HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health September 16 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Council Meeting
BOARD OF HEALTH
September 16, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 12:35 p.m. by Council Chair Ward Nelson in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Barbara Brenner
Tom Brown
Kathy Sutter
Absent:
Alvin Starkenburg
Robert Imhof
INTRODUCTION /PREFACE TO THREE -YEAR PROGRAM PLAN
Nelson introduced Steve Jilk, Health Advisory Board Chair, who briefly spoke to the
meeting format.
THREE -YEAR PROGRAM PLAN AND PROPOSED 1998 BUDGET
Chuck Benjamin, Health Department Director, gave an overview and explanation of the
three -year work program.
Benjamin related that the Public Health Improvement Plan directs public health
jurisdictions to focus on population -based prevention of disease, injury, disability, and premature
death as the primary goal of public health activities. Concentration has been on the concepts of
health assessment, policy development, and access in quality assurance in administration. Each
major program plan has a three -year program objective, along with the annual activities that will
be performed, which will be revised annually. There are also performance indicators. Program
indicators must be designed in order to measure performance toward meeting the objectives.
Consolidation efforts include only personal health and environmental health services, mainly due
to the timing of the budget requests. The overall program costs have been identified with the
revenues having been subtracted out, which enables clear vision of the County =s support of each
program. There are no major changes in the overall activities. The three -year plan does enhance
the Health Department =s capacity to implement core functions, improve programs, and to have
the opportunity to choose strategies that will address the most pressing community health
problems in the most efficient and effective manner. The following strategies will be used as a
foundation for all programs: more collaboration with community efforts; tribal behavioral risk
factor surveys; customer service; and a central client data base.
Private sector providers will continue to be pursued. The Advisory Board recommended
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the inclusion of a water resources program, which will be an additional budget request for an
FTE to examine water resources. Also, department consolidation, coupled with a new
departmental management structure, positions the Health Department to effectively meet future
demands and challenges. The three -year plan addresses the identified needs of Whatcom
County, identifies where program indicators are needed, meets state program requirements, and
enables the Department to monitor and assess progress toward meeting its goals as part of an
ongoing process.
A question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included the timeline for the
privatization of services; collaboration of services; notification of immunizations by doctors; and
data base and software system for immunizations.
Benjamin requested to withdraw the Health Department Advisory Board =s proposed
ordinance due to the consolidation effort=s impact on the advisory boards. He stated he is
hoping to discuss at the next Board of Health meeting the restructure of the advisory boards,
enabling the proposed ordinance to be built around the new structure of the advisory boards.
Nelson questioned Benjamin regarding his objectives in this plan. Benjamin emphasized
that although he felt the budget should be presented to the Board of Health for a
recommendation, this might be a more opportune time to concentrate his efforts on the program
plan rather than the budget. He reminded the Health Board that the 1998 budget will be
reviewed by the executive, as well as the Council.
Benjamin then spoke further to the collaboration of services, stating there must be
planning -- including transitional planning - -to assure the community that the same level of service
and quality would continue to be provided.
Sutter expressed concerns regarding the Council of Governments (COG) and the Health
Department regarding the water program, as there needs to be a coordinated effort within the
community. Jilk responded.
Brown also expressed concerns about the water program, stating there are water sources
which have not been tapped yet. Benjamin explained that Sue Blake, Water Resources Planner,
has been working on other issues and only part time on water resources due to staffing changes
at Planning and Development Services.
Regina Delahunt, Environmental Health, clarified that the Health Department is involved
in the protection of the water resources. The Health Department is responsible to enhance
compliance with the coordinated water system plan and the Growth Management Act (GMA).
She also stated there is a need to address a critical area aquifer protection plan. Jilk explained
that without the assurance of water supply, actually all development is highly unlikely. Quality
water supply addresses the assurance of potable water.
Benjamin explained that the budget numbers in the program plan were developed prior to
revising the budget submission to the Executive, so there may be a few dollars off one way or
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another. However, revenues are complete and accurate.
Brown requested clarification regarding the proposed budget for 1998 being smaller than
last year =s budget but Whatcom County's portion appears higher. Benjamin explained that he
felt these revenues will be met to support the expenditures.
Sutter inquired what the Afood= is for in the pink section of the draft. Benjamin
explained that is for the Food Service Establishment Program, food handling inspections and
food handlers= certification.
Jilk requested Benjamin further discuss administrative costs, and he pointed out the
consolidated administrative costs for the entire agency -- including the consolidation - -is reflected
in this budget. Thus, administrative costs increased while department costs decreased.
(Clerks Note: Tape 1, side B)
Benjamin pointed out any new activities are included with the budget submission as
additional service requests submitted to the executive. Nelson inquired how Benjamin planned
on meeting, coming up to, or exceeding specific standards at current operations. Benjamin noted
the plan has been revised to reflect these standards and the Washington state year 2000
objectives. After one year, the plan will be reviewed for any necessary changes. In 1998,
indicators must be developed for a performance report, of which several indicators for some of
the programs are not available.
A question and answer period followed on Environmental Health. Dawson inquired
about the public education workshops regarding the formal O & M septic systems /sewage
disposal program. Delahunt explained they have done presentations with the Lions Club,
neighborhood groups, realtors, the Fair, etc., and these will be continued. Associations can
contact the Health Department to arrange a presentation. She also explained the Operations and
Management program which will be implemented in 1998.
Sutter commended the Health Department on the format for today--s report. However,
she questioned Activity 4, page 1, regarding the increase from 10% of all water systems to 100%
in two years. Also questioned was connections vs people on the same activity number.
Sutter continued with objective 3, page 2, confirming the only way to know whether
there is adequate and potable drinking water is based on the number of complaints. The need is
to reach a balance.
On page 4, Sutter questioned the lack of any enforcement for illegal dumpers regarding
the solid waste program. Discussion followed regarding enforcement authority by the Health
Department; additional service request in the budget for a 0.5 FTE for solid waste enforcement,
which would be coordinated with Solid Waste; the need for separate divisions and for the solid
waste division; consolidation of same; the current Health Department FTE total for illegal
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dumping is 0.3 or 0.4; duties of the proposed position; funds allocated are a coordinated,
consolidated effort; fines as a deterrent; household garbage; the need for a coordinated effort;
disposal of refrigerators; and payment for services not being used (snowbirds, e.g.).
Brenner questioned the adequacy of Health Department oversight of RECOMP regarding
medical waste. She stated that the Health Department should provide full time oversight at the
RECOMP facility. Delahunt responded that the Health Department inspects RECOMP monthly
and believes that this is adequate monitoring for the operation.
(Clerks Note: Brenner left the meeting at this point.)
Sutter questioned the chemical /physical hazards program on page 11, activity 1,
regarding coordination with law enforcement, and disposal of toxic /dangerous chemicals in a
household.
Delahunt noted that one additional service request was for a 0.5 FTE in the food program,
which would be combined with the 0.5 FTE in the solid waste program to become a 1.0 FTE to
allow more staff for food establishment inspections and the implementation of a food service
program.
Nelson moved for approval of the Environmental Health Services and the Personal
Health Services three -year work plans.
Benjamin applauded the Health Board members for their diligence in servicing and
commenting on the three -year plan. Their recommendations will be included in the final
document. In addition, this document sets the framework of the Health Department =s short- and
long -term efforts.
Motion carried unanimously.
(Clerks Note: Dawson left the meeting at this point; there was now no quorum. Tape 2,
side A)
Questions and answers followed. Topics discussed included: youth pregnancy rates;
child abuse; Women, Infants and Children (WIC) caseload; youth and tobacco enforcement;
nutrition in terms of dental care; immunization program with private providers; abstinence
training sessions; and communicable diseases from other countries.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR =S REPORT
Benjamin stated he would answer questions regarding his report; there were no questions.
He expressed his thanks regarding the Board =s effort in the program plan. He also commented
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on the North Sound Regional Support Network (NSRSN).
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
NaDean Hanson, Recording Secretary
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
These minutes were approved by Council on , 1997.
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W1 ATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk L. Ward Nelson, Council Member
Health Board Minutes, 9/16/97, Page 5