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 March 20, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:40 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 Board of Health Counsel: Shantika Dorsey, Attorney Health Department Staff LaDonna Johns, Director Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Karen LaRussa, Nurse Educator Chesney Blue, WIC Manager Ebony Milton, Student, Attending William Paterson University, Intern to the Health Department City Council Present: Bergson Leneus, Third Ward Councilman, Liaison to BOH Public in attendance: None Approval of February 20, 2018 Meeting Minutes: Approval unanimous Announcements President Harris: • Welcome to Third Ward Councilman Bergson Leneus • Attended the WIC Program on Feb 27th. “Black Breastfeeding: Rediscovery and Restoration of a Legacy. Guest Speakers: Mayor Green, First Lady Tammy Murphy and Acting NJDOH Commissioner Dr. Elnahal. Also, present Dir. of State WIC Program Electra Moses and many other state officials, program advocates and panel discussion dignitaries including EO family. Audience participation was impassioned. In addition, Mrs. Corbitt and Mrs. Osborne, Dir. Johns and Councilwoman Talmage were present at the event. 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 March 20, 2018 MEETING MINUTES • Attended the LGBTQ Mayors event in Newark NJ on March 6th -- Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, East Orange Mayor Ted Green, Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren and mayoral representatives for Hillside and Irvington. • Introduction of Councilman Bergson Leneus to the Board and introduction of attendees. Director Johns -Announcements: Health Department Nursing Staff Shoprite Nutrition and the Health Department Nursing Staff provided blood pressure screenings on March 20th, 2018 at the Lobby in City Hall. The nurses requested going out more often into the community during the year and this is one of their initiatives to begin the process. Colorectal Cancer Awareness Event The Health Department in conjunction with Congressman Payne will be hosting an event on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at City Hall in the Lobby and will provide screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and information on colorectal screenings. All attendees are encouraged to dress in blue to bring awareness to colon cancer. Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training The annual HBCU Fair (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) and SWEP (Summer Work Employment Program) Kick Off will take place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Cicely Tyson School at 10am. The annual event features various HBCU’s, local colleges & universities, various East Orange departments, and the distribution of job applications to all attendees. Senior Services “Nevertheless, She Persisted”- Women’s History Month Event in collaboration with Mayor Ted R. Green and First Ward Councilwoman Amy Lewis will take place on Friday, March 23, 2018. The keynote speaker is Sheilah Coley, Director, East Orange Public Safety. The event will honor twenty-one women who have contributed to the City of East Orange in diverse fields including East Orange Health Department’s Karen LaRussa, Nurse & Community Educator, who has served the City for over thirty years. Community Baby Shower The 2nd Annual Baby Shower will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at STEM High School. The event will provide pregnant women and new mothers with items for their babies. Donations of baby items are accepted and the location for drop-off and storage is the Senior Service Center, 90 Halsted Street. All organization donations will be recognized by the committee at the Baby Shower. Because of the increased interest in the event it will take place at STEM high school. The goal for this year is to increase the visibility of the Health Department in the community and these events are one of the ways to increase that goal. 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 March 20, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Community Meetings First and Fifth Ward will have Community Meetings on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Mr. Kuteyi, Health Officer – Updates: Lead grant ordinances with other Municipalities, MOU for lead inspections, and grant fund sharing. HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that grant funds for East Orange from other Municipalities were accounted for when they were awarded. In addition, the first half of the money has been awarded and the second half will be awarded in June. City-wide data integration. HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that Qasim from GovPilot demonstrated the software at the previous Council meeting, but the demonstration only showed how the software works with property maintenances. HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that Fratec software is only used for retail food inspections and does not have software that can be used for HD data integration. Food handler’s classes HO Kutyei reported to the Board the Legal Department is researching the status of the Ordinance. Mercantile License Update HO Kutyei reported to the Board that Business Administrator Mr. Steplight drew attention to Mercantile, meaning business, therefore all businesses should be included under the Mercantile Ordinance instead of being separated. Mr. Kuteyi added there will be separate entities under the Mercantile Ordinance for the HD. President Harris inquired about the handling of the new entities by the HD with the new restructuring of the Mercantile Ordinance. Attorney Dorsey added the cost benefit analysis allows the HD to maintain and control the licensed entities, continues to allow general businesses to be under the purview of the City, the licensed entities do not go awry, and can be tracked by the HD. Atty Dorsey reported to the Board a few of the license categories and requirements Mr. Kuteyi drafted. Barber shops, cosmetology, hair salons, and nail salons to be grouped together. In addition, there will be a comprehensive summary of the HD to regulate those industries. The requirements for the license would include: an initial applicant license fee of $100 dollars to be paid by every new business under the category; annual license renewal in February; license must be prominently displayed upon receipt; the Health Officer or HO designee will inspect the business; and, an inspection fee, paid by the applicant, from any business that the HD receives a complaint about. Also, if the complaints are substantiated another inspection fee will have to be paid plus the cost of re-inspection upon meeting compliance. 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 March 20, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Tattoo parlors, body art, and piercings will be grouped together. HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that the inspectors attended training in Atlantic City at NJEHA. The requirements include: an initial licensing fee of $200 dollars; annual renewal fee of $100 dollars; late fee of $50 dollars; and penalties for violations for offenses. Atty. Dorsey stated she will do further research on penalties related to the violation of sanitary standards. HO Kuteyi suggested to include a single statement pertaining to sanitary standards by the state. Attorney Dorsey added that these measures will enable the HD to delineate fines and codes for specific violations plus keep track. Discussion on re-inspection fees, generating revenue, and the administrative duties of HD pertaining to the Ordinances. Attorney Dorsey will research on the legality of revenue generated by departments after specific funding is earmarked and received from City Council. She added that the drafts of ordinances that are sent to the Legal Department will be reviewed by the Board and will be elevated to City. Status of our E-cigarettes ordinance The E-cigs would be an amendment to the City’s smoking amendment. The amendment will require retailers to submit an application for a license. This tracks retailers and helps to prohibit underage sales; sales in vending machines and in-person sales; names person in charge of sales; requires annual renewal by May 31st which must be applied 90 days before annual deadline; designates a representative and the designee will have to complete a statement that acknowledges they have reviewed and will abide by the statement, the City ordinance, and applicable state laws. The fines will be enforced by HD. President Harris added to impose the $1200 dollars fine because the tobacco industry reimburses retailers of e-cigs. Status of Ordinance on Retail Sales of Tobacco Near Schools Discussion on the criteria for establishing tobacco establishments nears schools. HO Kuteyi stated his concerns of the opening of the tobacco shop near the school on Central Avenue. Attorney Dorsey explained the purpose of the Mercantile Ordinance is written to have the HD involved earlier in the planning process of business establishments. HO Kuteyi added that the HD is now involved with the Planning Review Board and will provide input on businesses applying for establishment in the City. Health Department staff: Nurse LaRussa Announcements Health Fair on May 10th at Cicely Tyson. Ms. LaRussa extended an invitation to the Board to attend and share insight on what they do to the attendees. This health fair will have an emphasis on Asthma. 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 March 20, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Chesney Blue WIC updates Black History Program-WIC hosted a Black History program on breastfeeding pertaining to the Health of Black women and infants. The panelist included Dr. Campbell, OB/GYN from University Hospital, Dr. Fofa, Head of the Neonatology Unit at University Hospital, Dr. Elnahal, Acting NJ Health Commissioner, and WIC clients. The panelists discussed low breastfeeding rates for Black women, high infant mortality rates, FMLA, and Short-Term Disability. Ms. Blue added that the clients spoke passionately about the barriers to staying home due to the need of returning to work. She stated the event was well attended by over 75 people and photographs were taken with First Lady Tammy Murphy, Sate WIC Director, and, the State WIC staff. WIC statistics-Ms. Blue reported to the Board that Essex County WIC numbers are up for the cities they service. She added East Orange WIC office serves clients from all cities except Irvington and Newark. and the program is number 7 in the state for exclusive breastfeeding and number 5 for the redemption of the NJ State Farmers Market vouchers. Ms. Blue stated to the Board that the WIC office has a NJ Farmer that provides pre-packaged goods to the office for the Clients to use their vouchers. Nurse Karen commented on Ms. Blue’s hard work and dedication. Doulas funding-A brief discussion on Doulas. Ms. Blue explains to Board that Doulas are health care professionals which help with the process of pregnancy, birth, and birth plans. She added that NJ has gotten behind the idea of Doulas for all women and has provided funding. Attorney Dorsey Updates: City Codes Section 5-102 and 103 regarding BOH authority-Attorney Dorsey reported to the Board that research is in progress on this matter. Child and Adult Nutrition Food Program Software: Councilman Bergson Leneus inquired about the software that is used for the Child and Adult Nutrition program. HO Kuteyi responded that there is no software used for the Nutrition Program. He added that the State is in the process of providing software for the Nutrition programs. Councilman Leneus inquired about a third-party vendor that the City can purchase the license for the data to be tracked. HO Kuteyi stated the information has been tracked on paper, however, the HD is looking into creating their own database to track the data. Director Johns ended the discussion with a letter of praise on the re-organization efforts of the program. At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Sala Small Board Clerk pg. 5