 |
|
 Minutes Archive |
|
|
Board of Health
Minutes
Calhoun County Board of Health Meeting
3rd Floor Courthouse, 315 W. Green St., Marshall, MI 49068
January 24, 2005
Meeting Minutes
ATTENDANCE
| Board of Health |
Health Department |
| Larry Anderson, Chair |
Heidi S. Oberlin |
| Jean Cook-Hughes, Vice Chair |
Kathy Ferguson |
| Ben Miller |
Ted Havens |
| Jeff Mitchell |
Paul Makoski |
| Ken Ponds |
Brigette Reichenbaugh |
| |
|
| Calhoun County Administration |
|
| James Latham |
|
| Nancy Mullett |
|
| Wendee Woods |
|
- CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS
Ken moved. Ben seconded. Jean supported. All in favor
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
All in favor.
- PUBLIC COMMENT
Larry reviewed the three fee schedules that are presented, the first
reflecting the current fees, the second with a decrease in the County
subsidy and the third reflecting no County subsidy.
- Ben clarified: If these fees were going to go into
affect this year, the BOH needs to approve the fees today and the
fees will be presented to the Board of Commissioners (BOC) at the
February 3, 2005 meeting. Ben asked Kathy F. if, financially, per
the 2005 budget passed in 2004, where does an increase in the fees
leave the Health Department (HD).
- Kathy stated that the current budget does not include the
current fees under review.
- Ken asked what is involved in issuing a temporary food license.
- Ted stated the following procedure: 1. Complete the
application; 2. Sit down and review application form, menu, setup,
operation times, food obtainment, and preparation with applicant;
3. Once all requirements are met, an inspection is completed; 4.
Review with operator at the site.
- Ben asked for clarification of the difference between a
temporary food license and temporary non-profit license.
- Ted stated that a temporary license is issued for 14 days at
one location for one vendor. The temporary non-profit is the type
of organization, e.g., church, Scouts, or other non-profit
organization.
- The temporary licensing requirements were changed last year
and are mandated by the Department of Agriculture and the State of
Michigan.
- PUBLIC HEARING ON FEES
- John Foltz, Irish Pub, 833 North Avenue, Battle
Creek: How long did it take to issue a temporary permit before the
new regulations were mandated? Ted answered that the previous
application was ½ sheet of paper, it was issued in the field;
vendors had to list some of their foods, probably 30 minutes total.
- Dr. Mitchell asked the public for their opinion on what they
feel the county subsidy should be.
- Evencio Sanchez, Mexicali Restaurant, 595 W. Columbia, Battle
Creek. Mr. Sanchez had five concerns as follows: 1. 9-1-1 affected
the restaurant industry. 2. Environmental Health (EH) instructed him
to install a grease trap within 90 days and to come up with the
fees; 3. There have been significant increases in insurance because
of 9-1-1; 4. Last year the HD increased the fees from $250 to $450,
this year they want a 100% increase in fees and food fees can’t
increase that easily; 5. Restaurants have expenses too but year
after year there are more taxes. The government is not the only one
who doesn’t have a blank check to write.
- Larry reiterated that the Board is not recommending a 100%
increase in fees.
- Phil Morris, Wacky Willies, 515 S. Kalamazoo Street, Marshall.
Stated that he is feeling like the farmer that is selling corn for
$1 a bushel. He recognizes that everyone is cutting costs and
raising fees. However, the small business has paid their share for
the past eight years. Without the little guy, nobody would have the
smoke stacks. The County and others cannot continue to keep coming
back to the little guy while leaving the big guy out there. Get the
“big guy” a little harder and leave the little guy alone.
- Ben asked the public specifically about the temporary food
license (e.g., how many times a year do you renew). What does an
increase to you mean? A member of the public stated that she applies
for a license once a year and would not pay the $198 fee. However,
Ben asked her if she would pay the $80 fee (partial county subsidy;
increase of $20 per fee), clarifying that the County would share the
cost with the patrons. Ben stated to the public these fees are being
presented today per the request of the BOH to obtain public input.
- Deborah Hunt, Picadilly, 103 S. Superior, Albion. She has owned
and operated her business for six years this month and spoke out in
support of the temporary license fee recipients here today.
- Paul Makoski (EH Staff) clarified the temporary food license.
They are not good for 14 days at multiple locations. They are good
for 14 days at one location. Most of the temporary food vendors are
very small operations.
- James Bicknell, Copper Bar, 133 W. Michigan, Marshall. We carry
insurance and pay our taxes. He asked why we are subsidizing the
churches. Fee went from $130 to $375 last year. Business owners have
health insurance fees, other service fees. How does the County
justify increasing fees again?
- Dave Stevenson, Speedy Chick, Ice Cream Dream, Shirley’s Sweet
Treats, Marshall. Does the County need to raise costs? Why not lower
costs to the small business, cut employees, why complete two
inspections per year? Can the Health Department implement a
quarterly or monthly billing cycle?
- Greg Eberhard, NG’s Coney Island, 4550 W. Dickman, Battle Creek.
Who is the county subsidizing and what does the fee cover? Ben
responded that the fee covers the costs to provide the service. Ted
answered that the other costs include travel, health insurance,
clerical, state mandates, county’s overhead, and are a part of the
total cost. Mr. Eberhard also stated that the inspection takes a
maximum of a couple of hours per year. He feels that all the other
things that go into it are the pieces of the cost. Independents do
not have health insurance. He has to help the County pay for health
insurance for their employees even though they can’t provide health
insurance to their employees.
- Mike Rahn, Cereal City Snacks, 9840 Bellevue Road, Battle Creek:
Maybe the Health Department needs to get a man hour summary.
- Dave Stevenson. The County needs to lower their costs. The big
restaurant corporations love the increase. He feels that it drives
the small businesses out.
- Jason Taft, Mr. Don’s, 3431B 20th Street, Battle Creek. We are a
small business, helping the community, creating the majority of the
jobs in our community, yet our costs are a lot higher than the ‘big’
guys. We’re tired of being squeezed to where there is nothing left
and can’t carry the cost over to its customers.
- Lynn Lake, Lake’s Sunrise Cafe, 117 E. Coolidge, Battle Creek
supported previous speakers. She also described her business as a 37
seat restaurant where customers sit at stools.
- John Hugget, Mr. Don’s, 1275 E. Columbia, Battle Creek. Branch
and Hillsdale are $367 for comparable restaurant around us.
Kalamazoo is $389; Jackson is $450. Mr. Don’s is $475. Suggested
that EH and the HD also review what the market will bear.
- Mr. Huggett distributed a letter to the Board.
- Larry called the Public Hearing closed and opened the public
hearing on the Nursing Clinic and Student Health Center. No one rose
to speak on these fees.
Close the public hearing. All in favor.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- December 20, 2004 Meeting Minutes
Jean moved. Seconded. All in favor.
- RESOLUTIONS
|
|
Approval of the Fee Schedule for the Student
Health Center (SHC) and the Nursing Clinic of Battle Creek (NCBC) |
| |
- Ben moved. Ken supported. All in favor.
These fees are nationally recognized published codes. Nancy
M. asked if the SHC and the NCBC currently provide all of
the services for which fees were established. Heidi and
Kathy answered that between the SHC and the NCBC, most of
the services listed are being provided and we are able to
meet the criteria for all of those services. The NCBC and
the SHC use the same software; therefore the fee schedule
can easily be used by both. There is a basis for relevant
reasonable cost. Jean asked for clarification on Nancy’s
request. Nancy requested definitions for all of the mental
health services. Kathy clarified that these services can be
provided by a Nurse Practitioner or an MD. No, we are not
legally required to bill for these mental health services
now, but have been strongly encouraged to identify all
services where there is reimbursement. Smoking Cessation
groups are an example of a possible billable service under
the Mental Health Counseling codes. Heidi and Kathy will
provide Nancy Mullet with definitions of the services. Ben
asked if we are performing these services now. We are
performing some of these mental health services now, such as
smoking cessation groups or counseling on an as needed
basis.
|
| |
- Jeff moved to amend the resolution to
exclude the mental health fees. Ken moved. Ben supported.
All in favor as amended.
|
|
|
|
Approval of Environmental Health Fee
Schedule |
| |
- Jean moved for purpose of discussion. Jeff
supported. We don’t have an exact fee schedule before us.
Ben asked Ted if we need to pass the entire fee schedule
today. Ted answered no. Ben clarified that we could pass the
other fee schedule and hold off on the temporary fee
schedule. Larry stated that our challenges are likely to be
the State cutbacks this coming year.
|
| |
- Ted informed the Board that we may be requested to do
additional inspections to comply with the USDA’s hot lunch
program. Inspections may be required in order for schools to
meet their requirements to receive federal money. We are not
obligated to do these inspections; however, we are the
people who do these inspections. It is the opinion of the
Michigan Department of Agriculture that these inspections do
not fall under the Michigan Food License because it is being
requested by the USDA.
|
| |
- Ben feels that at this time an increase in the fixed or
complex restaurant licenses isn’t going to pass at the next
step. Ben asked if it would be appropriate to not do
anything today to further discuss the fees. Jean confirmed
that we need to revisit. McDonald’s, Schuler’s, and other
large restaurants were not represented at the hearing,
although staff did call those individuals. Larry asked Nancy
what options we have for fees. Nancy is not questioning the
amount because they are reasonable, but do we want to
implement it. Let’s compare to surrounding counties and
determine the difference in services. Ted has this
information with him today for distribution to BOH members.
|
| |
- Paul M. reminded members that with their
license fee, owners have the ability to send an unlimited
number of individuals to the food manager’s class (a cost of
$50 built into the fee).
|
| |
- Ben: Vote against our motion to pass
Resolution 2-2005 until further review. All against motion
to approve.
|
|
|
|
Concurrence with the Board of
Commissioners’ approval of the updated staffing plan for the
Health Department.
Moved and supported. All in favor. Approved. |
- FINANCE REPORT
- Kathy Ferguson, Finance Officer
- December Financial Summary and Narrative
- HEALTH OFFICER UPDATE
- Accreditation – first full week of March.
- Minority Health Partnership/The Health Partnership
Council of Advisors – Providing an overview and update at the
February or March BOH meeting. Ken stated that the Council is
developing a primary focus for the Health Partnership.
- Nursing Clinic of Battle Creek Advisory Council –
Brigette handed out the January meeting minutes of the NCAC and the
minutes from November 2004 meeting for the Board’s review.
- BOARD BUSINESS
- Resolution 4 - 2005 Approval of the Bylaws – Ben
moved approval of the bylaws. Larry supported. All in favor. These
will go to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.
- Board/County Administrator Assessment of the CEO –
Wendee indicated that Nancy would be updating Heidi’s contract per
Greg’s direction when he returns. Ben stated that there was a goal
summary developed; many goals will be accomplished in conjunction
with the Board of Health.
- Larry informed the Board that he signed a letter
of support for a grant that was submitted to the MDCH for the
cardiovascular disease grant.
- Ted wanted to mention that the TYPE II water
program staff sent a letter of appreciation and praise for Ryan
Tetrault’s “high quality of work” that he maintains. They noted the
following, “He has taken extra steps to insure the facilities he
regulates are aware of their obligations under the safe Drinking
Water Act.”
Motion for adjournment. 10:10 a.m.
|
|
Several photos included in this 
