Minutes of the Island County Board of Health

Monday, August 18, 2003

 

Members Present:  Commissioners:  Mike Shelton, Mac McDowell and William J. Byrd,  Mayor Patty Cohen, Oak Harbor, Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board

 

Absent:  Barbara Saugen, WGH Commissioner, Captain Susan B. Herrold, NC USN (Naval Hospital Oak Harbor)

 

Call to Order:  Commissioner Mac McDowell called this regular scheduled meeting of the Island County Board of Health to order at 1:19 p.m.

 

Changes or Additions to the Agenda:  Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, presented three proposed additions to the agenda:  Environmental Health Assessment Team (EHAT) quarterly report, Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) quarterly report and Contract No. HD-10-03 with Northwest Educational Services District 189 for Coupeville school nurse services in the amount of $11,160.  Director McDonald proposed that these items be added as a third item under “Issues”. The Board concurred.

 

Minutes:  Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that the minutes for the July 21, 2003 meeting be approved as written.  Mayor Patty Cohen seconded.  The motion passed for the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.

 

There was no Public Input or Comment.

 

Issues:

 

  1. Appeal: On May 19, 2003, Site Registration #03-035N was issued with the determination that parcel # R13109-120-3940 is not capable of supporting an on-site sewage disposal system for a single-family residence.  The applicant, Stephen Hart, has appealed that decision.

 

Keith Higman, Environmental Health Director, presented the Island County Health Department’s Staff Report in the matter of the appeal of Site Registration # 03-035N (attached).  At the conclusion of his report, Mr. Higman responded to questions posed by Commissioners Byrd and McDowell regarding the definition of native soils and as to the location of designer comments on the paperwork.  Commissioner Shelton queried Sanitarian Jason Gentry about a general description of the property. 

 

Proponent, Stephen Hart, introduced he and his wife, Sharon Hart, as owners of the property.  Mr. Hart distributed a packet of materials that included a letter from Jerry Stonebridge, licensed designer and installer in Island County, petitioning the Board’s overturning the ruling of the Health Department.  As Jerry Stonebridge was unable to attend the meeting and give testimony in person, Chairman McDowell asked the Harts if they would like to continue the consideration of this matter until next month’s meeting when Mr. Stonebridge would be available to attend.  The Harts elected not to postpone their hearing and informed the Board that Mr. Stonebridge’s letter was a good representation of his and their position.

 

The packet distributed by Mr. Hart to the Board (attached) included:

-          8/17/03 letter from Jerry Stonebridge, licensed designer and installer

-          Site Registration # 87-575

-          Application to Repair a Sewage Disposal System, Permit No. 293-99R

-          ICC 17.03.180 –  ‘N’ Mobile Homes

-          Plat map

 

Mr. Hart proceeded to detail his and Mrs. Hart’s decision to purchase their property and their research on the potential for establishing a reserve drain field on the parcel, which would allow them to build a new home thereon. This is the crux of the appeal.  The Harts have initiated the process of “dissolving” the boundary lines within their three parcels in order to establish the required reserve drain field.  A lengthy description of the property followed detailing Mr. Hart’s and Mr. Stonebridge’s methodology for digging and surveying the sample holes on the subject property with the goal of finding a suitable reserve area to enable the construction of a “stick” house.

 

Keith Higman clarified the constraints on the Hart’s property that prevents their developing the property with a “stick” building, since the current repair permit specifically states replacement with “mobile home only” — a table six repair permitting replacement of a like home only (the previous structure having been a mobile home).  Mr. Higman continued by stating that if the Board upholds the Hart’s appeal, the Health Department would then accept the current system as the primary field for new construction and this appeal will define the reserve area.

 

Director McDonald advised that the Board could elect to continue the decision until the September Board of Health meeting, rather than rendering a decision that would be very difficult for the Health Department to interpret.  Commissioner Shelton encouraged the Harts to consult with Jerry Stonebridge and Jason Gentry to re-examine the property for the purpose of locating an area on the conjoined lots that would support a conforming drain field with the required 12” of permeable native soil, and that he would then support their construction of a “stick’ home on the property. If they cannot find an area with soils conforming to this standard, Commissioner Shelton would support the Hart’s erecting a modular home on the property, in lieu of the “mobile” described on the repair permit.

 

Commissioner Shelton then moved that the appeal be continued until the September Board of Health meeting.  The motion was seconded by Mayor Cohen and passed unanimously.  The Board would entertain another continuance at the September Board of Health to the October Board of Health meeting if necessary.

 

  1. In the Matter of Adopting a Revision of the Personal Health Service Fee Schedule of the Island County Health Department.   Director McDonald explained the need for a reorganization of fees for the administration of vaccines.  The Health Department has experienced a change in their role in the community, and has experienced increases to their costs. He also proposed to eliminate the special status of “flu vaccination”.  This fee restructuring reflects changes to Medicaid and Medicare rates, which the department is unable to fully recoup at the present rate structure.  Director McDonald noted that the “sliding fee schedule available” wording has been removed but in appropriate cases, would still apply.  These corrections will be made to the resolution presented for the Board’s signature: 

 

Commissioner Shelton moved for the adoption of Health Department Resolution No. HD-09-03R, County Resolution No. C-80-03 In the Matter of Adopting a Revision Of The Personal Health Service Fee Schedule of the Island County Health Department.  Commissioner Byrd seconded.  Commissioner Shelton clarified that the Resolution would be adopted as of this date, August 18, 2003 and the Resolution will be corrected to reflect that date.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Tim McDonald presented Contract HD-10-03 with the Northwest Educational Services District 189 for $11,160 for consideration.  Commissioner Shelton moved the contract be accepted; Mayor Cohen seconded it and the motion passed unanimously. 

  2. Mr. Jim Patton presented a Quarterly Report (attached) for the Environmental Health Assessment Team (EHAT).  He extended an invitation to the Board to attend an EHAT meeting.

  3. Mr. David Macys presented a Quarterly Report for the Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB). (attached).

 

Health Department Report:  Tim McDonald advised the Board that the Health Department will be moving back into the newly remodeled Annex building on September 24th, 25th and 26th and will be requesting permission of the Board of County Commissioners to close to the public for one day, probably September 24th.

 

Adjourn:  There being no further business, Commissioner McDowell adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m.  The next regularly scheduled Board of Health will be September 15, 2003 at the usual time and location.

 

Submitted:   Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board

 

Minutes approved this 15th day of September 2003.

 

ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH    

Mac McDowell, Chairman