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WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 01/23/2009WICHITA FALLS - WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES January 23, 2009 Wichita Falls - Wichita County Public Health District 1700 Third Street - Parker Conference Room Wichita Falls, Texas MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Sutton, M.D, Chair Kathy Sultemeier, D.V.M., Secretary Bryan Press, Vice -Chair Lauren Jansen, R.N.C. Robin Moreno, M.T. MEMBERS ABSENCE EXCUSED: David Carlston, Ph.D. Tracy Hill, D.D.S. Lou Franklin Amy Cone Glen Minter, M.D. Not Present Ray Gonzalez Not Present Councilor Michael Smith Board Members Director of Health Assistant Director of Health Health Authority Assistant City Manager County Commissioner Council Liaison I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS Chair Dr. Sutton called the Board of Health meeting to order at 12:00 pm after a quorum of members was obtained. Dr. Sutton recognized those present Terri Russell and Danielle Montag of Miss Fannie's Feline and Canine Friends (MFFCF), Dr. Minter of the Family Practice Residency, County Commissioner Ray Gonzalez, and Councilor Michael Smith. II. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 2008 MEETING MINUTES & EXCUSED ABSENCES Dr. Sutton called for the review and approval of minutes from the last meeting held on October 24, 2008. Dr. Sultemeier introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Ms. Jansen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Dr. Carlston and Dr. Hill called in advance to say they would not be able to attend the meeting. Dr. Sutton asked for a motion to approve the excused absence of Dr. Carlston and Dr. Hill. Dr. Sultemeier introduced a motion to approve and Ms. Jansen seconded the motion. The motion carried without opposition. III. FERAL CAT ORDINANCE Ms. Franklin reviewed the major changes to the current animal control ordinance regarding feral cats that she felt would please Ms. Russell of Miss Fannie's Feline and Canine Friends. The first change moved the time from 12 weeks to 16 weeks to get rabies vaccination, spay and neuter done. Fostering was moved from 12 weeks to 6 months, which should be adequate time to find a permanent home for the animal. The next change moved the 30 days to register the colony to 120 days to capture all the cats, spay /neuter, vaccinate, ear tipping and return those to the colony. Micro - chipping was removed from the proposal; partially due to the health department not currently have the scanners available for the officers. Scanning and registry will be considered during the building and transition to a new facility. Ms. Franklin reiterated that although micro - chipping was not required, owners will still be required to register and license their cat(s); owners will be required to bring the tag to show proof of license when collecting their animal after we have picked it up. One requirement not changed in the current proposal is requiring the caregiver to obtain permission from the neighbors annually. Ms. Russell wanted the annual neighbor approval changed, but the City's Legal Department said it cannot be changed as this is a responsibility needing to be done annually. Dr. Sultemeier agreed the annual neighbor approval is a hassle to do every year, unless the people want to or there is a change of ownership. Ms. Russell asked if when an application is done it could be the owner of the property that determines how often they give approval until ownership changes. Ms. Franklin stated she has to listen to the Legal Department and what they tell her from the legal stand point on what she needs to do, but she will certainly go back and visit with Ms. Howcroft of the City's Attorney Office regarding the issue. Ms. Franklin stated that city staff is happy with annual permission since the requirement for the permit to be renewed annually works in conjunction with the neighbor approval time frame. Ms. Franklin asked for a vote from the Board on the ordinance as written, with the one year requirement, or with suggested revisions so that she could present it to Council. Ms. Franklin explained that the Board can vote today and, if they would like, make any recommendation to change and she will visit with Ms. Howcroft prior to Council. When she takes the proposed changes to Council, she will tell them what the Board voted on it and their recommendation. The Council then has the ability to listen to what the City's Legal Department advises as well as what Ms. Russell and other citizens have to say. Then they can make that modification or do what they want to do with the ordinance; they make the decision. Councilor Smith added it could be amended at the point of presentation to Council. Ms. Franklin went on to explain that the first time it is presented to Council will be as a staff discussion. If the Council says these are the changes we would like to see then those changes will be make prior to the ordinance being taken to the Council for action. Dr. Sutton asked for a motion to recommend the ordinance unchanged. The motion failed with all members opposed. He then asked for a motion to recommend passage of the ordinance with the change in permission to reflect 3 years. Dr. Sultemeier made the motion to accept the ordinance with the following changes to Section 14:209: strike the sentence "Such permission once given by owner of neighboring land in good until the expiration of the annual permit" change the following sentence to read "New written permission from every owner of neighboring land must be collected every 3 years or change of ownership of property ". Ms. Jansen seconded the motion. The motion carried with none opposed. Ms. Franklin said she would let the Board know when it goes to Council. She will provide a memo to Council prior to the meeting to let them know the changes made and why, along with the Board's recommendation for discussion. She advised that she would keep the Board informed of the outcome. 2 Ms. Russell stated she is pleased with what changes have been made and it's come along way since it was first started giving thanks to Lou, Susan, and the Attorney for all their work. Dr. Sultemeier commended what an outstanding job was done bringing these two things together from being so apart to begin with. Councilor Smith commended Ms. Franklin and Ms. Morris on bringing all the information together and developing an ordinance revision. IV. 2008 Year -End Review Animal Reclaim Facility Ms. Franklin announced that the Humane Society made the decision not to move forward with the City on building a new combined Humane Society and Animal Reclaim facility. The City Council approved $4.1 million dollars for the Health Department to build a new Animal Reclaim facility. A request for proposals was made and, out of the thirteen statements of qualifications received, seven were interviewed and it is down to two firms. None of the local firms have the desired experience with animal facilities, but both architects are partnered with other firms that bring additional animal facility experience to the table. The need was for a firm with expertise and extensive experience with animal facilities since there is so many requirements; plumbing, HVAC, air conditioning and air return. After checking references, the City will enter into contract negotiations with the selected firm. Dr. Sutton questioned what would then be the goal of the Humane Society, what would overlap, and would unwanted pets still go to them. Ms. Franklin replied there would be very little overlap; that the Humane Society would still be allowed to come in, view the animals and decide if they want to take any for adoption. She stated that the Health Department will work with rescue groups and other groups in the community for animals. The facility will have a smaller limited area that could be used for adoption purposes. . Dr. Sultemeier inquired about the location and Ms. Franklin advised that the location had not been determined. The architects will be involved in that process and there are about 5 or 6 potential sites. The architect firm will look at sites and grade them on a point system, and look at things such as sewer availability, water, utilities, visibility and the community. So it will be put in the best possible site affordable within the budget, which includes everything such as the facility, architect fees, land acquisition. Dr. Sutton asked whether the Humane Society would be able to return an animal it had taken for adoption. He also asked about care for injured animals. Ms. Franklin stated that once the animal has been taken for adoption by the Humane Society, then the animal could not be returned. Veterinarian services will not be provided due to the expense and not having the funding. Dr. Sultemeier asked to reinforce the notification policy of owners when their animals are going to be euthanized. Ms. Morris stated she knows the Animal Control Officers do attempt to notify owners before they euthanize, but she has no control over the Humane Society. Ms. Franklin reinstated the policy is enforced. Before that cat or dog is put on the truck, if it has a tag, that the Animal Control Officer will call the office to determine where the animal belongs unless it is a repeat offender and an animal they have had trouble with in the past. In that case, they call the owner to advise them that their animal has been picked up and is going to the reclaim center. If the animal in question is not a trouble animal, they call the owner and say they have their animal and do they want to meet them or put it in the yard. If there is a hole in the fence, the Animal Control Officer will typically try to find a way to block it temporarily and then put the animal back in the yard. This approach is something we have started to be more customer friendly and work with the public. Ms. Morris advised that last month, 272 animals were picked up, 26 returned home, 5 were taken to the Humane Society for adoption and the remaining animals were euthanized. Ms. Franklin stated that she feels we make every effort to get the animal back to the owner before we have to euthanize. 3 Restaurant Scores Fernando Tezaguic stated they are moving forward with the process for restaurant score posting; it has been more complicated than anticipated. The web site they looked to for guidance was helpful, but not as forthcoming with all the essential information. The system for inspections has been taken care of, but the program to link the inspection system with the server requires a lot of programming which the City's Information Technology Division is working out. National Public Health Performance Standards Assessment Initiative Amy Cone reviewed the National Public Health Performance Standards Assessment Initiative ( NPHPSAI) that was discussed in April. The NPHPSAI was started back in 1998, and includes the overarching goal to analyze the Public Health System, which includes private, public, non - profit agencies as partners. Analysis is linked to identification of improvement areas. The assessment tool involves model standards and uses the 10 essential public health functions or objectives to determine what functions are being met in the community by the public health system. Since last April, Ms. Franklin and Ms. Cone have participated in several web -based training sessions and have worked with division heads at the Health Department to perform a self- assessment. The Health District has also partnered with Midwestern State University College of Health Sciences and Human Services and is working with the Chair, Dr. Kirk Harlow, who will be facilitating the stakeholder meetings. Members of the Board will be asked to participate since they are an important component of the public health system. Ms. Cone advised that this initiative ties in with the strategic planning process as well as the long -term accreditation goals. Health Fair Planning Ms. Cone announced the Health District's 3`d Annual Health Fair to be held on Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Health Fair is the kick off for National Public Health Week, which is the first full week of April. Staff members are working with many partner agencies to ensure the Health Fair is a collaborative effort that showcases Health Department services as well as those of partner agencies, such as the Texas Blood Institute. Ms. Franklin stated the Health Fair has grown since the first year from no outside participation to last year with the involvement of community partners a total of 32 outside agencies. V. NEXT MEETING DATE February 27, 2009. VI. ADJOURN Dr. Richard Sutton requested a motion to adjourn. The motion was made by Dr. Sultemeier and seconded by Ms. Jansen. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 1:02 p.m. CITY C ,_. ; ,, _.. 3C L DatF%fL�� By Richard Sutton, M.D., Chair, Bryan Press, Vi Chair, or Kathy Sultemeier, D.V.M. Secretary Public Health Board 4