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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Citizens Advisory Health Board - 03/03/2005 Minutes CITIZENS ADVISORY HEALTH BOARD March 3, 2005 Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District 1702 Home Road, Administration Conference Room Members Present: Amanda Stukenberg,Vice-Chair,Dr. Melissa Wilson, Tony C. Diaz, Ed.D Members Absent: Karen Beard, Chair,Leo Barrera, Dr. Stephen Ponder,Michelle Thomas, Rose Caballero, and Melinda Gonzales Health District: Annette Rodriguez,M.P.H.,Dr. William Burgin, and Commissioner Oscar Ortiz Timeline/ Meeting Outline Minutes Action Taken Responsible Party Call to Order Amanda Stukenberg,Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:05pm,noting a quorum was not present. Amanda Stukenberg noted that she had received an email from Karen Beard stating she was ill. Karen A vote will be taken at the asked Amanda to poll board members if they would next meeting on whether or like to meet if a quorum was not present. At the not to proceed with a time, only Ms. Stukenberg and Dr.Diaz were present meeting without having a and they each commented they would like to proceed quorum present. with meeting even if a quorum was not present; they each felt the health district was in a critical state and would like to be informed of the health district's progress at each CABS meeting. Dr. Melissa Wilson arrived at 3:10pm. Minutes of January 19, 2005: Dr.Diaz noted that according to the most recent edition of Robert's Rules,the minutes stand as written unless corrections were requested at a later time. Dr.Diaz commented that he would be departing early for a prior commitment at 4:00 pm. Overview of the Annette Rodriguez,Acting Director,presented the Health District following overview of the health district: • Ms.Rodriguez noted that Dr.Burgin had been appointed as the Local Health Authority (LHA)for both the City and the County with separate contracts. • Vital Statistics now has a scanner to serve as a back up system for their birth and death certificates which will aide in their preservation. • County Animal Control now has water in their new facility. They are awaiting an inspection from the State in order to move in. • City Animal Control will be operating under SCANNED ro extendes. Those hours include the facility staying open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturday hours from 11:00-3:OOpm. • Two clerical positions have recently been approved for the family planning division,a Sr. Staff Assistant and a Staff Assistant. • Regular manager and staff meetings have resumed. • The diabetes grant has been renewed in collaboration with Texas A&M University on diabetes education and prevention. • The health district is working with CCISD and other school districts to make sure children are vaccinated before the beginning of the school year. • Working on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)for PHP between the City and the County. • We received a mobile clinic and a red pickup from the COG for emergency preparedness. Staff will be trained on how to operate the vehicle. • We should also be receiving an eight passenger van also for emergency purposes. • We would like the CAHB to help in moving forward as a health district. Dr.Burgin added the following: • Dr. Galvan who conducted the study of the health department for the County recommended we become a true, strong health district. • Having one entity rather than multiple entities governing the health department would raise morale issues among staff. All employees would have the same benefits, same time off,same salary, same job title, retirement,and job security. • We would like your support in pushing for a metro system. • An employee wrote an anonymous letter on Dr.Burgin and Ms. Health Department letterhead;Dr.Burgin Rodriguez clarified that noted that anonymous letters were a staff is aware that they have distraction and very destructive to morale as an open door policy. well. • He also commented that an anonymous letter had been submitted about a member of the CAHB. • The City and the County are working better They have agreed on a together. LHA as well as Acting Director which is a good sign. We are now seeing County Commissioners 2 kW attend meeting as well. • Manager meetings had not taken place in over one year;they are being implemented once again. • It was brought to our attention at a manager The problem has been meeting that we could not call 911 from our resolved. phone system. • The backup generator was not up to par,it has been repaired. In addition,we will be receiving two new generators. One will serve as backup to the current generator; the second will be connected with the mobile unit. • Working with community partners like the Texas Medical Rangers. Also working with local school districts to administer immunizations in the schools. This will also serve as a practice exercise in the event of an outbreak. • The State is reorganizing;the health district will more than likely reorganize to coincide with State. • The State would like more public awareness of health departments without duplicating services. • Diabetes is of great concern for the community. The numbers for the diabetes grant have been low as a result of having a fee for lunch. We are working in collaboration with CBHEC to find methods to wave fees,setting up a permanent calendar,and looking for incentives for a greater response. Amanda Stukenerg requested a copy of Dr. Commissioner Ortiz b Galvan's study and his recommendations. Commissioner Ortiz commented that a copy could be provided for board members;however,it was only in draft form. He added that some recommendations would not be adopted or implemented at all. The anda Stukenberg Commissioner noted that he along with other agreed. members of the court were not in favor of having a governing board. He felt that elected officials should have oversight of the distribution of public funding. He noted that he was speaking as himself and not for the court when he said that there should not be a governing board,rather an interlocal agreement. In addition,he felt that the health district revenues including those of restaurant inspections and of the lab should remain with the health district not be placed in the general fund. Dr.Diaz left at 3:45pm. 3 Amanda StukenbJiggested identifying gaps and • duplication in services. Amanda Stukenberg requested that Ms.Rodriguez Ms.Rodriguez will get with Next meeting. provide a list of the areas that need more funding. Karen Beard to be placed Ms.Rodriguez noted that the budget was currently on the agenda. being worked on. Commissioner Ortiz commented that the City Manager,the County Judge,and key staff should meet to determine where funding was going,how the funds were generated and how much was needed to produce each program. All parties involved would then have to agree the funding stream. Ms. Stukenberg again stated that the board needed information on the department's funding stream in order to approach elected officials and State representatives. Ms. Rodriguez noted that the state placed monies Amanda Stukenberg will from the nine state positions that were lost into Title refer patients to the health V,maternal/child health which is difficult to bill for. department. Indigent health care is in a world of hurt,commented Commissioner Ortiz. He added that the reimbursement rate for services was extremely low. Dr.Melissa Wilson expressed disbelief with the lack of concern within the community with the education and prevention of diabetes. Prevention would save a lot of money;however,there is no funding for prevention. She added that the creation of a centralized diabetes center to include education, prevention,and outreach were her ideas for the future. She felt the center should be supported by city,county,hospitals and local businesses. For the record,Dr.Ponder and Melinda Gonzales had schedule conflicts with this meeting,Rose Caballero, and Karen Beard were out ill. Next Meeting Wednesday,March 23,2005,at 1:00pm. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM. 4