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 October 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:32 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 (arrived at 5:39) Sandra Osborne (Absent) Ryan Linder, Attorney assigned to the Board of Health Health Department Staff LaDonna Johns, Director Health and Human Services Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Karen Johnson-LaRussa, Nurse, Certified Health Educator Chesney Blue, Director WIC (Women, Infants and Children), (Absent) Guest Speakers: None Public in attendance: None Approval of September 21, 2017 Meeting Minutes: Approval unanimous President Harris President Harris asked HO Kuteyi about the Mental Health and Addiction Services County-wide Forum. Mr. Kuteyi stated that he was unable to attend the conference because of an emergency regarding positive lab results of lead dust in two residences. HO Kuteyi stated that he called several Health Officers to find out what occurred at the forum and is awaiting to receive information. President Harris asked Director Johns if anyone from East Orange General Hospital (EOGH) attended the meeting. Director Johns stated she will contact people at EOGH to find out if anyone attending the forum and will contact her regarding her findings. Mr. Kuteyi, Health Officer Lead Dust in Residential Homes: HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that he was unable to attend the County Wide Forum on Mental Health and Addiction Services, on October 10, 2017, because of positive lab results, from an initial lab submission, on September 27, 2017 of lead dust in two residential homes. HO Kuteyi explained the Health Department 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 October 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES immediately removed the families from their homes and they were temporarily placed at the Ramada Inn. President Harris asked why the families were permitted to return to uninhabitable residences if the lab results were positive for lead dust. HO Kuteyi explained the families returned to the home because the contractor reneged on his promise to temporarily shelter the families at the Ramada Inn. Mr. Kuteyi added when the Health Department and Property Maintenance try to locate the contractor and workers they leave the property. And, the City is responsible for sheltering the families and purchasing materials to seal the locations to protect residents and the neighborhood from inhaling the lead dust. HO Kuteyi added the safety efforts were in collaboration with Property Maintenance. Attorney Linder asked Mr. Kuteyi if the Health Department is making the necessary steps to have the fines reduced to a lien. In addition, he explained there are specific steps that must be taken when dealing with relocation to have the fines reduced to a lien to ensure that the City receives payment and the landlord cannot convey it nor borrow money against the property. President Harris asked Attorney Linder which department is responsible for issuing a lien on the property. Attorney Linder explained the lien from Property Maintenance would be relating to property maintenance issues versus the lien that EOHD would have placed on the properties. Director Johns commented that she is in the process of working on a better system for the Ramada Inn and other vendors to get paid for dislocation, so HO Kuteyi does not have to continue to pay out of pocket. Attorney Linder stated the contractor can be reported to New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs (NJDCA). HO Kuteyi contacted the NJDCA and they advised him to work with the local ordinance first and if the contractor is not compliant to contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). President Harris asked about the length of stay at the Ramada Inn when residents are temporarily displaced due to various health issues which may arise. HO Kuteyi stated if the contractor is qualified according to federal guidelines he should have a certification which will specify how long the remodeling process will take at a property. President Harris asked about contractor credentialing. Attorney Linder explained in NJ to obtain a general contractors’ license a person only needs to demonstrate proof of insurance. The Board discussed the possibility of the Health Department attending the landlord and property managers group meetings to present the public health perspective. Attorney Linder added there is representation from the Department of Planning, Property Maintenance, and the Law Department. Attorney Linder stated that he will follow-up the HO Kuteyi pertaining to reducing the fines to landlords to a lien. Updates on Lead Program HO Mr. Kuteyi reported that he sent a Letter of Intent to the State for the ten-million dollar grant for the lead program. He will be working with the grant writers for the City to apply for the grant. HO Kuteyi reported other Municipalities who share our Lead Program services have discussed sharing funds pertaining to programming cost, service, and staffing. HO Kuteyi reported that the HD will be notified about the receipt of funding by the end of November 2017. 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 October 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Updates on Community Health Programming HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were sent to the following Lattimore Tubercolosis (TB) Clinic in Newark and he is awaiting a response. HO Kuteyi reported to the Board an MOU was sent to East Orange Primary Center (EOPC) for program collaborations pertaining to diabetes and hypertension monitoring. Mr. Kuteyi explained the Health Department does not qualify for the diabetes and hypertension grant from the State because the grant pertaining to those Public Health issues are for the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) which is the East Orange Primary Care Center and the collaboration is a great benefit for the Health Department. President Harris asked if referrals are also given for patients to go to EOGH. Mr. Kuteyi explained patients have the option for referrals to go to EOGH and other agencies that the HD has an MOU with. In addition, he explained that most of the collaboration with EOGH has been with crisis interventions and more collaborations are expected in the future. Retail Store Fire Damage HO Kuteyi reported Bravo market on the corner of South Harrison Street and Central Avenue had a fire and contaminated and damaged products were discarded. Staffing President Harris asked HO Kuteyi about staffing for the Health Department. HO Kuteyi explained the Health Department has an on-going restructuring program and a part-tine nurse is needed to work in Communicable diseases, The addition of the part-time nurse will enable EHS Mr. Besra to focus on the retail food inspections. HO Kuteyi explained that upon the passing of the Mercantile Ordinance a part-time RHS who is bilingual is needed to cover inspections thus enabling Mr. Besra to also help out with the Food Handler’s class while increasing staff in specialized areas. President Harris asked about the areas Mr. Besra currently works within the Health Department. He stated that Mr. Besra works in Communicable disease, RHS, food handling, complaints, and inspections. HO Kuteyi added Inez Commacho who is bilingual is assisting. Communicable Diseases HO Kuteyi reported Mr. Besra is submitting regular reports to the State on Communicable Diseases in East Orange. He added previous treatments were not very effective and people would not seek treatment for Hep- C, however, treatments are now more effective and with community health, more people will seek treatment. HO Kuteyi explained the Health Department is also conducting health education in nursing homes in preparing for respiratory illnesses such as Legionnaires disease. 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 October 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Director LaDonna Johns Director Johns announced to the Board that Mayor Taylor’s State of the City final address will take place on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm located at Cicely Tyson School Director Johns reported to the Board that Director Valerie Jackson, East Orange Department of Planning, will add HO Kuteyi and herself to the Site Planning Board (SPB) meetings and the Site Planning Board Checklist (SPBC) which is headed by Joe Bianco. The SPB meets to discuss the development of buildings in the city. Director Johns reported that she emphasized the importance of the HD at the SPB meetings to offer critical input on Public Health matters to building development, construction, and renovation. Attorney Linder Is there an ordinance on pest control/abatement for property owners? Is one required? If not, one is need. • Attorney Linder stated that Municipal Ordinance 159-69 addresses implied covenant of habitability, in most leases, which requires a landlord to provide some form of pest control Updates on ordinance/code review on food handler training with language limited to small businesses? • Attorney Linder reported to the Board the Ordinance passed in the spring, were generated in hard copies and provided to Councilman Brent. Attorney Linder stated that he is awaiting the ordinances to be placed on the agenda by Councilman Brent. Need to Update Mercantile License to include barber shops, hair salons, nail shops, flower shops, etc. HO Kuteyi also suggested license cost revisions. • Attorney Linder recommended procedurally to discuss with the City Council the change in prices charged to see if they are ok with approach to avoid rejection. Need to update 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” to include annual license cost of $1200 for all vendors selling e-Cig’s, gels, vapors, etc. • Attorney Linder asked for clarification since the Board rejected the ordinance pertaining to collection of fees in 2016. President Harris explained, that her understanding is that the collection of fines does not conflict with the federal regulations and the retailers are receiving rebates from Tobacco industry for fines they pay. President Harris asked Attorney Linder to research the implementation of the licensing fees for the City of East Orange. Health Department Staff: Nurse Karen Johnson-LaRussa Community Health in the Schools Nurse Karen LaRussa reported to the Board that interns working with school nurse at Cicely Tyson Schools on initiatives to promote healthy living, upcoming health fairs on May 10, 2018 at Cicely Tyson and Dionne Warwick on November 14, 2017. 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 October 17, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Veteran’s Events Veterans Day luncheon is going to take place on Thursday, November 9, 2017 and on Saturday, November 11, 2017 the memorial event will take place in front of City Hall. Nurse Karen LaRussa attended homeless veterans event witn Essex County Executive Jo DiVicenzo and Congress Payne’s office; Breast Cancer Awareness Mammogram event on October 19, 2017 At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:32 pm. Respectfully submitted, Sala Small Board Clerk pg. 5