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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/06/02 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH JUNE 2, 1994 The Board of Health was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairperson William O Hunter. ATTENDANCE: William O. Hunter, Chairperson ', Mary L. Faughender, Board Member Laura E. Porter, Board Member Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer Brad Banner, Health Services Director Mike Tokos, Environmental Health Specialist Diane Edgin, Shelton Gladys Brammer, Shelton Richard Brammer, Shelton Sean Hanlon, Journal MINUTES Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the minutes of the March 18, 1994, Board of Health Meeting be approved as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. -� HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Dr. Trucksess reported on the Handa Virus which has been transmitted by the deer mouse to humans. The deer mouse is small in size with a white underside and is found in a wide-spread area of the United States. The virus begins with cold/flu symptoms and within 48 hours'the infected person is near death with respiratory distress. The death rate is well over 60% because the human body does not obtain antibodies to fight the virus. He noted that there have been 42 confirmed cases to date; 12 in areas of northern Idaho. While no human infection has been noted in the State of Washington; one woman in California was possibly exposed while visiting Washington. Dr. Trucksess advised that certain submersible well pumps containing brass leach lead into the well water, which may result in people developing lead intoxication from drinking their well water.' The Department's suggestion is that people check on the composition of parts in their submersible pumps and if the parts contain bronze or brass, the lead levels in their water should be checked as well as the levels in themselves, and especially in children. Mr. Brad Banner, Health Services Director, noted that pumps containing these metals are found in fairly new models. A hotline has been established: 1-800-424-LEAD. Communicable Disease Report for the month of May was reviewed. DIRECTOR OF NURSING HIRED Mr. Banner announced that Steven Kutz has been hired as the-new Director of Nursing and will - begin employment in the middle of June or first part of July. Mr. Kutz has a strong background in public health, and has a masters degree in this field. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 2, 1994 - Page 2 of 4 SOLID WASTE HANDLING & FACILITIES REGULATION - POLICIES Environmental Health Specialist,Mike Tokos,discussed the environmental health policies relating to solid waste handling with the Board of Health, Health Services Director, Health Officer and citizens Richard Brammer, Gladys Brammer and Diane Edgin. ON-SITE SEWAGE REGULATION - PUBLIC HEARING At the time of 10:30 a.m., Chairperson Hunter called to order a public hearing to consider changes to the on-site sewage regulations. Amendments to the draft, as recommended at the last Board of Health meeting held on May 5, 1994, were reviewed. Chairperson Hunter called for public testimony; none was presented. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the public hearing to consider changes to the on-site sewage regulations be closed at 10:35 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the on-site sewage regulations as revised May 12, 1994, be adopted. Motion carried unanimously. SOLID WASTE HANDLING & FACILITIES REGULATION - POLICIES Environmental Health Specialist,Mike Tokos, discussed the environmental health policies relating to solid waste handling with the Board of Health, Health Services Director, Health Officer and citizens Richard Brammer, Gladys Brammer and Diane Edgin. SOLID WASTE HANDLING & FACILITIES REGULATION - PUBLIC HEARING At the hour of 11:00 a.m., Chairperson Hunter called .to order a public hearing to consider changes to the Solid Waste Handling and Facilities Regulation. Amendments suggested at the May 5, 1994, Board of Health meeting were reviewed. Section 3.06. Reference to non-burning material which may be toxic or result in public or environmental health threats was added as recommended by Dr. Trucksess. The Board agreed to delete the reference to the Mason County Fire Marshal in this section. Section 3.13. The Board agreed that it was reasonable for a person handling or disposing of problem wastes in Mason County to notify the Health Department of their intended activities. Section 3.14. The Bonds/Financial Assurance statement was made generic and the statement that the assurance would be subject to review when changes in activities occur had been added. Mr. Tokos stated that the words "as determined by the Health Director" need to be added. Mrs. Edgin asked if these revisions would be enough to stop a future problem with something similar to a large pile of tires, and would public outcry be enough to stop the problem. Mr. Banner replied that the main difference would be the notification; the permit process would include public notice. Board Member Porter noted that early public comment and possible involvement of SEPA would be helpful. Chairperson Hunter commented that the Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 2, 1994 - Page 3 of 4 Department, with these revised regulations,would have an established procedure to follow which would include enforcement policies. Mrs. Edgin noted that it was important not to have loop holes in the regulations/policies. Section 3.12. Dr. Trucksess asked if the Health Department was prepared to advise medical establishments how to dispose of biomedical wastes. Mr. Tokos replied that the Health Department was educated in this area and that currently they are recommending that businesses hire a company which picks up and disposes of these wastes. However, the biomedical wastes can be disposed of at the landfill if they are packaged properly. He noted that in the future the department may want additional policies pertaining to this section. Board Member Porter asked if the document had been reviewed regarding the issuance of penalties. Mr. Tokos replied that the penalties would be misdemeanors and be turned over to the Prosecuting Attorney as a criminal manner. Board Member Porter stated that the Board is working toward having a central enforcement policy for all departments rather than re-writing the enforcement section each time an ordinance is written. She stated that the Board wanted to be able to reference a county-wide enforcement policy, a legally written document, which would list the department's procedure. Board Member Porter explained that the policy'would call for an infraction punishable by fine for the first offense, along with notice on how to correct the 1 problem and explanation of the department's investigative procedure. If a second violation or refusal to act on the notice occurs, it would then become a criminal offense. Before the matter would be turned over to the Prosecuting Attorney,the department would have gone through many enforcement steps. This policy would have less potential for court activities, the fines would be in the beginning, with failure to act as a more serious matter. Board Member Porter noted that some will-full actions, under this regulation, which are known to be wrong, would automatically jump to.criminal sanctions. Mr. Banner commented that a section pertaining to this procedure could be utilized and also be added to the enforcement policy. Mr. Tokos commented that the department's policy would be to follow the steps outlined by Board Member Porter. Mr. Banner informed that on page 2-40 (g) of policies, the number "100" should be changed to "50." He noted that this change had already been made in the ordinance section. Board Members Faughender/Porter moved/seconded that the public hearing to consider revisions to the Solid Waste Handling and Facilities Regulation be closed. Motion carried unanimously. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board adopt the Solid Waste Handling and Facilities Regulation as drafted June 2, 1994,with the following changes: On Page 3 of 12, Section 3.06 delete lines 9, 10, 11, and 12 (Fire Marshal activities); on Page 6 of 12, Section 3.13, last line of section change "Health Department to "Health Director;" — ,' on Page 6 of 12, Section 3.14, second line, delete the word "enough," and insert the words �- MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 2, 1994 - Page 4 of 4 "as determined by Health Director" before the first comma in the sentence, and on line 4 of the same section exchange "Health Department" with the words "Health Director." Motion carried unanimously. Board Members Porter/Faughender moved/seconded that the Board adopt the Solid Waste Handling and Facilities Enforcement Policies as drafted June 2, 1994, with the following changes: -On Page 2-38 (7-c) change the language as follows: On one-half acre or greater may have 1 hulk vehicle if stored from view/health hazard as determined by Health Director; Page 2-39, new wording of first paragraph: "one-half acre or less," rather than "17,000 square feet land area or less;" on Page 2-40, delete item (f); and in item (g) delete "50" and insert "100." Board Member Hunter stated his only concern was not allowing additional hulk vehicles on larger parcels of land as long as they are out of view and not a public hazard. He stated that a reasonable number of hulks (screened) would be up to 3 on larger acreage. Mrs. Edgers commented that she did not have a problem with 3 hulks being allowed. Chairperson Hunter/Board Member Porter moved/seconded that Section 7 (c) be amended to allow 1 hulk vehicle between one-half acre and 10 acres; greater than 10 acres allow up to 3 hulk vehicles if stored from view/hazard as determined by Health Director. Amendment carried unanimously. The motion as amended carried unanimously. Board Members Faughender/Porter moved/seconded that the Board of Health meeting be adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF ALTH William O. Hunter, Chairperson Laura E. Porter, Board Member Respectfully Submitted, M. L. Faughender, Board Member Lorraine Coots