Minutes

Southern Nevada District Board of Health Meeting
Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 8:00 a.m.

625 Shadow Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Clemens Room

Board Chair Stephanie Smith called the meeting of the District Board of Health to order at 8:02 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was held. She noted that she had been provided with the Affidavits of Posting and Mailing of Agenda meeting notices, as required by Nevada’s Open Meeting Law. The Affidavits will be incorporated into the Official Minutes.

Board Members Present:

Stephanie Smith Chair, Councilwoman, North Las Vegas
Donna Fairchild Vice Chair, Council Member, Mesquite
Lynette Boggs McDonald Commissioner, Clark County
Tom Collins Commissioner, Clark County
Robert Eliason At-Large Member, Business/Industry
Joseph Hardy, MD At-Large Member, Physician
Mary Jo Mattocks, RN At-Large Member, Registered Nurse
Gary Reese Councilman, Las Vegas
Lawrence Weekly Councilman, Las Vegas

Absent:

Karla Burton Council Member, Boulder City
Jim Christensen, MD At-Large Member, Physician
Susan Crowley At-Large Member, Environmental Specialist
Steven Kirk Secretary, Councilman, Henderson

Executive Secretary:

Donald S. Kwalick, MD, MPH

Legal Counsel:

Stephen R. Minagil

Staff: Dr. Lawrence Sands, Nicole Bungum, Karl Munninger, Glenn Savage, Steve Goode, Nancy Hall, Dennis Campbell, Connie Read, Sylvia Claiborne, Ann Markle, Patricia Rowley, Jim Osti, Jennifer Sizemore, Bonnie Sorenson, Alice Costello, Mary Ellen Harrell, Veronica Morata-Nichols, Debbie Martin, Angus MacEachern, Rory Chetelat, Mary Ellen Britt, Salvatore Balzano, Sandy Bigley, Marianne Thurmond, Dan LaRubio, Dr. Joseph Heck, Stanley Jensen, Susan Lane, Jerry Boyd, Leo Vega, Susan Eiselt, Shelli Clark, Diana Lindquist

Attendance:

Dr. Kwalick introduced the Great Basin Public Health Leadership Institute graduates for 2006. Dr. Kwalick and the Board members congratulated the graduates. Dr. Kwalick also introduced the Great Basin Public Health 2007 scholars. The Board recognized and congratulated them as well.

Recognition – Great Basin Public Health Leadership Institute Graduates 2006

Jo Alexander – Nursing & Clinics
Nancy Gerken – Office of Public Health Preparedness
Steve Goode – Environmental Health
Linda Kern – Information Technology
Linda Verchick – Office of Epidemiology

Recognition – Great Basin Public Health Leadership Institute Scholars 2007

Dennis Campbell – Environmental Health
Sylvia Claiborne – Finance
Mary Ellen Harrell – Nursing & Clinics
Bonnie Sorenson – Nursing & Clinics
Deborah Williams – Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion

Chair Smith recognized the children of staff and audience members who were in attendance for Take Your Child to Work day.

I. Consent Agenda:

These are matters considered to be routine by the District Board of Health and may be enacted by one motion. Any item, however, may be discussed separately per Board Member request before action. Any exceptions to the Consent Agenda must be stated prior to approval.

1. Approve Minutes/Board of Health Meeting: 3/23/06
2. Approve Payroll/Overtime for Periods of: 2/25/06 – 3/10/06; 3/11/06 – 3/24/06; 3/27/06 – 4/07/06
3. Approve Accounts Payable Registers: #1016: 3/02/06 - 3/08/06; #1017: 3/09/06 - 3/15/06; #1018: 3/16/06 - 3/22/06; #1019: 3/23/06 - 3/29/06; #1020: 3/30/06 – 4/05/06
4. Petition #19-06: Approval of $10,000 GIS Interlocal Contract with Clark County for Fiscal Year 2006/2007
5. Petition #20-06: Approval of Revision to Classification Specification for Environmental Health Specialist I/II – Recommended Schedules 19/21 ($42,404 - $59,151) / ($46,997 - $65,497)
6. Petition #21-06: Approval of New Classification Specification for Senior Accountant – Recommended Schedule 24 ($54,733 - $76,369)
7. Petition #22-06: Approval of Universal Change to All Job Classifications Requiring Staff to Work during Declared Public Health Emergencies
8. Petition #23-06: Approval of Increase of Hourly Rate for Solid Waste Management Authority Hearing Officers (SWMAHOs)

A motion was made by Member Eliason to approve all consent items; seconded by Member Mattocks and was unanimously approved.

1. Variance Request: To Install an Individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS) on an Undersized Lot Served by an On-Site Private Water Supply with a Shallow Absorption Field within Ten (10) Feet of the Property Lines (APN 129-02-301-003); Petitioner: Jennifer Fellows, Manager and Sole Member for Ponderosa Hills, LLC
   
   The petitioner, Jennifer Fellows, manager and sole member for Ponderosa Hills, LLC was present. Dan LaRubio, environmental health engineer/supervisor, indicated that staff recommends approval with conditions as listed. The petitioner agreed to the conditions as listed.
   
   Chair Smith asked if any member of the public wished to address this issue. No citizen came forward. Chair Smith closed the public portion of this item.
   
   A motion was made to approve the variance request with conditions listed by Member Fairchild; seconded by Member Reese and was unanimously approved.
   
   
2. Memorandum #06-06: Proposed Changes to the Environmental Health Division Fee Schedule: Mosquito Control/Public Health Nuisance Abatement
   
   Glenn Savage, environmental health director, and Steve Goode, environmental health manager, presented the memorandum. Over the past two years, environmental staff has responded to over 800 “green pool” complaints. In the vast majority of staff investigations, property owners promptly drain their pools or otherwise abate the potential public health hazard associated with their “green pool,” though a few owners simple refuse to comply. In these cases staff has to repeatedly return to the pool to apply costly mosquito larvicides and pupicides to prevent these pools from becoming a potential source of disease to the surrounding community. Mr. Savage indicated there was a notice of public hearing advertised in the newspaper and posted in public locations. Additionally, three public workshops were held. There was no public input and no written comments on this item. Mr. Savage stated in an effort to contain diseases such as West Nile Virus, Western Equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis, staff recommends the approval and adoption of the proposed fee schedule.
   
   Chair Smith asked if any member of the public wished to address this issue. No citizen came forward and Chair Smith closed the public portion of the item.
   
   A motion was made to approve the fee schedule by Member Reese; seconded by Member Fairchild and was unanimously approved.
   
   
3. Memorandum #07-06: Adoption of the Proposed Regulations Governing the Sanitation and Safety of Public Accommodations Facilities
   
   Mr. Savage gave a PowerPoint presentation (see attachment #1) which outlined the proposed regulations governing the sanitation and safety of public accommodation facilities. A copy of the proposed regulations and appendices is attached as well as a copy of the presentation. The existing regulations were outdated and did not address current issues. The adoption of these regulations will allow the Southern Nevada District Board of Health to ensure environmental, health, and safety control of public accommodation facilities. Guidance on issues such as emerging biohazard events, communicable diseases, hazards associated with clandestine drug laboratories, and broad general environmental health issues are located within a series of appendices accompanying the proposed regulations.
   
   For the last two years, sub-committee members and regular committee members from the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association attended work group meetings and provided input for the proposed regulations. The Notice of Public Hearing and workshops were advertised in local newspapers and posted in public locations. Three public workshops were scheduled and held. Mr. Savage indicated that while working with industry representatives, he has determined they are very interested and concerned with public health and safety and understand the need for these regulations. From the Health District’s standpoint, staff understands the need to be flexible and allow businesses to be imaginative and creative. Environmental health staff recommends the adoption of the proposed Regulations Governing the Sanitation and Safety of Public Accommodations Facilities.
   
   Vice Chair Fairchild congratulated Mr. Savage, staff and committee members on the well-written and concise document presented. Dr. Kwalick indicated that the regulations will be submitted to National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) as a model of excellence for the rest of the nation to follow.
   
   Member Hardy indicated that perhaps the legislative interim health committee needs to update the Nevada Revised Statues / Nevada Administrative Code (NRS/NAC) as well.
   
   Chair Smith asked if any member of the public wished to address this issue.
   
   Mr. Van Heffner, President and CEO of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association and CEO of the Nevada Tourism Alliance, addressed the members of the Board. Mr. Heffner introduced Mr. Jonathan Boulware, past Chair of the Board of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association and soon to be national director representing the state of Nevada at all hotel organization meetings throughout the nation. Mr. Boulware stated he is also assistant general manager of Sunset Station. Mr. Boulware stated his initial concern was whether the industry would be able to operate within the new regulations and as Chairman of the Nevada Hotel and Lodge Association, he wanted to reach out to all industry members with an interest in participating in this process. During the process of drafting the regulations committee members gained a better understanding of the role of the Health District. He further indicated his support of the process and the final document presented.
   
   Mr. Steven Stefani congratulated the Board on including the constituents that are most affected by the regulations. This was a well thought out effort, and on behalf of the Bigelow Companies and Budget suites, he is grateful to have participated in this process. Mr. Stefani stated that he looked forward to a response on a nationwide scale and urged the Board to adopt this document.
   
   Mr. Jimmy Vigilante, Director of Corporate Safety for MGM Mirage was introduced by Mr. Heffner. Mr. Vigilante expressed his support of this process and congratulated Mr. Savage and Mr. Goode on the entire experience.
   
   Mr. Tim Jones, Director of Safety, MGM Grand Hotel, addressed the Board. He reiterated that it was a great experience working with the Health District and the entire member group. This is an excellent tool for our business, he stated, both from the liability standpoint as well as the standpoint of addressing public health issues.
   
   Mr. Heffner summarized by stating that on behalf of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association, representing over 140,000 hotel rooms statewide, he is proud to be the leader in the partnership with the Health District. He concurred with Vice Chair Fairchild on the proposed regulation document which is well written and understandable and fully endorses the adoption of the proposed regulations. He concluded by saying this state cannot afford to offer anything less than professionalism when marketing tourism segments throughout the world.
   
   Chair Smith closed the public portion of this item.
   
   A motion was made to adopt the regulations by Member Reese; seconded by Member Hardy and was unanimously approved.

III. Report/Discussion - Items on which action may be taken

1. Contract Review Committee Report: Chief Health Officer and Legal Counsel
   
   Chair Smith indicated the committee had met, both contracts have been reviewed, and they are pleased with the performances of both Stephen Minagil and Dr. Kwalick. It is their recommendation that Stephen Minagil’s contract be renewed for two years with a three percent increase each year. Chair Smith indicated that Dr. Kwalick’s contract is for one year with a one year option for extension and a five percent increase. Chair Smith and the Board members indicated their appreciation for Dr. Kwalick’s efforts and hard work.
   
   Dr. Kwalick asked the Board to reactivate the Assistant Chief Health Officer position with appropriate classification level and to advertise and recruit for this position as this will provide overlap during the next 10 – 12 months as he expects to retire by the spring of 2007. Dr. Kwalick indicated the Assistant Chief Health Officer position will be brought to the Board at the May meeting and advertisement for this position will begin as soon as possible.
   
   Member Collins asked if the cost of living increase (COLA) was included in both contracts and if that was in addition to the five percent increase for Dr. Kwalick. Mr. Minagil responded that his position is a contract position and the contract provided for only the three percent increase. It was indicated that the five percent increase in Dr. Kwalick’s contract was in addition to the COLA. The union contract does allow for COLA for all employees. After discussion by members, it was determined that this would be an item for discussion for any future contracts.

A motion was made by Member Reese to approve the renewal of the contracts as listed; Member Eliason seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Subsequent to the voting, Member Collins gave the recording secretary the attached note (see attachment #2).

Chair Stephanie Smith invited any individuals to speak under the Citizen Participation portion of the agenda.

Salvatore Balzano, environmental health employee, replaced Diana Daniels as Vice President of the Health District chapter of the SEIU local. He commented on agencies working together and achieving goals together and how management and the work force can and will work well together.

Chair Smith closed the citizen participation portion of the meeting.

Rory Chetelat, emergency medical services manager, gave an update on the regional trauma system. The regional trauma system coordinator position has been filled by Mary Ellen Britt, who is currently the emergency services quality assurance coordinator for the Health District. For the last year the Medical Advisory Board and the Board of Health have been making regulation changes and moving forward with the adoption of the national registry EMT certification test that is recognized in 46 states.

The process has started; it is still in the pilot stages and continues to move ahead. The EMS office is very happy with the results so far. The EMS office will be asking for a fee change in May as a pass through fee to the agencies providing the certification testing.

Dr. Kwalick stated the Health District cable television show, HD-tv, (Health District Television), has received the first place Pegasus award for excellence in the ‘Government – Profile of Department or Program’ category. This is the video industry’s premiere competition for work produced by non-broadcast video professionals.

Dr. Kwalick stated there were 31 applicants for the ten at-large Board of Health member seats. The officers will meet in early May to review the applications, and make recommendations to the eight electeds at the May meeting in time for seating of the at-large members and their alternates at the June or July meeting.

VI. Informational Items

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chair Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.

Submitted for Board Approval

Donald S. Kwalick, MD, MPH, Chief Health Officer
Executive Secretary

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