City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED:9/3/2015 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, August 20, 2015 5:30PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holland- 5:32 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 4- Karen LeHeup-Smith; Linda Bob; Michael Holland ; and Carla Gnann-Thompsen Absent: 1 - Bill Brett I. Workshop Item 15188 Review of Water Department Fluoridation Procedures Rick Gierok, Utilities Director, pursuant to previous direction from the Commission reported on the City's fluoridation process and provided a history of the fluoridation program. He noted the presence of a Dumont representative, the City's hydrofluorosilicic acid supplier. He provided an overview of the City's mandated reports for 2015. He cited letters of support for the City's program received from various professional organizations and City residents. He introduced Dr. Johnny Johnson from the American Board of Pediatric Dentists. Mayor Holland introduced Sen. Alan Hayes to speak. Senator Hayes explained that he was present not as a Senator but as a dental doctor. He read for the record a letter he sent to the Mayor in support of the City's fluoride program. Commissioner Gnann-Thompson arrived at 5:42p.m. Dr. Johnny Johnson, pediatric dentist from Pinellas County Florida, provided a presentation regarding the existence of fluoride in nature, the mechanisms of the fluoride ion, and the effectiveness of community water fluoridation programs. He also provided an overview of recent scientific debates regarding fluoridation which resulted in recommendations for continued community water fluoridation. He concluded there are no adverse health effects from drinking fluoridated water. Aaron Kissler, Administrator-Health Officer for the Florida Dept. of Health in Lake County, presented a Florida Department of Health Policy Statement on community water fluoridation from the State Surgeon General Dr. John H. Armstrong. II. Commission Discussion - None III. Public Input Mayor Holland opened the floor to public comment at 6:04p.m. and asked speakers to sign in and limit comments to three minutes. David Lajowski, Eustis resident, stated his belief that the facts presented are misleading. He asked who is going to take responsibility for any effects on his body. He questioned who has done their own studies and expressed opposition to fluoridation. He questioned the difference between sodium fluoride and hydrofluorosilicic acid and the difference between different safety data sheets. Erica Latker, Dumont representative, explained that Dumont was purchased by Hawkins. She also explained that as of June 1st there were new requirements for MSDS safety sheets which requires standardization of information sheets from different companies. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 812412015 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final August 20, 2015 Mr. Gierok stated that the certification sheet he displayed is for hydrofluorosilicic acid, which is what the City utilizes. Dr. Johnson stated that for 65 years hydrofluorosilicic acid has been the number one product used for water fluoridation programs. He explained that the measurements are taken after the product is added so what is drank is what it breaks down to in water which is sand (silica) and fluoride. He explained the studies were done by epidemiologists and doctors, not dentists, and they confirm there are no ill effects from fluoride. He further explained that in 1983 to 1985 he studied fluoride in infant formula. He stated that all of the infant formula manufacturers stopped including fluoride water to make sure the infants did not receive more than recommended; however, the research showed there was no harm to the infants other than, possibly, a few more white spots on their teeth. He noted that his study was published in the American Academy of Pediatrics Journal. He stated people should listen to the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC (Center for Disease Control). The following individuals addressed the Commission in support of the community water fluoridation program: 1) Dr. Robert Pellosi, President of the Lake County Dental Society; 2) Jackie Burt McDonough, Director of Dental Operations Community Health Centers, Inc. ; 3) Dr. Bill D'Aiuto, President-Elect of the Florida Dental Association; 4) Denise Wisham, North Coastal Florida Dental Hygienists Association; 5) Dr. Wade Winker, Florida Board of Dentistry; 6) Dr. Don llka; Dental Director for the St. Luke Free Medical and Dental Clinic; and 7) Richard Linnell, General Dentist with the Florida Dept. of Health. IV. Commission Direction Mayor Holland polled the Commission regarding their support for continuing the water fluoridation program. Commissioner Bob explained her request for the workshop noting that whenever a resident states that the City is doing something wrong she wants to make sure the Commission fully investigates the claim. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission to continue the City's water fluoridation program. Mayor Holland noted that the Local Planning Agency meeting would begin in approximately two minutes. V. Adjournment - 6:24 p.m. MICHAEL L. HOLLAND City Clerk Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question . A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee . City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 812412015