Board of Health - April 21, 2017 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Friday, April 21, 2017
Present: Dinah Goldenberg, Vern Bennett, and Mike Thorstad
Absent: Chris Anderson, MD; Chelsey Matter, and John Strand
Others Present: John Baird, MD; Ruth Roman, Larry Anenson, Desi Fleming, Grant Larson, Jan Eliassen, Suzanne Schaefer, Doug Murphy, and Kim Vance
Dinah Goldenberg, Chair called the meeting to order.
Announcements: Ruth asked to have the Refugee Resettlement Report added to the agenda. Suzanne shared details about the Memory Café that will be held twice a month at Fargo Cass Public Health.
Approve minutes from March 17, 2017: No quorum.
Home Health Policy: Suzanne Schaefer provided a brief overview about home health services provided at Fargo Cass Public Health along with information on updated policies. A written summary of the policy changes will be sent to all Board of Health Members for their review. A vote of support will be asked for in the future.
Chicken Keeping: Ruth provided an update on the new ordinance that was recently passed by the City Commission, which allow residents to request a permit to have up to four hens. The ordinance includes such things as coop size, run size, and other regulations. Discussion on the importance of communication and word of mouth so citizens know what is allowed and not allowed within the city limits. This new ordinance pertains to only chickens and no other fowl.
Legislative Update: Dr. John Baird shared information related to the legislative bills on Needle Exchange and Good Samaritan Law that passed recently. Ruth informed the board that many of the bills related to funding have not been finalized yet. However, it is known that the funding to continue work on tobacco prevention will be coming from the NDDoH since the Tobacco Center will be discontinued on July 1, 2017. Vern asked about the rise in E-Cigarettes and Larry commented that information on the importance of education related to the harmful effect of E-Cigarettes and nicotine needs to continue. Larry informed the board that FCPH will be receiving a three month Family Planning Contract and will hopefully receive an amended contract for the remaining nine months soon.
Refugee Resettlement Report: Ruth shared the report and video completed by the Human Rights Commission. It is difficult to fully assess the financial impact that new Americans have on our community since this is not something FCPH tracks.
Adjournment: The next meeting will be May 19, 2017.