Amended 4/3/06
HUMAN SERVICES
March 20, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Dr. Sienko, Tim Perrone, Garry Rowe, Bill Haun, Robin Reynolds and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the March 6, 2006 Minutes
The March 6, 2006 Minutes were approved as submitted. Absent: Comm. Severino
Mr. Neilsen addressed item 1b of the March 6 minutes. He informed the Committee that Mr. Rowan was reappointed to the Board of Health.
Additions to the Agenda
5. Point of Sale Presentation
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3. Health Department
b. Resolution to Adjust the Status of Two Positions in the Health Department
c. Resolution to Adjust the Status of a Position in the Office for Young
Children
d. Resolution to Honor Robert Glandon on His Retirement
e. Resolution to Honor Gretchen Fergason, R.N. on the Occasion of Her
Retirement
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
2. Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission – Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds to the Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission and a 2006 Contract for Accounting with Respect Thereto
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE MID-SOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE COMMISSION AND A 2006 CONTRACT FOR ACCOUNTING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
Comm. Schor asked why the Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission disregarded the Board’s resolution requesting full funding for the D.A.R.E. program during the budget process. Mid-South approved approximately half of the full amount. Ms. Reynolds explained Mid-South had a significant discussion regarding the D.A.R.E. program. The Commission also received letters from Commissioners on this issue. Mid-South did not disregard the Board’s position. Its request was taken under advisement and considered. Four of five of the Ingham County appointees to Mid-South voted “no” on the full funding request.
Ms. Reynolds further explained Mid-South is slowly reducing funding for the D.A.R.E. program as it had indicated it would do a few years ago. D.A.R.E. is not seen as an effective program; and, it did not meet Mid-South’s out come requirements.
Comm. Hertel asked if Mid-South had found another program to implement in place of D.A.R.E. Ms. Reynolds explained Mid-South has several initiatives in place regarding prevention. These initiatives are provided through some area schools. Comm. Hertel asked that Mid-South provide this Committee with information regarding its initiatives to address prevention. Ms. Reynolds stated she would forward the information to Mr. Neilsen.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:11 p.m.)
1. Board of Health – Update on Activities
Dr. Sienko informed the Committee that Mr. Rowan could not attend tonight’s meeting due to other responsibilities. Dr. Sienko stated he was filling in for Mr. Rowan.
The Board of Health discussed a planning process in order to focus on a few major items. Those items include:
Dr. Sienko stated the Board of Health wants to be inline with the Board of Commissioners’ areas of priority regarding health.
Comm. Dedden asked Dr. Sienko what he meant by “Social Injustice.” Dr. Sienko explained the phrase pertains to women’s issues, including pre-pregnancy and pregnancy.
3a. Health Department – Resolution to Establish a Fee Schedule for the Office for Young Children
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE OFFICE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.
Comm. Dedden asked if previously free services would now have fees. Dr. Sienko explained a training grant from the Department of Human Services (DHS) previously helped to cover the costs of providing training to child care providers and special interest groups. The Office for Young Children (OYC) has received a reduction in the training grant funds from DHS. Dr. Sienko stated he did not know if the funding would be restored to its previous levels.
Dr. Sienko explained many agencies will need some of this training to receive proper licensing. Financial resources are not available at this time to provide the training services for free.
Comm. Severino addressed the OYC Education & Training Institute – Fee for Service Training Grid – 3/2/2006. This information is contained in the agenda packet. He asked if the consultant’s $50 rate would still be charged if the consultant is not providing his/her service. Dr. Sienko stated the consultants’ are salaried employees.
Comm. Severino expressed his concern that the consultants would receive the $50 rate even though they are not providing that service at particular times. Dr. Sienko stated OYC may be forced to discontinue some of its services if the consultant fees are not billed on a regular basis.
Comm. Schor stated he thought the $50 fee was for the Health Department, not the consultant. Dr. Sienko indicated that scenario is correct. Chairperson Grebner stated the Department would not provide the consultation services if it did not have a consultant; and, if the service is not provided, the Department would not receive the consultant’s fee. Dr. Sienko explained the fees are used to help support other services.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Severino voting NO.
4. Board of Commissioners Referrals
a. Letter from Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission Requesting their Portion of the 2006 P.A. 2 1986 “Cobo Hall Convention Facility Tax” or “Liquor Tax” Funds
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
b. Letter from Chapter 37 Military Order of the Purple Heart Requesting a Contribution
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that he forwarded this request to the Veterans Affairs Commission per BOC policy.
c. Capital Area District Library Regarding a Capital Regional Community Foundation Grant
Chairperson Celentino stated he contacted CADL regarding this matter. CADL requests this Committee’s support in its efforts to obtain the Foundation Grant. Chairperson Grebner stated a Resolution would be drafted indicating this Committee’s support.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO TAKE A POSITION IN SUPPORT OF CAPITAL AREA DISTRICT LIBRARY’S GRANT APPLICATION. THIS MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY contingent upon CADL’s timetable.
5. Point of Sale Presentation
Dr. Sienko explained the Health Department previously notified this Committee of its efforts to prepare a Point of Sale Regulation for consideration by the Board of Commissioners. A draft Regulation was distributed to the Committee.
Mr. Haun, Sanitarian II, Environmental Health, explained the Point of Sale Regulation (Regulation) addresses the performance of a mandatory inspection of the residential water supply systems and sewage treatment systems at the time of sale. The purpose of the Regulation is to ensure that water and septic systems are in substantial conformance. Currently, testing of the two systems by home sellers is voluntary.
Goals of the Regulation are to find, identify and correct many of the failing systems still in use. Educational materials will also be provided to owners and buyers regarding on-site sewage and water supply systems and the maintenance of the systems. This Regulation will protect buyers, sellers and the environmental.
Homeowners will be required to have their well and septic systems approved before the sale of the home can occur. Inspections will be conducted by certified Health Department personnel or appropriately licensed private inspectors. A fee for the inspection and the review of the inspection reports has not been determined at this point.
Comm. Hertel asked about the required certifications needed for inspector licensing. Mr. Haun explained all inspectors will be required to attend specified training programs. The training will be a one-day event. Chairperson Grebner asked if the inspectors would need to have an engineering background. Mr. Haun stated such background is not required. Mr. Rowe, Supervisory, Environmental Health, stated individuals who pass the required training course will be certified as inspectors. Inspection agencies were asked to send representatives to the Point of Sale Regulation presentations.
Comm. Hertel asked why new homes would not need the inspections. Chairperson Grebner stated new homes have new well and septic systems.
Dr. Sienko stated seven presentations have made regarding the Regulation since January 4, 2006. The Health Department would like to propose a timetable for the Public Hearings. A hearing could be held at the Board of Commissioner’s April 25, 2006 meeting. Chairperson Grebner stated the Committee would tentatively accept the April 25 date.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the scheduling of the Public Hearings. Comm. Severino stated he would like the opportunity to recommend changes to the Regulation, if necessary, prior to the Board’s approval of the Regulation.
Comm. Severino asked why the certifications of the wells and septic systems would only be effective for 12 months. Mr. Haun stated six and 12 month terms were discussed. Septic systems can be adversely changed in six months. Comm. Severino stated if the inspection fees are high, the time period for the certification should be two or three years. Mr. Rowe explained the issue of follow-up inspections was discussed by the Health Department. Follow-up inspections would be provided at a reduced cost.
Chairperson Grebner asked how the Health Department would determine appropriate fees for the inspection service. Mr. Rowe explained the Department would base the cost on current inspection fees; and, then it would make any necessary adjustments to assure the County’s expenses are recouped. The Health Department would not set inspection fees for the private inspectors. Home sellers can obtain the inspection service from the Health Department or from a licensed private inspector.
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked how many inspections are conducted by the County on an annual basis. Mr. Haun stated 800 to 1,000 inspections occur in Ingham County on an annual basis. Comm. Bahar-Cook also asked if the Drain Office had been notified of the proposed Regulation. Mr. Haun indicated the Drain Office had been notified.
Comm. Schor addressed Section 703.8 of the Draft Regulation. He asked how the Department would determine if an inspector is incompetent. The Regulation language regarding this issue is very speculative. Mr. Haun explained inspectors would be required to appear before a board of his/her peers before a determination is made regarding competency. Dr. Sienko stated legal counsel will review the Regulation language. Mr. Perrone, County Attorney, explained that it is not always feasible to define terms. Inspectors have appeal rights to the Circuit Court if they are deemed incompetent by the peer group and the Health Department.
Comm. Hertel stated the Regulation does not address the issue of a peer group. Chairperson Grebner suggested the peer group language be included in the Regulation. The actual process should be contained in the Regulation.
The Committee discussed other aspects of the Draft Regulation. Comm. Severino recommended the Health Department review Section 709 to clarify its intent. Chairperson Grebner asked if an inspector could perform any repairs needed as result of his/her inspection. Mr. Rowe stated the Regulation does not address that issue. Chairperson Grebner suggested the Regulation address the issue. Mr. Rowe explained there would be a conflict of interest if an inspector performs repairs on property he/she inspected. He also stated the Health Department performs the final certification process after review by an inspector.
Comm. Severino stated an inspector may be willing to waive his/her inspection fee in order to fix problems discovered during the inspection.
Comm. Dedden asked if the Health Department anticipates any opposition to the approval of the Regulation. Mr. Rowe stated one individual expressed reservations with the Draft Regulation, as well as the need for the Regulation. This individual never followed up on his reservations.
Dr. Sienko stated this Committee’s concerns will be addressed before the Draft Regulation is submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval. Comm. Hertel suggested this Committee have an opportunity to review the Draft Regulation prior to the Board’s approval of same. Dr. Sienko stated the changes could be made within a few days.
Comm. Hertel suggested this Committee hold its Public Hearing on April 17, 2006. He may not be present for the other April Human Services meetings.
Dr. Sienko expressed his appreciation to the Committee for working with the Health Department on this matter.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff