HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-1999 Board of Health MinutesBOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1999
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors
of the Plainview --Hale County Health Department was called
to order at approximately 12=30 P.M., Thursday, July 15,
1999, at Plainview Country Club by Vice Chairman John
Peck.
Those attending were; Dr. Kit Linton, John Peck, John
Castro, Kathy Curry,R.N., Earl Brown, Rey Rosas, Sally
Meeks,R.N., Cinde Ebeling, Margaret Kay, Dr: Stephen L.
Turner, Mike Hutcherson, Benny Cantwell, Earle Mc Donough,
Jack Mc Casland, City Manager Jim Jeffers and the secre-
tary, Billie Standefer.
After the Invocation by Earle Mc Donough, Vice Chairman
Peck asked for corrections/additions to the minutes of
the last meeting. When none were noted, Rey Rosas moved
the minutes be approved as presented. With a second to
this motion by Sally Meeks, the Board voted approval.
Mr. Peck then asked for approval of payment of expend-
itures for April and May, 1999. Mr. Brown made the
motion the payment of expenditures be approved. A
second to that motion was made by Cinde Ebeling, and
approval was voted by the Board.
Dr. Turner stated the Communicable Diseases reported
were about as expected "for this time of year". He
explained two case of Hepatitis C had been reported,
and said the Sexually Transmitted Disease Report was
about average. He told Board members PhilSullivan,
L.V.N., (Department nurse) had attended a two week
training session at the Dallas STD/HIV Prevention
Training Center where he (Phil) attained the status
of STD Clinician.
He shared with Board members that the County had
established its own JJAEP Program. (A program to
help young people in trouble.) He said the previous
program in charge of these young people had "pushed
the kids into activities too fast", and cited one case
where a boy was forced to do so many exercises the
day before he could not walk without assistance.
He stated Judge Hol.lars had suggested looking into
having a physician specifically for this program,
allowing the appointed physician to do physicals for
these young people before they go into the program and
monitor them while in the program. He said it was of
general opinion the County Health Authority should be
this physician; that he could be directly involved in
the discipline of these young people so their routine
would not be too excessive.
Mr. Jeffers stated the liability to the City/County
for the physician's services would be, minimal.
Chairman Kit Linton, M.D., had joined the meeting, and
asked Mr Castro for his report.
Mr. Castro told Board members he had attended meetings,
concerning Public Health, in Midland and Austin. He
shared that the new Grants from T.D.H. hadbeen received,
these allowing $ 69,600.00 for Regional Programs and
$ 45,300.00 for the Immunization Program. He said next
year's Grant Funds would probably stay the same.
He said other discussions at the meetings he attended
addressed Teen Pregnancies and the Smoking issues.
Statistics, he said, had determined these had declined.
He explained one of his concerns was in getting a
clarification on being able to carry over revenue from
one Contract year to the next.
Kathy Curry, R.N., gave an informative report of the
study of Safety restraints for babies and children as
well as adults. She stated many small children die in
automobile accidents because they are not restrained
properly. She stated, in 1997, 282,000 children under
14 years of age, were injured in auto accidents - 63%
of these were unrestrained. She said these statistics
indicate seat belts/child seats do need to be used and
used correctly= She stated regulations show every child
from birth to age two, should ride in a car seats every
child, two to four years of age, should ride in a safety
seat or have seat belts. She said Chief Mull will
consider doing safety checks in Plainview to see if these
regulations are being followed.
Jack Mc Casland, Environmental, Health Inspector for Hale
County, explained and discussed the new Food Service
Establishment's Inspections Regulations. He said one of
the major changes was the reduction of degrees of tempera-
ture for long-term storage of potentially hazardous foods,
from 45 degrees to 41 degrees. However, he said, this
regulation had a grace period, but should be implemented
no later than September 9. 2003. He explained potentially
hazardous, ready to eat prepared foods are now required to
have date markings, and said food handlers are not requir-
ed to wear gloves, but must use an approved hand sanitizer
after washing their hands and before handling ready -to -
eat food.
Mr. Mc Casland stated shell eggs were considered to be a
potentially hazardous food, but under State statute,
could be stored at 45 degrees rather than 41 degrees.
He explained facilities serving a highly susceptible
populations, such as Nursing homes and Day Care
facilities, were held to higher standards of operations.
When inspecting any facility and finds violations, he
said, at least five of these violations must be corrected
while he is in the facility. Another mandatory regulation
is the posting of a Heimlich (Choking) poster in any food
service establishment that has seating capacity.
The employer, Mr. Mc Casland stated, after offering to
hire a potential employee, must ask a series of health
related questions; the potential employee must pass the
regulations of these health requirements.
In finalizing his report, Mr. Mc Casland explained the
number one cause of food borne illness is improper
temperature of foods.
The Chairman called for a vote for approving the new
regulations concerning Food Service Establishments.
Cinde Ebeling moved to approve acceptance of the new
regulations. With a second to this motion by Margaret
Kay, the Board voted approval.
Cinde Ebeling expressed her appreciation for the "great
work Mr. Mc Casland was doing for the Department and
Hale County" as Environmental Health Inspector. She
said he not only did a great job with inspections, but
also in educating entities as to proper regulations.
Mr. Castro stated there had been speculation of
posting scores for Food Service Establishments in the
newspaper and on the City of Plainview home page.
He said he would send letters to notify owners of
this proposal to get their opinion.
Earle Mc Donough suggested giving business owners
a Certificate of Recognition when they made a high
score.
Mr. Castro explained the County had received a settle-
ment from tobacco companies. He asked for support from
Board members to request funds from the County from
this settlement for purchasing Audio Visual equipment.
He stated this equipment would be invaluable in giving
presentations when needed.
After a lengthy discussion, Rey Rosas moved to allow
Mr. Castro to go before the Commissioners' Court to
request the needed equipment.
this motion by.Cinde Ebeling,
Benny Cantwell explained the
tobacco companies was really
by the County.Previously..
With a second to
the Board voted approval.
settlement money from
a refund, of monies paid in
Mr. Castro said there had been,,a question about Tattoo
Parlors' licensing., He stated they were classified as
Beauty Parlors and licensed by the state.
There was no other business. Chairman Linton adjourn
t aeting.
Billie Standefer
Secretary
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