Health Committee

December 6, 2006 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Members:                   Sean Clark, Chairman; Sandy Price, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler, Ron Van Dee and Tom Williams

Others Present:         Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Jackie Gailor, Director of Public Health; Michael Kilmer, Director of Administrative Services, Mental Health Department; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

Mr. Cornell made the motion to adopt the minutes of the October 11, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Van Dee.  All members present voting in favor, minutes approved as printed. 

RESOLUTIONS:

Health Department

Mr. Van Dee made a motion to approve Agenda Items 1 through 10 as a consent agenda; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion carried.

Health Department Consent Agenda

 

1.                  Authorize Agreement (Cortland Regional Medical Center Transfer Agreement)

2.                  Authorize Agreement (Nursing Division) (Preferred Provider Agreements)

3.                  Authorize Agreements (Nursing Division) (Contracted Services)

4.                  Authorize Agreement (Nursing Division) Cortland Regional Medical Center (Childbirth Classes)

5.                  Authorize Agreement (Nursing Division) MOMS Programs Provider Physicians

6.          Authorize Agreements/Children with Special Needs Division (Contracts for Services)

7.          Authorize Agreements/Accept Funds/Children With Special Needs Program (NYS Facilitated Enrollment Program).

8.          Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds/Children With Special Needs Program (CSHCN NYS Grant)

9.          Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds/Children With Special Needs Program (EIP NYS Grant)

10.        Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds/Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health (State Grant)

 

Mr. Van Dee made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  Ms. Gailor explained that all the consent agenda items are to accept grants and authorize agreements.  She added that this is done annually.  Mr. Clark questioned the Jacobous Center resolution.  Ms. Gailor explained that this is extra funding that needs to be expended by December 31, 2006.  She added that it would be expended on pharmaceutical and medical supplies.  Mr. Van Donsel discussed the 90-day extension, automatic renewal extension.  Ms. Gailor explained that this is being incorporated in all contracts to assist at the end of the Legislative term; outgoing Legislators would not set policy for new Legislators.  Ms. Gailor further discussed and explained that facilitated enrollment have 180-day extensions.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; consent agenda, containing items 1 through 10, approved.

 

11.       Abolish Public Health Social Work Assistant - Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee.  Ms. Gailor explained that the caseload has been decreasing and they have expected it to increase but have not seen that increase.  She discussed that she has spoken with the individual in that position and has offered her a reduction in hours but the individual cannot do that.  She added that she could look to Hospice for help if the need arises.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

Mental Health Department

 

12.       Authorize Agreements (Several Agencies, Etc.) – Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  Mr. Kilmer explained that this is to renew contracts.  Mr. Van Donsel inquired if the terms would remain the same and if there were any anticipated changes.  Mr. Kilmer stated that they would remain the same except for State contracts.  He added that some times the state makes required changes.  Mr. Van Donsel requested that if there are any changes to please make his office aware of the changes.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

13.       Authorize Agreements (Mental Health Services) – Ms. Price moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Van Dee.  Mr. Kilmer briefly discussed the agreements involved in the resolution.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

14.       Amend Budget (NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.  Mr. Kilmer expressed that the State aid money has changed and the contract needs amending.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

15.       Authorize Agreement (Intensive Case Management) – Mr. Van Dee moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.  Mr. Kilmer explained that this is to extend a contract regarding 24-hour hotline for Intensive Case Management.  He added that the terms have not changed.  Mr. McKee inquired if anything can be done to make this a two-year contract.  Mr. Kilmer expressed that he did not know but would check into it.  Mr. Van Donsel explained that the two-year contract runs with the term of the Legislature and suggested that contracts be renewed with that in mind.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

16.       Amend Budget (Family Support Services) – Mr. Van Dee moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.  Mr. Kilmer explained that $700 was negotiated from the Youth Bureau and this will make the budget amendment needed.  Mr. Schrader requested to look at the resolution and correct any errors, if necessary.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

17.       Authorize Agreement (New Justice Conflict Resolution Services, Inc.) – Mr. Van Dee moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.  Mr. Kilmer explained that this is basically used in family wrap around crisis situations.  He added that the individual sits down with the family and explains the rights and available resources.  He added that the office is out of Syracuse.  Mr. Kilmer further discussed that the current contract has lapsed.  Committee members discussed adding the year 2007 to the contract.  Mr. Schrader explained that the resolution could be amended on the floor of the Legislature.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

 

 

Mental Health Statistical Report – Mr. Kilmer provided a Mental Health Statistical Report to all Committee members.  Mr. Schrader inquired about the November wait list for Adult and Children services being decreased but on this report that is not reflected.  Mr. Kilmer expressed that that wait list has decreased and the report does not reflect that.  Mr. Kilmer discussed the report briefly.  He additionally, explained that there has been an influx of calls recently but he understands that this is an annual trend. 

Ms. Gailor reported that there are no waits for Pre K programs and Early Intervention. 

Ms. Gailor explained that there was an elevated lead level in water at the Applebee School in Marathon.  She explained that at times an elevated lead level may appear and after retesting the level there is no elevation.  She informed the Committee that this school was tested in the Spring and retested in October and there is still an elevated level.  She informed Committee members that this brings up a great deal of concerns.  She added that the levels that have been elevated are not elevated enough to cause alarm.  She stated that this is an alert to look for the source.  Ms. Gailor informed the Committee that there is a great deal of concern in the public.  She stated that there is a Public Hearing on December 19, 2006 at 5:00 pm to help the public understand this.  She additionally informed the Committee that there are over 100 schools in New York State with this problem.  Ms. Gailor explained that lead concerns and that there is more of a concern with infants and explained why infants are a larger concern.  She added that there is still a fear of lead contamination that can cause mental deficiencies.  Ms. Gailor explained that there a lot of factors involved and the major issue is to properly inform the public.  She further discussed that is individuals are concerned they should consult their physicians.     

Ms. Gailor informed the Committee that on Thursday, December 7, 2006 Mr. Schrader, Cathy Feuerherm and herself would be attending a SHRPC meeting in Albany regarding the CHHA.  She briefly mentioned that two private hospitals, St. Josephs and Cortland Regional Medical Center, have applied for CHHA licensing.  Ms. Gailor expressed that there is not enough business in Cortland County for more than one agency.  Mr. Schrader expanded and discussed that there is no need for two additional certified agencies.  He discussed that there is the potential to put the County CHHA out of business.  He added that the State granting these licenses would jeopardize the County’s program.  He discussed that these two other agencies would “cherry pick” the cases and the County would be left to travel to distant clients.  He additionally discussed that this will leave the County hard pressed to handle and respond to emergencies.  Mr. Schrader further discussed that this happened in Broome County and over the summer during the flooding the private sector abandoned people in shelters.  Mr. Schrader stated that this would hinder the County’s response to emergency situations.  He discussed that the CHHA is a safety net for the County to respond to emergencies.  Mr. Schrader explained that he has sent a letter to members of the SHRPC.  Mr. Schrader discussed the moratorium on granting licenses for CHHA but he is not certain that these licenses will not be granted because of the moratorium.  Mr. Schrader discussed the State unofficially approving these licenses and trying to push this through to the Governor for his approval before the current Governor leaves office.  Mr. Schrader stated that this is a serious situation to the long-term viability to CHHA.  He added that he might need to involve the help of elected officials.  Mr. McKee inquired about this possibly being related to the State closing hospitals recently.  Mr. Schrader discussed the public providing health services, particularly in emergency situations, especially in cases such as small pox break out or similar emergencies.  Ms. Gailor expressed that at a recent disaster preparedness meeting regarding the responses to emergencies, Cortland Regional Medical stated, “don’t send them here” when asked about responding to an outbreak such as small pox.  Mr. Schrader asked how the County can respond to an emergency of they have no staff.  He added that a CHHA is the least costly way to provide these services.  He discussed the CHHA being a revenue provider.  Mr. Schrader explained that Cortland Regional Medical Center controls the referrals.  Mr. Schrader stated that he believes that the cost of providing service out ways the cost in the ability to respond to emergencies and added that it is very dangerous for the Hospital to be unable to respond to emergencies.  Mr. Schrader explained that it is imperatives that the State not to grant these licenses.  Mr. Schrader discussed this unofficial decision by the State being related to their recent closing of hospitals and coinciding with the report that Mr. McKee mentioned.  Mr. Cornell inquired about drafting resolution regarding Legislature support.  Mr. Schrader asked that they wait to see the outcome of the meeting on Thursday.  Ms. Gailor discussed the government taking too long to respond. Mr. Schrader discussed a situation in which the fixed language hindered the County’s response.  Committee members discussed the 30 plus year history of the CHHA only being able to not provide service twice.  Ms. Gailor expressed that Cortland County has received the maximum revenue for CHHA since at least 1972.  She added that not every County does that.  She additionally commented that Cortland County has proven that they can respond in an emergency.  Mr. Clark expressed his support.  Ms. Gailor expressed that she has spoken with Broome County regarding the summer flooding and it took the County two days to respond to people in shelters and then they used nursing students to provide care.  The consensus of the Committee was to support Mr. Schrader, Ms. Feuerherm and Ms. Gailor in their attendance of the SHRPC meeting in Albany, Thursday, December 7, 2005.                      

Mr. Williams requested that the Health Committee go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue. 

Mr. Williams made a motion to go into Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  The Health Committee went into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue at 8:10 am. 

At 8:23 the Health Committee adjourned from Executive Session with nothing to report. 

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  Mr. Clark adjourned the meeting at 8:23 a.m.

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