Health Committee

June 13, 2007 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Corrected

 

Members:                   Sean Clark, Chairman; 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; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Sammy Suriani, National Heart Safe Neighborhood Project and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

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

Ms. Price moved adoption of the minutes of the May 9, 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.

 

·       National Heart Safe Neighborhood Project

·    Create Clinical Fellow, Speech Language Pathology, CWSN

·       Psychiatric Recruitment 

 ·     Lot Size

·

PRESENTATION:

**  National Heart Safe Neighborhood Project, Sammy Suriani – Mr. Suriani explained the National Heart Safe Neighborhood Program and the attempt to help communities place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout their neighborhoods.  He explained the need for early CPR and defibrillation and by placing portable defibrillators throughout communities the chances of an individual surviving can be increased.  He discussed putting neighborhood teams together and the procedures that would be in place.  He added that Cortland County has a significant rural area and the benefits of having this type of program countywide.  He also expressed that if Cortland County were to implement this program they would be the first in the US to have such a program.  He expressed that Cincinnatus is in the process of implementing this program in their community.  He discussed a problem with state legislation in which a portable AED cannot be carried in the privately owned vehicle of an EMT.  He expressed that it would cost approximately $97,000 to implement the program in a community and after that the cost would decrease.  Mr. Van Dee and Mr. Clark expressed that they are in agreement with Mr. Suriani in regards to the benefit of this program.  Ms. Tytler inquired if Mr. Suriani had a personal financial interest in this program.  Mr. Suriani explained that it is his job but other than that he has no financial interest.  Ms. Tytler inquired if Mr. Suriani had a preference with the Phillips model AED.  Mr. Suriani explained that there is no preference.  Committee members thanked Mr. Suriani for attending.  Ms. Gailor informed Mr. Suriani of an upcoming meeting in which the New York State Commissioner of Health is interested in Health issues and suggested that Mr. Suriani could address his concerns regarding EMT’s not being able to carry portable AEDs in their privately owned vehicles. 

RESOLUTIONS:

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

1.                  Abolish/Create Temporary Part Time Public Health Hospital Coordinator/Per Diem Public Health Hospital Coordinator – Ms. Price moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  Ms. Gailor explained the need for a permanent Public Health Coordinator at the hospital.  Mr. McKee inquired as to the affect this would have on the budget.  Ms. Gailor explained that the position is already in the budget and the fact that the position is per diem there are no fringes.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

2.                  Authorize Agreement/Accept Grant Funds/Amend Budget/Administration (Health Heart Disabilities Initiative) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee.  Ms. Gailor explained that this is for a grant under Healthy Heart and is specifically geared for persons with disabilities.  She discussed programs and activities that would be focused on by this grant in conjunction with Community ReEntry Program.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

3.                  Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Health Education Cancer Screening Program, Authorize Third Party Agreement – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Ms. Gailor explained that this resolution was to sign an agreement to obtain information from New York State Department of Motor Vehicles regarding the tracking of individuals who were enrolled in Cancer Screening Programs and the Health Department is no longer in contact with them.  She added that the information would only be used to locate individuals for that program.  Mr. Van Dee stated that the DMV is selling names.  Ms. Gailor expressed they were not.  Ms. Tytler addressed her concerns regarding confidentiality.  Ms. Gailor expressed that this would not be done locally; it would be done at a state level.  Mr. Van Dee inquired as to the possibility that the individual may desire privacy.  Committee members discussed that the use of this would likely be rare.  Ms. Gailor further discussed that the individual enrolled in this program before their screening started.  She added that the individual received negative screening results.  Ms. Gailor expressed that this program was designed to ensure they do not get lost.  Mr. Clark added that it is beneficial to the individual.  Ms. Gailor further expressed that this is not mandatory.  Mr. Clark, Ms. Price, Mr. Larry Cornell, Ms. Tytler and Mr. Williams voting in favor; Mr. McKee and Mr. Van Dee were opposed; resolution approved.

 

4.                  ** Create Clinical Fellow, Speech Language Pathology, Children With Special Needs  – Mr. Van Dee moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.  Ms. Gailor explained the high need for speech therapy.  She added that currently there are two full time staff members; one of those two is also the coordinator and therefore not all her time is spent clinically.  She further discussed that currently three contractors are used to meet the needs of the department.  Ms. Gailor also discussed the upcoming maternity leaves in this area.  She explained that there is currently a student speech therapist that is looking for a job.  She added that she has worked in the Health Department.  Ms. Gailor expressed that is recommending that this individual be hired as a speech fellow and then in one year as a clinician.  Ms. Gailor expressed that due to the time of year it is, there are currently five children on the EI Wait List; two for speech and three for special instruction.  She further discussed the Pre K Wait List and added that there are three on that list for speech and three for occupational therapy.  Ms. Gailor expressed that due to the upcoming maternity leaves in this area more contractual services would be used and as those therapists return from maternity leave the use of contractors would be reduced.  Committee members discussed using an employee to fill this position.  Mr. McKee inquired as to the impact this would have on the budget.  Mr. Schrader expressed that he would have that information at the Budget and Finance Committee meeting.  Ms. Price expressed the importance of improving language skills.  Ms. Tytler expressed that four years ago the Legislature went the route of using contractors and now they are being asked to go the other route.  She inquired why things are different now and asked for information to understand this change.  Mr. Clark expressed that this is an opportunity to hire a good employee and provide services superior to that of a contractor.  He expressed that he believes it is worthwhile.  Ms. Tytler also expressed that contractors may choose not to provide services outside the populated area – rural locations.  She added that an employee would not be able to do this and this would give the County a higher level of control to ensure that those children in rural areas are served.  Mr. McKee expressed that there are not enough figures in front of him to vote in favor of this.  Mr. Schrader expressed that he would have the information before Budget & Finance Committee meeting.  Mr. Clark, Ms. Price, Mr. Larry Cornell, Ms. Tytler, Mr. Van Dee and Mr. Williams voting in favor; Mr. McKee was opposed; resolution approved.

DISCUSSION:

 

1.         ** Psychiatrist Recruitment – Mr. Schrader explained that the psychiatrist declined employment.  Committee members and Mr. Kilmer discussed reasons regarding the decline of employment.  Mr. Schrader expressed that he would like permission to draft a resolution to present at the Budget & Finance Committee meeting to hire a headhunter for $28,000 to help locate someone to fill this position.  Mr. Schrader added the need for this and the fact that this vacancy is hindering the County’s ability to provide psychiatric services.  Mr. Cornell made a motion to direct Mr. Schrader to prepare a resolution to be presented to the Budget & Finance Committee regarding the hiring of a headhunter for $28,000 to assist in employing a Child Psychiatrist.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion passed.  Mr. Kilmer discussed the steps that have been taken to hire a child psychiatrist.  Ms. Tytler suggested purchasing mailing labels from the American Psychiatric Association and preparing packets of information regarding the vacancy and Cortland in general to all in the area.  She added that the packet could be prepared in conjunction with tourism, IDA/BDC and the Chamber of Commerce.  She discussed the fact that the salary offered is above the standard of living in this area.  Mr. Schrader expressed that he would look into this.

 

Board Appointments - Mr. Kilmer expressed a thank you to Ms. Price for her assistance in filling the vacancies on the Community Services Board.  Ms. Price inquired as to any other vacancies on boards.  Mr. Kilmer expressed that the MRDD Sub Committee had a vacancy and added that he is still looking for a doctor on the Community Services Board.  Ms. Price inquired if someone other than a doctor could fill the vacancy.  Mr. Kilmer expressed due to the role that person would have on the board a doctor is needed. 

Nurse Family Partnership - Ms. Gailor discussed the Nurse Family Partnership program and expressed that they are seeking funding for training.  She added the training is expensive.  Ms. Gailor discussed the program and the reduction in child abuse as a result of the program.  She explained that Communities That Care Coalition (CTC) wants to move forward and look for the funding for this program.  She added that she wanted to make the Committee aware of this.  Ms. Gailor expressed that Cathy Feuerherm could give the Committee a brief discussion regarding this.  Committee members explained that they were interested in hearing from Ms. Feuerherm. 

** Lot Size Requirements – Mr. Schrader briefly discussed lot size requirements as approved by the Board of Health and discussed at the CCTVS meeting.  He added that he has requested further information from the Health Department in regards to this.  Committee members discussed the New York State requirements and the changes that were set forth.  Mr. Cornell expressed that this was discussed at the CCTVS meeting and added that the media coverage expressed that the County made the changes and the County was not part of the changes.  Mr. Cornell expressed that the Towns are concerned.  Mr. Schrader expressed that Town Supervisors were give a four-day notice and added that he believed this was handled poorly.  Ms. Price expressed that this needs to be looked at more in the future.  Ms. Gailor discussed Environmental Health looking at all lot sizes and added that this would be discussed at the Board of Health meeting, Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 4:00. 

Lincare Agreement – Mr. Van Donsel expressed that Mr. Schrader, Ms. Gailor, Mr. Walsh and himself had concerns regarding the Lincare agreement.  He stated that the Lincare is “playing hardball” in regards to the insurance requirements and are not willing to meet the requirements set for them by the County to add Cortland County as an additionally insured.  Ms. Gailor explained that this company provides IV services for patients in need of IV therapy.  Mr. Van Donsel discussed briefly the ramifications of not naming Cortland County as an additionally insured and stated that he was reluctant to approve the contract.  Mr. Cornell made a motion to approve the agreement with Lincare; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion carried.

Mr. Clark adjourned the meeting at 8:47 a.m.