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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 January 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: January 20, 1987 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: B.G. Brown, Chairman Larry W. Dennison, Member George C. Brown, Member William J. Glasser, M.P.H. Mary Catlin, P.H.N. J. Peter Geerlofs, M.D. David Goldsmith, Adminis- trator CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Glenn Ison *********************************************************************** ********************************************************************* Chairman B.G. Brown called the meeting to order with all Board and staff members present except Dr. Geerlofs. The City Representative was also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: meeting were approved by motion Commissioner George Brown. The Minutes of the December 16, 1986 of Commissioner Dennison, seconded by NURSING SERVICE REPORT: Director of Nursing, Mary Catlin reviewed the Annual Report of Nursing Services for the Board. She noted that due to the decrease in manpower in 1986 there was a decrease in Health Department services in the following areas: * * * Immunization Clinics were down by 1,000 immunizations. 11% drop in the Well Child Clinics. Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program could not maintain the 180 client service load required by the State. Pre-natal visits were eliminated in the last part of 1986, however, home visits were done. * Health Board Minutes: January 20, 1987 Page: 2 Areas that were not affected by the staff shortage were: The Foot Care Program, the quality of the Well Child Clinics and the School Screening program. The staffing problems will be worse in 1987 for a period of time because the Nurse Practitioner position is still open, one clerical worker will be taking a four week leave for surgery, one Public Health Nurse is cut back working time for health reasons, the Clinical Nurse Specialist will begin her maternity leave in March and the Office Manager has submitted for retirement beginning in March. The State is changing their contract procedures which will also effect the workload of the Department. The new format will require open, competitive bidding on all State programs, which will mean more staff time to write the grants and figure costs of services to be competitive with other agencies. Mary Catlin suggested that the salary that has been allotted to a Nurse Practitioner and is not being used currently, be used to hire a couple of Public Health Nurses on a temporary basis, to assist with the workload. She also recommended that moving the Environmental Health section to the Courthouse be cancelled until a later date allowing for reorganization of the staff duties to make sure that there is backup for the environmental health and clerical staff. The Department must hire a Nurse Practitioner at some point in order to bill for the Early Screening Detection exams. The overall staffing problems will need to be resolved for the Department to keep the WIC program, the Well Child Clinics and the Early Detection Screening program. Communicable Disease Report: Mary Catlin reported that in December, she and Dr. Geerlofs attended a Medical Society meeting and reminded the area doctors that they need to report communicable disease cases. More cases are being reported now. The Kiwanis Club has donated $250 for the purchase of HIB vaccine, and The Rotary Club is being asked to match that amount. Family Planninq Request to Provide Services from the Health Department Facilities: Dr. Geerlofs and Mary Catlin both feel that allowing Family Planning to have an evening clinic in the Health Department facilities would improve the Department's ability to do STD cultures as well as reach teenage clients who need more information. Funding can be guaranteed through Title 20. Environmental Health Services Report: Bill Glasser advised that he will not be doing an Annual Report for the Environmental Health Section this year since he just started with the Department. The format for the monthly written report on environmental health services Health Board Minutes: January 20, 1987 Page: 3 will be essentially the same with a third section being added to note air pollution and solid waste complaints, water quality inquiries, complaints and investigations, and complaints related to animal control. Due to the staff shortage and problems related to the change in the leadership, only four food service establishment inspections were done in December. Mr. Glasser noted the following challenges that will be faced by the section in the future: Need to formulate and adopt a Designer Program for on-site sewage disposal; Creation of a policy for managing appeals and/or waiver requests and preparing to assume a more active role in solid and hazardous waste management initiatives. Minimum functional standards governing solid waste disposal are in effect and include compliance deadlines such as ground water monitoring at sanitary landfills and leachate collection systems in May 1987. With regard to the waiver granted to Mr. & Mrs. Walter Braun (See also Minutes of November 18, 1986) regarding the 20,000 square foot lot size requirement for their property (Lots 36 & 37, Division 7 of the Olympic Canal Tracts), Mr. Glasser reported that another site inspection was done. The site was severely flooded at this inspection, and Randy Durant made the decision, before he left, to hold the Braun's permit until he received proof that action had been taken to divert drainage and runoff from this property. The County Engineer, Bob Nesbitt, inspected the site on December 12, after Mr. Braun made improvements to the lot, and reported that the work Mr. Braun had done should take care of the flooding on his property. This property is located in the flood plain, which is a concern Mr. Glasser added because it is subject to a 100 year flood event. Some counties do not issue septic permits in flood plains, however Jefferson County has in the past. After discussion of the County's policy to issue septic permits for properties located in the flood plain, Chairman B.G. Brown noted that this permit should not be measured against or denied because the County may want to reconsider this policy. The Board concurred and directed Mr. Glasser to issue the septic permit for Mr. Braun. A change in this policy will be discussed at another time. Septic System Problems: Rob Stewart Residence, 6743 Oak Bay Road: Bill Glasser reported that he visited Mr. Stewart's property on Mats Mats Bay January 13, 1987 to evaluate some profile holes for the purpose of installing a replacement septic system. All of the profile holes, Mr. Glasser reported were filled with water, which means that the septic system is floating in ground water. A letter was sent to Mr. Stewart on January 14, 1987 notifying him to cease and desist use of the septic system immediately and permanently. Mr. Stewart has the following possibilities: 1) Try to find another area on his site that would be suitable for on-site sewage disposal, or 2) construct a curtain drain upgrade for the existing system in an attempt to divert ground water from it. Health Board Minutes: January 20, 1987 Page: 4 Issuance of Solid Waste Permits for 1987: Bill Glasser advised that he will be issuing all of the Solid Waste permits for 1987 except for the Jefferson County Landfill and the City of Port Townsend. The County is currently out of compliance with the State Solid Waste requirement that septage be dumped in a lined and monitored land fill. David Goldsmith, Former Administrator, re: Designer Program for On-site Sewage Disposal: David Goldsmith reported that an amendment is needed in Ordinance 2-77 (Rules and Regulations for the Health Department) to allow licensed and certified designers to do design work in Jefferson County. A definition of Certified Designer would be added to Section III as follows: "Any person holding a valid license/certificate issued by a local Health Officer in the State of Washington to engage in the business of designing on-site sewage disposal systems." and a new Section IV would be added: " All on-site sewage disposal systems shall be designed in accordance with these rules, and the rules contained in Washington Administrative Code Chapter 248-96. Said design shall be performed by or under the direct supervision of a registered sanitarian, registered professional engineer or certified designer." The Board directed that this Ordinance change be advertised and hearing will be set for the proposed change by the Board of County Commissioners. Health Department Staffinq Levels and the Proposed Move of the Environmental Health Section to the Courthouse: Mary Catlin noted the following four items on which she would like the Health Board to give her input and direction: 1) Proposed Move of Environmental Health Section to the Courthouse: Ms. Catlin stated that the concern is mainly the staffing problems that this move will create. If there will only be one person in the new office, there will be no back up for sick or vacation leave. The workload in variable in the Health Department and the Nursing and Environmental Health staff share functions and provide overlap for each other. If Environmental Health moves, this overlap will not be available for either section. The final concern is the cost of the move, and Ms. Catlin asked for assurance that these costs will not be taken out of the Department's budget. Equipment that will be needed if the move is made, is estimated to cost about $5,000. The staff is very upset about this proposed move because of the stress level. Chairman B.G. Brown asked that information be provided on what the move will cost regarding the staffing levels needed to relieve the stress and provide the necessary coverage. Health Board Minutes: January 20, 1987 Page: 5 Mary Catlin stated that she would like to see the Environmental Health section placed in quarters where they can carry out their main function which is defending public health rather than seeing them as a section whose main function is development and planning. Bill Glasser added that his primary concern regarding the move is the possibility of the environmental health section losing its' public health perspective. 2 ) Retirement of Sylvia Adams: Chairman B. G. Brown read a letter from Sylvia Adams stating that she will be retiring effective March 1987. Chairman B. G. Brown asked Mary Catlin to provide input on best way to fill this position and develop an updated job description. 3) Hirinq of Public Health Nurses on a Temporarv Basis: The Board concurred that Public Health Nurses can be hired on a temporary basis to help with the work load. 4) Family Planninq Clinics in the Health Department Facilities: After discussion of the proposal from Family Planning to hold their clinics in the Health Department facilities during the evening hours, Mary Catlin noted that their move would not be made until April or May. A decision on this request was postponed to a later date. 5) Formation of an Advisorv Committee for the Health Department Nursinq Section: The Board concurred that such a Committee be set up and directed Ms. Catlin to draft a set of guidelines for the committee outlining it's purpose. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ~~J B. G. Brown, Chairman A~r- L /~-<7-r~~ George C. ~rown, Member January 18, 1988 fO) re ~ IE n \\11 ~ P;'t IJ~ lb l'3 lG U h H:. lW J Ilel "I " ,,~";;(, \., ,~ ._ C) 1-..;'';-,) Mr. B.G. Brown, Chairman JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 802 Sheridan Port Townsend, WA 98368 JEFFERSON COUN ['{ BOARD OF COMMISSIONEHS Re: Jefferson County Health Department Board Dear B.G.: Due to my employment schedule I will be unable to represent the City of Port Townsend at your monthly meetings, at the time designated (1:30pm). However, if you and the Board ever consider moving the time to mornings (I must be free by 12:00) I would be more than happy to participate. Thank you for your consideration. ) Sincere).Ay , +;L CE:a Councilwoman Karen Chang Ikc January 28, 1987 Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Courthouse Port Townsend, WA 98368 ReI' Request for leave of absence of Winona GierBch Gentlemen: I am requesting four to six weeks leave of absence from my job as Administrative Secretary at Jefferson County Health Department. The reason for the leave is to have surgery. The time period would be from Feb. 1 through March 15, 1987. ) If my recovery is rapid, I would like to resume work March 1. l~ lL~ Winona Giersch cc: flary,~tlin, BSN,MPH, Director of Nursing/Administrator Sylvia Adams, Administrative Supervisor .:'; '.