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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Food Service Advisory Committee - 07/01/2003 yr Minutes FOOD SERVICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE July 1,2003 Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Administration Conference Room Members Present: John Denson, Gabriel Hernandez, James A. Robbins, William Schroeder, and D. W.Haven Members Absent: Robert Ard and Suzanne Gilliam Staff Present: Larry Jones and Dr.Boostrom Meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. Gabriel Hernandez nominated William(Bill) Schroeder as Chairman of the Committee as the prior Chairman has exceeded his term to the committee. Mr. Schroeder welcomed all members and guest, Jay Harvey. Minutes of the May 6th meeting were approved as written. Bill Schroeder was absent at the May 6th meeting because he did not receive his packet on time. John Denson was absent as a result of business. A motion was made to excuse Bill Schroeder and John Denison for their absence at the May 6th meeting. A vote was taken; motion carried to excuse their absences. Robert Ard and Susan Gilliam were both out of town on business for today's meeting, July 1s`. A motion was made to excuse their absences as'well. The committee agreed to excuse the absences for the two members. The Chairman introduced the newest addition of the Food Service Advisory Committee, James (Jim)A. Robbins. He is retired from the military and Civil Service in 1994-95. He is a volunteer chaplain at Bay Area Hospital. Mr. Robbins said he may not always attend the meeting because he travels quite often. Manager's Report: The Manager's Report discussed the water main break and low water pressure that occurred during the month of May. Mr. Jones informed the committee that forty of our local restaurants closed their doors voluntarily; the Environmental Health division closed down all other restaurants being affected by the water main break. Mr. Schroeder asked for clarification on criteria for restaurant closure. Mr. Jones said, SCANNED the criteria were not having sufficient pressure to flush the toilets and for cooking. The priority was sanitation. Dr. Boostrom asked for the thoughts of the committee regarding the way the situation was handled by the Health Department. Mr. Haven commented that if there was enough water pressure to wash hands, clean, sanitize, and a tank type toilet,then maybe those restaurants could have remained opened. Dr. Boostrom added that the Environmental Health division was in the process of • developing a standard procedure for this type of situations. Mr.Denson suggested an educational program for all those involved in this type of situation would be good. Mr. Haven suggested having this topic and alternatives at the next Restaurant Association meeting would be helpful. Mr. Haven informed the committee that there would not be a Restaurant Association meeting for the month of July. Mr. Robbins asked if any state assets or research was done in case the water main break had lasted more than 36 hours: Dr. Boostrom said that there were state assets with our emergency operations center opened. The food service persons would be able to use those assets as well. Water can be brought in from other places as well as mutual aid agreements from other cities. Mr. Robbins displayed concern regarding the manner the Health Department handled the situation concerning the water main break.. Dr. Boostrom explained to the committee that , the Health Department learned a great deal from this and will evaluated how a situation like this can be handled more efficiently. Since this,we have attained e-mail addresses from local restaurants in order to have another source of communication. Mr. Robbins requested to see the change in procedures should another issue like this rise again. Mr. Hernandez informed the committee that during the last major hurricane, the City provided water and ice to those who were in need. Dr. Boostrom clarified that the State inspects ice in restaurants. Dr.Boostrom informed Mr. Robbins and the rest of the committee that the State has emergency operations centers. Had the City exceeded the community's ability to provide water for residents,we contact other resources such as the State. The Governor has to agree,however,that the shortage has a great impact to the City or a public health risk,not just an inconvenience to residents. Director's Report: Director reports cases of Shigellosis and Salmonella throughout the state of Texas. In addition, Queso Fresco has been linked to three cases of Listeriosis in.Hidalgo County. Queso Fresco is being sold locally in flea-markets. Ice is not inspected by the Environmental Health division at hotels and motels. Ice machines within restaurants and bars are inspected by the division. Convenient stores are only allowed to bag their ice with a manufacturers permit. This concludes the director's report. The committee asked Dr.Boostrom questions concerning West Nile Virus (WNV). Dr. Boostrom educated the committee by informing them that WNV is a bird/mosquito disease in which birds that are migrating carry the disease into another area. The mosquitoes that feed on those birds are Southern House mosquito. Habitats for this type of mosquito are near homes,including tires,bird baths, and storm water system. The Health Department is larviciding the storm system. Mosquitoes commonly feed on horses which are very susceptible to WNV. Locations of positive WNV within the City are currently in the Airport area westward, a pocket around the Concrete Amphitheatre, and South Staples. Spraying for WNV will continue in these areas and throughout the City. The spray being used to treat the City is environmental friendly. Personal protection includes the use of repellent with the ingredient Deet, dressing with pants and long sleeves during the peak times of dusk and dawn. The Southern House mosquito is a very calm mosquito. Mr. Schroeder offered his association's assistance in educating the community. Mr. Denson asked if the Environmental Health division was short one inspector. Dr. Boostrom clarified that the position has not been eliminated; it is currently being allocated for Vector Control. Mr. Robbins asked why there is not more monitoring as to what goes into the sewers by the Storm and Solid Waste divisions. You then have to utilize your inspectors to test samples. ' Mr. Haven clarified that he was misquoted by the Caller Times regarding smoking in restaurants. The position of the Restaurant Association has not changed; there is no sufficient cigarette carcinogens in a non-smoking section that meets Corpus Christ's code to be measurable or a health issue. He feels smoking is a nuisance issue and restaurants should make decision to best please their customers. The Restaurant Association will be conducting a survey on all permitted restaurants in the City regarding smoking. The survey will identify all smoke free restaurants. The survey will also consist of restaurant owners becoming smoke free if it was a law. Larry Jones said the division has received 9 complaints regarding this issue since the article in the Caller Times. The division had five complaints prior to the printed article; there are nine complaints for the year. Dr. Boostrom stressed that the Health Department enforces city ordinances. Old Business: None New Business: None • Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on September 2,2003 at 2:00 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room at the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District, 1702 Horne Road. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.