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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH minutes 111705MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH November 17, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 1 November 17, 2005 ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT: To enhance the quality of life, promote the health, and preserve the environment for all people in the Orange County community. THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MET ON November 17, 2005 at the Government Services Center, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT: Alan Rimer, Chair; Jessica Lee, Vice-Chair; Alice White; Matt Vizithum; Jim Stefanadis; Moses Carey, Jr.; Sharon Van Horn; Chris Harlan BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharon Freeland, out of town; Tim Carey, out of town STAFF PRESENT: Rosemary Summers, Health Director; Angela Cooke, Dental Health Services Division Director; Ron Holdway, Environmental Health Services Division Director; Donna King, Health Promotion and Education Division Director; Wayne Sherman, Personal Health Services Division Director; Anne Miles Cassell, Administrative Assistant; GUESTS PRESENT: Bob Moratto, Animal Services Director I. Welcome and Introductions Alan Rimer called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. II. Approval of November 17, 2005 Agenda The motion to approve the Agenda of November 17, 2005 was made by Jessica Lee, seconded by Moses Carey, and carried without dissent. III. Approval of October 27, 2005 Minutes Correction to the minutes to add Wayne Sherman, Personal Health Services Division Director to “Staff Present.” Motion to approve the minutes of October 27, 2005 as amended was made by Moses Carey, Jr., seconded by Chris Harlan, and carried without dissent. IV. Public Comment for Items NOT on Printed Agenda Alan Rimer spoke as a member of the public and commended the Department for the outstanding teamwork and speedy service provided at the recent “Flu Blitzes”. He and the public he spoke with were very impressed with the efficiency of the delivery system in place by the Department. V. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action A. Petting Zoo Regulation Discussion MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH November 17, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 2 November 17, 2005 An e coli outbreak across the state in the fall of 2004 was traced back to a petting zoo at the NC State Fair. Since that time, the NC Department of Agriculture developed and published guidelines that were designed to help prevent such outbreaks. During the 2005 NC legislative session, the General Assembly directed the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules and “continue educating agricultural fair operators, exhibitors, agritourism business operators, and the general public about the health risks associated with animal exhibitions.” In light of this, it seems that additional local regulation may not be necessary, but discussion of the issue would provide direction to staff. Bob Moratto, Animal Services Director, was present to answer questions from the Board. It was agreed that until the rules are finalized by the Department of Agriculture it would be difficult to determine what actions the department would need to take. Mr. Marotto and Dr. Summers will consult with the county attorney to determine whether the law addresses relevant venues. B. Resolution on Influenza Vaccine Supply For the past several years, there have been problems with influenza vaccine supplies. This year although there seems to be adequate supplies, the distribution seems to favor large purchasers without giving priority to government or safety net providers. The Department has been in consultation with the NC Division of Public Health and offers the draft resolution that many Board members offered support for this resolution and encouraged the forwarding to commissioners. Motion to adopt the resolution and forward to the Board of Commissioners for consideration was made by Alice White, seconded by Matt Vizithum, and carried without dissent. C. Board Officer Nominations for 2006 The election of officers occurs during November or December to allow for a smooth transition of leadership for the next calendar year. This procedure, providing for a one-year term and elections at the last regular meeting for the year, was adopted in 2000. The nominating committee proposed Jessica Lee for the Chair position and Matt Vizithum for the Vice Chair position. No other nominations were made from the floor. Additional opportunity for nominations from the floor will be made next month at the election. Alan Rimer suggested the Board consider revising the officer terms to two-years to assist in continuity from year to year. The Board agreed to consider this in February. D. Veterinarian Vacancy The veterinarian position is currently vacant and the nominating committee has received one current applicant for the slot. The Board reviewed the application and heard recommendations from Board members. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH November 17, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 3 November 17, 2005 Motion to forward the suggestion for appointment of the applicant to the Veterinarian position on the Board of Health to the Board of County Commissions for consideration was made by Matt Vizithum, seconded by Chris Harlan, and carried without dissent. E. Informational Items a. Flu Immunization Status Wayne Sherman reported that the Department had received all the flu vaccine that had been ordered and to date had given 3,169 flu shots. At the Flu Blitz held on November 5, 691 shots were given within a two and a half hour period before running out of vaccine. At the Flu Blitz on November 12 in the northern end of the county 564 flu shots were given in a 7-hour period. The Flu Blitzes were both a real event and a practice operation of mass medication distribution procedures. Any vaccine not used by the department by the end of November will be distributed to providers in the community that did not receive any shipments of vaccine for their patients. b. December meeting arrangements The December meeting will be a dinner meeting held in the Mezzanine Room at the Weathervane Restaurant at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill at 6:30 PM. F. Tracking Form Review Several changes noted were: • Delay customer packet for Environmental Health until January 2006 due to the Mill Creek investigation • Completed Strategic Plan • Contact negotiations with Early Head Start are still in progress • Delayed Community Awards Program discussion until spring The Board also agreed to add the Petting Zoo Regulation Discussion and Board of Health officer terms of service to Pending Matters. VI. Board Comments/Announcements None V. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Moses Carey, Jr., seconded by Matt Vizithum, and carried without dissent. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH November 17, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 4 November 17, 2005 The next Board of Health meeting will be a dinner meeting held on December 15, 2005 at the Weathervane Restaurant at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, North Carolina at 6:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Rosemary L. Summers, MPH, DrPH Health Director Secretary to the Board