January 21, 2011 Minutes
FARGO CASS PUBLIC HEALTH
BOARD OF HEALTH
Present: Nicholas Dorsher, DDS; Dinah Goldenberg; Kathryn Leclerc; Ken Pawluk; Richard Rohla, MD; and Mike Thorstad
Excused: Michelle Donarski, JD; Tim Mahoney, MD; and Diane Moderow
Others Present: Larry Anenson; Ruth Bachmeier; John Baird, MD; Myron Berglund; Desi Fleming; Doug Murphy; and Melissa Perala
Kathryn Leclerc called the meeting to order.
1. Announcements: Added flood preparation to our agenda.
2. Approve minutes from December 3, 2010: Dinah Goldenberg made a motion to approve the minutes, Dr. Rohla seconded, and motion passed.
3. Reports:
• Budget Report through December 2010: Circulated copies of year end. Revenue went over 8.5 percent and expenditures met budget. Discussed how revenue goes back to City of Fargo general fund. Discussed question of why revenue was not spread to all partners.
• Year End statistical Report: Handed out copies of fourth quarter stats. Discussed clinic new software tracking. Correctional health is up in all areas. Talked about decrease in immunizations because of no H1N1, this year is normal.
• Health Officer’s Report: Distributed copies. Dr. Baird has been working on Tuberculosis, rewrote legislative bill regarding TB, along with routine coroner work.
4. Smoke Free Work Place: Have had several businesses wanting to open Hookah lounges or bars. Larry explained that Hookah is a water pipe that is used to smoke tobacco. Discussed water pipes lead to cancer like smoking tobacco , businesses wanting to work with the health department , and businesses falling under retail tobacco for licensure if no food, beverage, or entertainment is available . Staff questioned businesses about second hand smoke . Ken Pawluk felt this loophole should not be allowed. Ruth said we have had legal counsel and because of the exceptions to the retail smoke free workplace ordinance , there was a precedence set here . We are trying to work very closely with them to address environmental issues and sharing mouth pieces and monitoring if there is infiltration. Talked about if and when we are able to change the ordinance or certainly when the State goes smoke free we will work very hard to get those exemptions removed.
5. Legislative Review: Ruth highlighted the proposed increase in State Aid for the biennium. We oppose HB 1353 because we could be losing all of our tobacco funds. A proposed letter was circulated from the Board of Health to the legislative education committee. Ken Pawluk made a motion to approve sending this letter, Mike Thorstad seconded and motion passed.
Talked about other bills we are watching: school nursing, universal immunizations, pharmacies administering vaccines, school bullying, graduated drivers licenses, smoking in cars with children present, and allowing minors coming into bars for eating purposes which the City is opposing. Also working on tuberculosis legislation, health costs for inmates (want to limit the exposure for the county), and watching bills regarding federal health care reform.
6. Other:
• Home visit funding: Desi Fleming gave update on home visiting funding. Bill is in the health department base budget and we are hopeful it will pass. Governor has endorsed.
• Flood preparation: We are starting our flood facility meetings with the long term care association and for the vulnerable population of the community. Mitigation has been done but again it is Doug’s team’s job to plan for the event. Vulnerable population registries have been updated. Dr. Baird does do a lot of flood preparation behind the scenes. Still having discussions about mandatory evacuation orders versus voluntary evacuation order. We are working with the community to have a personal plan in place.
• Elder care: Brief discussion about elder care and Quality Service Providers (QSP’s) in our community..
Next meeting will be asscheduled for March 17th instead of the 18th.
Adjournment: Dr. Rohla made a motion to adjourn, Dinah Goldenberg seconded, and motion passed.
