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 December 18, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:36 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 Shantika Dorsey, Attorney, attending on behalf of Ryan Linder, Corporate Counsel, Interim Health Department Staff Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Guest Speakers: None Public in attendance: None Approval of October 17, 2017 Meeting Minutes: Approval unanimous President Harris -Announcements: • November 2017 meeting cancelled due to lack of a quorum. • Governor Christy appointed Christopher Rinn, as the acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). • President Harris attended the NJ League of Municipalities Convention in Atlantic City in November 2017 and addressed the NJACCHO Conference following Commissioner Rinn. The conference topic was Improving Population Health in New Jersey. Dir. Johns was present in the audience. • On December 7th. the NJLBHA held its Annual Awards Dinner where professionals in multiple disciples were awarded for outstanding service in public health. 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 December 18, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Mr. Kuteyi, Health Officer – Updates Health Department Annual Report HO Kuteyi submitted to the Board for review and reference the 2016 annual report of the Health Department which details the departments highlights, activities, programs, and statistics. Mr. Kuteyi stated that the report will be submitted annually. Lead Prevention Program HO Kuteyi reported to the Board the application for the lead prevention grant was submitted to the State and East Orange will likely receive funding. Health Officers from other Municipalities have requested a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the EOHD to provide services as well as lead grant funding pertaining to their nurse management for the lead prevention programs and lead inspections. The HD will need to hire more nurses and inspectors to meet the increased demand of the Lead Prevention program. President Harris asked about the number of staff that needs to be hired for the lead program. Mr. Kuteyi stated that Nurse Niasse recommended that an additional Nurse Manager and Lead Inspector to be hired for the program. President Harris asked about the number of Municipalities that want to be involved. HO Kuteyi stated that West Orange and Livingston want to utilize the HD nurse management services and lead inspections. He added Montclair has not decided which service they want to utilize, and other municipalities are going to get back in touch with him after the New Year. He added that the EOHD currently works with ten municipalities to conduct lead inspections and the additional Municipalities will bring the number up to thirteen. President Harris inquired if the grant stipulated any number of inspectors need? HO Kuteyi stated no, the grant does not stipulate a certain number of inspectors. President Harris inquired about the status of previous lead inspections results. HO Kuteyi explained that if the test results are positive for lead the buildings will be retested and abated. Mr. Kuteyi announced the State has granted permission to the EOHD to charge landlords in those municipalities for conducting lead inspections. He added the lead program will be moving to a bigger office at 185 Central Avenue in the upcoming year, to accommodate the growth of the program and Nurse Niasse will receive another Inspector, Nurse Manager and Outreach Worker while remaining close to the WIC program. Site Planning Board HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that EOHD has been invited to attend the Site Planning Board meetings which he will be attending starting in January 2018. He added that Property Maintenance is part of the Site Planning Board. GovPilot Software HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that the City Council requested the Representative for the GovPilot Software company to come back in January to demonstrate a prototype of the software that will be 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 December 18, 2017 MEETING MINUTES used in the field. Thereafter, the software will be implemented so that the Health Department, Planning Department and Property Maintenance can obtain data in real time. The company will provide training on the use of the data. Good Life Center and Norman Towers HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that he visited the Good Life Center to follow-up on complaints of the overall deteriorated condition and stated the owner removed the carpet, replaced the flooring, and put up new wallpaper. HO Kuteyi reported that Norman Towers water pipes were replaced in the entire building over a 2- week period. A health inspection was done. Health Officer Assistant The Board discussed the need for the City to hire an Assistant Health Officer or Deputy for HO Kuteyi. Mr. Kuteyi informed the Board the closest title according to the State is a Senior RHS. Counsel Updates Liens: Follow-up on changing fines to a lien on landlords failing to meet their responsibilities regarding lead in residential dwellings? • Attorney Dorsey reported to the Board that Corporate Counselor-Interim Linder researched that what is historically customary in the City fines are converted to liens for abandoned and vacant properties. Ordinances provided to City Council? • Attorney Dorsey reported to the Board the Ordinances were submitted by Corporate Counselor-Interim Linder to Councilman Brent, however he does not know what the delay is but will follow-up on the matter. Was the research conducted on the license fee that can be imposed on retailors selling e-Cig’s, gels, vapors, etc. • Attorney Dorsey reported to the Board that Attorney Linder confirmed that the HD can impose a fee with stricter sanctions and the imposed fee cannot be lower than the State fee. At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:32 pm. Respectfully submitted, Sala Small Board Clerk pg. 3