HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health June 10 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Council Meeting
(Council Meets as the Board of Health)
June 10, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by Council Chair Ward Nelson in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Barbara Brenner
Tom Brown
Kathy Sutter
Robert Imhof
Absent:
Alvin Starkenburg
Nelson explained the Board of Health will be meeting from time to time to address issues
and concerns; this is the first one of the quarterly meetings. He then introduced Chuck
Benjamin, Health Department Director. Benjamin requested the Board of Health to introduce
themselves and introduced the following individuals:
Sue Hyndman, Administration Assistant
Joann Linville, Health Department Advisory Board
Steve Jilk, Chair, Health Department Advisory Board Chair
Regina Delahunt, Environmental Health Services Manager
Kay Guirl, Personal Health Services Manager
Susan Trimingham, Health Department Advisory Board
Marcia Gunning, Mental Health Coordinator
Hy Rosenfeld, Mental Health Advisory Board
Fred Fragner
Josselyn Winslow
Kurt Dessauer, ADA
Benjamin noted he has assembled a Director =s report, which is a summary of his
department =s activities since July 1996. He explained that the previous minutes indicate that the
chair will be the Council =s representative to the Health Department Advisory Board.
Dawson nominated Ward Nelson to be Chair.
Motion carried unanimously.
Board of Health Minutes, 6/10/97, Page 1
Nelson gave a brief summary of the role of the Health Board and reviewed RCW 70.05,
what is required by the state. After reviewing the state regulations, Nelson explained that the
Board is obligated to perform its duties and can be fined if duties are not carried out. Nelson
reviewed Ordinance 91 -040, which created the Health Department Advisory Board.
Steve Jilk reported there were two ordinances, 91 -040 and 93 -024. He reported on the
changes of the ordinances and duties of the Health Department Advisory Board.
Jilk asked Council for direction on what the Board would like to see the Advisory Board
do, in particular issues regarding reporting to the Health Board and advising the Health
Department director. He requested clarification on who the Health Department Advisory Board
would be reporting to and advising.
Jilk reported on the bylaws of the Health Department Advisory Board (HDAB) and on
the following duties: advises the Health Department on issues related to its program; advises the
Health Board on jurisdictional matters and policies and procedures for enforcement of Health
Department functions and regulations; provides community forums and public hearings as
assigned by the Health Board; establishes subcommittees as necessary; adopts recommended
public health rules and regulations and forwards them to the County Executive for consideration
by the Health Board; reviews the annual budget and fees and reports same to the Health Board;
and presents an annual report to the Health Board.
Benjamin reported on the RCW requirements: enforce public health statues; supervise
health and sanitary measures; enact local rules and regulations; provide for control and
prevention of contagious or infectious disease; provide for the prevention, control and abatement
of public health nuisances; make reports to the state Health Board; and establish fee schedules.
He then requested Council direction as above.
Nelson moved to request the Health Department Advisory Board and the director to
review the ordinance and the bylaws and bring them into compliance with the state laws.
The Board discussed the recommendations by the Health Department Advisory Board.
1. Advisory capacity of the Health Department: Discussion followed regarding the
Advisory Board advising the Health Board and the Health Department. Topics discussed
included: the Consolidation Planning Committee (reviews the advisory boards) and bylaws.
Imhof moved approval of the Health Advisory Board advising the Board on policy.
Nelson withdrew his previous motion.
Motion carried 5 -0 with Brown out of the room.
Board of Health Minutes, 6/10/97, Page 2
Brenner moved to adopt the provision to provide the community on forums /hearings as
assigned by the Health Board.
Motion carried 5 -0 with Brown out of the room.
Imhof moved approval for reviewing the annual budget and fees and reporting to the
Health Board.
(Clerks Note: Tape 1, side B)
There was discussion on the motion. Topics included: fee schedules; reporting to the
Health Director or Board; the other Boards; i.e., Mental Health, Substance Abuse, etc. bringing a
review of their fees to the Health Board.
Nelson recommended the involvement of all the Boards. Benjamin reported that the
Consolidated Planning Committee is reviewing the function and structure of the four existing
advisory boards (Health, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse).
Nelson moved approval of the Board reviewing the annual budget and fees and reporting
to the Health Director.
Motion carried 4 -0 with Imhof out of the room and Brown abstaining because he was out
of the room during some of the conversation.
Brenner moved approval to present the annual report to the Health Board.
Motion carried 5 -0 with Imhof out of the room.
Nelson moved to have the Health Director review and revise the present ordinance and
return the amended ordinance to the Council as the Board of Health for approval.
Motion carried 5 -0 with Imhof out of the room.
Nelson commented on the Community Health Partnership Steering Committee.
Benjamin very briefly reviewed the work being done by the Community Health
Partnership Steering Committee. He then gave an overview of the Health Department
Director =s report (distributed at the meeting and on file).
Nelson opened the floor for public comment; there was none.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Board of Health Minutes, 6/10/97, Page 3
NaDean Hanson, Recording Secretary
These minutes were approved by Council on 51997.
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W14ATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk L. Ward Nelson, Council Chair
Board of Health Minutes, 6/10/97, Page 4