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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/02/01 - Board of HealthMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 1, 1996 The Board of Health was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Board Member Faughender with Board Member Cady in attendance. ATTENDANCE: Mary L. Faughender, Board Member Mary Jo Cady, Board Member Brad Banner, Health Services Director Steve Kutz, Director of Personal Health Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer Mark Tompkins, Water Quality Program Manager Kathy Giest, City of Shelton Bill Quigley, Belfair CORRESPONDENCE Letter received from Arthur E. Davison of Shelton in support of the Board's decision to rescind its plan to implement the On -Site Sewage Operation and Maintenance Program. MINUTES ADOPTED Board Members Faughender/Cady moved/seconded that the Board of Health meeting minutes dated November 21, 1995 be approved as submitted and the January 4, 1996, meeting minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer, submitted a communicable disease report for the month of January, 1996, as well as statistical information provided by the State Board of Health for the year 1995. A letter supporting Mason County Health Department's immunization program was received from the Immunization Consultant for the State Department of Health. Dr. Trucksess read aloud the letter, noting that it would be important for the Health Department to have plans instituted to protect the vaccine inventory in the event of power failure. The consultant suggested that steps be taken, in coordination with county emergencyplanning groups, to investigate the possibility of obtaining a backup generator. Board Member Faughender asked Dr. Trucksess to address how the county could reduce the number of Hepatitis cases in the county. Dr. Trucksess informed that Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C were transmitted primarily through blood and sexual activity, although blood transfusions were also a source of the disease. He noted that Hepatitis A was the virus transmitted from fecal material contaminating food. The test for Hepatitis has only been available for the last 2 - 3 years. Therefore, cases were being identified in people who were exposed as long as 20 years ago. Some of these infections were due to an IV drug history from the 1970s and 1980s. He MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 1, 1996 - Page 2 of 4 did not believe the IV drug use was a prevalent as in years past. Steve Kutz, Director of Personal Health, noted that Thurston and Grays Harbor Counties have large numbers of the disease. Once a person was infected with Hepatitis C, it was possible to retain the disease for the rest of their life, and could also result in cirrhosis of the liver and a cancer associated with the disease. There was still a lot to be learned about the Hepatitis diseases. Each virus was from a different family. Mr. Kutz informed there was a preventative Hepatitis B vaccine available for children born after 1992 or 1993. The vaccine was costly so it has not been made available for all children, yet. At this time, the vaccine was targeted for high risk individuals. Dr. Trucksess reported it was now being recommended that children receive the inactive polio vaccine for their first two vaccinations, and the oral live -virus polio vaccine for their second two vaccinations. This was a temporary step toward using the inactive virus entirely. The live virus has been associated with approximately 8 - 10 active cases of polio per year in the nation. It was especially important for children exposed to pregnant woman, people being treated for immune deficiencies, or cancer to receive the inactive virus. Board Member Cady noted that transplant patients also need to be careful with live viruses. She asked how long the live virus could be transmitted to another. Dr. Trucksess and Mr. Kutz replied they would investigate the time -frame and report the findings at the next meeting. COMMUNITY NETWORK PLAN Mr. Kutz informed that the State Department of Health and the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials have developed • a procedure and criteria to guide local health departments in their review of the Community Network Comprehensive Prevention Plans. Legislation requires the local health departments to review the plans. He explained the review procedure which dictates responses to the plan as it was developed in stages. The final step involves the plan being reviewed in its entirety and the submittal of a statement which evaluates the plan according to the standards of assessment and policy specified in the review criteria. The priority problem behaviors being targeted were dropping out of school, child abuse/neglect, and drug/alcohol abuse. Protective factors, intervention strategies and methods to monitor and track the impacts of the interventions were being developed. Only two weeks were allowed for review of each criteria. Mr. Kutz stated it was enough time for his department to review, and Brad Banner, as Administrative Officer, to sign off the plans. However, if the Board of Health wished to review them also, it would be a difficult time -frame. The network hopes to complete and submit the entire program by the end of March, 1996 to the Family Policy Counsel. Board Member Cady stated that the reviews could be addressed during briefings, and a formal presentation to keep everyone informed of the process could be given at the Board of Health meetings. Board Member Faughender concurred. ON -SITE SEWAGE OPERATION & MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Board Member Cady reported she has met with State Department of Ecology staff, along with Brad Banner, regarding the Operation and Maintenance Program. At this time, the Department of Ecology does not have a definition of the scope of work. It started out as a county -wide plan and now it has been reduced to waterfront. It would include critical streams, but probably not all streams. There was also the possibility of eliminating gravity systems all together, which she endorsed. The waterfront designation from the Assessor's Office would not include the type of system on the property, which would be another administrative challenge. Enforcement was also MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 1, 1996 - Page 3 of 4 discussed. She was not at all interested in fines or monetary liens. Being considered was a letter which could be attached to the title so potential buyers would be informed that the property had not participated in the program. The plan was already in place with new systems and through mortgage companies arid realtors who require inspections before properties were transferred. Perhaps they could work with these groups to also identify the type of systems so the proper information could be included in the escrow papers informing the buyer how to take care of the system and what the recommended bperation and maintenance was. They also discussed how Department of Ecology could help fund the county program. Funding would be necessary to initiate the program and since it was a state -driven program, the state should participate. Board Member Faughender noted that he and Chairperson Hunter were not present at this meeting and there should not be any inference drawn that they agree or disagree with Board Member Cady's opinions. At this time, they had not been briefed on the issues discussed. OLSEN APPEAL HEARING CONTINUED Mr. Banner requested a continuance in the Olsen appeal until the March 7th Board of Health meeting to allow for additional time to allow for third -party testing. He believed a mutually agreeable situation could be made for the testing. Board Member Cady wondered if they would benefit from additional information being received if the continuance was granted. Mr. Banner believed they would benefit, and requested another chance to arrange the third party testing. He noted there had been some confusion regarding the continuance, and, if granted, he would notify the parties in writing. Mr. Tompkins noted that Ms. Olsen was in the process of submitting a written response to the Health Department. Board Members Cady/Faughender moved/seconded that the Olsen appeal hearing be continued to March 7th, 1996, at 10:30 a.m., during the regular Board of Health meeting. Motion carried unanimously. REGULATORY REFORM At the Board's request, Mr. Banner has reviewed several county codes. He presented a proposed resolution which recognized certain Mason County Codes which needed to be eliminated, changed, or included because they were recently adopted codes. He asked that the resolution be referred from the Board of Health to the Board of Commissions for review/action. Board Members Cady/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board of Health approve the resolution for submission to the Board of County Commissioners for action. Board Member Cady noted that the Board would appreciate the assistance from each department head in reviewing Mason County Codes and state regulations pertaining to their department and submitting recommendations for change when needed. Motion carried unanimously. COMPETENCY BOARD BYLAWS Mr. Banner reported that the Competency Board meets at least once a year to look at the performance of the certified designers, installers and pumpers working in Mason County. The Board's bylaws were reviewed and modified to follow the structure of other advisory boards. The proposed revisions were reviewed. Board Member Faughender commented that it would be positive for the county to continue the Competency Board. Board Members Cady/Faughender moved/seconded that the revised bylaws for the Competency Board be adopted. Motion carried unanimously. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 1, 1996 - Page 4 of 4 CLEAN WATER DISTRICT FEES Mr. William Key had been scheduled to discuss Totten/Little Skookum Clean Water District fees, however, he was unable to appear. Mr. Key's appearance would be rescheduled at the next Board of Health meeting if he so desired. ADJOURNMENT Board Members Cady/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board of Health meeting be adjourned at 10:45 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH (absent) William O. Hunter, Chairperson Mary Jo Cady,'i oard Meifr[ier M. L. Faughender t and Member Respectfully Submitted, Lorraine Coots