Board of Health

City of East Orange EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH NEW JERSEY REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING MINUTES Meeting call to Order @ 5:47 PM Board President Christine Harris read the following Sunshine Law: This meeting, which conforms to the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, Public Law of 1975 is a regular meeting of the City of East Orange Board of Health. Notices have been filed with our official newspaper, with the City Clerk and posted on regular bulletin boards. The public is permitted to participate at this meeting. After the roll call, it was determined there was a quorum to convene the meeting. Board Members Present: Christine Harris, President Tobbia M. Corbitt Horace H. Henry Reverend Jean E. Maurice arrived at 6:00 pm Board Members Absent Cynthia Barnes Rosemarie Brown Attorney Ryan Linder Mayoral Staff/Health Department Staff/Animal Control: Victor Kuteyi, Assistant Health Director Diashana Coleman, Administrative Clerk, Department of Health Ajah Baldwin, Aide to Mayor Lester E. Taylor, III Michael Burton, Animal Control Officer (ACO) Chesney Blue, WIC Coordinator Karen LaRussa, RN, Health Educator Public in attendance: None Approval of July 19, 2016 Meeting Minutes Motion made by Board President Harris and seconded by Board Member Tobbia Corbitt to accept the July 19, 2016 minutes. Approved by unanimous vote. Announcements Board President Harris announces and congratulates Mr. Victor Kuteyi as the new Health Officer effective August 2016. President Harris announces Karen Blumenfield, Global Advisors on Smoke Free Policy (GASP) will give a presentation at the October BOH meeting. pg. 1 City of East Orange EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH NEW JERSEY REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING MINUTES HO Kuteyi announces there will be a Rabies Clinic and Lead Screening on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Nurse Karen announces Pink Out of the Oranges (Breast Cancer Walk) will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 10-2 pm starting at Elmwood Park. She also announces the Women’s Health Day will take place on Thursday, October 6, 2016. And, Safe Fest will take place on Saturday 8, 2016 which is in collaboration with the Recreation Department and geared toward all types of violence and there will be speakers at the event. Also, Teen Summit will take place in 2017. Nurse Karen also announced the Essex County Committee on Young Children is looking for professionals and young parents to be on the committee to participate. Updates Ms. Baldwin, Aide to Mayor Taylor will follow-up and contact Director Dwight Saunders or Mr. Mark Bonners from Property Maintenance to speak to the BOH on the rodent problem at the next meeting. Regional Animal Shelter: HO Kuteyi gave an update on the establishment of a regional animal shelter with other local municipalities. He stated other municipalities do not want one, however the county is looking to create a shelter. Pres. Harris recommends HO Kuteyi to reach out to County Executive DiVincenzo as the county has expressed an interest in creating one. East Orange Animal Shelter: HO Kuteyi gave an update on the East Orange Animal Shelter which has new doors and resurfaced floors. President Harris asked HO Kuteyi if the BOH concerns regarding the shelter have been addressed? HO Kuteyi stated the issues have been addressed and wheels for the cages are ordered. Pres. Harris asks has there been a surprise inspection. HO Kuteyi stated no. Pres. Harris asked if there any infractions which can be sited? HO Kuteyi stated violations are being addressed, therefore the shelter will not be sited for infractions. Ms. Corbitt asks about the timeframe for the violations to be abated? HO Kuteyi stated there is no timeframe and he is contact with Inspector Linda who is aware the violations are being addressed. Pres. Harris asks HO Kuteyi when arrangements can be made for the BOH members to see the shelter. HO Kuteyi stated he will make arrangements for a site visit. Mr. Henry suggests to HO Kuteyi to put his findings and the status of progress in writing with a tentative time frame. Brookhaven Nursing Home: HO Kuteyi stated the Brookhaven patient could not confirm if the state had come by to visit. He stated he would be speaking to the nephew after his interview with the patient. The patient has access to phones but she had not been given information on how much money she has available. Pres. Harris asks if the nephew is involved in the patient’s care. HO Kuteyi stated the nephew is not involved in her care, however, he made the complaint to the Mayor’s Office. Additionally, he told the nephew he pg. 2 City of East Orange EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH NEW JERSEY REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING MINUTES would contact him if there is information to report. HO Kuteyi spoke with the administration at Brookhaven and they are making efforts to inform the patient about her money. Pres. Harris asked if it is possible for Brookhaven to discuss with her family the status of her care and the amount of money she is receiving from her funding source(s)? HO Kuteyi responded that Brookhaven had given the patient a reporting of her money, but she may believe she needs the reporting more frequently. Mrs. Corbitt asks HO Kuteyi to find out what there reporting time frames are to patients, such as monthly, quarterly, biannually, at all or by request? Also, are they responsible for providing this information on a timely basis because the patient believes she is supposed to receive the reporting more frequently and knowing the parameters will help with knowing how to further help the patient? Mrs. Corbitt asked HO Kuteyi if the patient is coherent? HO Kuteyi stated the patient is not very coherent and must be guided back to the topic. Mr. Horace asks about how the BOH became involved with the case? Pres. Harris informs Mr. Horace the case was reported to the Mayor’s office and they informed the BOH about the patient and Mr. Kuteyi was asked to investigate the situation. HO Kuteyi went to investigate but was refused access to the patient. Then, Mrs. Barnes contacted the state nurses’ association in the NJDOH and a nurse went to investigate. HO Kuteyi returned and saw the patient. HO Kuteyi stated he will find out the patient financial reporting at Brookhaven and make a recommendation to report more frequently to the patient going forward. Pres. Harris expressed concern about the family’s involvement in of the patient. Ms. Baldwin informed Pres. Harris her family lives out of state and she will provide HO Kuteyi with the nephews e-mail for further insight into the patient case. Nurse Karen suggests based on the situation with the patient the state or county Adult Protective Services can intervene. Mr. Horace suggests keeping a file for future requests and inquiries regarding the patient. HO Kuteyi stated he has a file on the case. Pres. Harris suggest to HO Kuteyi to furnish the Mayors’ Office with a follow-up report on the Brookhaven patient to conclude the issue. Others: HO Kuteyi announced a new Registered Nurse begins working Wednesday, September 21, 2016. He also stated the Health Department purchased a new vaccine refrigerator after being cited by the state for a bad refrigerator. HO Kuteyi stated the new RFP for the Veterinary was sent to Attorney Linder for review to move forward. Additionally, HO Kuteyi is seeking a physician to administer the Rabies vaccine to the Animal Control Officers which is currently at East Orange General Hospital. Nurse Karen recommends checking the State Health Department for listing of physicians whom administer the rabies vaccine for each county in New Jersey. HO Kuteyi announced he applied for an Accreditation Support Initiative grant for $15,000 dollars at the end of August. The grant will be used for community needs assessment, community health initiative and workforce improvement. Pres. Harris asked if the upcoming community assessment is the second component of the first one that was done previously. HO Kuteyi stated the last one took place in 2006 and this is a brand new assessment. The Health Department is working with Essex Regional Health on the questionnaire. Pres. Harris pg. 3 City of East Orange EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH NEW JERSEY REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING MINUTES will give HO Kuteyi community organization which helps municipalities with their accreditation. HO Kuteyi states he is exploring grants which will help with High Blood Pressure screenings, HIV clinic, testing & outreach. HO Kuteyi states services have not been decreased and he wants to bring initiatives to the department which can increase revenue for more services. HO Kuteyi discussed how the enforcement of the Mercantile License will bring revenue to the Health Department through acquiring business trade licenses. He explains that he will discuss with Attorney Linder to see if the license can be amended for salons and barber shops. Another initiative HO Kuteyi is the implementation of a Food Handlers Card for non- managers at food establishments at a cost of $20.00 per person with basic food handling training. Also, to broaden the program to Property Maintenance which would include training on property upkeep and basically a comprehensive program to include many departments in the city. Pres. Harris asked how the statistics and information will be tracked? A database will keep track of trainees and businesses. The training classes will be held in different languages. Mrs. Corbitt asked about the training for the Bodegas? HO Kuteyi stated he is working on the presentation for the Food Handlers card and seeking input from Property Maintenance, Housing and other departments which can eventually be presented at a Food Handlers training conference. HO Kuteyi stated that often when the Bodegas are inspected, the small space for the deli and in many instances are unsanitary and the delis are closed for this reason. Mr. Henry inquired if there is a standard for the Bodegas for the deli space? HO Kuteyi explains if the business is established, the Health Department does not see the plans, however, if the business is new they see the plans then advisement is given on spacing issues. Pres. Harris commended HO Kuteyi for the interdepartmental collaborative idea and wants to ensure public health interests are at the forefront of the effort. HO Kuteyi stated for residents who want lead inspections done, a small fee will be charged. Pres. Harris inquired when the last time lead paint was used in buildings? Nurse Karen stated it was around 1978 and for another 20 years because of the amount of paint left over. Pres. Harris and Mr. Henry commend HO Kuteyi on his efforts to want to have new initiatives for the Health Department and they suggested that a follow-up on the status of the initiatives to be stated at the next BOH meeting. Pres. Harris thanked everyone for attending the meeting and stated that the next meeting is going to take place in October. pg. 4 City of East Orange EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH NEW JERSEY REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING MINUTES Adjournment Board President Harris requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion made by board member Tobbia Corbitt and seconded by board member Henry Horace. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm. Submitted by, Sala S. Small Recording Clerk pg. 5