Health Committee
July 11, 2007 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Corrected
Members: Sean Clark, Chairman; Sandy Price, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler and Ron Van Dee
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman, County Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; M. J. Uttech, Deputy Director of Public Health; Michael Kilmer, Director of Administrative Services, Mental Health Department; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Absent:
Tom Williams
Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m.
Ms. Price moved adoption of the minutes of the June 13, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:
**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Chairman of the Health Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.
·
Contract - Locum Tenens for the Recruitment of a Staff Psychiatrist
· Mailing Labels, Psychiatrist Recruitment
RESOLUTIONS:
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
1.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Indoor Radon Grant – Mr. McKee
moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.
Ms. Price inquired about the resolution including $100 for radon
mitigation systems and what exactly these systems are. Ms. Uttech explained
that the radon mitigation system assists in moving the air out.
Committee members discussed the total cost of a radon mitigation system
ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. All
members present voting in favor;
none opposed; resolution approved.
2.
Authorize Agreement/Administration/Environmental Health (Laser Printer
Maintenance) – Ms. Price moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee. Ms.
Brown inquired about the consolidation of this type of maintenance.
Mr. Schrader explained there are not enough pieces of equipment to
consolidate this. He added grant
money is received to pay for this equipment and the maintenance.
Mr. Schrader also discussed the history of the County having a contract
for maintenance services and the cost related to this. He added that currently there are only a small number of
machines in need of maintenance and generally it is contracted through Davelle
Office Equipment. Committee
members discussed maintenance and general repair of equipment.
All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
3.
Authorize Agreement, Cortland County
Health Department/Nursing Division, McBee Associates (The title indicated
on the agenda read, Authorizing an Agreement/Health Education Cancer Screening
Program Authorize Third Party Agreement and should have read Authorize
Agreement, Cortland County Health Department/Nursing Division, McBee
Associates as indicated in the resolution.
The resolution discussed in Health Committee was Authorize Agreement,
Cortland County Health Department/Nursing Division, McBee Associates)
– Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Price. Mr. McKee inquired about the normal recovery in regards to
this. Mr. Schrader expressed that
normally the anticipated recovery is from one-quarter to one-third.
Mr. Clark inquired about how much is expected from this.
Ms. Uttech explained that they do not expect to find much. She added that some might be found in the up coding and down
coding. Mr. Schrader expressed
the current software used does the reporting and there is very little staff
time involved in this. All
members present voting in favor;
none opposed; resolution approved.
4.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Central NY Regional Immunization
Information System – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee.
No Committee discussion occurred in regards to this resolution. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
MENTAL HEALTH
5.
Amend Budget Mental Health Department
(NYS Office of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities)
Ms. Price moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.
No Committee discussion occurred in regards to this resolution.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
approved.
Ms. Price commented that she had lunch with clients from ARC and also
visited the residence. She
expressed that the residence are very well maintained.
She encouraged anyone who has the opportunity to visit ARC.
DISCUSSION:
1.
** Contract - Locum Tenens for the Recruitment of a Staff Psychiatrist
– Mr. Clark explained that the resolution regarding the contract with Locum
Tenens to recruit a staff psychiatrist was pulled at the last Legislative
Session because there were questions that arose that pertained to this.
He inquired as to when the $28,000 was to be paid.
Mr. Schrader explained that payment is expected to be made when the
County receives written acceptance by the physician of an offer for
employment. He added that the
County considers written acceptance to be a contract.
He additionally discussed what would happen if employment was
terminated and the physician was to leave within ninety days.
Chairman Brown inquired as to what would happen if we were to find a
physician on our own. Mr.
Schrader explained that there would only be a problem if the person were one
of the individuals that Locum Tenens gave us.
Mr. McKee inquired about any possible prospects.
Mr. Schrader and Mr. Kilmer expressed that there were none.
Mr. Cornell inquired about advertising of the vacancy.
Mr. Kilmer explained that he has paid over $4,000 in advertising only
for this vacancy and added that he has spent a great deal time as well.
Mr. Schrader expressed that the position being advertised in major
metropolitan areas in New York State. Mr.
Clark explained the typical procedure involved in filling vacancies in regards
to this profession and that it can be difficult.
Mr. Schrader expressed that the Mental Health Clinic is in a difficult
position. Mr. Kilmer did express that a recent resignation that was
received has been rescinded and that individual is assisting in the clinic for
one day a week. Committee members
discussed the need for more hours in the clinic.
Mr. McKee inquired about Family Counseling Services offer of
assistance. Mr. Kilmer and Mr.
Schrader expressed and discussed Family Counseling Services still having a
six-month wait list. Mr. Kilmer
explained that Family Health Network was gracious to assist with a client.
Mr. Clark inquired about limiting the search for Psychiatrist to a
Child Psychiatrist. Mr. Kilmer
expressed that there are no limitations.
He further expressed that a Psychiatrist, Child Psychiatrist or not, is
needed. Mr. Kilmer and Mr.
Schrader explained that they received a phone call from an individual who is
willing to start next June, after he graduates.
Mr. McKee inquired about the use of some sort of telemedicine.
Mr. Kilmer discussed telemedicine and explained that the physicians
will not prescribe medication over the phone.
He further discussed that a physician can call and added that the
service is available and is rarely used.
Ms. Tytler explained that there were billing issues in relation to
this. Ms. Price expressed that
because we have a clinic we have a responsibility.
Mr. Clark expressed that it is different for a physician to call this
service than for a patient to call the service.
2.
** Mailing Labels, Psychiatrist Recruitment - Mr. Kilmer explained
that he has looked into the purchasing of labels after Ms. Tytler suggested it
at the last meeting. He explained
that he has information regarding this from American Medical Information, Inc.
He discussed the manner in which labels can be broken out.
He expressed that a digital file of 970 labels from Psychiatrist in New
York State can be purchased for $504 for unlimited use for one year; less than
$.50 per label. He explained that
the information provided is verified by the company and that they update the
information monthly. Ms. Tytler
discussed targeting areas where there is a more dense population of
Psychiatrists. She discussed
targeting firms with multiple psychiatrists and those psychiatrists may be
more likely to accept an employment opportunity of this type.
Ms. Tytler added that she has spoken with Linda Hartsock, Garry Van
Gorder and Jim Dempsey regarding packets of information regarding Cortland
County. She expressed that are
willing to assist and provide the requested information. Chairman Brown inquired about the time frame involved in
completing this. Committee
members discussed the work involved and stated that this should take seven to
ten days to put the information together.
Committee members discussed not having any conflicts in regards to the
contract with Locum Tenens and being able to use both services in an attempt
to recruit a psychiatrist.
Mr.
Cornell made a motion to have Mr. Kilmer purchase the entire file of labels
for use in Psychiatrist Recruitment; seconded by Mr. McKee.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion passed
Ms.
Price made a motion to have the resolution, Authorize Agreement with Locum
Tenens for the Recruitment of a Staff Psychiatrist, which was pulled from the
June 28, 2007 Legislative Session Agenda returned to full Legislature for
their consideration on July 26, 2007; seconded by Mr. Cornell.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
Mr. Cornell made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter; seconded by Ms. Tytler. The Health Committee went into Executive Session at 8:00.
The Health Committee came out of Executive Session at 8:32 with nothing to report.
Mr. Cornell made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark adjourned the meeting at 8:33 a.m.