WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 12/21/2001WICHITA FALLS - WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD
PLACE: Wichita Falls- Wichita County Public Health District
TIME: 12:15 p.m.
DATE: December 21, 2001
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: C.J. Lippard, Chairman
Michael Brooking, DVM
Russell Porter, PhD
Larry Rains, DDS
Susan Strate, MD
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Diane Stewart, RN
Gregory Stockton
HEALTH DISTRICT Barbara J. Clements, Director of Health
REPRESENTATIVES: Roy Ressel, Environmental Health Coordinator
Reuben A. Warren, Jr., Assistant Director of Health
WICHITA CO. REPRESENTATIVE:
WICHITA FALLS CITY COUNCIL:
MINUTES:
I. Call to order
Woody Gossom, Judge
The meeting was called to order by C.J. Lippard, Chairman, at 12:15 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Susan Strate, seconded by Russell Porter, and carried that the
October 26, 2001 Minutes be approved.
III. Next Meeting Date
The next meeting date will be Friday, February 22, 1902.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date _(�' 06 -( a--
By kP— Time
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IV. Director's Report — Barbara J. Clements, Director of Health
Mrs. Clements briefed the Board on the following:
1). Recognition of volunteer pharmacist:
Ms. Clements presented information about Registered Pharmacist Jerry Leopold.
Mr. Leopold, a former Board of Health member, has served as pharmacist -In-
Charge of the Health District's Class D Pharmacy for approximately fifteen (15)
years. Ideas were solicited for honoring his extraordinary volunteer service. His
service has allowed the District to provide on -site pharmacy services to patients in
Maternity, Tuberculosis, Child Health, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Immunization,
Early Intervention and Communicable Disease clinics. Mr. Leopold's volunteer
service represents considerable monetary savings to the City and County.
Ms. Clements asked the Board for suggestions for the most appropriate way to
recognize Mr. Leopold for his service. She commented that a few years ago the
City Council honored him by proclaiming a day to be "Jerry Leopold Day in Wichita
Falls." Several Board members offered suggestions; however, there was no
consensus. Judge Gossom volunteered to visit with Mr. Leopold as to his desires
and report to the Board at the next meeting.
2). Bioterrorism:
The Federal Government has set aside $865 million to shore up local public health
infrastructure with special emphasis placed on improving response to Weapons of
Mass Destruction. It is anticipated that the District may receive some additional
funding for equipment and training needs. Meetings are scheduled with local
hospitals, EMS and other area health providers to continue emergency planning
discussions.
3). Texas HB 3673:
This new Texas law, effective September 1, 2001 prohibits Texas pigs from being
fed food waste that contains meat or meat scraps. It also prohibits any food
(including plate- scrapings) seasoned with animal products from being used for
swine feeding. The new law stems from the global spread of highly contagious
livestock diseases, such as hog cholera and foot - and -mouth disease. The law
applies to restaurants, schools and other food service establishments. Violation is a
Class C misdemeanor, which can carry a fine up to $500 per offense with each day
considered a separate offense.
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4). Board appointments:
Terms for four (4) members will expire 31 December 2001: Dr. Porter, Dr. Brooking,
Gregory Stockton and Dr. Rains. Dr. Porter informed the District in October that it
would not be possible for him to serve another term due to other obligations. On
December 18, the City council appointed Dr. Beverly Stiles from Midwestern State
University to serve in the At -Large position held by Dr. Porter. Dr. Porter informed
that Board that Dr. Stiles has a Ph.D in Sociology and has done research in AIDS
and other health topics. Dr. Brooking is ineligible to continue on the Board due to
term limits. Mr. Stockton was re- appointed to be Board by the Council, also on
December 18. Dr. Rains is a County appointee and was re- appointed on November
13.
5). Topics for 2002 meetings:
A list of possible topics for presentations was distributed and members were
requested to mark any topic they were interested in having presented at future
meetings.
6). Adolescent Health:
The members were presented with a copy of the Wichita Falls- Wichita County
Public Health District publication, Adolescent Health, Programs & Strategies, 1996-
2001. This report detailed the accomplishments of a five -year population -based
grant from the Texas Department of Health. The grant program was successful in
surpassing the goal of decreasing teen pregnancies and births in Wichita County
from 9% in 1995 to 7.2% in 1999.
7). Recognition of Board members:
Plaques were presented to Porter and
Board for their service and dedication.
Dr. Brooking with appreciation from the
8). Other
Mr. Lippard asked if the Health District had many calls concerning the 'black mold.'
He discussed that insurance companies are not insuring new policies against mold.
Mrs. Clements stated that she is not aware of any increase in calls. Mr. Warren
commented that the District usually receives 2 -3 calls per month about mold.
Mr. Lippard also asked about the news reports of Shigellosis in Vernon. Mrs.
Clements stated that calls from the media were referred to the Texas Department of
Health regional epidemiologist in Arlington. The Regional office receives reports
from 49 counties including Wilbarger. There has been no increase in Shigella
reports locally.
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V. Animal Control Ordinance Discussion — Roy Ressel, Environmental Health
Coordinator
Mr. Ressel presented a brief overview of the current Animal Control ordinance. He
reported that the ordinance was last updated in the mid 1980's. He commented that
recently there have been questions about the possible need for change or
amendment to the ordinance. Ms. Clements commented that the Mayor and two
Council members (James Esther and Arthur B. Williams) make up a committee or
work group to review the current ordinance.
Mr. Ressel commented that the Council group was meeting in response to a citizen
who is asking for either a change in the existing ordinance or a waiver for their
particular situation. The requested change, which was discussed at an earlier City
Council meeting, included the possibility of creating an exemption from daily waste
clean up and certain setback requirements for properties of five or more acres. The
other option discussed was to grant individual waivers from setbacks and clean -up
requirements. Mr. Ressel commented that the ordinance was amended in 1985 to
increase the required setback from 100 to 200 feet. Dr. Porter questioned if the
change was made because of the number of complaints. Mr. Ressel answered
"yes." Dr. Porter asked if the current ordinance provisions for setback and clean up
were sufficient to limit the number of complaints. Mr. Ressel indicated the
ordinance seemed to be effective in this regard.
Dr. Rains asked if there were any complaints related to the property seeking relief
by amendment or waiver. Mr. Ressel replied that the Division had received a
complaint from the immediate area. Dr. Rains asked whether the animals or the
residences were introduced into the area first. Mr. Ressel replied that for this
property, the nearby residences were established before animals were introduced to
the property. He also stated that the property was previously used for a commercial
operation.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dr. Russell Porter and seconded by Dr.
Strate to recommend enforcement of the current regulations and denial of any
waiver.
Mr. Ressel also presented several ideas being formulated concerning the current
requirements for Rabies vaccine. He described several methods of assuring that
each animal would receive a rabies vaccination and a City tag. More information is
to be presented at a future meeting.
Ms. Clements informed the Board that Mr. Ressel was recently elected President -
Elect of the Texas Animal Control Association. Mr. Ressel stated in his years of
affiliation with the state association, he has served as a board member and held
various offices, some more than once.
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If
VII. Other Business
Santa (AKA Judge Gossom) appeared at the Board meeting and distributed candy
to the members.
VIII. Adjournment
It was moved by Dr. Porter and seconded by Dr. Brooking that the meeting be
adjourned. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
C. Lippa , hair
Public Health Board
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