MINUTES

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board

November 19, 2007

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The monthly meeting of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board was held Monday,

November 19, 2007.  Chair Donna Bell called the meeting to order.

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Karen Shumate moved that the Consent Agenda consisting of the Health Board Minutes of October 22, 2007, October 2007monthly Financial Reports, monthly Activity Reports and monthly HPV Vaccine Report be approved.  Gerald Pees provided the second and the motion passed.

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

City-County Funding Agreement Update

 

200 Maine, Suite B

Lawrence, KS  66044-1357

 

OFFICE: 785/843-3060    FAX: 785/843-3161

CLINIC: 785/843-0721    FAX: 785/843-2930
 
Dave Corliss, City Manager, attended the Board meeting to discuss local funding for the Health Department.  Dave reviewed background information on the City budget and said the City and the agencies it supports need to find ways to grow revenue without raising the mill levy.  Dave also stated that the City is committed to supporting the Health Department and that the Health Department should expect to live within the same budget constraints as the rest of the City departments.  Dave is working with City and County Commissioners to plan a meeting the first part of 2008 to discuss the long standing 60/40 funding agreement.

 

Reports on Board/Commission Outreach

 

Dan Partridge reported that Alan Cowles invited Boog Highberger, City Commissioner, to tour the Health Department.  Dan Partridge led the tour with Boog Highberger and Alan Cowles on Thursday, November 1, 2007.

 

Alan Cowles updated the Board on his field trip on November 8, 2007, with Andrew Stull, Environmental Health Specialist.  Alan went on a Cereal Malt Beverage inspection with Andrew to the Dillon’s store on Massachusetts Street.  Alan said his visit was very informative. 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Pool and Spa Code Amendments

 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) drafted statewide regulations of pools and spas associated with lodging establishments.  Richard Ziesenis, Director of Environmental Health, participated in the development of the KDHE pool and spa regulations. As a result, staff presented to the Board proposed revisions to the Lawrence -Douglas County Health Department Regulations for Swimming Pools and Spas. These revisions include: 1) establishing a licensing requirement; 2) requiring testing and recording of pH levels; 3) changing disinfection requirements to conform with new state regulations and federal guidelines.   Gerald Pees made a motion to approve the proposed Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department Regulations for Swimming Pools and Spas.  Karen Shumate provided the second and the motion passed.

 

It was proposed that effective January 1, 2008, all operators of Recreational Water Facilities in the City of Lawrence be required to obtain an annual license.  An annual license fee shall be charged by the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department.  The fee for this license shall be set by the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board.  No Recreational Water Facility shall be allowed to operate without a current valid Recreational Water Facility license.  The proposed license fee is $120.00 for the first pool or spa and $60.00 for each additional pool or spa.  Gerald Pees made a motion to recommend the Recreational Water Facility license fee of $120.00 for the first swimming pool or spa and $60.00 for each additional pool or spa be approved.  Karen Shumate provided the second and the motion passed.

 

Medical Consultant/Health Officer Confirmation

 

Dan Partridge provided an update to the Health Board on candidates who were contacted and interviewed for the Medical Consultant/Health Officer position.  Staff recommended Dr. Lori Hougham for the position.  Alan Cowles made a motion to approve the recommendation of Dr. Lori Hougham as the Health Department Medical Consultant/Health Officer.  Karen Shumate provided the second and the motion passed.

 

 

Employee Manual At-Will Employment Language

 

Alan Cowles recommended the Board change the “at-will” language on the Employee Manual Acknowledgement and Receipt form.  After discussion, it was decided that Dan Partridge invite Evan Ice, Attorney at Law, to attend the January Health Board meeting to discuss alternate language.

 

 

Director’s Report

 

1.      As part of the Strategic Plan update, Lisa Horn, Communications Coordinator, presented a slide show of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department’s new website, www.ldchealth.org.

 

2.      Jennie Henault, Director of Administrative Services, reviewed the rework of the QuickBooks accounting system with the Board.  Jennie explained how the new accounting system will allow us to better allocate costs to programs.

 

3.      Dan Partridge provided the Board with an update on the continuation of the Human Resources review.  The main focus is on the Fair Labor Standards Act and classification of exempt and non-exempt employees. Once recommended changes have been developed, they will be brought back to the Board for approval.

 

4.      Dan Partridge updated the Board on the local flu activity.  The Health Department has administered 3,041 flu vaccinations to date.  The week of November 26 through December 2 is National Influenza Vaccination Week.

 

5.      Dan Partridge stated that the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department recently joined the National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH).  Dan provided each Board member with a copy of the NALBOH Newsletter.

 

6.      Dan Partridge provided information regarding the National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP), which is an important component of the Health Department’s ongoing accreditation and quality improvement initiatives. Dan will provide Board members with the link to the NPHPSP assessment instrument. Dan will introduce this process at the January 2008 meeting.

 

7.      Dan Partridge shared with the Board copies of letter received from the public recognizing staff for providing exceptional services.  The letters recognized Child Care Licensing, clinic services, and community flu clinic staff.   

 

8.      Dan Partridge invited the Board to the Christmas Luncheon which is tentatively set for December 12, 2007. 

 

9.      Dan Partridge reported that the agency will host a reception celebrating Project LIVELY’s 25 years of service on December 6, 2007, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the 2nd floor meeting rooms.  All Board members are invited.

 

 

Other New Business

 

1.      The Board signed a letter for Mary Kay White congratulating her on 10 years of service with the Health Department.  The Board also signed a letter for Laurie Moser congratulating her on 5 years of service with the Health Department.

 

2.      The next Health Board meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2007.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Gerald Pees and a second by Karen Shumate.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Dan Partridge,

Secretary

 

 

Present:          Donna Bell     

Alan Cowles

Gerald Pees

Karen Shumate

Ex Officio:      Dan Partridge

Other:             Jennie Henault

Colleen Hill

Lisa Horn

Charlotte Marthaler

Richard Ziesenis

Dave Corliss

Beth Britt