Board of Health

EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH City of East Orange REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services NEW JERSEY 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 November 15, 2022 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 5:46 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. Zoom Communication ID: 895 3399 7474 Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89533997474?pwd=RkFpVmkyUlUrSnVwRnhkMGdMRjE5QT09 After the roll call, it was determined there was a quorum to convene the meeting. Board Members Present: Christine Harris, President Horace H. Henry, Vice President Tobbia M. Corbitt Deanna Phillips Angela Jones-Williams Dr. Tonya X. Cook Council Liaison: Tameika Garrett-Ward - absent Board of Health Counsel: Attorney Javonna Baker - absent Health Department Staff: Yvonne Blake, Acting HHS Director – (Attended League of Municipalities) Lia Hodges, Manager Mayoral Staff: None Guests: None Public in attendance: pg. 1  EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH City of East Orange REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services NEW JERSEY 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 November 15, 2022 None Approval of October 18, 2022, Meeting Minutes: Approved Unanimously President Harris Announcements: Thank You President Harris thanked Vice-President Henry for chairing the last two meetings in her absence. New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference President Harris reminded the Board that she would attend the Commissioner's presentation On Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Trustee Corbitt shared that the Commissioner will also have a 10 o'clock presentation at the Mayor's Wellness Campaign in A.C. Director Blake/Lia Hodges Updates: Consumer Occupational Health Service Complaint President Harris shared that she and the Board received notification from Director Blake, of a complaint submitted to the Consumer Environment Occupational Health Service for the State Department, New Jersey Department of Health of possible violations in the Health Department. Hazardous conditions such as mold & lead were outlined in the complaint, and we have 15 days to respond. The State's response should detail whether any violations exist and, if they do, what actions will take to remediate the issues. President Harris said she responded to Director Blake by asking specific questions and suggesting that an independent service conduct the testing. President Harris included Board members in her response communication. President Harris asked Ms. Hodges to share an update regarding the complaint. Ms. Hodges shared that everything identified in the complaint was addressed: the conference room, suite 201, and a wall near the stairwell. An outside company, Air Quality Control, tested for mold on the second floor of the Health Department, and reported there were no issues. However, during the inspection, a small hole was found in the ceiling leading to the third floor. Upon testing, lead was found. DPW is going to address that issue. Also, some windowsills contained lead, but because they are intact, DPW can paint them. The health department is known to contain lead, as it is a very old building and renovation requests predate 2019. President Harris asked if a final copy of the report was submitted to the State Department of Health. Ms. Hodges shared that the report was received that afternoon and will be forwarded. Vice-President Henry stated he was pleased that all the checks and balances had been completed, the independent assessment was conducted, and the department obtained the green light pg. 2  EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH City of East Orange REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services NEW JERSEY 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 November 15, 2022 Dental Program President Harris asked if the Board of Education (BOE) responded to their query regarding dental clinic services for their students. Ms. Hodges shared they had not; however, we drafted a letter to BOE. Dir. Blake wants to review the letter and submit it to the BOH for their input. But we're adamant about this dental program because our dentist and dental assistant want to continue servicing the community. So, we are working hard to reinstate the dental program with the cooperating of the BOE. President Harris asked if the health department prepared any marketing efforts to inform the public of the dental program's return. Ms. Hodges stated they had something prepared. Environmental Health Health Officer Updates President Harris asked if there were any updates regarding hiring a Health Officer. Ms. Hodges stated she and Director Blake had done a few preliminary screenings. Two individuals are qualified and licensed. Both will get back to us. President Harris remarked someone with experience is needed to fill the role of Health Officer. VP Henry asked if the second candidate had her REHS license. Ms. Hodges stated she does. VP Henry explained that you have health officers who have not taken REHS training, while you have health officers who were REHS and were promoted as health officers, making them more well-rounded individuals. COVID-19 Vaccination Team Ms. Hodges shared they have identified backup personnel to assist the COVID team. Our current team consisted of many young individuals, but we were looking for someone more experience to provide more structure. President Harris asked, what is the primary functions of the COVID Team? Ms. Hodges shared that their primary function is to oversee the COVID clinics, but she wants to ensure the educational component is still being addressed. She also wants them to call constituents who get vaccinated to ensure the residents are feeling fine and not experiencing any adverse side effects. President Harris asked if the health department had a quality assurance division. Ms. Hodges responded it does not, but they are looking into creating one. President Harris suggested they need a supervisor to monitor the clinical activities and the educational component. COVID-19 Resilience Training President Harris asked for an update on the COVID resilience training. Ms. Hodges shared the purpose of the rollout is to provide the health education component to the COVID clinics with special sessions for public participation. We still need to formulate what the roll-out would look like. Grants Ms. Hodges shared she completed and submitted the strengthening grant tonight. We have pg. 3  EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH City of East Orange REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services NEW JERSEY 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 November 15, 2022 identified a second person to assist in managing grants for the department and work with our dental program, which we're preparing to complete that grant which will come out in February 2023. President Harris suggested they hire a person to monitor the grants as part of your reorganization structure of the health department. Ms. Hodges stated this individual might also have other functions, but their primary duty will be to monitor the grants. Dr. Cook emphasized the importance of having a grant monitor, as the data collected during the reporting, drives the grant. She shared that you need timely & quality submissions of grant reporting to maintain your grant. Therefore, you need someone qualified to watch and ensure we have all the pieces for that grant and that the reporting structure has to be monitored regularly. President Harris concurred, stating that the health officer also figures in because of his legal responsibilities. Departmental Assessments President Harris suggested reviewing all the divisions under the Health Department, as a part of structural reorganization, and assess each manager, supervisor, and staff; and, review past performance evaluations at least two years, as this will acquaint you and Dir. Blake with the staff and their histories. President Harris asked for a copy of the Health Department's reorganizational chart. Ms. Hodges stated she is working on it and will share it with the Board once completed. Ms. Hodges shared she and Dir. Blake are working on restructuring the department along with a component for disciplinary actions as needed. Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes (LHCHH) Ms. Hodges stated that the Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes $3 million grant was lost but retrieved after she contact the HUD director and traveled to Washington DC. The grant program will continue Open Discussion: Barbershop, Nail Salon, and Cosmetology Ordinance President Harris stated she received copies of the ordinances and the list of what needed to be incorporated from the Word document Dr. Griffith sent. President Harris inquired whether Jo- Ann would have to retype the ordinances using the information incorporated in the Word document with proper formatting for the Attorney's review. Ms. Hodges stated she wanted to check and will get back to the Board with an answer. Cannabis Ordinance & Community Meeting Cannabis Community Meeting President Harris asked for the date of the next cannabis community meeting. Ms. Hodges stated the meeting would occur on Monday, November 21, 2022, in City Council chambers. pg. 4  EAST ORANGE BOARD OF HEALTH City of East Orange REGULAR MEETING East Orange Department of Health & Human Services NEW JERSEY 143 New Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 November 15, 2022 President Harris stated it will be good if all of our board members, or as many as possible, could be there. Cannabis Ordinance President Harris asked if there were any additional updates to the cannabis ordinance. Ms. Hodges shared that she was unaware of any revisions but would check with Dir. Blake. Feral Cats President Harris surmised that the feral cat issue is almost dead. But we keep carrying it forward, and no one will establish a colony in their ward. But we will leave it on the agenda. We haven't heard any complaints lately because it's getting cold, but there may be more come summertime. Trustee Corbitt stated she spoke with an animal control officer at the League. Trustee Corbitt shared the officer advised we may not receive any help regarding the feral cat issue since it is not viewed as a pressing issue. Especially from the state level, which filters down to the municipal level. If it was dogs, they might take a different approach, but because it is cats, they are free to roam. President Harris remarked we were trying to establish colonies, in response to the many community complaints about feral cats. So, we'll take this off old business as this is something that the community is no longer interested in. Trustee Phillips stated Director Blake indicated that she wanted to revisit it, but she is okay with it being removed. Board members stated the issue could always be brought back if there are any updates. VP Henry VP Henry shared that he resigned from Bloomfield Township to accept the position of Chief REHS with the Health Department, City of East Orange. President Harris reminded VP Henry that he does not have to vacate his Board seat since they have no financial responsibilities in hiring staff. So, therefore, there is no conflict of interest. Likewise, those similar to yourself with a passion for public health and knowledge about the whole public health and medical systems are the people you want on your health boards. President Harris stated she would confirm that there is no conflict of interest. VP Henry said he is looking forward to joining the E.O. team with Ms. Hodges & Dir. Blake and thanked the Board for their support. At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jo-Ann Mills Board Clerk pg. 5