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 April 11, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Meeting call to Order @ 5:40PM Board President Christine Harris read the following Sunshine Law: This meeting, which conforms to the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, and 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 Sandra Osborne Ryan Linder, Attorney assigned to the BOH Mayoral Staff/Health Department Staff: LaDonna Johns, Director, Health and Human Services Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Chesney Blue, Director, WIC Karen Johnson-LaRussa, Nurse, Health Educator Ajah Baldwin, Aide to Mayor Lester E. Taylor, III Guest Speakers: None Public in attendance: Dr. Keno, MD, Family and Internal Medicine Cheryl Williams, Resident, Approval of February 21, 2017 Meeting Minutes Approval unanimous Updates President Harris introduced and welcomed new board member, Sandra Osborne, from the 3rd ward. President Harris reminded the board members to complete the state required annual financial disclosure before April 30th. 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 April 11, 2017 MEETING MINUTES President Harris asked everyone to review the Public Health information resources from Health Officer Victor Kuteyi which is part of the BOH certification and continuing education. The Board Members will report to HO Kuteyi about on-going continuing education efforts. President Harris informed members that it is necessary that they understand their role in emergency situations and that Ms. Coley, Director of Public Safety will be asked to speak to the BOH members at some future date. President Harris announced the NJDOH Public Health and Environmental Laboratories will temporarily close the rabies lab facility in May and specimens will be sent out of state for testing. Additionally, the New Jersey State, County, and City Health Officers Association will hold a meeting in Sayreville on April 21st to discuss this matter. Announcements HO Kuteyi announced that the State will be conducting a health inspection in May. Attorney Linder Second reading of ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 294 SECTION 2, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCE FOR THE EO TOBACCO AND NICOTINE DELIVERY PRODUCTS The reading will take place at the next board of health meeting Presentation of Food Display Ordinance: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER § 238-67 OF THE EAST ORANGE CITY CODE This Ordinance bars the display of food and perishable beverages outside on the public street and sidewalk which was approved unanimously. Presentation and discussion of Ordinance Requiring Permit for Food Handlers: Attorney Linder discussed in detail, relevant issues that would be impacted by such an ordinance. President Harris suggested the reading of the ordinance be tabled for further discussion but that we need to ensure that smaller food establishments such as, the licensed corner deli’s, have proper food handling training all those serving food. HO Kuteyi commented that stores are inspected; and that the Health Department wants to facilitate the training. Director Johns inquired about the demographic target of the ordinance. Attorney Linder stated there are ordinances that apply to larger companies; however, how involved should a government entity be involved in the process? Mr. Henry commented that the role as a primary health care entity is prevention; therefore, all necessary measures must be taken to prevent health issues. HO Kuteyi stated there was a food handler’s program in the past and now with sufficient staffing he would like the program to be reinstated to ensure public safety. 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 April 11, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Furthermore, the program is designed to be able to be accomplished in small settings so that all staff members are adequately trained. President Harris asked Attorney Linder if the language of the ordinance can be framed to ensure that small businesses which are not large food chains receive the food handlers training. HO Kuteyi reiterated the food handler’s training are not for special events but everyday establishments to ensure they have knowledge to serve the public safely. Attorney Linder will research past codes regarding food handler’s training. Presentation of Vicious Dog Ordinance AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 132 OF THE CITY OF EAST ORANGE ARTICLE VII-VICIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS This ordinance was unanimously approved Laws regarding animal husbandry in urban residential areas. HO Kuteyi stated there were no laws found regarding this issue. President Harris stated that the issue will be tabled for the next meeting. Mr. Kuteyi, Health Officer Update on HD Accreditation: HO Kuteyi stated the previous accreditation from 2013 meets the states rule of five years before a new accreditation must be submitted. Additionally, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) informed him that the “Needs Assessment” would be East Orange specific and proposed conducing a mini study to identify relevant issues. HO Kuteyi stated he looked at the behavior risk surveillance program questionnaire and will tailor it to fit the needs of East Orange and he plans on conducting a trial run of the questionnaire to get a better understanding what will and will not work for individuals filling out and retuning the questionnaire once disseminated throughout the community. BOH members proposed the questionnaire be disseminated through religious organizations, schools, block associations, city council members, and health clinics. Attorney Linder asked about the safeguards regarding participant information being put online. HO Kuteyi stated there is no identifying information; therefore, participant answers can be put in the software online. Additionally, the questionnaires will ask participants to indicate their ward to ensure a fair cross-section of the community is being represented. President Harris asked about the timeline of completion. HO Kuteyi stated that the questionnaires and data analysis should be completed within the next three months. HO Kuteyi stated once the needs assessment is, written his next step will be to develop a Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is a requirement for the accreditation. Mrs. Corbitt asked about the tallying of the data. HO Kuteyi stated the data is going into the SPSS database. There will be approximately 20 multiple choice questions regarding general health promotion. HO Kuteyi stated that he is 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 April 11, 2017 MEETING MINUTES working with Nurse Karen LaRussa to create a Health Coalition Group (HCG) for data analysis to improve the health of the City of East Orange which will be used as the foundation of a 3 to 5-year improvement plan in the future. Update on Shared Services with other Municipalities: HO Kuteyi stated that there will be no shared services regarding the accreditation of the HD. Status of pursuing medical facilities for school-based service in Cecily Tyson School: HO Kuteyi stated that he met with Ms. Macon and Ms. Izoba and they like the idea of the medical facility being used for school-based services in Cecily Tyson. HO Kuteyi stated that they want to have a meeting with Nurse LaRussa, to move the idea forward. President Harris asked if the plan can be implemented this year. Nurse LaRussa stated that she is in contact with Jewish Renaissance Services to discuss details of how services can be implemented. Also, she stated that when Tyson original opened they had a physician located at the school; however, the school nurses are eager to assist with this matter. Nurse LaRussa also indicated that there is a plan in the works to bring a full medical staff to the Tyson medical facility. President Harris asked if the BOH can come to Tyson to see the facility. HO Kuteyi stated he will work on a BOH members visit to the Tyson facility. Animal Shelter: President Harris asked about the status of the animal shelter. Director Johns stated the animal shelter as of March 6th is now under the Office of Public Safety. Health Department Staff Updates: There were no Health Department staff updates. Open Discussion Vermin Task Force Dr. Keno requested creation of a task force to deal with the huge numbers of rats in the area surrounding, but not limited to Emerson Street, Whittier Street, and Clifford Street. She stated that the new emergence of rats has occurred because of the new construction which is taking place in the area. Additionally, Health Director Johns, HO Kuteyi, and Board Members agreed the best solution to deal with the vermin issue is a coordinated task force with the Department of Public Works, Department of Property Maintenance, and the Health Department. Director Johns stated she is going to arrange a meeting between departmental heads regarding the task force. 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 April 11, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Shoprite Issue: Cheryl Williams, resident, addressed the BOH regarding a personal health issue because of alleged contaminated juice purchased from Shoprite. Adjournment Board President Harris requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion made by board member Corbitt and seconded by board member Henry. The Meeting was adjourned at 7:34pm. Submitted by, Sala S. Small Recording Clerk pg. 5