January 24, 2005

CALL TO ORDER

The monthly meeting of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board was held Monday,

January 24, 2005. Chair Tom Liebl called the meeting to order.

MINUTES

Gladys Sanders moved that the December Health Board minutes be approved. Carl McElwee provided the second and the motion passed.

HEARING REGARDING DOUGLAS COUNTY SANITARY CODE VARIANCE REQUEST

Robby and Tamara Lamb requested a variance from Chapter 2, section 2-6.7 of the Douglas County Sanitary Code to reduce the absorption trench for their septic system for a three-bedroom home from twenty five hundred (2,500) square feet to eighteen hundred (1,800) square feet due to the faster permeability rates of the soil types found to exist on their property. Richard Ziesenis, Director of Environmental Health, provided background information regarding the variance request by Robby & Tamara Lamb. Richard explained that the initial determination of soil types within Mr. & Mrs. Lamb’s property lines were based on the USDA Douglas County Soil Survey map, which showed that the Lamb’s property consisted of several soil types with a permeability rate of less than 0.2 inches per hour. However, after the Lamb’s licensed septic system installer began to install the absorption trenches he discovered that the actual soil types were more consistent with that of a faster permeable type soil such as a Morrill (Mr.), which has a permeability range of 0.2-0.6 inches per hour. After further inspection of the soil type by Health Department Environmental Health Staff it was determined by both visual inspection and by feel that the soil type was more consistent with that of a faster permeable type soil such as a Morrill (Mr.), which requires only eighteen hundred (1,800) square feet of absorption trenches for a three-bedroom home. Richard presented three options along with the staff recommendation. The Board discussed the options available and reviewed the proposed condition for the approved variance request.

On a motion by Gladys Sanders the Health Board approved the variance request with the condition that if the absorption field fails (discharges sewage) at anytime in the future, an additional seven hundred (700) square feet will be added to the existing system. Carl McElwee provided the second and the motion passed.

ACTIVITY AND FINANCIAL/VOUCHER REPORTS

Carl McElwee moved that the Board accept the financial and activity reports for December. Sherri Vaughn provided the second and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Revised Health Board Policy Statement With Regard To Sewage Disposal For Subdivisions Located Within The Unincorporated Area Of Douglas County

Richard Ziesenis presented a draft of the revised Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board Policy Statement With Regard To Sewage Disposal For Subdivisions Located Within The Unincorporated Area Of Douglas County. Richard explained that the proposed revision would add the words “soil types” to the line “In order to obtain approval of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department*, the developer of the subdivision must furnish a plat showing all proposed lots, streets, water lines, soil types, and other services needed for the evaluation.”, (Page 1, paragraph 3, line 8).

Donna Bell moved that the Board accept the proposed revision to the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board Policy Statement With Regard To Sewage Disposal For Subdivisions Located Within The Unincorporated Area Of Douglas County. Sherri Vaughn provided the second and the motion passed.

Revised Health Board Water Supplies For Subdivisions Policy

Richard Ziesenis presented a draft of the revised Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board Water Supplies For Subdivisions Policy. After discussing the proposed changes the Board agreed by consensus to defer the decision until more information regarding water testing is made available to them. Richard agreed to follow up with officials at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and will present those findings to the Board at a later date.

Formation Of Ad Hoc Committee To Revise The Douglas County Sanitary Code

Richard Ziesenis presented a memo to the Board proposing the formation of an ad hoc committee to revise the Douglas County Sanitary Code. The intent of the ad hoc committee is to address a number of development issues that face Douglas County. The three primary issues to be addressed by the ad hoc committee include: how to implement Cluster subdivisions within Urban Growth Area; how best to address the issues of constructing and maintaining more complex alternative septic systems; and how to address other technical changes impacting the Douglas County Sanitary Code, including Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bulletin 4-2 regulations.

On a motion by Gladys Sanders, second by Donna Bell, the Board voted to establish an ad hoc committee to revise the Douglas County Sanitary Code. The proposed members of the ad hoc committee will be sent invitation letters. The Health Board Chair will appoint a Chairperson once the membership is finalized.

Capital Equipment Purchase

Marla Brandon, Director of Administrative Services, presented recommendations for the purchase of a new fax machine for the 2^nd floor reception area, at the low bid cost of $1,195 on a

Savin 3756 fax machine. After discussion, Gladys Sanders moved that the Health Department accept the low bid and purchase the Savin 3756 fax machine. Sherri Vaughn provided the second and the motion passed.

Kay Kent reported that the Health Department received grant funds from KDHE for automated phone recall system software and a personal computer on which to load the software. Kay recommended the purchase of ReminderPro – Office for $695 and a personal computer for $1,533. Donna Bell moved that the Health Department purchase the ReminderPro – Office software license and purchase a new personal computer, as recommended by staff. Sherri Vaughn provided the second and the motion passed.

Director’s Report

1. Kay Kent has been invited to participate in a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sponsored workshop to develop national recommendations on recreational water illness prevention. The workshop will be held in Atlanta February 15-17, 2005. The CDC is covering expenses.

2. The Health Department has dispensed all of the flu vaccine that was purchased by the Health Department. The Health Department is now dispensing 400 doses that were received through redistribution at no cost; therefore the Health Department is only charging the $10 administrative fee per shot.

3. Todd Moore accepted the MRC Planner position, effective January 24, 2005.

4. Elaine Houston, Nursing Clinic Charge Nurse, will retire effective April 1, 2005.

5. The Clinic Assistant position was filled by one of our existing Office Assistants, Jennifer Thompson, so we are now advertising for the Office Assistant position.

6. A letter from the Board will be sent to the County Commission recommending that they reappoint Carl McElwee for a second term on the Health Board.

7. Kay Kent asked the Health Board for their approval for the Health Department to participate in the Healthy Kansas Coalition. By consensus the Board agreed to have the Health Department participate.

Other New Business

The next Health Board meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2005.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Sherri Vaughn and second by Donna Bell.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Kent

Secretary

Present: Donna Bell

Tom Liebl

Carl McElwee

Gladys Sanders

Sherri Vaughn

Ex Officio: Kay Kent

Other: Marla Brandon

Paul Geisler

Jim McDaniel

Charlotte Marthaler

Andrew Stull

Richard Ziesenis

Robby Lamb, petitioner for variance

Tamara Lamb, petitioner for variance