Health Committee
March 7, 2007 - 7:30 am
Corrected
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Sandy Price, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler, Ron Van Dee and Tom Williams
Others Present: 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; and Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Absent: Sean Clark
Ms. Price called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Mr. McKee made the motion to adopt the minutes of the February 7, 2007
meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms.
Tytler requested that clarity be made in agenda item number one from these
minutes. She requested that the
phrase “do not deviate from” be inserted.
All members present voting in
favor, minutes approved as amended.
RESOLUTIONS:
Health Department
1.
Authorize Agreement – Accept Funds, Health Department, Nursing Division,
(Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant) – Ms. Tytler
moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee.
Ms. Gailor explained that this is a cost of living adjustment (COLA)
for the Lead Poisoning Prevention grant.
Committee members discussed lead poisoning testing and New York State
regulations. They also discused how the Health Department works with a
family when elevated levels are discovered.
Ms. Gailor expressed that funds need to be spent by March 31, 2007.
Ms. Gailor explained that the Health Department plans on using these
funds towards website revisions. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
Ms. Tytler inquired about the lead testing at the Appleby School in
Marathon. Ms. Gailor explained
the treatment of water by municipalities and the tests conducted at the
Appleby School. Ms. Gailor
additionally discussed the testing and the trace elevation of lead found in
the water at Appleby School. She
expressed that notice went out and corrective measures have been taken.
Ms. Gailor explained that one faucet in the school was being replaced.
Mr. Van Dee and Ms. Gailor discussed flushing pipes and allowing
the water to run. Ms. Price
discussed a personal experience in regards to this and expressed that it can
happen to anyone. Ms. Gailor
expressed that according to New York State, Cortland County is not unique in
these matters. Committee members
discussed flushing pipes for 30 seconds.
Ms. Gailor expressed that New York State is not concerned with the
trace levels in Marathon.
2.
Authorize Agreement – Accept Funds, Health Department, Jacobus Center for
Reproductive Health, (State Grant) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption;
seconded by Ms. Tytler. Ms. Gailor explained that this is for the same COLA and must
be spent by March 31, 2007 and would be used for the same, website revisions.
All members present voting
in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
2A. Rescind
Resolution 41-07, Authorize Appointment, Health Department/Environmental
Health, Hearing Officers Services - Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Ms.
Tytler. Mr. Van Donsel explained
that after Resolution 41-07 was passed a contract was formulated with Dr.
Spitzer. He further explained
that this is simply an appointment and not a contract.
Committee members discussed this being a better format.
Mr. McKee inquired a negative impact and asked if this is used very
much. Mr. Schrader expressed that
the liability is low. Mr. Van
Donsel expressed that the County would have the ability to appeal a decision.
All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
3.
Abolish/Create Part-time Medical Services Clerk/Full-time Medical Services
Clerk – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
Mr. Kilmer explained that the Mental Health Clinic currently has a
part-time position that was filled and the worker left after two weeks.
He also explained that he contracts for transcription services.
Mr. Kilmer went on to explain that he has discussed this with Mr.
Schrader. Mr. Kilmer expressed
that he would like to make this a full-time position comprised of part-time
front desk receptionist and part-time transcriptionist.
Ms. Tytler inquired why transcriptionist is not part of the resolution.
Committee members briefly discussed this.
The consensus of the Committee was to add a “Whereas” in regards to
the transcriptionist. Ms. Tytler
inquired as to how much is allocated for the transcriptionist.
Mr. Kilmer explained that $7,000 is allocated for services from a
transcriptionist. Committee
members inquired about what is changing in regards to the transcriptionist.
Ms. Price inquired about what the new cost would be for the County.
Mr. Schrader explained that this would be approximately a $10,000
increase. Mr. Van Dee expressed
that he would use the words from a previous Judiciary and Public Safety
Committee meeting; the full picture and full increases are not seen here.
Mr. Williams discussed making this a County Policy; that any proposal
for an employee position needs to show the full annual increase.
Ms. Price explained that Kristen Monroe puts this type of information
in a template. Mr. Schrader
explained that the reason this has come about is that currently the Mental
Health Clinic contracts for these transcription services and require
professional liability insurance of the transcriptionist.
He added that this insurance is costly.
He expressed that the County is going to temporarily approve this
contract for this person without having the insurance until this issue can be
resolved. Mr. Schrader expressed
that if anyone knows of a medical transcriptionist, he is open to suggestions.
Ms. Tytler added that most doctor’s offices have them.
Mr. Schrader explained that he is aware of that but they are usually
in-house transcriptionists. Mr.
Schrader discussed insurance requirements and the liability for the County.
Mr. Van Dee expressed that he would pull this resolution if it went to
Budget and Finance Committee. Mr.
Williams discussed changes that can be made to this resolution.
He suggested that information regarding the transcriptionist be added
and he would like to be certain that there are no other resources out there.
Mr. Williams asked if this could wait.
Mr. Van Dee made a motion to table Abolish/Create Part-time Medical
Services Clerk/Full-time Medical Services Clerk resolution until the next
meeting; seconded by Mr. Williams. Ms.
Price, Mr. Cornell, Mr. McKee, Ms. Tytler and Mr. Van Dee voted in favor, Mr.
Williams was opposed; motion was approved to table the Abolish/Create
Part-time Medical Services Clerk/Full-time Medical Services Clerk resolution
until the next meeting.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
Cortland County Mental Health Agency Statistics – Mr. Kilmer distributed Cortland County Mental Health Agency Statistics monthly report and briefly discussed a typo on the report. Mr. Kilmer explained that on January 1, 2007 the Mental health Clinic began centralized scheduling and he has noticed an increase in productivity since that time. Mr. Kilmer expressed that his goal is to have no wait list for services.
Health Department Wait Lists – Ms. Gailor explained that there is no one on the EI wait list and there are two on the Pre-K Wait List. She further explained that the two who are on the Pre-K wait list; one in Homer who is receiving some services and the other in Cortland who is waiting. Committee members inquired and discussed the child in Cincinnatus who was waiting for services from a specific agency. Ms. Gailor explained that Ms. Feuerherm spoke with New York State in regards to this and they approached the school. Ms. Gailor expressed that New York State is following through on this and the child is receiving services. Committee members inquired if a letter was written from Mr. Schrader or Chairman Brown in regards to this. Mr. Schrader explained that one was not because New York State was involved in the matter. Ms. Gailor explained that the CPSE Chairperson is upset with the Health Department in regards to involving New York State. Ms. Tytler expressed that she does not have a problem with that. Mr. Schrader agreed with Ms. Tytler’s statement. Ms. Tytler additionally expressed that the priority is the child; the child needs to be served.
Recording (Video/Audio or Audio) of Committee Meetings – Ms. Price asked for Committee member’s opinions in regards to taping Committee meetings. Committee members expressed that this was discussed at the General Services Committee meeting and the cost to wire room 302 and 304 is approximately $10,000 each room. Committee members discussed having meetings in Chambers due to the fact that the room is already set up with recording devices. Committee members discussed the option of having the rooms wired for video recordings. Mr. Williams inquired about the cost for just an audio recording. Mr. Schrader expressed that he does not have the figures for that. He did express that the $10,000 estimate is for wiring the rooms and utilizing the equipment in Chambers to record. Ms. Price expressed that by recording the meetings it will give the public an opportunity to see and hear what goes on during these meetings. Mr. Van Donsel inquired about wiring just one room. Mr. Williams expressed that he feels meetings need to be recorded for two reasons: 1.) Accuracy – accuracy as to what was said, and 2.) Public Availability. Ms. Price expressed that she did not have any problems with the minutes being inaccurate. Mr. Van Dee agreed with Ms. Price. Ms. Tytler asked a few questions regarding this: 1.) What will be done with the recordings? 2.) How long will they be kept? 3.) Where will they be stored? Ms. Price expressed that she would like to see Committee meetings recorded and played on public access. She added that this would help have a more open public access to meetings. Ms. Price expressed that this Committee cannot decide for other Committees but they can decide where the Health Committee would have its meetings. Mr. Van Dee inquired as to what committee jurisdiction this falls under. Ms Price expressed that if it were a policy issue then it would fall under Personnel Committee. Mr. Van Dee expressed that if it involves an expense then it would go before Budget & Finance Committee. Ms. Tytler expressed that this needs to be discussed by all Legislators. Committee members discussed have discussions in caucus regarding this and then send it back to the appropriate committee.
Space Needs (Health Department) – Ms. Gailor discussed briefly the history of the space needs in the Health Department. She stressed that the number one problem is confidentiality. She gave an example and explained briefly the MOMS Program. Ms. Gailor explained her concerns involving the parading of these young women through a Buildings and Grounds Office to an interview room in the back. Ms. Gailor addressed her concerns about confidentiality and about the perception by the individual if the information is being kept confidential. Ms. Tytler addressed her concerns as to what type of message is being sent to the people as to how the Cortland County Health Department values people and greets people. Ms. Price discussed the overcrowding of offices in the Health Department. Ms. Gailor stressed that space is needed and that confidentiality is a major issue. Committee members discussed that in 1980 the Health Department had sufficient space and planned for growth but again needs space. Mr. Van Dee discussed that the Health Department continues to grow, even after Horizon House and Mental Health moved out.
Space Needs (Mental Health Department) – Mr. Kilmer explained that there is double and triple occupancy in offices in the Mental Health Clinic but his largest concern is accessibility. He further explained that there are people with offices in closets and parking is an issue but his no one concern is the accessibility. Committee members discussed the Mental Health Clinic being on three floors. Mr. Kilmer explained that the first floor is the only floor that is accessible to people with mobility issues. Ms. Tytler strongly addressed her concerns with accessibility and asked again how does the County value people. She stated that this is not acceptable, just on the accessibility issue alone. Mr. Schrader expressed that this can be perceived that we have inadequate space therefore we have inadequate care. He explained that this is not reality but it still can be perceived this way.
Cigarette Smoke - Ms. Gailor addressed concerns of people having to walk through cigarette smoke to get into the building. Committee members discussed this briefly. Mr. Schrader expressed that this is a CSEA issue. Ms. Gailor explained that she would like to bring this issue to the April meeting. Mr. Van Dee inquired about smoking in Bars and Restaurants and asked for an update regarding that. Mr. Van Donsel explained that his office is taking things slowly in order to be thorough. He assured the Committee that things are moving forward.
Mr. Schrader requested that the Health Committee go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.
Mr. Cornell made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter; seconded by Mr. Williams. The Health Committee went into Executive Session at 8:34 am.
The Health Committee came out of Executive Session at 8:54 am and had nothing to report.
Ms. Price adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.