Health Committee

May 11, 2004 – 8:30 a.m.

DRAFT Minutes

Members present: Dr. Paul DiGiovanni, Chairman; Larry Cornell, Vice Chairman; Mike McKee; Tamara Wyant, Newell Willcox; Steve Dafoe; Carol Tytler

Others present: Ann Homer, Jackie Gailor, Public Health Director; Linda Medeiros, Administrative Officer – Mental Health; Dr. Charles Capanzano – Mental Health Director.

Dr. DiGiovanni called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.

On the motion of Mr. Newell, seconded by Mr. McKee. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

RESOLUTIONS:

The following resolution was tabled from the April 6, 2004, meeting (therefore, no motion is required):

1. Transfer Funds, Health Department/ Children With Special Needs. A substitute resolution entitled "Authorize Agreement, Amend Budget, Health Department/Children with Special Needs Division" All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

2. Authorize Agreements/Accept Funds, Health Department/Administration (Healthy Living Partnership of CNY Tobacco Prevention and Control Grant). On the motion of Mr. McKee; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Mr. Willcox asked how the money was tracked. Mrs. Gailor explained the tracking/reporting process. Mrs. Tytler inquired about how the additional funds will be utilized. Mrs. Gailor provided examples of how the money will be utilized, including education in the schools. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

3. Authorize Agreements, Health Department/Nursing (Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program). On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Ms. Wyant. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

4. Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds, Health Department/Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health (State Grant). On the motion of Mr. Willcox; seconded by Mr. Dafoe. Mrs. Gailor explained that this is a three-month extension, since the State budget has not yet been adopted. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

5. Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds, Health Department/Nursing (Immunization Action Plan Grant). On the motion of Ms. Wyant; seconded by Mr. Cornell All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

6. Authorize Agreement, Health Department (O’Brien’s Group). On the motion of Mr. Willcox; seconded by Mr. McKee. Mrs. Gailor explained the purpose of this resolution. The "stockpile" is normally medical equipment and certain vaccines. There is a promise of delivery within 12 hours should there be an emergency and a need for the equipment/supply. There are 12 stockpile locations in the United States. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

7. Authorize Agreement, Mental Health Department (All-Mode Communications, Inc.). On the motion of Mr. McKee; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Dr. DiGiovanni asked Mrs. Medeiros what was covered. Mrs. Medeiros explained that it covers all parts and labor for maintenance of the telephone system. Mrs. Medeiros would like to amend the time frame to go through December 31, 2004, based on the fact that Data Processing anticipates taking over maintenance of the Mental Health phone system. All-Mode is receptive to amending the time frame. Mr. Corpora has indicated to Mrs. Medeiros that the dollar amount of this contract is reasonable. Ms. Wyant asked how much per service call. Mrs. Medeiros indicated it was between $78 and $95 per hour, plus a $40 base fee. There are 38 phones being serviced under this contract. Mr. Corpora indicated that the life of the system should be approximately 15 years without major problems, and the system is approximately 8 years old. Data Processing is not yet ready to take over the phone system, as they have not received the training from All-Mode Communications at this point. Mr. Cornell moved to amend May 31, 2005 to December 31, 2004, and to change the amount to $908.16; Mr. Willcox seconded; all members voting in favor; none opposed; amendment adopted. All members voting in favor of the amended resolution; none opposed; amended resolution adopted.

8. Authorize Agreement, Mental Health Department (Preferred Providers). On the motion of Mrs. Tytler, seconded by Mr. Cornell. All members voting in favor; one opposed; motion adopted.

9. Amend Budget, Mental Health Department (NYS Office of Substance Abuse Services). On the motion of Mr. McKee; seconded by Mrs. Tytler. Mr. McKee asked if this is a budget carry over? Mrs. Medeiros indicated that this is to amend the budget, as the County books were closed before the contracts were signed. This is to allow us to pass the funding on to the agencies; it is passing on State aid. Mrs. Tytler said we keep addressing things because contracts are not signed on time. Is that the real issue? Dr. DiGiovanni indicated he felt this should be addressed with Mr. Schrader and/or the Budget and Finance Committee. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/DISTRIBUTIONS:

Dr. DiGiovanni reviewed the survey material that was distributed prior to the last meeting. He reviewed the specific deficiencies that were addressed in the survey. There are four issues that were still noted as deficiencies in the January 2004 survey. Dr. DiGiovanni would like an on-going conversation and update to the committee on the status of these four deficiencies. Mr. Cornell echoed those comments. Dr. DiGiovanni indicated that Hospice also had a survey and the deficiencies were miniscule – there were no patient care issues – the issues surrounded recruitment and retention of volunteers. Dr. DiGiovanni reviewed the Environmental Health Camp Review. Mrs. Gailor indicated we have a summer camp program and the State comes down to make certain we are doing what we are supposed to do. The individual from the State verbally indicated that he felt we were doing a good job. Mrs. Gailor indicated this is not the same type of survey as for the health facility. This kind of survey is more consultative; it is not generally a punitive survey; so you will generally find it is more general.

Dr. DiGiovanni said as a general rule, the committee would like to be aware of surveys and reports and would like feedback from the Director of the Health Department on the status.

Mrs. Gailor indicated that a survey has been conducted on the MOMS program. Mrs. Uttech has found the survey and there was a corrective plan of action recommended. This corrective action had not been implemented and Mrs. Uttech is working on the implementation of the plan.

Mrs. Gailor inquired if the committees wants the surveys and Board of Health reports electronically or hard copy. If they can be sent electronically, it will save a great deal of paper. The consensus of the committee is that material that can be sent electronically if it is available. Mrs. Gailor will send the material as soon as it is available and will notify Mrs. Edwards to make a notation of the document on the next committee agenda.

Dr. DiGiovanni indicated that the Chairman of the Board of Health; the Chairman of the Health Committee; the Chairman of the Legislature; and the Public Health Director will be meeting at 4:00 p.m. today to clarify roles, responsibilities, and reporting of the Health Committee and the Board of Health. This is a continuation of the March 31, 2004, meeting. Any member of the Health Committee is welcome to attend.

Mrs. Gailor indicated that she is working with SDOH to conduct a training for the BOH members. Any Legislators would be welcome to attend that training once it is scheduled. Mrs. Gailor indicated that the SDOH is willing to come to the Health Committee and speak to the group about anything the committee desires.

2. Mrs. Medeiros distributed to the group the financial reports through April 2004 for the Mental Health Clinic. She has not had the opportunity to speak to the Treasurer regarding coordination of revenue reporting. Mrs. Medeiros indicated that the Horizon House revenue has been adjusted because the projection was too high due to lower participation and short staffing. However, next week, we will finally have full staffing at Horizon House.

There is a vacancy on the Community Services Board. Reverend Thomas Margrave has resigned as he is leaving the area. Please get any recommendations to Mrs. Medeiros.

3. Committee information requesting bids, West Nile Virus Prevention Program-Health Department/Environmental Health. Mrs. Gailor indicated this is the time of year we go out to bid. We will be going out to bid. In the past, ACME Pest Control has done the larvaciding. We put larvacide in the storm drains; it is a bacteria; it is a 30-day larvacide. It must be a dry time and it is generally repeated in the next month. We normally do this 2 to 3 times per summer depending on the number of birds dropping dead. Last year, we had 19 birds. This year we have sent 3 or 4 birds already, which means we have a slightly higher occurrence of birds this year. The cost last year was $2,000 to $3,000 per application and we applied twice. Once there is a positive bird, the rate of reimbursement increases to 50% up to $5,000. Mrs. Tytler asked if we use any of this money to do education. Mrs. Gailor indicated that we do a lot of educational promotions but it is part of our regular State funding – it is not part of this money. Mrs. Tytler asked if Mrs. Gailor knew if the school districts have evaluated their playground areas. Mrs. Gailor indicated that there was work done the first year with the schools and playgrounds but she cannot guarantee something has been done since. There has been a great deal of work with the public and businesses on tire storage and treatment. Mrs. Gailor indicated that we have collected and tested mosquitoes in Cortland. We have not found a positive mosquito but we know we have to have them as we have positive dead birds.

4. Mental Health Clinic Benchmark Report and May Mental Health Month – Charlie Capanzano. Dr. Capanzano indicated that he had several items that give general and specific information about mental health. He is doing this in conjunction with the annual celebration that May is Mental Health Month. Mental health is fundamental to the health and well being of the entire country. At any point in time, mental health issues are affecting 1 in 5 individuals. Dr. Capanzano reviewed some of the highlights of the mental health survey, which was distributed to the committee. Our Mental Health Clinic was found to be performing very well and very efficiently.

5. Cortland County Communities That Care Coalition – JoAnn Wickman, Kathi Tavarone, Karen Mastronardi – The group gave an overview of the Communities that Care program.

The recorder was excused prior to the Communities That Care presentation. The committee meeting adjourned following the presentation by the Communities That Care Coalition.

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