant health problem for now that Mr. Corcoran be allowed to stay on the property. A report will be made at the next Health Board meeting. Rick Miklich will check with the State further on the regulations on the use of holding tanks. Pol icies and policies and Environmental Procedures: Rick Miklich passed out a set of draft procedures for the food service portion of the Health section, for the Board to review. Solid Waste Enforcement Grant: The State Department of Ecology has some grant money (same amount will be given to all Counties) for solid waste standard enforcement. Clallam County has suggested that one person be contracted to do this work in both counties. The grant will require a 25% funding match from the county. Rick Miklich will be Health Board Minutes: June 21, 1988 Page: 5 attending a meeting on this grant next Thursday and will make a report at the next meeting. Reed for More Office Space: Administrator Mary catlin requested that, if it ever becomes available, the Department needs more space on the second floor of the Multi-Services Building. It has been rumored that the Olympic Area Agency on Aging may be moving to new quarters when the Port Townsend Community/senior Center is renovated. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH B~hairman Larry W. Dennison, Member George C. Brown, Member