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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991/07/01 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH JULY 1, 1991 The Board of Health was called to order at 3:42 p.m. by Chairperson Laura E. Porter. ATTENDANCE: Laura Porter, Chairperson William O. Hunter, Board Member Michael D. Gibson, Board Member J. Joanne Hoover, M.D., Health Officer Sharon Bisser, Nursing Supervisor Brad Banner, Health Services Director i APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Board Member Hunter/Gibson moved and seconded to approve the meeting minutes dated June 24, 1991 as corrected. Motion carried. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. ADMINISTRATION DRAFT CONSENT ORDER Brad Banner, Health Services Director, discussed the draft consent order prepared by Department of Ecology. He presented the Board with a copy of his letter to Darrel Anderson, Department of Ecology, in follow up to the meeting held with the State. Mr. Banner recommended a memorandum of understanding instead of a consent order. Chairperson Porter felt that the County should clearly state the preference of a Memorandum of Understanding. Mr. Banner suggested that a briefing be set up with the Board and the State concerning this matter. There are two separate issues being addressed the North Bay issue and the County wide agreement. Chairperson Porter felt the County is ready to make commitments in regards to the whole County. The Board suggested a briefing time on July 9, 1991 at 2:00 p.m. to meet with the State to discuss these matters. APEX Dr. Hoover, Health Officer, briefed the board on the APEX PH (Assessment Protocol for Excellence for Public Health) meeting. She showed the workbook offered to local health departments for enhancing the leadership role in communities. It is voluntary whether the County participates. The State of Washington has applied to be the first on a statewide basis. Each local health department is invited to participate in the APEX program. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH JULY 1, 1991 - PAGE 2 The State would like to have some sense, at the end of the month, whether we would be willing to take part in it. The workbook is a number of worksheets that walk you through looking at your own organizational capacity. Brad Banner, Health Services Director, anticipated the work would be done around January when there is a slow down. Chairperson Porter stated that it is an organizational diagnostic process. Mr. Banner commented that management will rate the administrative parameters for importance. They will be working with staff to see how well we are meeting the specific areas. Chairperson Porter commented that it sounded like a good program. She asked that the Board be kept up to date. FISCAL ACCOUNTING Brad Banner, Health Services Director, discussed the fiscal accounting within the Health Services Department. Candy Archer has been doing the BARS reports for Personal Health and has expressed an interest in taking on more fiscal type work. Sharon Bisser has no objection. Betty Cochran has been handling the Environmental Health accounts and will only be doing that for one more month. Water Quality will be getting a new computer and has a computer which can be used by Ms. Archer in Personal Health. The Tandy computer she is using will go back to the nurses. HEALTH OFFICER Dr. Hoover gave the Board a copy of the Regional AIDSNET Council June 12 letter regarding appeal of Spokane needle exchange lawsuit. The Health Officers have been asked to consider participating in this appeal as amicus curiae ("friend of the court"). The State Supreme Court's decision will have a binding effect on the entire state. Dr. Hoover stated that this is not an implied agreement for needle exchange in Mason County. The impact of control of disease took precedence of drug paraphernalia act. The Board was given a copy of the full text of the court decision. She asked if the Board would like to support Spokane County Health District on Needle Exchange program. If so, a sample letter of support was provided. The deadline for mailing the letters if July 15. Chairperson Porter stated she would support the appeal. There is an important principle behind it. The health district should have the right to set up a program to deal with the issue. Chairperson Porter stated the Board will revisit this subject at the end of the meeting. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH JULY 1, 1991 - PAGE 3 RURAL HEALTH GRANT UPDATE Sharon Bisser, Nursing Supervisor, stated that the County applied for a rural health grant one year ago. Mason County was one of six counties given money for assistance to evaluate the needs. Nancy Field was our consultant and her work is now complete. She will be here on the 9th to give her final report. She will also bring the planning group down on the 16th. Ms. Field is recommending that part of the money be used for planning for up front work. More information will be available in August. CPS CONTRACT The child protective services contract has been extended for three months by the State. However, the funding has not been increased. Ms. Bisser commented that the medical coupons have not worked as well as the State thought it would. There appears to be quite a short fall. FIRST STEPS PROGRAM Sharon Bisser, Nursing Supervisor,stated that the local DSHS office has been notified that the social worker may be terminated from the state level. Ms. Bisser requested the Board sign a letter of support to keep the case worker. The case worker coordinates services. The Nursing Division has found it is very effective to use. Most of the clients will need financial help and the case worker can assist. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to go on record supporting the First Steps Case Worker in the Shelton office, as recommended by Personal Health. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Ms. Bisser stated that she would bring a letter over later for the Board to sign. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH VARIANCES The Board was informed that all environmental health variances will be reviewed by Brad Banner. He will keep records on variances in the form of minutes and findings of fact. The Board will receive copies of these when complete. SOLID WASTE ENFORCEMENT GRANT AMENDMENT The Health Services Director recommended the Board approve Amendment No.2 to Department of Ecology Grant No. TAX 90069 in the amount of $1100. The funds will provide for certification for minimum standards on solid waste handling. All landfill operators and inspectors have to be certified. Health Services does not have a solid waste person. The Board will discuss further on who to send for certification. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve the grant amendment up to $1100 for training of solid waste handling inspectors. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH JULY 1, 1991 - PAGE 4 COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY Chairperson Porter stated that the Board reviewed the proposed communicable disease policy several months ago. The Board would like the Health Services Director to review the policy and make a recommendation. COMPLAINT RESPONSE Board Member Gibson asked that Health Services establish a complaint response policy. He suggested they refer to Public Works to see what they have done. APPEAL OF SPOKANE NEEDLE EXCHANGE LAWSUIT Board Member Gibson felt that local decision making is the best. He stated he would like to look at the court case and other information. He stated that he supports local control and local issues. The Board discussed continuing the meeting to consider this matter further. MEETING CONTINUED At 3:45 p.m. Member Hunter/Gibson moved and seconded to continue the meeting to July 8, 1991 at 3:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca S. Rogers MASON COUNTY HEALTH BOARD Laura Porter, Chairperson Michael D. Gibson, Board Member William O. Hunter, Board Member