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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 July ..c::::. -~ . ' lA, - -_ JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT \ E LT 0 Minutes: July 17, 1985 Board Members: Staff Members: B. G. Brown, Chairman' John L. Pitts, Member Larry W. Dennison, Mfmber Glenn Ison, Member Randall M. Durant, R.S. Gretchen Gephart, D.O.N. Joseph Fischnaller, M.D. Gael Stuart, Administrator The meeting was called Pitts in the absence,of Chairman present except Randy Durant. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of June 19, 1985 were approved by motion ot Commissioner Dennison, seconded by Chairman Pitts. to order by Acting Chairman John L. B.G. Brown. All other members were DIRECTOR OF NURSING REPORT: Nursing reported the tollowing Nursing of June 1985. Gretchen Gephart, Director of Service activities for the month * The incidence of pediculosis and scabies were down in the month of June with only 17 pediculosis cases and 12 cases of scabies. Two PKU tests were given to newborns during the month. ~ There have been alot of requests for prescriptions from people coming in on boats and a policy has been established to not allow these prescriptions to be filled from other states. 20 colorectal cancer screenings were done. Health awarenes~ sessions were done for the Tri-Area Learning Center Pre School and the Rainbow Pre School as well as a tooth- brushing session for the Rainbow Pre School. Breast Self Examine teaching sessions were held for the Pres- byterian Women's Bible Group and for some senior citizens at the Thousand Trails facility on the Coyle Peninsula. "Special Concerns of Diabetes in the Elderly" was presented for care givers at the Kah-Tai Care Center. "Understanding Vegetarian Diets" was presented in the Jefferson General HospitalDayroom sponsored and arranged for by the Health Depart. The Kiwanis have donated $411. 00 toward HIB vaccine and. the vaccinations have been started. Gael Stuart reported that the Kiwanis are also talking about raising money for additiClnal vaccine funding. The Kiwanis have also transported 12 children to the Salvation Army Summer Camp in a van that was donated for this pro~ ject by Buck and Sons Motors. * ,~ 'I, * * * * * Health Board Minutes, July 17, 1985 Page 2: * 983 people were seen by the nursing staff during the month of June. * The number of cases of STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) is lower than expected, which may be a result of the lack of availability of examination rooms. The WIC Clinics are held in the same examination room as the STD exams and if the WIC Clinics last too long during the day the people who are waiting for STD exams have to be turned away until another day and many times do not return on the alternate day. HEALTH OFFICER REPORT: Dr. Fischnaller advised that he had nothing to report at this time. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT: John Hayes, Environmental Health Specialist reported on the activities of the Environmental Health Section in theoosence of Director, Randy Durant. * Because of the temporary increase in staff during the summer, more food service establishments were inspected in June. * There has been good cooperation from the Building Inspector in identifying and reporting septic systems that have been in- stalled without a permit. * Main time expenditures: Port Townsend Paper Company Sludge Application permit (29 hours total) and 5 appeals (10 hours)as ~l ffi Alocohol Plant Resort Review, Bedroom Policy and sending out of Sulfite Warning Notices to all food service establishments for posting. * Gael Stuart reported that in plotting the activity surges and tracking the revenue generated, the Environmental Health Section could be as much as $7,000 over in the revenues budgeted for 1985. The pattern of interest rates has a definite effect on the number of septic tank permit applications and site evaluations. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Gael Stuart reported that the Pediactric Health Nurse, Jean Hibbard, has withdrawn her resignation and will be available to work for the Health Department for at least another year and maybe longer. Financial Report: Revenues are up and holding and will exceed projections even though the surges caused by the City's quarterly payment and the School District's yearly payments, can make the financial report at any point in time look the opposite of that projection. Expenditures are lower than projected mainly because some of the grant programs have been put on hold and the amount of activity in these programs is directly related to the numbers of nurses that are available to provide the service. Income equals outgo in the grant funded programs. Space Allocation: Second Floor, Health Department and 03A: The space allocation tor the Health Department on the second tloor of the Multi Service Building is not adequate at present, Gael Stuart noted. Every office is occupied by two to three people, which causes a great deal of inefficiency. Many of the interviews done by the Nurses have to be done in a private area, which means someone has to find a place to work for that period of time. Additional filing cabinets are needed Health Board, Minutes July 17, 1985 Page 3: because the Health Department is required to keep records on any child until that child reaches the age of 24. This requirement is a result of the fact that any child or parent can sue the County for three years after the child reaches the age of 21. The Area Agency on Aging has indicated that they would like the Conference Room as part of their office space but the Health Department needs to keep it as a Conference Room and also needs at least one additional office space from the rooms that will be vacated by the Community Action Council. Storage locations and availability and the possibility of microfilming the records were discussed as possible solutions to the problem. The Board agreed with Gael Stuart's suggestion that they meet with Beverly Brice of 03A to discuss the needs of both agencies and see if a solution can be worked out. Another matter that will have to be explored is the purchase of a copying machine for the Health Department, Gael Stuart added. The Health Department currently pays Community Action Council for the copies that are made on their machine, which will be moved to the second floor when the CAC offices are moved. Approval of Bedroom Determination Policy: Chairman Pitts advised that he would like to give Commissioner Brown a chance to review this policy before it is approved. Gael Stuart reported that the Health Department would use the Operating Policy that was adopted by the Commissioners on June 6, 1985 until such time as Commissioner Brown returns and has a chance to review and comment on this policy. Environmental Health Specialist: Cost Sharing with Clallam County: Gael Stuart reported that atter reviewing this proposal, he teels that the two days a week this person would be available to Jefferson County, this would be an inefficient expenditure, and he would recommend that the Board not approve this program. Chairman Pitts advised that the Board wouldadv~e to the Clallam County Commissioners of this reco- mendation. Fee Generation: Review of Building Permits: The Health Depart- ment spends a great deal ot time reviewing building permits and Gael Stuart suggested that there should be a fee built into the building penffit fee for the Health Department's review. The Health Department will work out the details of a proposal to do this for inclusion in the 1986 fee schedule. Fee for Hemophilus Type B Influenza vaccinations for children: Other Health Departments in the State are charging trom $10 to $12 for the Hemophilus Type B Influenza vaccinations, Gael Stuart reported, and recommended that a charge of $8.50 be charged to people who can afford it in this County. The charge could be waived for people who do not have the means to pay. The Board concurred with Mr. Stuart's recommendation and advised that they would set a hearing date for this addition to the Health Department Fee Schedule Ordinance. Health Board, Minutes July 17, 1985 Page 4: Appeal: Sewage Disposal Permit denial: Frank Hall, Ingman's Olympus Beach Tracts: Dr. Fischnaller read a letter from Mr. Hall outlining his variance request. Mr. Hall was present when John Hayes explained that the new soil logs were inspected on the 10th of July and four soil logs in one corner of the property were found to be mar- ginally acceptable with a greywater system being all that could be allowed. Grey water systems allow a 40% reduction in the field size. Approval of the grey water system would allow a system for the house which was built 15 years ago and John Hayes advised that he recommenffi that a variance be granted from the 100% replacement area requirement in this case be- cause of the hardship it would cause Mr. Hall and the fact that the house was built with all of the permit requirement of the time being met. Mr. Hall reported that his family had built this house 15 years ago but had not installed the septic system at that time because they moved to Texas. The family kept the property with the idea of returning some day and making their home there, and installing the septic system that was approved in 1970. Mr. Hall reiterated that he is willing to work with the system that has been proposed and discussed with the Health Department representatives. Commissioner Dennison moved to approve the variance as requested by Mr. Hall and the use of the grey water system with a composting toilet. Chairman Pitts seconded the motion. Chairman Pitts asked that a follow up report be compiled on this type of composting system for future reference. Appeal of site evaluation determination: Jack Hensel: Dr. Fischnaller read a letter trom Mr. Hensel which asked tor approval of three seperate 5 acre sites for on-site sewage disposal under WAC 248.96.096 which addresses larger tract requirements. Mr. Hensel is representing the owners of these parcels (Amos, Powell and Avery) as the selling agent. Dr. Fischnaller reported that he had reviewed each of these parcels as well as the WAC Mr. Hensel cited, and advised that this WAC says that "on 5 acres or more, the Health Officer may alter requirements and must determine site characteristics in accordance with Chapter 3 and Appendix A of the Design Manual On-Site Wastewater Treatment of Disposal Systems of the EPA." This WAC also reters to several preceding and subsequent paragraphs such as WAC 248.96.100 paragraph 2 which requires a vertical separation of three feet or more, more if the aquifer is used for potable water. All of these properties, Dr. Fischnaller continued, have a high water table which does mean that there is an aquifer that will be tapped for wells by purchasers of these lots and a three foot separation cannot be maintained. After reviewing these three parcels, Dr. Fischnaller noted that he can not see anyway to approve an on-site sewage system for any of them. Mr. Hensel pointed out that 89% of Jefferson County is unsuitable under the current regulations and it has to be recognized that Western Wash- ington is not perfect for septic tank systems, but on larger tracts of land there should be some way to accomodate a system so that the land is useable, and not worthless. There should be a way to put some type Health Board, Minutes July 17, 1985 Page 5: of system on 5 acres of land. The Health Board of Jefferson County is going to have to develop a policy so that when people come and ask if their land will be habitable there is an answer because now almost no one can get perc approval. Discussion continued regarding the rules and regulations for on-site sewage disposal and the problems they cause in areas that are not suitable for such systems, as well as the legal responsibilities of the Health Officer and the Health Board. Chairman Pitts noted that the Health Board has been faced with these types of cases for years and the state of the technology is not adequate. The County currently uses the minimum regulations that it can use and the development of some type of policy that may put the County in a position of jeopardy and possible legal liability, would be imprudent, costly and could possibly endanger the health of the citizens of the County. The County Commissioners acting as the Board of Health are bound by the duties of the office to uphold the regulations. Prevention is cheaper than repair, in the long run. Commissioner Dennison moved to deny the variance requested by Mr. Hensel on the three five acre parcels discussed. Chairman Pitts seconded the motion. Meeting Adjourned JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Pitts, hairman ,