Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 November 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: November 18, 1986 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: B.G. Brown, Chairman Larry W. Dennison, Member George C. Brown, Member Randall M. Durant, R.S. Charleta Handly, 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 and introduced George C. Brown as the newly elected and sworn in Commissioner representing the third District. Commissioner Larry W. Dennison was present, as well as all other Health Board members. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the September 16, 1986 and October 21, 1986 were approved as read by motion of Commissioner Dennison, seconded by Commissioner Geo. Brown. Communication and Information: David Goldsmith, Administrator reported that a letter was received notifying the Health Department that the Kaiser Grant application submitted by the County has made it past the initial screening. NURSING SERVICE REPORT: Charleta Handly, P. H. N introduced Mary Catlin who has been hired as the new Nursing Director, to the Board. Due to the shortage of Nursing staff over the past month, a number of requests for nursing services have not been answered. Health Board Minutes: November 18, 1986 Page: 2 A Dental Hygienist volunteer has been doing some work at Grant Street School and Christy Helsel the Dietician Consultant for the MCH Programs will also be working in the schools. * Foot Care Clinics: Have been running at capacity. * Flu Shots: 50 doses are left of the 700 doses ordered. * Pneumonia Vaccine: This vaccine has arrived and 15 vaccination have already been given. The charge is $10.00. * Nurse Practitioner Recruitment: There have been no applicants for this position. Part of the problem is the salary being offered. There will be 12 less Well Child Clinics during October, November and December, which means that 120 clients are not being served as would be the normal case. This is not only a loss of revenue, but it may also effect the State Grant funding for this program. The County may have to refund some of these funds to the State. Mary Catlin, D.O.N., added that she is delighted to be here, and took this position because it sounds like the Health Department is in an emergency position regarding the low staffing level, but at this time she is only able to commit to a six month contract. Her first item of concern is the need for a Nurse Practitioner. In checking with other Nurse Practitioners, the $18,000 salary is about $8,000 to $10,000 below par for a rural Nurse Practitioners. Ms. Catlin will be exploring ways to generate revenue so that the needed staff and services can be provided. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT: Bill Glasser, the new Sanitarian hired by the Department was introduced to the Board by Randy Durant. Highlights of the months activities are: * Sewage Disposal Permits, Site Evaluations and Short Plat applications were all up compared to the same time last year. 42 food service inspections were made during the month. 27 restaurants were inspected in conjunction with the State Food Service audit. A representative of the Department of Ecology met Randy at the Olympic Testing Laboratory site on October 23, 1986 and the buildings were locked. The final follow up inspection will be done during the month on the Port Townsend Paper Company sludge application site. Randy and David Goldsmith met with representatives of the Cape George Sewer District and their Engineer and were given a presentation of options for sewage treatment systems in this area. Two alternative systems were approved during the month: A larger mound system for the Brinnon Beach Estates and a recirculating, sand filter, pressure distribution system for an eight home development in Gardiner. A mound system was also approved for a site on the Van Trojen Road which brings the total number of mound systems in the County to nine. The Environmental Health section has generated $54,000 in income for the first ten months of 1986. * * * * * * Health Board Minutes: November 18, 1986 Page: 3 * There have been over 11,000 contacts (office and telephone) so far this year. An investigation was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration regarding a complaint of an unidentified capsule found in a cake mix purchased in Jefferson County. The final FDA report indicated that the object was unidentifiable and was not a capsule, but appeared to be a plant material of some kind. Annual renewal notices and "food service reminders" are being sent to all food establishments in the County. * * the for ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: The contract for Health Services to City of Port Townsend is complete and being forwarded to the City approval. The contract amounts remained the same as last year. Contact has also been made with Clallam County for the development of the contract for Nursing and Environmental Health services to the west end of Jefferson County. A meeting will be held on Friday (1:30 p.m.) with technicians for their input into the technical performance standards that must be dealt with in the County's Designer Program. Work is progressing on the other parts necessary for this program and it is hoped that everything will be put together by the first of the year for review, consideration and adoption. HEALTH OFFICER REPORT: Dr. Peter Geerlofs began his report by notifying the Board that he will not be renewing his contract as Health Officer, and submitted a letter of resignation. After discussion of the future needs and requirements of the Health Department, December 9, 1986 was set as the date for a Health Board Retreat. Chairman B.G. Brown wished Dr. Geerlofs well in his future endeavors. Appeal and Waiver Request - Lot Size requirement; Lots 36 & 37, Division 7 of the OlymDic Canal Tracts; Mr. & Mrs. Walter Braun: Mr. Braun submitted a letter requesting that waiver of the 20,000 square foot lot size requirement be granted for lots 36 and 37, Division 7 of the Olympic Canal Tracts. Mr. Braun stated that he has purchased a house for the site, and if this waiver is not approved it would create a financial hardship for him. Randy Durant presented copies of the permit application and reply letter dated November 4, 1986 regarding this application that was sent to Mr. Braun. This site consists of two lots with a total square footage of 16,110. The minimum lot size for a sewage disposal permit, per Jefferson County Ordinance 1-69 is 20,000 square feet where an individual well, house and drainfield are proposed. The permit was not approved on that basis. Four soil log holes were evaluated and the site was found suitable for on-site sewage disposal. It also appears Health Board Minutes: November 18, 1986 Page: 4 that the site could accommodate the initial and reserve drainfield for a two bedroom structure at least 100 feet away from the existing well on the property. The Board of Health has the authority to issue a wavier to this requirement. The 20,000 square foot minimum was adopted in 1972 and has been applied fairly consistently throughout the County, but particularly in the area of Olympic Canal Tracts. This plat which consists of 11 divisions, involves about 500 plus lots which were developed in the early 1960's. In 1972 instances of wells and drainfields on adjoining lots creating encumbrances which made some lots un-buildable, became a problem. Since 1972 new requirements of the State Board of Health require a minimum of one acre. The issues involved with this waiver, Randy reported are: 1) There would be a potential encumbrance created on adjoining property and 2) granting this wavier would be setting a precedent. If a waiver is granted more information will be needed regarding the location of the neighbors wells and drainfields, and possible moving of the residence to assure that none of the plumbing is within fifty feet of the well. Mrs. Braun asked why the plat was accepted with these inadequately sized lots? Chairman Brown stated that these lots were developed in the 1960's and were planned for use as weekend cabins, not permanent homes. Randy responded to a question from Commissioner Geo. Brown that it is highly likely that with additional information, a septic system could be designed for these lots (based on their well location) that would accommodate a two bedroom modular home. Discussion of the adjacent lots, what is on those lots, and the topography of the area, Randy Durant added that the Braun's well is already drilled, so any encumbrance on the adjacent lot is already created. More information is needed on where the improvements are on the adjacent lots. Commissioner Dennison then asked about the precedence such a waiver would create. Randy Durant reported that the plat was developed for any use and the original plans of the developer was to install a community water system which was never done. If this water system had been developed as planned a smaller lot size would be adequate. Commissioner Geo. Brown and Chairman B. G. Brown both stated that this waiver would not be setting a precedent because each lot has to be considered on its' own merit and this waiver would be due to the hardship that is being placed on the Braun's. Health Board Minutes: November 18, 1986 Page: 5 Commissioner Geo. Brown moved to approve the waiver of the minimum lot size requirement of Jefferson County Ordinance No. 1-69, as requested by Mr. Braun, because it has been determined that the encumbrance to adjacent properties is insignificant and with the condition that the Health Department further evaluate the property and setbacks to assure that there is adequate area for initial and reserve drainfield that is setback 100 feet from the existing well. Commissioner Dennison seconded the motion, and the motion carried by a unanimous vote. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH B.G. Brown, Chairman ,r / ~._/~;1"'~C.~ Dennison, Member r1~ Brown, Member A~ . NOVEJ:1BER 17,1986 JEFF~RSON COUNTY COMMISSIONS PORT TOWNSEN~, WASHINGTON OLYMPIC CANAL TRAOTS, APPROVED AUGUST 16.1965 REQUIRED 50 FOOT MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN WATER SOURCE AND SEPTIC SYSTEM. WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE THAT TWO SIDE BY SIDE LOTS WERE AMPLE ROOM FOR CURRENT REGULATIONS. ACCORDING TO MEASUREME~TS OF RANDY DURANT Al~D BUD SJI'iITH. A WELL AND SEPTIC SYSTBM CAN BE PLACED 01~ EXISTING AREA WITHIN CURRENT REGULATIONS. DUE YO SIZE AND SHAPE OF LOT 35.1t 1s not feas1ble TO PUT IN A WELL OR SEPTIC SYSTEM. THERE WILL BE NO ENCUMBRANCE TO ADJOINING PROPERTIES. CONSIDERING THESE FACTS AND WAC 248-96-160. WE FEEL AWAIVER OF THE 20.000 SQUAHE FEET REQUIREMENT IS JUSTIFIED. RE I LOTS 36&37 DIDISION '7 o~c CANAL TRACTS HIGHWAY 101 SINCERELY. ~ (!J~ .I'/71(7(b1~ WALTER rfRANCES BRAUN BRINNON WASHINGTON 11/16/86 Jefferson County Commissioners Jefferson County Court House Port Townsend, Wa 98368 Dear Commissioners: After a great deal of thought, I have decided not to renew my contract as Jefferson County Health Officer for 1987. A major reason for my decision is that I have been offered an opportunity for a 3 month sabbatical from clinical medicine in order to work on a project developing medical software in San Diego. If everything works out, I will be gone from Jan-March of 1987. When I return, I would like to devote the remainder of the year to my practice and to further work in the medical computing field. I have been very active in a number of medical roles in the community and I am somewhat spread thin, so I'm giving myself the year of 1987 for recharging my batteries. I believe that the Health Department is at a very critical point. This has been a year that has seen considerable change in personel in our department. and with that new blood we have sown some very exciting and creative seeds such as the school program and the forthcoming designer program. Along with the change, however, has been a sense of instability and lack of permanence which threatens some of the most basic services we have traditionally provided. The impending budget cuts combined with the very real difficulty we have had attracting qualified persons to fill the nursing director and PNP roles makes it very difficult to embark on the process of redefining and implementing the programs which could most effectively influence the health of Jefferson county. As a matter of fact. our most influential programs, MCH and WIC, are in real jeapordy due to our inability to find a qualified person to run them. This may seem terribly obvious, but it must be said. The salaries we can offer the nursing director and PNP are embarassingly low compared to the standard in our state. I can't tell you how fortunate we are to have found Mary Cattlin as OUT new nursing director, but I can predict that at the existing salary, she may not stay with us for very long, And the cost to us of losing key staff is immeasureable both in lost function and lost dollars due to having to train new people. The retreats we have held have helped to clarify where the Jefferson County Health Department should go to most effectively have a positive impact on the health of our county. In the upcoming retreat with the commissioners we hope to educate you about our role and hopefully brainstorm with you on how to make this a health department the community can continue to rely on for education, health care and health protection. My greatest wish for the department is that it have your full and well informed support. Thank you very much for having entrusted me with the responsibility of being Health Officer this past year. 1 have learned a lot and have appreciated the patie process. r think the this time and r fe group of pe ce and support of the staff during my learning has been tremendous maturing in our staff during onored to have participated with this dedicated