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 May 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:46 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, 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 Ryan Linder, Attorney assigned to the Board of Health Board Member Absent: Sandra Osborne Health Department Staff LaDonna Johns, Director, Health and Human Services Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Chesney Blue, Director, Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) Karen Johnson-LaRussa, Nurse, Health Educator Debra J. Chandler, Recording Clerk Guest Speakers: None Public in attendance: None Approval of April 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes Approval unanimous Ordinances for Second Reading, Public Hearing and Adoption ORDINANCE NO. 1 OF 2017 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 294, Section 2 of The Revised General Ordinances of The City of East Orange “To prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine delivery products to persons under the age of 21” Board member Corbitt moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1 of 2017. 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 May 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Board member Henry seconded the motion. After the roll call vote, Ordinance No. 1 of 2017 was adopted unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 2 OF 2017 An Ordinance to Amend and Supplement Chapter § 238-67 of the East Orange City Code -Prohibiting the display of food and beverages on sidewalks and on the street- Board member Henry moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2 of 2017. Board member Corbitt seconded the motion. After the roll call vote, Ordinance No. 2 of 2017 was adopted unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 33 OF 2016 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 132 of the Code of the City of East Orange, Article VII -Vicious and Potentially Dangerous Dogs- Board member Henry moved to adopt Ordinance No. 33 of 2016. Board member Corbitt seconded the motion. After the roll call vote, Ordinance No. 33 of 2016 was adopted unanimously. Board attorney Ryan Linder explained that the ordinances will be forwarded to the East Orange City Council. REPORT FROM HEALTH OFFICER Animal Husbandry in Urban Areas Health Officer Victor Kuteyi provided the Board with an update on animal husbandry laws in the City noting that animal welfare, public health and nuisance laws are on the books. He added there are no existing zoning ordinances that address animal husbandry East Orange. Mr. Kuteyi reported that he is aware of a chicken coop with four or five chickens being raised in the back of a home on Edgar Street. He spoke with the citizen raising the chickens who informed him that he researched the City Code and did not find anything that prohibited him from doing so. At present, there have not been any complaints from neighbors and area residents. After a brief discussion, as to whether it was necessary to pursue zoning legislation to prohibit animal husbandry in certain areas of the City, President Harris decided to table the matter. School-Based Health Centers President Harris asked if any Board member will be available to join her for a visit to the Newark Public Schools’ Jewish Renaissance Medical Center and the school-based medical facility located in the Cicely Tyson Community School of the Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange. Nurse Karen LaRussa reported that she spoke to the new director at the Jewish Renaissance Center and will follow up with a date. Mr. Kuteyi reported he sent an email to 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 May 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES the principal at Cicely Tyson regarding a visit and is awaiting a response. President Harris requested scheduling a visit in early June with the hope of beginning the process to use the medical facility at Cicely Tyson for school-based health services in July or August. Vermin Task Force Health Director LaDonna Johns reported that she and Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement Director Dwight Saunders will schedule a date and time for the Task Force to meet. Open Discussion HO Kuteyi reported that Dr. Keno contacted him with concerns about construction taking place at the Central Avenue McDonald’s. He noted that he visited the site and determined that the restaurant workers were compromising the plastic sheeting used to contain dust arising from the construction. HO Kuteyi advised the manager and contractor to make sure the workers avoid the construction area and to use an alternative passageway. There was discussion concerning the need to notify to the Health Department when any construction or commercial remodeling activity is taking place in the City. Health Director Johns commented that a system is in place, but input is needed from the Health Department in the form of a checklist to cover any possible health-related issues. HO Kuteyi responded that he is looking to meet with Assistant Property Maintenance Director Mark Barner to work out a procedure for advance notification. Dollar Tree Health Officer Kuteyi reported that the Health Department has issued seven summonses within six weeks to the Dollar Tree location on Central Avenue due to rodent infestation. As a result, the store was shut down for three days. The problem has been abated somewhat but persists. HO Kuteyi believes that the rodents may be coming in the merchandise shipments to the store. Director Johns and HO Kuteyi both stated that numerous conversations have taken place between the City and store management without a satisfactory outcome. As a final resort, recommendations for a corrective action plan will be drafted along with a compliance timeline and an administrative hearing with City officials be scheduled with district management. President Harris asked for a status report at the June Board meeting. Brick Church ShopRite: Health Officer Kuteyi reported that in response to citizen complaints, he visited the Brick Church Shop-Rite during the past six months. On several occasions during his inspections, he directed the manager to move merchandise displayed outdoors back into the store. The manager repeatedly refused to cooperate. Representatives from Shop-Rite’s parent 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 May 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES company have been instructed to meet with City officials on May 25th to discuss various complaints against the supermarket. Karen LaRussa – Community Programs  On Saturday, May 5, 2017, The Health Department and City Council held a Community Baby Shower for about fifty new mothers and mother-to-be. The successful event received with support from Joi’s Angels  Friday, May 19, 2017 –Dionne Warwick Institute’s First Annual Health Fair  Saturday, May 20, 2017 – the 10th Annual “BJ’s Walk for Hope” for Asthma Awareness  East Orange is participating in the “Drop It in the Box Program” to promote proper monitoring and disposal of expired and unused prescription and over-the-counter medications. Drop boxes are in the City at Walgreens on Main Street and the Police Department Headquarters. A “Brown Bag” event for seniors is also scheduled. Chesney Blue – Women, Infants and Children Program Pending State approval, the East Orange Women, Infants and Children Program will open a satellite office at the Bloomfield Township Health Department. Board Member Certification President Harris reminded Board members to visit the continuing education websites provided by Health Officer Kuteyi as continuing education will be part of the Board of Health certification process. Adjournment At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:52 pm. Respectfully submitted, Debra J. Chandler pg. 4