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Home My WebLink About2017-04-04 10:30AM WORKSHOPBRAZOS COUNTY BRYANJEXAS NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA WORKSHOP SESSION BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT 2011HA30 A10:S2 jkt l !Til r�F BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET IN A WORKSHOP SESSION AS FOLLOWS: MEETING DATE: April 4, 2017 MEETING TIME: 10:30 AM MEETING PLACE: Commissioners Courtroom of the County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Ave., Suite 106, Bryan, TX 77803 1. Call to Order 2. Discussions about the possible adoption of a Brazos County Food Establishment Order, 3. Adjourn The Commissioners Courtroom of the County Administration Building, 200 South Teras Ave., Suite 106, Bryan, TX77803 is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting. To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102. MINUTES APRIL4, 2017 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WORKSHOP SESSION 1. Call to Order The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas met in a Workshop Session in the Commissioners' Courtroom in the Brazos County Administration Building in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Sammy Catalena, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3, Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk, Absent. Attached is a list of the citizens and officials in attendance. The County Judge called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. and invited others to speak. 2. Discussions about the possible adoption of a Brazos County Food Establishment Order. Brazos County Health Department Director Ken Bost spoke about the food establishment rules and introduced Shelly Cmajdalka who is the Inspector and Enviromental Specialist with the Health Department. Mrs. Cmajdalka discussed the proposal for the Brazos County Food Establishment Order. She said that the food establishment rules were last updated in 2015, and all establishments are required to have a Food Manager Certification as well as Food Handler Cards for all employees. Mrs. Cmajdalka said that the Health Department also Vol. conducts septic inspections for Brazos County establishments. They are currently able to close an establishment for untreated sewage issues threatening public health, but they are unable to close an establishment for health code violation without a County Food Order. Mrs.Cmajdalka also spoke about penalties and fees associated with the County Food Order. Commissioner Catalena questioned why there would be the same rules for a "mom and pop" establishment in the county versus big chain restaurants in Bryan and College Station. He said he is afraid the extra fees may cause the smaller establishments to close down. Dr. Eric Wilke with the Health Department stated that there are also "mom and pop" establishments within the city and they are inspected the same as all establishments. He said they are not trying to add undue pressure on smaller establishments. Dr. Wilke said their concern is with improper food preparation and the safety of the public. Commissioner Aldrich asked how many establishments are out in the county. Dr. Wilke answered there are 30 to 35 establishments. Commissioner Aldrich asked how establishments would know about notice of the changes. Bill Ballard, Civil Counsel stated that a Public Hearing would be needed to notify establishments of the County Food Order. Commissioner Aldrich said he would like for a draft copy of the order sent out to establishments prior to the Public Hearing. He said he would also like to have a more detailed list of fees before he votes yes or no. He also questioned if there are other counties that have a comparable order. Commissioner Berry said she appreciates the Health Department and thanked them for the work they do for the community. Judge Peters said the next step would be to schedule a Public Hearing There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned. 3. Adjourn Vol. a� Pg. The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Workshop Session held April 4, 2017, have been examined and are approved in open Court this theAd day of 2017, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. / Duane Peters Steve Aldrich County Judge Commissioner, Precinct 1 Sammy Cata na Commissi er, Precinct 2 Commissioner, Precinct 4 Attest: *L', C Q ) Karn McQueen County Clerk 0 5ep-r Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 3 VOL Pg. �`�. {C �' X0/7 a' 00 Oft Sin kn Shee*- - vUb� I�sha fate tkLk,67 ID 1226 VLr� r RJW i Voi. PQ._ Proposal for adoption of a Brazos County Food Order Currently: The County is inspected under the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER). TFER was last updated by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in 2015, and now requires a Food Manager Certification for every establishment. All employees are also now required to have Food Handler Cards from a licensed program. (BCHD is licensed) BCHD holds the On -Site Sewage Facility permit for Brazos County establishments. We currently have the responsibility of enforcing violations relating to septic issues. We can close a food establishment by revoking their OSSF permit for violations resulting in untreated sewage threatening the public health, but without a County Food Order, we cannot close an establishment for health code violations. A County Food Order would include the same content as the current Bryan and College Station Food Ordinances. This goes beyond TFER in compliance and enforcement provisions, which is required to meet Standard 1 of the FDA National Voluntary Standards Program, for which we are a participant. What would change: - A penalty may be assessed for operating without a permit (BCHD issues a warning for the 1st violation) - A re -inspection fee is assessed if the same violation is marked on 3 consecutive inspections (needed if the establishment is content to lose points for the violation rather than correcting it). 3 consecutive violations would generally take 1 % years. - A re -inspection fee and a minimum of a 24 hour closure upon permit suspension for a factor affecting public health (2nd closure within a calendar year results in a 72 hour closure, and the 3`d closure within a calendar year results in a permit revocation). A 24 hour closure is needed for the establishment to truly remedy the violations resulting in the closure; for example, roach/rodent infestations, and low scores necessitating time for re-training of employees. - Failure to pay permit fees, re -inspection fees, and late charges may result in a permit suspension. Vol. _�✓r% Pg. 02 5�i Benefits: Consistency in requirements throughout the County benefits all parties involved. . BCHD would meet the requirements for Standard 1 of the FDA National Voluntary Standards Program, for which the essential goal is the Standardization of all health departments across the Nation. - Public health issues are addressed! Drawbacks: Additional costs for the owner/operator of food establishments would only result from noncompliance with food safety rules or failure to pay for permits/fees. The cost of the permit is regulated by the State and will remain the same. ($150 in the County, as compared to $400 in the Cities.)