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 July 18, 2023 MEETING MINUTES Meeting Call to Order – 6:01 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: 868 8814 9815 Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86888149815?pwd=b09HY2E3UlBsODRFUHZQSW5rcG5MZz09 After the roll call, it was determined there was a quorum to convene the meeting. Board Members Present: Christine Harris, President Tobbia M. Corbitt, Vice-President Deanna Phillips - absent Angela Jones-Williams - absent Dr. Tonya X. Cook Council Liaison: Mustafa Al-M. Brent - absent Board of Health Counsel: Attorney Emeka Madubuogo Health Department Staff: Yvonne Blake, Acting HHS Director – automobile speaker phone. Health Officer Vincent DeFilippo, Orange Mayoral Staff: Ted Green, Mayor & Jada Braime-Butler 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 July 18, 2023 Guests: None Public in attendance: None Approval of June 20, 2023, Meeting Minutes: Approved Unanimously Health Officer DeFilippo Updates: COVID & Tick-Related Cases HO DeFilippo shared COVID cases are on the rise and there have been deaths and hospitalizations due to one of the variances. President Harris asked Dr. Cook if she knew the effectiveness of the vaccine against the new COVID variant. Dr. Cook stated she would be attending a meeting at the hospital and if the topic comes up, she will share the information with the Board. HO DeFilippo shared the number of reported COVID cases in NJ by age: 30 to 49 = 9; 50 to 64 = 39; 65 to 79 = 168; and 80 and over = 300+ cases. President Harris asked if these were deaths or reported cases. HO DeFilippo stated these numbers reflect the reported cases. HO DeFilippo stated measle cases have gradually been on the incline. HO DeFilippo shared there is also a rise in tick-borne bites. As of June 26th, there have been over 1,000 emergency room visits due to tick bites which is an increase from the 1,300 averages in the past 4 years. President Harris asked what is occurring environmentally to increase the tick population. HO DeFilippo stated a lot of rain has caused the increase and you could use a pesticide to get rid of ticks. Health Department Relocation President Harris asked HO DeFilippo if there was an update from Mr. Henry from NJACCHO, regarding use of funding for the proposed new location for the Health Department. HO DeFilippo shared he did speak with Mr. Henry; however, the funding received will go towards renovations for the existing Health Department not relocating. Mr. Henry stated the funds could not be used towards the purchase or remodeling of an alternate location. WinWam, Permitium, & FileBank President Harris asked for an update regarding FileBank, WinWam & Permitium. HO DeFilippo stated he called the EO Vitals Office, and the team was not available, so they may have already begun the process of scanning the records as files were being packed up for processing a few weeks prior. Ms. Tamika Chandler stated the boxes were taken out by FileBank. Ms. Chandler mentioned that the Law Department had questions regarding 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 July 18, 2023 WinWam, which was brought to Director Blake’s attention after the purchase order was created. Attorney Madubuogo shared the WinWam and Permitium resolutions did not pass during the committee meeting and is unsure of the status of FileBank. He discussed the issues of funding, the initial enhanced local public health infrastructure grant deadline, and having received a second 6-month grant reward letter. Ms. Gallagher, CFO, indicated that the FileBank resolution passed, and the City is willing to pay the $148,000 fee for the services first and get reimbursed from the State. HO DeFilippo explained that the funding remains with the State until a PO is generated. Once the PO is generated, it and the quarterly report are submitted to the State for processing and reimbursement. President Harris asked who the initiator of the resolution was. Attorney Madubuogo stated that the legal department does not draft resolutions or legislation. We review and approve the legislation. Anything coming out of the department now is sent to the legal department for review and correlation with the finance department, Ms. Gallagher. Once both departments approve it, it's then sent to the committee. At that point in time, the resolution and contract should be on face value to be proposed to Counsel for approval. After that, it should just be a race to the finish. President Harris remarked that historically, the legal department drafted the legislation. Attorney Madubuogo stated he is unaware of past practices, but this has been in place since his tenure. President Harris remarked that you’re asking that each department have a lawyer or someone who is an expert in drafting the language of a contract. Then, you guys, all you have to do is review and approve it and ensure it conforms with the study's requirements. Attorney Madubuogo stated if a resolution is not adequate, we will change it if need be. We often add language such as the legal department's right to amend or modify a resolution. If a contract needs to be amended after being approved by counsel, we can do so as well. But more than most, the resolution is okay on the surface. We worked heavily on this because it had to get out quickly, so we had to draft it to ensure everything was okay, but generally, the Legal Department does not draft resolutions. Each department sends a Corporation Council form with the resolution and contracts for us all to approve and a certificate of funds from Ms. Gallagher. President Harris asked if Ms. Gallagher is the final arbiter in terms of whether or not the funds are available. Attorney Madubuogo concurred. President Harris asked who needed to revise the resolution to contain the appropriate language and who was responsible for drafting the certification. Attorney Madubuogo stated he would speak to Shantika and Ronald Hunt tomorrow. We'll work on the resolution. 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 July 18, 2023 Conversations are going to have to be had with the HD regarding paying for the funds, but the ultimate decision is going to come from the Finance Department. The certification of funds will come from the CFO. President Harris asked what is the turnaround time for the resolution revisions. Attorney Madubuogo shared he would begin working on any needed revisions once the document is submitted to his office by Dir. Blake, with the anticipation of it being presented at Thursday’s Health & Education Committee meeting. President Harris remarked that the funds are available per Dir. Blake and the resolution needs to be revised to reflect the language supporting the reimbursement of the funding for services provided by FileBank. Department Equipment President Harris inquired about the status of office supplies, such as computers, cabinets, and other IT equipment for the HD & WIC. HO DeFilippo stated that he does not believe the items have been ordered as they have not received a PO for submission to NJACCHO, but the process was started. Dir. Blake stated she submitted the request for a quote to Mr. Steplight and IT for the aforementioned items but has been busy obtaining the accreditation. President Harris asked how long ago the request was submitted. Dir. Blake shared three weeks ago. Now that the accreditation process is completed, she will revisit the conversation with Mr. Steplight and IT to receive the quotes for the items. VP Corbitt and Dr. Cook also expressed frustration with how long it takes to finalize needed services for the HD. Open Discussion: Health Officer Applicants President Harris asked Mayor Green if any applications had been received for the vacant Health Officer position. Mayor Green stated that the Administration recently caught up with other emergent budget-related priorities and expressed concern about ensuring we have the appropriate leadership for the HD. Mayor Green shared they have received numerous applications and are in the process of interviewing some of those candidates via Zoom. Mayor Green invited the Board members to participate in the vetting process once they narrowed the candidates down to the last 6 or 7 as a nod to their expertise. Mayor Green stated they must select a candidate with substance who is not only qualified but would understand our community and not just view the role as a paycheck. Smoke Shops President Harris once again expressed concerns over the growing number of smoke shops opening within the City and the types of products they sell, which can be enticing to minors. Mayor Green concurred, stating that he was initially against supporting cannabis as he was concerned this would bring the smoke shops and other similar establishments to the City, but explained that during his Mayor on the Block campaigns, he and his team are shutting down these illegal establishments. President Harris asked if legislation that prohibits the sale of particular items can be drafted. Mayor Green stated this could be done. HO DeFilippo shared these establishments are not permitted to sell food products that could attract minors and 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 July 18, 2023 should have signs with age restrictions for 21 and older. HO DeFilippo stated failure to adhere to these regulations should result in a fine. VP Corbitt shared a new location on Dodd Street that has snacks and signage in the window outlining the items they sell. Ms. Braime-Butler shared the location with Director Negron of Code Enforcement. HO DeFilippo stated he and his team would go to the location. Mayor Green shared that he would visit the establishment as well. Health Department Relocation President Harris asked the Mayor for an update regarding the relocation of the Health Department. Mayor Green stated that the City had a surplus when he was on Council. However, the previous administration allocated the funds toward investing in the golf course. Mayor Green shared that he is concerned and aims to open a new HD facility. He is in the process of making up the funds. Mayor Green stated that he does not want the Board to think the Health Department and staff are not essential because they are. President Harris asked if any foundations or fund investors would be willing to partner with the City. Mayor Green stated they have recently begun shifting the conversation to include grant funding and local, public, and private partnerships. President Harris remarked that during her tour of the Health Department, the environment was one of the staff's significant displeasures. At the conclusion of Board business, President Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jo-Ann Lowe Board Clerk pg. 5