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 June 20, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:35 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 Sandra Osborne Ryan Linder, Attorney assigned to the Board of Health Health Department Staff Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Chesney Blue, Director, Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) Karen Johnson-LaRussa, Nurse, Certified Health Educator Guest Speakers: None Public in attendance: Cheryl Williams, East Orange Resident Approval of May 16, 2017 Meeting Minutes: Approval unanimous President Harris President Harris stated that she attended the Black Infant Mortality in New Jersey Conference held on June 2nd at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark which was well-attended and highly informative. President Harris stated that efforts are targeted towards educating mothers on making healthier lifestyle choices and the causes of infant mortality. President Harris added that Speaker Emeritus and NJ Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver conducted a break-out session that educated attendees on the importance of speaking to legislators about public health issues. Report From Health Officer Dollar Tree 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 June 20, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Health Office Kuteyi reported that Dollar Tree complied with the Health Department and corrected the violations. ShopRite Health Officer Kuteyi reported that they met with ShopRite and they agreed not to display food outside of the store. Vermin Task Force Health Officer Kuteyi reported that the task force members include Property Maintenance Director Saunders, Property Maintenance Assistant Director Baner, Council President Ted Green, and Health Director Johns. A tracking sign in sheet is available in Property Maintenance for people applying for certifications for demolitions, renovations and construction in the city and to present something that shows they are compiling with pest control measures. Attorney Linder asked if there is an ordinance which permits pest control action from the Health Department. Mr. Kuteyi explained the involvement of the Health Department is ensure that contractors and others have someone that can perform pest control. President Harris clarified the goal of the Health Department is to ensure proper abatement prior to construction. President asked for clarification regarding overseeing property abatement and what is the role of the Health Department in the abatement process. Attorney Linder cited an example of a property owner not abiding to abatement measures if an ordinance is not in place. Mr. Kuteyi explained the health department cannot abate residential properties, however, they receive complaints from residents of adjacent properties when there is not proper abatement. Additionally, he explained that he is qualified to the check the bait boxes to ensure property abatement has taken place at a location. Mrs. Corbitt and President Harris asked Mr. Kuteyi to clarify the abatement process. Mr. Kuteyi explained that the Health Department verifies abatement by going to the property with the owner or without the owner and checking the boxes for proper abatement. He also explained court summonses can be issued for improper abatement. State Visit Report Health Officer Kuteyi reported that the State visited the health department. He explained that they want: documentation of all BOH trainings and activities; share Quality Improvement Plan with Health Department staff; and, that the evaluation reports be maintained with staff supervisors to address the issue with goal of resolving the issue. Attorney Linder cited the conflicting problems that will occur with the City’s collective bargaining agreement because of unilateral actions. He reported the City was also cited for not having the signed copy of the Emergency Preparedness report, however, he has sent the signed copy which was ready during the visit to the State. Mr. Kuteyi reported 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 June 20, 2017 MEETING MINUTES that the State would like the Health Department to expand programs, increase organizational relationships, seminars on cultural diversity, health disparities, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Attorney Linder addressed concerns about malpractice with regards to services the State is asking the City to comply with. Mr. Kuteyi added they want the annual health report to be shared with the public and they are considering posting on the Health Department website, Ward meetings, and Board of Health meetings. Mr. Kuteyi stated that in the next 5 days they should receive information on the deadlines for information to complete compliance. Health Department Staff Karen LaRussa-Community Programs Nurse Karen LaRussa reported 10th Annual BJ’s Asthma Walk on May 20th was successful with a celebratory tone. She explained the history of the walk began to commemorate Ms. Kate’s mother, a City employee, who died in her sleep from an Asthma attack. Ms. LaRussa explained Ms. Kate goal was to do collaborative outreach. Additionally, Ms. LaRussa explained she facilitates an 8-week asthma education academy based on the American Lung Association training. She explained the Asthma education academies coupled with the walk have increased awareness about Asthma in the City. Cecily Tyson School President Harris announced that board members will visit the Cecily Tyson School medical facility on Friday, June 23, 2017 at 10 am. President Harris stated the goal of the visit is to view the facility so that medical professionals in partnership with the East Orange School District can begin to provide services for the community. President Harris asked Nurse Karen to make arrangements for the board member to visit the medical facility at Park West Elementary school which is Jewish Renaissance Medical. Chesney Blue – Women, Infants and Children Program Director Chesney Blue reported she met with Bloomfield Township officials and the grand opening for the WIC program in Bloomfield will be on July 14th, 2017 in the afternoon. The location of the Bloomfield WIC office will be in the Bloomfield Health Department. Attorney Ryan Linder-Status of Ordinances Passage Attorney Linder explained the legislation that was passed by the Board of Health has been presented to the City Council and he is awaiting the legislation to be discussed in the Health and Human Service committee meeting during the week. Open Discussion Cheryl Williams, East Orange Resident, addressed the Board of Health regarding her concerns about ShopRite. She stated that she was happy the Health Department is continuing to put pressure on ShopRite to do the right thing for the community. Ms. Williams stated her concerns over fines given to ShopRite, open display of products and 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 June 20, 2017 MEETING MINUTES weights and measures. Attorney Linder advised Ms. Williams to submit a written OPRA request to the City Clerk’s office regarding information about legal issues pertaining to ShopRite. Adjournment At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:42 pm. Respectfully submitted, Sala Small pg. 4