Board of Health - December 13, 2019 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Friday, December 13, 2019
Present: Chelsey Matter, Rick Steen, Mike Thorstad, Lyn Telford
Absent: Robin Nelson,John Strand
Others Present: Desi Fleming, Melissa Perala, Dr. Heidi Lako-Adamson, Larry Anenson, Lori L. Sall, Hunter Hubrig, Grant Larson
Chelsey Matter, Chair called the meeting to order and introduced Rick Steen.
Approve minutes from August 16, 2019: Chelsey Matter deferred the approval of minutes because there were not enough members from the August 16th meeting present to approve.
Desi spoke regarding the Holiday Tea Event and invited the members for December 18th. Announced that Chris Anderson’s term had come to an end and he would not be seeking another term. She read a thank you letter from him thanking the Mayor, BOH Chair, commissioners, board and staff.
Jennifer Bredahl from Vitalant Blood Centers spoke regarding the need for more blood donations. Looking for more partnerships to increase donations. Donations stay local first and then go out to other communities. They are working with nonprofits and paying $10 per donation back to the non-profit. Asking for support or help to get more donations. Desi Fleming advised that she speak to Holly Scott, PIO, to get some talking points together and work on getting some items onto FCPH social media. National Blood Donation Month in January. Rick Steen also encouraged those people who can to donate. Larry Anenson inquired about the process of how to donate. Jennifer said you can go online and register, call or walk in. Also if you see a blood drive somewhere in town you can go as well. Chelsey thanked her for providing that information.
Desi said we are looking at doing minor updates to the by-laws and that they will come out as a draft to all members and then they can vote on them.
Budget (Melissa Perala): revenues at 80% expenses at 86%, she feels that we will come close to 100%. If board has questions, they can contact her.
Statistics (Desi Fleming): announced that jail statistics did not get handed in because of personal leave for an employee supplying the information. Harm Reduction Services we are getting the electronic reporting system will increase the data and clean up the categories, hopefully coming out in the next few months. Syringe Services numbers keep increasing.
Environmental Health Year in Review (Grant Larson): they have a digital vendor to capture their statistics and they hope by next year they will be able to present their numbers in clearer categories. Few highlights from this year are as follows: the Legionella outbreak in the pools, implementing a blood born pathogen training for all body art operators, revising childcare facilities based on DHS guidance (it will cease to exist in the environmental program they will just take care of the food being served there in the future,), lodging they look at pest control (mice, bed bugs), inspections in collaboration with fire/building inspection on mobile homes, nuisance complaints so many they get help from temp help in summer, and working on onsite sewage treatment systems code. Also mentioned that they are working with the legal team to identify gaps and create a new ordinance for pet kennels.
Legionella: Hunter Hubrig: reviewing the Legionella investigation. ND Department of Health and Disease Control take the main lead on these investigation and we go in and assist. Reviewed what and how people can get Legionella. We have seen increase but that is because there is more testing and better survelliance to find out what is happening. Environmental health professionals they have to go in and do an assessment and help with testing. Need to identify where it grew it in a facility. They give recommendations and guidance only. Presented building water system considerations. After assessment, they come up with sample plan, equipment needed and FCPH does the testing and send into the state lab. We do everything using CDC recommendations. They recommend a remediation plan and they set up a sampling schedule. Water temperature is very important in killing Legionella. There was three investigation in Cass County in 2019.
Chelsey turned back to last meetings vaping discussion. She sent out two resolutions to board members to consider. One regarding raising the tobacco age to 21 and one regarding a support of a flavor ban. Chelsey is asking board to support. Lyn supports both. It is gaining traction; there is federal movement as well. Lyn spoke about collaboration with Moorhead regarding vaping /tobacco use. Rick raised the question, is vaping considered tobacco product at the state level and at this time. Melissa Markegard vaping products are not taxed like tobacco on the state level. Rick asked to expound resolution to include vaping and tobacco products. In city of Fargo ordinance, we do cover vaping and tobacco together as the same. Mike Thorstad asked the purpose of resolution, we need the state to do it, and not just a city so there is not an inequity of rules. Rick asked if they could try getting it adopted as a county ordinance. Chelsey said we went city by city for smoke free going to the state we ran into roadblocks so we are trying to start the trend and we can ask the County. She wants support for the board first before they move in that direction. Lyn pointed out that Fargo sets an example and then the state takes notice. Board of Health has limitations but they can approach the City Commission with these resolutions. Rick moved to approve resolution on T21 once they change the language to include vaping as tobacco products. Lyn seconded, unanimous accepted. Resolution 2, Chelsey is looking at the flavors kids are interested in (the fruit and candy flavors). Dr. Lako Adamson said to include menthol as well, they put it in there to make it last longer and increase absorption. The second one we will need more analysis. They will discuss at next meeting. Mike feels that it might be a moot point if we go to T21 federally.
Public Comments:
Justin Danbury: adults like flavors of vapes, he says 99% of his sales are flavored and most adults buy flavored vape products. Flavor bans will shut down his business. Supports T21 purchases, most common purchases are straw purchases and online. Raising the age, he supports but not a flavor ban. They do not like Juul either because they marketing to children. Most of people who start these businesses are also users. Adults switching off smoking to vaping. Lyn reiterated that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking according to the CDC. Dr. Lako Adamson says they are doing more research so to say that it is a safe alternative to smoking would be premature.
Darius (shop owner): Kids that are smoking are committing a crime; it is an illegal act if they are underage. They are using acetate in underground marijuana vapes. Flavors is the third reason they try vaping, first curiosity and second because of a peer. He also supports federal T21. Does not support a flavor ban. He feels adults buy 90% flavors. Tobacco 21 federal will alleviate issues for law enforcement and availability of tobacco. Chelsey feels there is gaps in the federal T21 possibly and she still wants to move ahead with tobacco T21 resolution including vaping.
Brian Reek, company director with Infinite Vape, supports 21 age ban. Does not support flavor ban because adults love flavors. He provided a 2014 study saying that even with a flavor ban that the youth rates increased.
Meeting Adjourned
Next Meeting: February 14, 2020