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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Food Service Advisory Committee - 01/04/2005 026 2728,e c rIP Minutes `v Q0� FOOD SERVICE ADVISORY COMMITTE January 4,2005 Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District - �` c\‘‘ Administration Conference Room ��1 co , Et Z Members Present: William Schroeder,D.W. Haven, Suzanne Gilliam, and Beverly Rogers Members Absent: Carlos Moreno, John Denson, and Robert Ard Staff Present: Annette Rodriguez,Mike Hacker, and Ron Teel Meeting was called to order by Chairman William Schroeder at 2:04 p.m. A recorded tape of this meeting is kept in Environmental Health Division Room 42, 1702 Horne for review. Review of minutes for November 3,2005 Food Service Advisory Meeting: Dee Haven asked for a change in minutes regarding his remarks concerning grease traps and frequency of pumping. The sentence in the November 3,2004 minutes states,"Mr. Haven also explained to the Food Service Advisory Committee that in the upcoming December restaurant association meeting, a featured speaker would discuss how a _ microbe literally eats grease and would be more advantageous to use than a standard grease trap which is expensive." Mr. Haven's recommendation is to delete the entire sentence after the word grease,to state, "which would eliminate a need for frequent pumping." A motion was made by Dee Haven and seconded by Suzanne Gilliam to the approve minutes. Motion carried. Board Business Mike Hacker gave verbal report in absence of Larry Jones who was out of town. He advised committee members the status of the smoking ordinance. The Corpus Christi City Council will vote on the ordinance on January 11, 2005. This will be the second reading for the council to consider. He explained proposed changes and exemptions. Bingo halls,billiard parlors, and bowling alleys will be exempt from provisions of the ordinance. Additionally,bars,taverns, and clubs will be exempt if they can demonstrate that 75%of their gross revenue comes from alcoholic sales. Out door smoking areas will be allowed if non-smoking area is protected. Mr. Schroeder asked if any feed back had occurred regarding the A Restaurant Rating system. Mr. Hacker explained that three establishments had received A Ratings for month of December. He further advised that the standards are high so fewer restaurants would qualify for the rating. SCAN N ED 1 4' 1 PDAs -Environmental inspectors are using PDAs and Mr. Inkster has provided additional training. Inkster Information Systems still needs to complete the"management page" as required in the original'contract. This will allow health department management to access previous day's activities of the field staff. A question was asked by a committee member if the food service inspections scores would be available on the City of Corpus Christi's web-site. Mr. Hacker explained that the computer system would retain this information however,the development of the public access was not part of Mr. Inkster's contract. Chairman Bill Schroeder took a moment to personally recognize the retirement of Public Health Inspector I, Chip Williams and his contribution to the department. In regards to county inspections,the Environmental Health's two county inspectors are inspecting all county food service establishments and collecting permit"fees for the first time. Authorization for these events was made possible by a new Nueces County order passed by Nueces County Commissioners Court in October 2004. Mr. Dee Haven asked about current staffing issues. Mr. Hacker advised that both city Sanitarian I positions would be filled. On the county side,the vacant Sanitation Inspector position would probably be filled as the need arose. Public Comment Cheryl Bracher, a local food server, explained to the Food Service Advisory committee, that the risk of smoking in restaurants had been exaggerated. She stated that people were more at risk by drinking whole milk than by smoke in a restaurant. She also presented a copy of ABC of ETS for members to review. Her pocket book would be affected if the amended smoking ordinance becomes a reality in Corpus Christi restaurants. Mr. Haven then informed members on the Smoking Ordinance. It will provide for an out door seating area as requested by the restaurant association. Additionally, the amended ordinance provides for privately catered events. The association had desired that bars in restaurants with separate ventilation systemsbe exempt. This did not occur. He further explained that some individuals only come into an establishment to have a drink and not eat. Sales of alcoholic beverages are considerably more profitable than food. The restaurant association asked the city to reconsider a ban on restaurants with bars so that they might be in a more competitive position with clubs,bars, and taverns where only alcohol is served. Certain city councils have allowed restaurants with bars to operate_ allowing smoking. The City Attorney's office has gathered information on similar situations in other Texas cities,most especially Austin and San Antonio. The Coastal Bend restaurant Association is asking our city council to consider a like amendment as presently exists in Austin and San Antonio. Committee member, Suzanne Gilliam, asked Mr. Haven to clarify the association's position. Mr. Haven stated that the association would like an exemption if the facility had a totally separate wall, as well as a separate air handling system. He mentioned that some restaurants might take appropriate steps to modify existing facilities. One restaurant is anticipating a three-quarter million dollar renovation this year. Two 2 downtown restaurants are having to compete with numerous bars across the street. Additionally,this situation should be left up to the independent business owners and entrepreneurs. They need the freedom to make their own decisions. Just because a trend is sweeping the nation does not make it right for our community. Suzanne Gilliam made a motion that the Food Service Advisory Committee support the restaurant association's amendment on the smoking in restaurants with bars. Second was made by Dee Haven. Further clarification on the motion that the bar area be separate from the restaurant. Beverly Rogers stated it is a long time coming. Suzanne Gilliam raised the question of who would be responsible for the language. Dee Haven advised her that the City Attorney's office would write the ordinance. Motion carried. Suzanne Gilliam asked the time line when the inspection scores would be on line for public review. Mike Hacker responded that two months was feasible. Old Business: None New Business: None Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on March 1,2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room at the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District, 1702 Horne Road. Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 2:25 p.m. 3