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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 September COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING VITAL STATISTICS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH EDUCATION ~ ~~ JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 602 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 Rick Miklich, Director Environmental Health Mary Catlin, Administrator & Director of Nursing J. Peter Geerlofs, M.D. Health Officer City of Port Townsend Representative: Karen Chang MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 20, 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, Kathy Stafford, Rick Miklich and Dr. Geerlofs. City Representative Karen Chang was also present. Ralph Anderson, representing the Cape George Sewer District; Mary Gaboury, Jefferson County Auditor, and John Bauer from the Port Townsend Leader were also present. Karen Chang reported that she will not be at next month's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the Minutes of the August 16, 1988 meeting as read. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: 1989 Budget Preview: Mary Catlin reviewed a copy of the proposed 1989 budget for the Board. Revenues are projected to be higher than in 1988 by $89,000, due to several grants for such programs as AIDS education, Child Protective Services and Solid Waste. The overall budget increase in 1989 is $11,000. Employee raises were included in the salary line to reflect more accurately what will occur in 1989. * One major priority in employee raises is for the Environmental Health Technician who is responsible Health Board Minutes: September 20, 1988 Page: 2 for inspecting restaurants. This posi tion has a good deal of responsibility and the current pay level is not commensurate with that responsibility. A raise to a $10,000 annual salary or $9.50 per hour is being asked for this part time position. * A new Solid Waste Technician position is being requested for solid waste enforcement and funding for this position will come from a grant. * A part-time receptionist is also being requested. Commissioner Dennison explained that the raise requests for positions covered by the salary system will have 0 be reviewed under that system before they can be approved. 60% of the salary and wage lines in the 1989 budget are increased due to the changing contract personnel to part time employees, Mary Catlin added office and Operating Supplies: item is to fund the Household costs have also increased from $3,800 of the increase Hazardous Waste Day. the 1988 budget. to this line HIB vaccine Family Planning: In the past family planning was given $1,000 per year by the Health Department. Mary Catlin suggested that instead of this funding that the Health Department provide a Public Health Nurse who would help provide the Family Planning Services. Travel: This line has been increased due to staff turnover and the training that is required for new personnel. capital outlay: Request for two more file cabinets. Anticipated Revenue: Revenues are expected to increase $33,000 overall. The Department suggests that the City contribution be increased so that it is closer to the recommended contribution as outlined in the Washington Administrative Code. Karen chang, the City Representative, stated that she feels that health is important and that she would report on the Health Department Services when the City Council reviews their 1989 budget. Computers: The Department's two computers have been leased from the E.R. & R. Fund and Dr. Geerlofs questioned if these computers couldn I t be purchased cheaper? Commissioner Dennison explained that E.R. & R. is a revolving fund that the County uses to replace equipment. The rates charged are higher than other programs may be, but they also include, maintenance, printers and software for the computer system. Health Board Minutes: September 20, 1988 Page: 3 Mary Catlin then reported that actual revenues have been higher than the projections made for the 1988 budget. New items have been requested in the 1989 budget, but the net increase to the County is only $11,000.00. Hiring a Director of Nursing Services: The candidate that accepted the Director of Nursing position in July called back in August and said that he is not coming. The position has been re-advertised and two candidates will be interviewed during the next two weeks. contingency plans are being made for the Department to operate without a Director of Nursing Services for as long as necessary. Health Department's Merlin Phone System: Kathy Stafford explained that the Department uses a Merlin phone system which has been leased since January of 1986 on a five year agreement. The lease agreement does not include an option to buy the system. The purchase price of the system is $8,495.00 after a credit that the Department is due because the monthly bill they have been paying for the system included a charge for the system that it replaced. The purchase would include a 13 month maintenance agreement, which would run through the next budget year. Kathy Stafford recommends that the phone system be purchased. Chairman B. G. Brown directed her to pursue a purchase agreement for the phone system. NURSES REPORT: Monthlv Statistics: Mary Catlin submitted the monthly report and suggested that a quarterly report of Department activities be submitted in the future in place of the monthly report which does not reflect all of the Department's services. Letter of Resignation - Mary Catlin: resignation. Mary Catlin submitted her letter of AIDS Plan: This plan was requested by the Governor and has been submitted to the proper State agency. A copy is on file in the Department. Flu Clinics: The schedule of flue clinics has been developed and will be distributed around the County, Mary Catlin reported. Flu shots are reimbur- sable by Medicare this year. The clinic sponsored by the Department will continue to offer free shots to those who cannot pay. Women's Day Candidate's Session: This is a day long event on October 22, 1988 which will be held in Quilcene. All of the political candidates have been invited to make a presentation. Health Board Minutes: September 20, 1988 Page: 4 Wellness Grant: The contract for this grant was prepared by the Hospital. Mary Catlin turned the contract over to Commissioner Dennison for further review. Commissioner B. G. Brown thanked Mary Catlin for her work with the Health Department on behalf of the Health Board and the Board of Commissioners and wished her well in her new endeavors. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Cape Georqe Sewer District: Rick Miklich turned the meeting over to Ralph Anderson to explain what the Cape George Sewer District is requesting of the Health Board. Mr. Anderson explained that there are many failing on-site sewer systems in the Cape George area and that is the reason that the Cape George Sewer District was formed. The Sewer District includes Cape George Colony and the Cape George Village area, but excludes the Cape George Highlands. During the past three years, the district has developed a grant proposal to be submitted to the State Department of Ecology to help fund design and construction of a sewer system. The Cape George Sewer District will purchase a share of the new facility planned for sewage treatment by the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County. Mr. Anderson further explained that the reason this matter is on the Health Board agenda today is because the Sewer District received a letter from the State Department of Ecology asking them for a letter from the County Health Officer "Declaring a public health emergency of public health hazard exists" in the Cape George area for the Sewer District to be considered for grant funding. This letter needs to be received by the State Department of Ecology before the end of the month. Rick Miklich stated that Dr. Geerlofs needs to declare the Cape George area as an area that is a public health hazard. The soils in the area are classified as moderate or severe for installation of on-site sewage systems. The area was platted in 1964 and each site is considered on its' own merits for approval of an on-site sewage system. There is not any data on how many systems have failed or are failing in this area. Dr. Geerlofs asked how many failing systems there are in the Cape George area? Rick Miklich stated that there are systems in the area that have failed and been repaired, but that it would take some research to determine how many. Making a determination on how many systems have failed based on how many have been repaired may not provide accurate information because some of the systems that are failing have not been reported to the County. Health Board Minutes: September 20, 1988 Page: 5 commissioner Dennison suggested that the septic tank pumpers be asked for information on failing septic systems in this area. Chairman B. G. Brown stated that for anyone to put together enough information to give Dr. Geerlofs the information he needs to declare the area a health hazard would take longer than the State has given the Sewer District as a deadline. Commissioner George Brown stated that he feels it is unfair for the State to make this requirement of the Sewer District now, after working with them for the past several years. Chairman B. G. Brown stated that the key here is "health hazard" and any decision to declare the area such has to be based on fact. He added that there are people in the Cape George Colony who feel that they don't have a problem with their septic system and if the Health Officer declares that there is, they may legally challenge that determination and ask for proof. Dr. Geerlofs added that he needs to see, at very minimum, evidence of at least one failing system. He said that he would have no trouble saying that there is a health hazard if there is at least one failing system. The Department needs to do more research into this matter and provide the Health Office with the information that they have and if at all possible the County will help the Sewer District in anyway that they can obtain this grant funding. Auditor Mary Gaboury asked how much funding is at stake for this project? Ralph Anderson explained that 50% of the $460,000 for design costs was expected from the State DOE grant. The total project cost including construction is estimated to be $5 million with half of that to come from grant funding. Ralph Anderson will provide the Health Department with as much information as he can about failing systems in the Cape George area. Commissioner Dennison suggested that a letter be written to the State Department of Ecology about the way this grant funding is being handled. Solid Waste Enforcement Grant: Rick Miklich reported that advertising is being done to find a person to fill the Solid Waste Enforcement Technician position created by this grant funding. COSMOS 1900: An orbiting Russian satellite is about ready to crash to earth. A report about this eventuality was distributed as well as a contingency plan in case the crash site is in Jefferson County, which is a very remote , "'Y~<.,-' ,',/~ /ej~ -- c.,18_"'~/ ."' OJ ___ _,-\\,-.e' ., C.o(.i>) ~~~7 . y.~--, According to the U.S. Space Command. Cosmos 1900 Is projected to re-enter the atmosphere sometime between Sepl 15 and Ocl 15, but this window may chang. due to the Instability of the ..telllt.. The Pacific NOrthw.st Is In the path of the 88t.mte's Orbit How.ver. the fed.ral government .stlmat.. there Is just a 30 p.rcent chance that debrIs will strlk. a land m... ,omewhere on Earth, one chance In 10,000 that one person will be exposed to a orltlcal situation and less than one chance In a million that 500 peopl. In 8 heavily populated ar.. will be aflected. "N.v.rthel.... It I. vitally Important that state agencies work cooperatively among th.mselv.. and with the federal and local govemments. because If debris does land In Washington, It could be spread over a wIde area of the state." Geroner saId. K8te HeImbach. ..slstant director for the Division of Emergency Management, .ald that based on the 1978 .....ntry of the Cosmo. 854 s8telllte over northern Canada, It I. projected that debris from the Cosmos 1900 may 8C8tter over a 20,000-square mile area. Debris fragments. whIch may be radloacuv., Ukely would range In .Iz. from duat to a few fragments up to two feet In length. HeImbach ..,d citizens should remember that the state must plan for a worst-case scenario. though the Chance Of It occurring Is remote. "People 8hould ~t become overly concerned nor panic about the potential ria... Nhlch Is very. v.ry small," 8he said. i~ . "" EDITORS: For more Information about the satellite and state preparetlons, call (209) 438-7737. For a recorded mess.ge with a dally status report, call (206) 438-7393. The.. number. .... for media u.. only. .~,,-.--'. -:-'~~,...--:'~.:":" cafTINGENCY PLAN FOR SATELLITE/SPACE DEBRIS REEN'l'RY STATE OF WASHING'l'OR DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Assumed Scenario This plan is based on a "worst case" fragments or debris impact land in Washington State. scenario whereby satellite a populated area within The following is a general description of the likely seris of events in this case: State and local government receive warning over the National Warning System (NAWAS) that the satellite debris is expected to impact Earth within 24-hours. The Division of Emergency Manage- ment begins round-the-clock staffing of the Communications Center, including a public information officer. The next warning (1-2 hours prior to impact) indicates that the satellite debris is expected to impact Washington State. The state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, as are local EOC's as indicated by the projected footprint. State, federal and local response teams are mobilized and coordinated. including law enforcement, fire, medical personnel, radiation monitoring teams, federal debris retrieval teams, and public information staff. An EBS message is initiated to warn the public of the impending impact and provide instructions for their health and safety. Upon notification of impact, state and federal radiological teams in cooperation with state and local law enforcement, isolate, secure and remove debris and conduct aerial and ground radiological monitoring. With federal recommendations, state and local governments work to cooperatively formulate protective actions to protect public health and safety. All levels of government work together to coordinate restoration planning. Responsibilities The following outlines the various responsibilities of the federal, state and local government: 1. Federal Government Several federal agencies have a role related to COSMOS 1900. including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Without distinguishing individual federal agency roles, the federal government's basic responsibilities include: "l" , e:o.-:I.~:::f. 2) If satellite debris start fires, fire departments should respond according to their procedures to extinguish the fire (rem~r this may involve radioactive material). After a fire has been put out, any satellite debris should not be touched or removed from the scene. Federal authorities should be notified through the local emergency management agency. The area within 300 feet of the material should be evacuated and secured. !-- .... d. Medical Treatment/Emergency Medical Aqencies 1) Medica 1 treatment f acili ties, medical and emergency medical agencies should report related injuries directly to public health officer. personnel, treat and the local 2) The local public health officer will report information on injuries, medical treatment and other related health matters to the state public health officer. 3) The local public health officer will coordinate local health care for persons injured by satellite debris, as circumstances may warrant; local health officers will be alert to other potential public health problems associated with this situation, i.e., contamination of public water supplies. 4) Insofar as possible, the local public health officer will keep the local emergency management agency director informed of any debris related injuries or debris related concerns. E. Other Local Agencies Other local agencies will support local response and reporting efforts as coordinated by the local emergency management agency. .:, -'c' ',',