Board of Health

City of Columbia, Missouri Meeting Minutes Board of Health Thursday, July 14, 2016 Public Health and Regular Human Services 5:30 PM 1005 W Worley Columbia, MO 65203 I. CALL TO ORDER With a quorum present, Dr. Szewczyk called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Dr. Lyon made a motion to move New Business to the first item on the agenda, which Mr. Sohl seconded. Motion carried. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Skala made a motion to approve the minutes, which Dr. Lyon seconded. Motion carried. IV. REPORTS Director’s Report: The City Manager is putting together the City’s budget to go to City Council at the end of the month. Ms. Browning said their revenues have been steady and there are no changes to their operations. The City has put a 45-day hold on open after the position was vacated, due to revenues being down. However, this does not apply to Police and Fire Departments’ positions. Ms. Browning explained they are losing a nurse to Boone Hospital, so during the flu season the Department will be short-handed, and are also losing a social worker. It was noted that Flu Mist is not recommended this year because it has been found to be ineffective. County Commissioner's Report - No Report Legislative Report: No new information to report. City of Columbia, Missouri Page 1 Printed on 9/9/2016 Board of Health Meeting Minutes July 14, 2016 V OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. VI. NEW BUSINESS City of Columbia, Missouri Page 2 Printed on 9/9/2016 Board of Health Meeting Minutes July 14, 2016 Tobacco Retailers License (Council Referred) Kevin Everett had previously presented information to City Council about requiring tobacco retailers to be licensed. The City Council directed this issue to be reviewed by the Board of Health. Cavanaugh Noce, the Deputy City Counselor, was present at tonight’s meeting for legal questions. Mr. Everett presented a slide show (see “Enforcement of Tobacco Twenty-One” hand out for more detailed information). There was a discussion on a licensing fee being implemented to help fund education and enforcement of the license. Mr. Everett explained that if retailers fully complied with the tobacco twenty-one ordinance, it will only strengthen its effect in keeping the youth from smoking. Mr. Noce discussed the Hancock Amendment which would require that and license fees for tobacco vendors would need to be voted on by the public. Without a vote of the public, penalties could be imposed for vendors who do not follow the age requirements, but it is not likely these would generate sustainable funding for enforcement. Mr. Everett went into more detail on how retailer licensing can help enforce the tobacco twenty-one ordinance. It was noted that retailers have a business license but not a specific tobacco sales license. With one in place, enforcement would be easier because the license to sell tobacco products could be pulled. This can allow the enforcement agency to target the tobacco issues within the store instead of the store as a whole. Dr. Szewczyk noted that the Hancock amendment did not prohibit a municipality from licensing tobacco vendors but rather, if prohibited charging a fee for the license. Mr. Noce discussed the details of the Hancock amendment. Mr. Feirman mentioned that he is in favor of bringing this issue to a public vote on to avoid any problems with the Hancock amendment. There was some discussion on what the Board’s main focus should be and what the Council specifically asked the Board to do with this issue. Dr. Szewczyk clarified the Council just wanted the Board of Health to consider this issue, provide a report but not draft an ordinance. He felt the Board should look at two issues. The first is whether or not tobacco vendors should be licensed, regardless of whether a fee is or is not charged. Is there evidence that licensing helps with compliance. The second question to consider is whether or not enforcement should be funded. Does it help limit underage tobacco use and improve the health of the community? Discussion followed. It was agreed that the Board should explore whether or not tobacco retailers should be licensed and whether or not funding should be found for enforcement, either through licensing fees or other means. Mr. Noce mentioned that other city employees, other than police, could enforce this ordinance. These other enforcement mechanisms could potentially be less expensive than using police officers. Dr. Szewczyk noted that the Council wanted the Board to hold public City of Columbia, Missouri Page 3 Printed on 9/9/2016 Board of Health Meeting Minutes July 14, 2016 hearings on the issue. It was agreed that this be done during the September Board of Health meeting. Ms. Phillips would like to hear from Jefferson City, Kansas City, and/or other communities that have already implemented licensing of tobacco vendors. Ms. Browning suggested letting her do some investigating on who would be best to speak with the Board during the August meeting. VII ADJOURNMENT Ms. Phillips made a motion to adjourn, Mr. Sohl seconded. Motion carried. PRESENTATION HANDOUTS: 1. “Enforcement of Tobacco Twenty-One” - given by Kevin Everett 2. “S.H.O.W. M.E. IDs” - given by Kevin Everett 3. “Tobacco twenty-one” brochure- given by Kevin Everett Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573-874-7214. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible. City of Columbia, Missouri Page 4 Printed on 9/9/2016