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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/04/07 - Board of Health ve: MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH APRIL 7, 1994 The Board of Health was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairperson William O. Hunter. ATTENDANCE: William O. Hunter, Chairperson Dave Saltzer, Fire Marshal Mary L. Faughender, Board Member Kathy Giest, City Enforcement Officer Laura E. Porter, Board Member Krag Unsoeld, P.S.W.Q.A. Brad Banner, Health Services Director Jim Hunter, Advisory Committee Member Mark Tompkins, Environmental Health Specialist Louis Orth, Shelton, Washington Mike Tokos, Environmental Health Specialist Don Nichols, Shelton, Washington MINUTES Board Members Porter/Faughender moved and seconded that the minutes of the March 3, 1994, Board of Health meeting be approved as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer, advised that he had received a letter endorsing Public Health Week (March 3 - 9) from Congressman Norm Dicks which thanked the Health Department for their commitment to meet public health needs. Dr. Trucksess stated that following the.approval of the policy change for personal health services, he had received some comment. He presented a letter written by Eddie Thompson, the nurse at Pioneer School, regarding on-site sports physicals. Ms. Thompson explained, in her letter, that on-site sports physicals would be beneficial to ensure that every child had an equal opportunity to receive this exam. Dr. Trucksess informed that he had presented this request to the medical staff and had received no support for this concept. He noted that the sports physical clinic approach was a style used in the 1970's to try to access risk in participation. However, now, in the 1990's, there is much more awareness of lability in assessing children in sports. He noted that he would be responding to Ms. Thompson's request. Dr. Trucksess commented that he had recently received a publication regarding chronic disease, which emphasized prevention. He stated that going along with this concept, he recently visited the fourth graders at Mt. View Elementary School in celebration of Doctor's Week. He had given the students information on such topics as diets high in fat, the affects of snacking, lack of exercise, drug use, smoking, sexual activity, the need for safety, and the importance of hand washing. He noted that education was the direction the Health Department should go, as well as acting as the coordinator for health education projects. Dr Trucksess stated that the greatest impact would be received in educating our youth at an early age. He noted that the private medical community would be utilized to assist the staff in this direction. r _ MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH April 7, 1994 - Page 2 of 7 Dr. Trucksess suggested that the Board of Health replace the vacant position in the personal health division with someone who had the credentials of a health educator. He noted that this education emphasis could be carried into the chronic disease control, communicable disease, as well as the AIDS/STD education program. ' Board Member Faughender asked Dr. Trucksess if he felt the position should have broader duties, which would include being an educator who would visit the schools. Dr. Trucksess replied that this would be consistent with the regional AIDS staff. Board Member Porter asked if these-broader educational duties would comply with the grant requirements. Brad Banner, Health Services Director, stated that the AIDS program elements would have to be accounted for. Mr:Banner asked if the person hired for this position should be the program coordinator or if the Board would like to transfer the coordinator duties to the Personal Health Services Director as some counties were doing. He stated that the position had been advertised as health education for HIV/STD programs and had listed responsibilities that may be included for a coordinator. Mr. Banner commented that they would select a good health educator and leave the opportunity open for flexibility so the new Personal Health Services Director could determine `how he/she would want the coordinator duties organized. Board Member Porter stated she would like the program coordinator's duties shifted to someone other than the educator's position. Mr. Louis Orth asked if this position would be involved in a school-related program. Dr.-Trucksess informed Mr. Orth that it was a community- wide, broad-based education program which would impact schools. He noted that a health _ education degree should be considered as a requirement for potential applicants. i Dr. Trucksess informed that a directive had been received from public health officials regarding . local health departments addressing the problem of violence in their communities. Dr. Trucksess stated he believed any reduction would have to depend upon crime prevention factors. He stated that.this directive was warning them that public health departments were strong partners in addressing problems, speaking on issues_ before legislators, as data collectors and intervention strategists. Dr. Trucksess noted that a change in the immunization schedule would be made, and also gave a communicable disease report for the month of January. He noted that most of the cases were reported from the Washington Correction Center, due in part because it was an intake-facility. He noted that the county's numbers are skewed because of this. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUANCE - ON-SITE SEWAGE REGULATIONS Brad Banner, Health Services Director, stated that the Environmental Health staff has had numerous discussions since the last Board of Health meeting regarding the proposed changes to the on-site sewage regulations. He noted that he had discussed areas of concern with Board Member Porter, and had then taken the accumulated information back to the advisory committee. Mr. Banner then presented a new draft. He stated that the advisory committee was unable to get a quorum at their last meeting, but that two members were present to address the issues. Board Member Faughender stated that he was not in attendance at the meetings to discuss the changes and he would request that the changes not be reviewed today to enable the Board of Health to hold a workshop to study the new proposal.. He stated he was not prepared to discuss the MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH \ April 7, 1994 - Page 3 of 7 proposal without having time to review the new draft. Board Member Porter concurred, stating she would also like a workshop and,that perhaps one could be scheduled before taking formal testimony. Jim Hunter, advisory board member, stated he would attend the workshop and wait to offer his testimony. Krag Unsoeld, Puget Sound Water Quality Association, stated he would like to testify. Mr. Unsoeld stated he had three points to make concerning the proposed on-site regulations. He commented that the first point would have to do with public involvement in designating areas of special concern. He stated, secondly, that the Board should ensure there was some mandatory testing or training of on-site sewage professionals. And finally, that the Board allow experimental technology to be used in on-site repairs. Mr. Unsoeld commented that in Section 7.01.01 it referred to areas of special concern designated by the Board. He noted that it was important to add on the proposed language "will submit to board." Chairman Hunter stated that it would be helpful to have Mr. Unsoeld's recommendations in writing. Mr. Unsoeld commented that he believed it was important that a citizen advisory board or water quality board actively participate. He stated that this way the citizens gain understanding, and it would not be a matter of local or state government laying down mandates. Mr. Unsoeld stated that in Section 7.03 Design, it stated that experimental systems shall not permitted. He commented that currently there were some cases in Hoodsport where experimental systems may be the only option that could be done short of a sewer which would be too expensive. He noted that there were efforts to obtain funding for experimental possibilities in Mason County; but if these regulations restrict experimental systems from being approved, there would be no funds given. Mr. Unsoeld stated he did not believe that this was the intent of the Board. He commented that in all of the sections on certification requirements for installers or designers there had been an attempt to ensure a base level of experience before people could become certified. He ,stated that the March draft, as written, would need to be amended in this regard. For example, he said, a minimum of one year experience before one could become certified would only enable someone who would be transferring from another county. Mr. Unsoeld stated there should be some way of testing or training requirements before a person could get a license. He noted that this was something the Water Quality Authority believed in strongly. Mr. Unsoeld stated that it was important that the new testing and requirements apply to all on-site professionals, as well as those who have a license, to ensure that the people in the field were current in their knowledge required to do a good job. He noted that the county could implement the State Dept of Health program, and ended by saying he would submit his recommendations in writing. Don Nichols, a member of the Harstene Island Community Club, emphasized the point that Section 7.03.03 not be a barrier for future potential use. He recommended that the Board add wording that would allow experimental systems to be cultivated for future problems. - Board Members Porter/Faughender moved and seconded that the public hearing on proposed on-site sewage regulations be continued to the Board of Health's next regularly scheduled meeting on May 5, 1994, at 10:30 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH April 7, 1994 - Page 4 of 7 Board Members Porter/Faughender moved and seconded that the Board schedule a workshop to discuss on-site-sewage regulations on Wednesday, April 20th at 9:00 a.m. in the Building 3 conference room. Motion carried unanimously. CONTRACT REVIEW - DELEGATION OF WELL INSPECTION PROGRAM Brad Banner presented the latest draft of the contract between the Department of Ecology and Mason County for delegation of well inspection duties. He stated that the Department of Ecology had agreed to a one-time payment of $10,000, and 50% of the fees collected or $20,000, whichever was greater. He noted that the Department of Ecology would not be obligated in excess of 75% of the fees collected. Mr. Banner stated he had proposed 100%, and the Department of Ecology was counter proposing 75%. He asked that the Board review the contract and make their recommendations for approval to the Board of Commissioners. Board Member Faughender asked the amount of wells serviced last year. Mr. Banner stated that in the past it had been approximately 400 wells, however this year the number had been down. Board Member Faughender stated he felt the county would be reasonably protected by the $20,000 figure because he did not expect the wells to drop that substantially in number. Board Member Porter asked how the Health Department would pay the person doing the inspections if the amount of wells dropped significantly. Mr. Banner replied that it would be picked up through the environmental health budget, that he would not be asking the county for more money. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved .and seconded that the Board of Health recommend to the Commissioners to enter into the Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Ecology for the delegation of well inspections contingent upon the Prosecuting Attorney's review. Motion carried unanimously. Board Member Porter stated that the level of education required to meet the qualifications of the well inspector position was a masters degree. Mr. Banner stated he was somewhat concerned about that because it limited the scope of people applying. The Board asked him to negotiate the wording in the contract requiring the masters degree before it was brought before the Commissioners for consideration. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board procedurally amend the earlier motion to include as a reservation the requirement that the well inspector position required a masters degree. Motion carried unanimously. GROUP B DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS Brad Banner presented the Mason County Water Standards for Group B Design and Construction Standards (nine or fewer service connections) as revised March 3, 1994. Chairperson Hunter asked if the standards had been reviewed by the advisory committee. Mark Tompkins, Environmental Health Specialist, advised that 3 or 4 meetings had been held with the well drillers and the State Department of Health representatives, at which time changes were + made. He noted that the changes had been submitted to the committee and the changes had been approved. Mr. Tompkins stated that the new revisions were more consistent with the new state Group B regulations which would be adopted by the state. 'He noted that there would be x, i MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ; April 7, 1994 - Page 5 of 7 a standardized workbook used, and that the State Department of Health had approved the revisions. Board Member Porter asked if these revisions would formalize what the department was currently doing. ' Mr. Tompkins replied yes, and that these revisions would enable the department to better serve the public in informing them what would be expected. Board Member Porter asked if the sampling requirements were consistent with the state regulations, and Mr. Tompkins replied that they were. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board of Health adopt the Group B Design and Construction Standards as recommended by the Health Department staff. Motion carried unanimously. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS/SOLID WASTE HANDLING&FACILITIES ORDINANCE Mike Tokos, Environmental Health Specialist, presented the proposed revisions to the Solid Waste Handling and Facilities Ordinance which included the recommended changes made at the Board of Health meeting on March 18, 1994. Board Member Faughender asked if the Board's concerns regarding the possible duplication of services by the Fire Marshal and Environmental Health staff in their response to fire-related issues was addressed in this new draft. Mr. Tokos replied that changes had been made to reduce the possibility of duplicating services. He referred to page three which outlined wording to eliminate the duplication of work by the Fire Marshal and the Environmental Health staff. Mr. Tokos stated that the Fire Marshal responded to calls to put out fires, whereas the Environmental Health staff responds to complaints before or after the fire when there may be a health issue to investigate. Mr. Tokos stated that he had included the wording "tire handling or recycling business," in the place of "business" in Section 3.07.03.01 regarding the accumulation and storage of up to 800 tires. Board Member Porter asked that the Prosecuting Attorney's Office review the language regarding the section relating to a business license being required in order to accumulate up to 100 tires. She stated that it was important that the wording not be limited to a business license but that it be specific to show a business license which would handle tires. She noted that the wording needed to be consistent in both sections. She suggested that the wording be something like "licensed business which handles tires in the normal course of business." Mr. Tokos commented that he had added SEPA review and public notice in Section 3.08.04.02 as recommended by the Board. Board Member Porter stated that SEPA review would not be needed in every instance, noting that it would be on a case by case decision. The Board agreed that SEPA review may be needed, and asked that the word "may" be added. Mr. Tokos stated that in Section 3.08.04.03 he had included language from the full permit section to the use permit section. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH April 7, 1994 - Page 6 of 7 The section regarding the disposal of dead animals was discussed. Mr. Tokos stated that the type of call they might respond to would be if someone disposed of a dead animal by a_well which could cause a health problem. Brad Banner commented that when the staff responds to a complaint, it would be nice to have the statutory authority to enforce their policy Chairperson Hunter stated he was concerned that improper disposal of a dead animal could be construed as a criminal activity. Board Member Porter stated that the issue of criminality was a concern throughout the document, and that it seemed as though certain actions would be more appropriate for infractions (tickets) than a matter of criminal record. She noted that setting up the legal framework which could attach a criminal record_to a person's life was a very serious matter, and asked that the entire document be reviewed and a recommendation on which offenses need to be criminal offenses be made. Kathy Giest, City of Shelton Enforcement-Officer, commented that the city had an ordinance pertaining to the burying of animals,and in the past five years, she could only remember responding to one complaint. She noted that because-the city had the ordinance, it was easy to take care of the problem on a complaint basis. Board Member Faughender stated that sometimes regulations were needed to make a job easier, however, if it was not a problem, would the regulation be necessary. Board Member Porter stated she believed the regulation should read that it would be unlawful to dispose of an animal "if it created a health risk." Mr. Tokos stated he would rewrite the section with their recommendations. Brad Banner commented that if the Health Department did L.� get a substantial number of complaints about animals, currently there was no health code to cite. He stated that it would be considered a public nuisance which would go through the Prosecutor's Office. Board Member Porter suggested adding the wording that a person could not dispose of a dead animal "if it created a health threat or nuisance to one or more people," which could be determined by investigation. Chairperson Hunter commented that the Health Department could work with the Prosecutor's Office on the wording to ensure its effectiveness. Dave Saltzer, Fire Marshal, attended the meeting to explain the procedures followed in his department in responding to burning/fire complaints. Board Member Faughender stated that a clear cut policy with no confusion or joint responsibility was in order. Mr. Tokos stated he had incorporated the Board's recommendations on hulk/inoperable vehicles. He noted that the number allowed was reduced and that the language regarding size of usable land was added. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board of Health set a public hearing at 11:00 a.m., on May 5th, to consider testimony on the adoption of the proposed Solid Waste Handling and Facilities Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Board Members Faughender/Porter moved and seconded that the Board of Health meeting MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH April 7, 1994 - Page 7 of 7 be adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH William O. Hunter, Chairperson Laura E. Porter, Boar Member 19 AA,JQX-"' Mary . Faughender, oard Member Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Coots