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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1977021693 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 16, 1977 The Orange County Board of Commissioners reconvened on February 16, 1977, from adjourned session of February 15, 1977, at 9:30 p.m., at the Old Town Hall in Chapel Hill, N. C. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Walker, Jan Pinney, Norman Gustaveson, and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gatos, County Manager, Neal Evans, Finance Officer, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. The Chairman stated that the purpose of this meeting is in order to continue from February '15th, the discussion of the District Health Board and to take action as to whether Orange County should remain in the District Health arrangement or withdraw from the District Health arrange- ment. The Chairman stated that this is an issue which Orange County has net taken lightly. Members of the Board have discussed the District arrangement over the years, and more recently in the last sixty days. He stated that on February 20, 1977, the Orange County Board of Commis- sioners presented the District Health Board and the Chairmen of the Boards from the member counties, a letter stating Orange County's concerns and proposed solutions. He spoke of the meeting of February 2nd, February 10th and this meeting tonight, where the concerns of the Health Department have been discussed. After these meetins, the Ghairman stated that the most encouraging item of interest from the Health Board seemed to be that of board training. He added that the need existed for an innovated and energetic Board, one that would look at the communities and the delivery of health care and attempt to arrive at appropriate solutions to health problems. Mr. Whitted stated that two items of concerns with Orange County was thenumber of representatives from each County to the Health Board, and the vast difference between iahat the District Health Board recommends. Commissioner Willhoit stated that after discussion of Problem B, The District is suffering from the lack of administrative leadership, he felt very strongly that the Search Committee should be searching for a top administrator and not someone who must work has way up. He added that the District Health Board should hire a Health Director, who knows what he is being hired for. Commissioner Walker stated that he felt the District Health Board had agreed to solve most of the problems cited by Orange County, except for Problem A and B. He added that Orange County would have more to lose by withdrawing from the District than to gain by withdrawing. Commissioner Pinney remarked that he had one major problem, and that was the hiring of the administrator, and who would be in charge of responsibilities within the Health Department. He did not feel hiring someone to work this way up was the proper action to take. Commissioner Walker stated that he disagreed with Commissioner Pinney's comments. He added that he felt the District Health Board had compromised. Chairman Whitted stated that a Health Administrator V must have _ certain qualifications and an Administrator II must have certain qualifi- cations. You can not hire an Administrator V and let him have an.Admini- strator II responsibilities. Commissioner Walker stated again that he disagreed. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that during the last months Qrange County has spelled out their concerns and the key concern was the level - of health services being provided to citizens of Orange County. He added that by law, the District Health Board must be an active policy making Board and one that is sentitive to the needs of the citizens within the Counties. This Board is not aware of the concerns in Orange County nor are they concerned with where health care is going. Mr. Gustaveson stated that he had hoped there could be a way to work out an arrangement 94 within the district to satisfy all the counties, however, with some excep- tions, most were still not aware of the basic concerns Orange County has discussed. Discussion ensued among the Board members concerning the District Health arrangement. Commissioner Walker moved that Orange County stay in the District Health Arrangement. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Walker moved that Orange Wounty withdraw from the District Health arrangement. Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Commissioner Walker withdrew his motion to withdraw from the Health District. Commissioner Willhoit suggested that Orange County abolish the current District Board of Health and to indicate to the member counties Orange County's willingness to meet with them should they desire to work toward achieving. the goals which Orange County had outlines. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that the only live option he saw was for Orange County to set up its own Health Department, but in fairness to other counties in the district, Orange County should leave the "door open" to the possibility of some future district arrangement. Further discussion ensued. Chairman Whitted asked Commissioner Willhoit if his suggestion was a motion. The Chairman then repeated the motion. Commissioner Willhoit moves to desolve the present district arrangement and for Orange County to move ahead in establishing its own Health Department, but to "keep the door open" for discussion with other counties to the possibility of some future district arrangement. Commissioner Gustaveson seconded this motion. Commissioner Walker stated that he was still opposed to withdrawing from the present District Health arrangement. The Chairman called for the vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Gustaveson, Pinney, Whitted, and Willhoit. Voting nay was Commissioner Walker. The motion was declared passed. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested the following steps, which the Orange County Board of Commissioners might endorse as a work plan in establishing the Orange County Health Department. 1. As soon as possible, notification of Orange County's withdrawal from the District Health arrangement should be directed to the District Health Board, the four counties within the Health District, the Division of Health Services in Raleigh and Fayetteville, and the Department of Human Resources in Raleigh. 2. Charge to the Finance Officer to begin planning for an orderly transition of personnel from the District to the County arrangement in regard to retirement funds, insurance, social security, and other benefits. 3. Concerning personnel - The Board should prepare a statement to Orange County employees working within the District, regarding their future status, and indicating that their faithful service will be honored and that Orange County hopes they will stay in the Orange County Health Department. A meeting will be scheduled with employees if necessary. 4. The tentative schedule for the appointments to the Orange County Health Board should be March 1S, 1977, at which time an interim Board of Health for Orange County will be appointed to serve in a planning capacity until July 1, 1977. ~~ 5. Ask the Press to indicate to those persons interested in serving on this Board to send names and addresses to the Clerk to the Berard. 6. First major task is to develop criteria far a job description for a Health Director. This task should be the work of the Interim Health Board, working with the School of Public Health, State Personnel. Office in Raleigh, Division of Health Services in Raleigh, members from the Health Task Force, and the administrative staff from Orange County. A job description should be ready by April 15, ].977,. for advertiseme„~ `' of a health Director, and a schedule of June 1, 1977, far the actual ~° hiring of the Health Director. ~.. .. 7. If an Assistant to the County Manager has not been hired within several weeks, this Board should appropriate money for a part-time person to serve a~ staff and working with the Interim Health Board. The Board should prepare a statement of concerns and priorities to the Health Board in order that they might have a cleat understandi;:7 of what the Orange County Berard of Commissioners expect. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustavesan, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, the foregoing work plan was approved. Commissioner Pinney moved that the meeting adjourn. -J---~ Richard E. Whetted, Chairman Agatha Johnsan,Clerk (For copy of the Notice of Orange County Withdrawal from the District Health Arrangement see next page.) ~.... ~.. n .n ~` .• + Page Ttra ' :nus7oN. ca~ensara R 9ERNHDLT r.r7o;~~ers nr ~avr cnaaeL Miw H. c. 1:ILL5B0.-S6U 6M. t1, C. 9'~ and dissolves the' Board of the' said District Iiea].L-h D4parC-.ment effective at the c7-ose of business of the laic: District Health Department Ott June: 30, 1977. Pursuant thereto:' 1. 'Phe Orange Count}~ Board ox County Camntissi_onexs met in regular session in the courtroom located in the! Chanel IIill Polio Department building, located at 100 l?ose:tary Stt-ec!t, Ch anal Hill, Orange County, North Carolina on 5~decirle .day, February l6, 1977. 2. Present at the meeting were; Cha:irma!t I•:=witted and Commissioners Gustaveson, Pinney, T•lal'rer and Iii.llhait; ~ Absent: None. 3. Discussion followed among the members of the Board . concerning whether or not the District Flealtlt DepartTrant eras opYrating and, could in the future, apvx:ate xn the best health interests of Grange County. ~i. Thereupon, Commissioner F9illhait moved fo.r Qrange County's withdrawal from the five county District Flealtlt Depart- ment and dissolution of the k3oard of the said. District Health • Department effective at the close o~ business an June 30, 1977, for the reason that the District Health Department is not and as presently structured could not, in the future opwrate in the best health interests of Orange County. 7~s part of the soma motion, Gammissioner Willhait further moved that prange'County operate its own health department, to be known as the•Orange County . FIealth Department, effective July 1, 1977, with the option left open of establishing a new District Tlealth Department effective July 1, 1977, consisting of Orange County and one or more of the other counties of the present District Health Department. 5. xhis maticn by Commissioner ti~lillhoit was seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson. 6. This motion was voted on and approved b}' a majority of the F3oard ; i s r ~ .. NOTICE Of' ORANC;~F. COUNTY ~ S WITFIAI:A[7~ 1:, FRCM TII}a CASLdELL, CIIATIiA~3, PERSON, LEIv Ate*D Oi~1NG8 DISTP.IC'S HSI~I.7'I3 DEP~1T;Ti•iliidT EFFECTXVE IfT THE CLG~SI; Or FSUSII~>;S5 OF.' 'rI3I; SAID DIS`T'RICT FIEl1I.1'YI IlEP211;'1'~'.I;idT Oi3 JUNE 30, ].977 TO: North Carolina Department of Iluman i;esvurceM c/o Dx. Sarah I•Icrro~r, Secretary 325 North Salisbury Stree4 Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 M7C. Tarn JGhnsan, Director Southcentral Regional Office of Health Services Wachovia Bank Building -~ Suite 5p5 225 Green Street .. Fayetteville, North Carala~na 2830]. Mr. Jahn Perk3.nson, Administrator Of;Eice oiE Local Health Services Division of FIealth Services 225 North MCDavrell Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 _:. i { i ~. J tdr. Perry Harrison, Chairman Caswell, Chatham, Person, Lee and Orange District Health Board c/o Office of the Superintendent of Chatham County School:; Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 .. Dr. Coradon S_ Fuller, Jr. District Health DirECtar l9 Eastgate Shopping Center Ghapel Hill, North Carc].ina' 2751~i Mr. John B. Waods, Chairman Caswell County Board of Cammissioners Star Route ~1 Yanceyville, Narth Carolina 27379 Mr. Earl Thompson, Chairman Chatham County Fsoard of Commissioners Route 1, Mt. Pleasant Church Road Pittsboro, North Caralina 27312 Mr. W. H. Cooper, Chairman Lee County Board of Canmmissianers Post Office Box 131,7 Sanford, North Carolina 27330 S Mr. J. B. Oakley, Chairman Person County Board of Commissioners 1410 Durham Road Roxboro, North Carolina 27573 ' NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 1^i~ of the General Statutes of P7orth Carolina, that tho Orange County Board of County Commissioners witlidzaws from the Cascrel ;_ , '~nrrsr°y' c°`'e`"`'" Chatham Person I.ee and Oranc a District ITc:alth Department p BERNHpLY ~ ~ J GHapz~ H~« fir. c. .u~.tsnoaoucH, rv. [. J8~ _ ~ Ii ~~ K I ' I`I ~1yas: Comrrcissi_aners Gustaveson, Pinney, [•71•iit•i~ea and t•1i7..ihoit-;. ~ Noes: Cammissionez 6~Ta1};Gr. r ~ 7. Thereupon, Cor.Lmiss:ionerC-,ustavcson moved to no4ify t:I;ln fIf North Carolina D~I~artm~.~nt of human I:esaurce•, of O~:ancf• J- c~~n•t ~ cvithdra[val from -the said District Itealth DcU:.~rtm[:nt and dissa.L„r= • ` tion of. its Boarci effe:ctivr• [vi•ch thr•_ class of business of the (, saici Dis•trir.t Iicalth DEpartntent on ..Tune 30, 1977 as re u' cI :[red a by ATorth Carolina General St~ltutes § 130-1~, (c) . ~$ 1 part of the: F, same motion, Commissioner Gustaveson further moved that those ;: f persons listEC1 an 4his NOTICE also be notif_i.ed of Orange ! i County's withdratral as set out above. i r 1 8. xhis motion b~> Commis,iancr Gustaveson [vas seconded by Commissioner t~lillhoit. ' I I 9. This motion [vas voted on and approved uran3.nausly. i ~~ fr .~ s^,r ~ .: f ~f~,f~ Ord ~... RIC:Ii11I2~F11Tt'iD C]-air~al'1 ~ , Orange County Board of _ ~ ~ County Corr~rnissioner_s ' f 2 , AGATIIA :IOHNSDN, C]_erk of the Board of Commissioners faz the County of Orange, North Carolina, do hereby c4rtifX tha-E thc,~~ r ~ foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of tltc. Board of Commissioners for sai_d•County at a regular meeting he.;l.,- j an February 16, 1977, in Orange County, North Carolina, as ze- f fates to -the tva•thdracval »y Orange Cou_ncy from ti?o Caswell, Chat]'; Person, Lee and Orange Iistrict Health Department and the dis- solution of the Board of the said District Health Depax•tment effective at the close of business of the said District Itaalth Depax'tment on June 30, 1977.. ~ L~ f . t • AGA~IA JOFIhjS0.1, Clerk of the Board of County Cammissioraers for Orange.County, North Carolina } ]:'age Three I (SEAL) - & Et=P.\HOLZ I~~LLSD~~,JGN, ti. C; ~ ~ ~ ' ` •1 1 I