The regular meeting of the Columbus Board of Health was held in the
Administration Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Center on
Wednesday, February 22, 2006, at 1:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Bob Poydasheff
James H. Sullivan, M. D.
Howard Willis, M. D.
Mrs. Brenda Dozier
James A. Lawrence, D. D. S.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. Isaiah Hugley, City Manager
H. Bank Carroll, M. D.
OTHER PRESENT:
Bill Rumer, Attorney
Margaret Gosden
Ed Saidla
Gloria Miller
Eileen Albritton
LaQuita Rogers
Cheryl Johnson
Ms. Gosden stated while present for the meeting Dr. Sullivan is not physically
able to conduct the meeting. Dr. Carroll is not present due to a funeral
service. There is a quorum of Board Members present in order to vote on the
different issues to be discussed. It was decided that Ms. Gosden and Mr. Saidla
would talk for Dr. Sullivan because of his physical condition. Ms. Gosden asked
for a motion to approve the minutes that were received. Mayor Poydasheff made a
motion to accept the minutes, Dr. Lawrence seconded the motion and it was
approved by those members present.
Ms. Gosden stated there was two Excused Absences for the meeting today: Dr.
Carroll who had to attend a funeral service, Mr. Hugley who had to attend
another meeting. A motion was made by Dr. Lawrence to accept the Excused
Absences, seconded by Dr. Sullivan and approved by those members present.
Ms. Gosden reviewed the FY2007 City Budget with the Board Members. She stated
that the request to the City is a 4% increase more. Dr. Lawrence stated that he
noticed there are a number of vacancies in Nursing. Are those positions to be
filled? Ms. Gosden stated that the issue is inability to recruit. We have the
funding for positions budgeted, but we cannot recruit the nurses to work for
us. Ms. Gosden asked if there were questions regarding the budget and stated
that she hoped that the Board Members have had an opportunity to review the
budget (copies were hand delivered to the Board Members). She stated that the
budget was basically the same but; however there are increases between line
items to be discussed. There has been a major increase in utilities since
October, 2005 of almost $30,000. Travel has increased another $10,000 of which
$9,500 is based on an increased travel rate. Prior to October 2005, the rate
was $.22 per mile. We now have a floating rate as determined by the General
Services
Administration of the Federal Government. This year it ranged from a high of
$.48 ? and now is $.44 ?. Postage has been increased to match the new lst class
rate of $.39, an increase of $.02. There has been an increase in
Telecommunications of $4,900.00; in this budget a replacement for a van was
included. Our current van used for travel of groups of people, is a 2002 model
with a large number of miles. We will replace it and surplus the Ford Areostar
(a 1990?s model). The expenditure will not be made unless it is absolutely
necessary. Also listed is a replacement for one truck. Ms. Gosden asked if
there were any questions in regard to these items. She stated that Pam
Middleton is unable to be in the meeting today because of the illness of her
mother.
Ms. Gosden said that she would ask Dr. Sullivan to sign off on the budget if
the Board approves the budget and transmit it to the City by Friday. A motion
was made by Dr. Willis, seconded by Mayor Poydasheff and approved by those
members present.
Mr. Saidla will give the Director?s Report due to the absence of Dr. Koppanyi.
He stated that the State Legislature is in session. It is not known what impact
a number of different proposals floating around between chambers may have on
our Grant-n-Aid or other Public Health program funding. A number of budget
items from different programs have been consolidated into groupings. It will be
difficult to assess the impact until the Legislature passes a final budget and
the Governor signs off on it. One bill purposed last week draws our concern as
it relates to the Grant-n-Aid meetings we had with the small seven counties,
during the fall. This is House Bill 13-31 introduced this past week to change
the way that Grant-in-Aid is figured for any county with a population in excess
of 70,000 people. Twenty-seven counties in the state fall into that grouping.
It would base Grant-in-Aid Funding for Public Health strictly on population of
the county with no other health indicators, on poverty numbers considered.
Mayor Poydasheff asked if this health department services the other counties of
the District. Mr. Saidla said that as the Lead County it serves the other
counties. Mayor Poydasheff asked if this was considered also too or just the
Columbus population figures of about 200,000 people. Ms. Gosden stated that the
consideration would be Muscogee County alone. The role that Muscogee County
plays as the lead county it would place in jeopardy some of the program
budgets. It does protect the other 15 counties in this District. Muscogee is
the only county above 79,000 in population. Mr. Poydasheff asked if the State
Legislators had been contacted concerning this situation information. Mr.
Saidla stated that as employees we are unable to contact Legislators in regards
to this or any other issue under the requirements of the Governor?s office. We
can only provide information. The Sponsors of the bill are Representative
Shelton of the 105th, Cox of the 102nd, Coleman of the 97th and Brown of the
69th and Roberts of the 154th... Ms. Gosden asked if the Board Members would
like a copy of the Bill faxed to them. Mr. Saidla stated there seemed to be
opposition to this bill from all areas except the few metro counties with large
populations who would benefit most.
Mayor Poydasheff stated that within the next five years our population will
increase by an amount equal to the city of LaGrange moving into town. That is
roughly 27 to 30,000 people. Mr. Saidla stated that the way the Bill is
written, it would base Grant-in-Aid funding for local public health services on
the US Census of 2000. Mr. Poydasheff said that our population of 186,000 is
estimated to have grown to 200,000 by years end. This does not count the growth
associated with AFLAC?s 2,000 jobs and Road America?s 300 jobs.
Dr. Willis asked if we had any recommendations to amend this Bill. Mr. Saidla
stated that it is felt a formula with some consideration of population with
other factors such as poverty level. Dr. Willis asked if we could develop
information to be sent out to the members regarding this.
Dr. Sullivan asked Mr. Poydasheff about the conference he attended in January
when he spoke at the conference to the Dean of the Terry School of Business at
the University of Georgia. The Terry School of Business delivers an economic
forecast every January. The conference was covered by the newspaper and a
great job was done covering that conference.
Regarding issues related to Avian Flu, Dr. Willis stated that there are
counties in our area heavily dependent on chicken production as an economic
engine. Is there a way that the health department can work with the commercial
activities in the areas to let them know that the health department is
available for assistance. Mr. Saidla stated that most information indicates
that the US poultry population, commercial chickens, is semi-safe since the
birds are house raised chickens rather than free range birds. Free range birds
are the flocks most at risk in the areas of the world currently dealing with
Avian Influenza.
Mr. Saidla stated that the C-Hearts including local public health nurses in the
smaller counties are involved and are all working with that local industry on
activities at the local level.
Ms. Gosden presented the financial report for January 2006. Ms. Gosden asked if
there were any questions.
Mr. Saidla stated that under Old Business, Dr. Willis had asked at the last
board meeting to report back on the expenditure of HRSA funds in the amount of
$10,500 for the purchase of six hand held readers. These readers allow us to
work with the area hospitals to identify staff as they would report in for an
emergency response. We are in the process of assisting the hospitals in getting
all staff credentialed. Currently in the data base we have the physicians
working in Columbus hospitals. The unit looks like a palm organizer. With the
specialized software an ID badge containing a barcode can be scanned. The unit
will tell you who the person is and list basic information. Such as credentials
and in the case of physician?s specialty. The information can be as detailed as
you need it to be. It can be used to specify security clearance and the ability
to work in another hospital should the primary hospital be deemed unable to
function. Ms. Gosden stated this was first implemented with our employees and
then begin with the hospitals. A part of our MMRS funding and HRSA provided an
additional $10,500 dollars in Year End Money to include East Alabama Medical
Center and to expand the system out to the other hospitals in our health
district. This funding provided for the purchase of six readers, the software
to program them and additional printer ribbons for issuing the ID badges.
Ms. Gosden asked LaQuita Rogers, Clinical Nursing Director to present the
presentation to the Board. There was a brief discussion regarding interpreters
to be used for public health purposes. Also mentioned was the A T & T Language
Line which is also available. Immunization issues were discussed.
Ms. Gosden/Dr. Sullivan asked if there was any other business to bring before
the Board. There being no further business, the Board was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________
Pam Middleton, Secretary
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