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 19, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:45 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 Deanna Phillips Derrick Samuels-arrived at 6:39pm Board of Health Counsel: Shantika Dorsey, Attorney assigned to the Board of Health Health Department Staff: Victor Kuteyi, Health Officer Karen Johnson-LaRussa, Nurse, Community Health Educator Chesney Blue, WIC Program Coordinator Uchechukwu Igwe, Student Intern, Montclair State University, Masters in Public Health program Jo-Ann Mills, Administrative Assistant to Health Officer Victor Kuteyi Mayoral Staff: Ajah Baldwin, Office of the Mayors Public in attendance: None Approval of May 15, 2018 Meeting Minutes: Approval unanimous Announcements President Harris: • President Harris announced the 2nd Annual Community Baby Shower held on Saturday June 2, 2018 at STEM Academy was a great success. • F/U - Status of the DOH Poster campaign on Opioid Epidemic and substance abuse, prevention, treatment and recovery. HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that the HD submitted a poster, however, the results of our status have not been received. • President Harris asked HO Kuteyi if the HD applied for the $4.3 mil grant available to program efforts resolving health disparities and reducing Black infant mortality? Ms. Blue explained to the Board WIC was not able to apply for the grant due to time constraints, 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 19, 2018 MEETING MINUTES however, WIC has signed on for the grant with the SPAN Group and Bessie May Women’s Health Center in East Orange. • President Harris and HO Kuteyi attended the 2018 Public Health Forum in Mercerville, NJ which was sponsored by (OLPH/NJACCHO). • President Harris announced that the Farmers Market will begin starting July 3rd. • President Harris announced the resignations of Trustee Sandra Osborne effective June 30, 2018 and Recording Clerk Sala Small effective August 1, 2018. Additionally, the Board unanimously voted for the appointment of Ms. Jo-Ann Mills to the position of Recording Clerk, effective in September 2018. • President Harris announced to the Board that Mr. Kuteyi submitted the 2017 Health Report which will be reviewed by the Board. Mr. Kuteyi, Health Officer – Updates: Planning Review Committee HO Kuteyi reported that the HD is part of the Planning Review Committee and this enables the HD to be involved with the planning process from the beginning, view information, review architectural diagrams, attend committee meetings, make comments, and offer suggestions. HO Kuteyi added this will help to curtail businesses not inspected prior to opening. HO Kuteyi cited examples of a gas station on Park Avenue and Exxon gas station on Central Avenue preparing food. He added that he will obtain the CFO’s for the gas stations to find if they disclosed they would be cooking food on premises. President Harris inquired if there was any difficulty obtaining the CFO’s for businesses. HO Kuteyi replied there is no difficulty, however, many businesses do not disclose they will be cooking food in their establishment. President Harris also asked who is responsible for the CFO’s. HO Kuteyi explained that he thinks the Planning Review Board is responsible. President Harris suggested the implementation of a systematic inspection process. HO Kuteyi informed the Board that a system has been implemented. He added that when warnings are given businesses are allowed time to become compliant before the follow-up inspection. Sanitation Codes HO Kuteyi reported to the Board the sanitation codes are complete. He added that he will add a comprehensive and expanded lead section. He added that Mr. Richard is going to provide him with a template to compare the East Orange codes with other Municipalities. Lead Inspector HO Kuteyi reported to the Board he provided the Lead inspector with the software needed for inspections. Nutrition Program HO Kuteyi reported to the Board that the Manager and two employees are currently being trained to use the software the State is implementing. He added that he has requested a trainer from the State program to come in and work with the other employees also. The Board made inquiries pertaining to the required paperwork, the vendor, food packaging, and monitoring. HO Kuteyi informed the Board the paperwork is current, and Winston’s is the vendor. 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 19, 2018 MEETING MINUTES He added the food arrives pre-packaged from the vendor to the various sites whereby the Food Monitors inspect the food. The Board Members inquired about the number of vendors for the nutrition program. Mr. Kuteyi explained there are three monitors for 47 sites in various locations in Essex County. Board members expressed concerns about the small amount of Food Monitors versus the number of sites that the City services. HO Kuteyi explained that the City is in compliance with the State, based on the number of sites that the City services. Attorney Dorsey Updates: Attorney Dorsey and HO Kuteyi attended the City Council Health and Education Committee on Monday June 11th, however, because there was no quorum the committee did not meet. Attorney Dorsey added that Councilman Leneus listened to HO Kuteyi and herself regarding the concerns of the Board. Councilman Leneus also wanted to know why the Board wanted a return to its autonomous status. Attorney Dorsey informed the Board HO Kuteyi and her they were able to communicate to the Councilman that progress is impeded if the Board’s legislation needs council approval which impedes progress for the City. Attorney Dorsey added that Councilman Leneus promised to speak to the Board’s concerns in a proper caucus. President Harris expressed concerns about the Board not being informed about the City Council Health and Education Committee meetings. Health Department Staff: WIC Updates Chesney Blue reported to the Board that WIC is implementing WIC on Web (WOW) which is more of an electronic based data program. She added that WIC offices will be closed for training including the satellite sites for approximately two weeks while staff gets acclimated to the program and compatibility is tested. Ms. Blue stated that WIC offices would re-open on June 29th with processing to begin at that time. President Harris inquired about the States involvement in the transition process. Ms. Blue informed the Board that the State is fully involved in providing training and equipment because the new program will enable a paperless system by 2019 with a debit card system to be implemented by 2020. Ms. Blue was awarded the Ruby Award from Soroptimist for her work with low-income women through the WIC program in East Orange. Community Health Education Updates Nurse Karen introduced to the Board the new Graduate Student Intern Uchechukwu Igwe. Ms. Iqwe gave a brief introduction to the Board and informed them she is a Graduate Student Intern from Montclair State University in the Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education. 2018 Public Health Forum HO Kuteyi reported that at the 2018 Public Health Forum he learned the following: HD’s should have a written radiation exposure plan; the focus of accreditation is population based; that data should be accompanied with documentation that includes pictures; and should be transmitted in a digital format with online availability. HO Kuteyi talked about the importance of signage for each department throughout the building, staff cross-training, HD logo on all documents, and adherence to all deadlines. 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 19, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Brief discussion held on the Opioid use; elimination of taxes on medical marijuana; awareness of Longhorn Asian Ticks in New Jersey; food safety; funding for food safety; mental health awareness; Black infant mortality cost analysis; and Black infant mortality funding. HO Kuteyi added the State is going to provide regional funding for communities to collaborate pertaining to the issue of Black infant mortality. Mr. Kuteyi also mentioned the rise of STDs in New Jersey with the resurgence of syphilis case including congenital syphilis, gonorrhea highly resistance of medication, and the need for early childhood interventions, Open Discussion: Board members discussed the idea of creating community forums focused on a range of Public Health issues. President Harris asked all attendees to bring ideas to the next meeting. At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:34 pm. Respectfully submitted, Sala Small Board Clerk pg. 4