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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH May 27, 2009 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 7 May 27,, 2009 from UNC School of Public Health to discuss the future of the biosolids research pilot project for which $10,000 was appropriated from the OCHD budget in 2006. The project has been hindered by multiple obstacles over the past 2 years and it was concluded that a suitable study site cannot be located within Orange County. Landowners have been hesitant to participate due to repercussions from their neighbors. Orange County and UNC have mutually agreed to terminate the contract. The $10,000 has been encumbered and Rosemary Summers will consult with finance to see if we can use the funds for another event. There is still interest in furthering the knowledge scientific base regarding biosolids. Staff will explore the potential of co-sponsoring a biosolids symposium or forum to allow an open exchange of science-based information by experts in the industry. Anticipated participants include representatives of regulatory agencies, policymakers, utilities, operators, landowners, and interested members of the public. Input from the Board was requested regarding the altered plan. Rosemary Summers stated that Tom Konsler will meet with North Carolina State University to see if they would be interested in organizing a symposium to study the issue. One of the things the department is hoping to do is refocus on science. Steve Yuhasz observed that application of biosolids is something that seems to be occurring nationwide and questioned if there were any other studies being done or public interest elsewhere. Tom Konsler said there is not a lot of good data available. F. Report on UNC Hillsborough Hospital Meeting Rosemary Summers and Pam Jones, Purchasing Director, had a meeting with the Director of Strategic Planning and the Associate Vice President for Planning to discuss the proposed UNC Hillsborough Hospital. The hospital is planned as an extension of the current hospital and will involve “transferring” beds from the main facility to the Hillsborough Hospital. It will be more of a “specialty” hospital than a typical community hospital. The estimated operational date is 2013. The benefits of a co-location of a health department primary care/prevention center close to the hospital were discussed at that meeting. Both parties agreed to further discussions of the possibilities. The staff sought input from the Board regarding their thoughts on possible collaborations between the two organizations that could be considered to guide these discussions. UNC is still in the early planning stages of this expansion project. Steve Yuhasz stated that he felt the Department should continue to explore possible collaborations between the two organizations. Anissa Vines said that ideas should be fleshed out about what could be at this location, as well as budgetary considerations. She also pointed out that the merging of a state and county healthcare system could present problems. Rosemary Summers responded that a merger would likely be too strong; however co-location and collaboration on service delivery could be beneficial to both parties and the community.