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CR 98-50 Health InspectionApril 2, 1998 HEALTH INSPECTION Council Report 98 -050 Proposed Action Staff recommends that the Council approve the following motion: Move that the Hopkins City Council approve turning over health inspection to Hennepin County. Approval of this motion will result in Hennepin County and the Department of Agriculture taking over environmental health inspections in the City of Hopkins. Overview The City of Hopkins has contracted with Mr. Manny Roesler to perform health inspection services for the City, including inspections of eating establishments, swimming pools, bakeries, etc. that are licensed by the City. Mr. Roesler is planning to resign in May. The City must now determine how best to provide environmental health services to its businesses and residents. Staff has examined options including contracting with another inspector or city, and turning this service over to Hennepin County. Based upon our review we are recommending the City turn this duty over the County for the following reasons: • the County has the staff and expertise to best perform these inspections and thereby protect the health and safety of people who live and shop in Hopkins; and • elimination of this service will free up staff time to concentrate on the core services the City must provide. Primary Issues to Consider • Examination of the options for providing this service Supporting Information • Summary of Hennepin County Environmental Health Services • Areas of inspection for Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota • Comments from other cities regarding Hennepin County Health Services • Comparison of Hennepin County license fees and the City of Hopkins fees s A. Genellie sistant City Manager Council Report 98 -050 2 Analysis of the Issues Hopkins has three options to consider: 1. Contract with another part -time health inspector for Hopkins; 2. Enter into an arrangement with another city, such as St. Louis Park, to have their health inspectors serve both cities; or 3. Get out of the health inspections business altogether and have Hennepin County and the Department of Agriculture perform the service for the City. Option 1 The City could contract with another individual health inspector and retain environmental health services entirely within its own jurisdiction. This position would require administrative overhead, office space and clerical support for license applications and database administration. During the last two years, Mr. Roesler worked approximately ten hours per week. The cost of this service was approximately $13,000 per year. These costs, however, do not include the cost for the City Clerk to process the licenses. It also does not include any time spent by the Chief Building Official and other city staff dealing with issues arising from these inspections. The current fee structure, as it relates to health inspection activities, brings in approximately $15,000 and typically covered the expense of environmental health service delivery. The advantages of contracting with an environmental health services inspector are that the service and accountability remain at the municipal level. The disadvantages include: • the possibility that it will be difficult to contract with a qualified individual; • any single individual may not have the knowledge or experience to deal with all aspects of health inspections; • this service will continue to incur administrative costs in processing licenses and dealing with complaints. Option 2 The second option would be to contract with another city, such as St. Louis Park, to perform health inspections for Hopkins. In preliminary talks with St. Louis Park over a year ago, they indicated an interest in providing Hopkins with this service at an annual cost of approximately $16,000. The advantages with contracting with another city include: • if the City of Hopkins was not satisfied with the service it could, as some future time, take back the health inspection duties; • the City of Hopkins would have some influence on how the inspections were performed although the inspectors would, of course, be working for another city. Council Report 98 -050 3 The disadvantages include: • the City of Hopkins would still be responsible for issuing licenses and collecting fees; • the City of Hopkins may have to raise fees to pay for the service; • complaints regarding service would be made to the City of Hopkins but City staff would be unable to take direct action to resolve complaints. Option 3 The final option that the City has is to relinquish control of environmental health services to Hennepin County. The County would assume all responsibilities for inspections, plan reviews, licensing, fee collection, public education, and emergency outbreak responses. In addition, the County would perform the service at no cost to the City. City staff met with representatives from the Environmental Health Services Department of Hennepin County on March 4, 1998. At this meeting, Hennepin County presented its services and provided documentation as to their ratings. The past two State evaluations (1992, 1995) rated Hennepin County's program at 83.40% and 84.08% respectively. These scores are significantly higher than the statewide average of 77.70 %. Their interest in performing environmental health services for Hopkins is to increase the continuity of service in Hennepin County. Currently, the County performs environmental health services in 35 cities and for the Metropolitan Airport Commission. Staff has obtained reports from the cities of Maple Grove, Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, and Plymouth. All cities are satisfied with the level of service they receive from Hennepin County and all remarked on the cost savings. Hennepin County will accommodate requests for custom reports on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, depending on each city's needs. All of the County's staff are registered sanitarians. In addition the County has ongoing education programs for owners and operators of food, beverage, lodging, and swimming pool facilities. The rates that the County charges for licensing are higher than those charged in Hopkins. The following impact analysis highlights the differences. The impact these rates will have on local businesses should be considered. It should be noted that in a number of cases, e.g. meat markets and bakeries, local businesses are paying for state licenses as well as City licenses. The main consideration, however, should be which entity can do the best job of protecting the public's health and safety. Council Report 98 -050 4 The advantages with turning this service over to the County include: • the County has the staff and expertise to best perform these inspections • the County can provide training to businesses • elimination of this service will free up staff time to concentrate on the core services the City must provide The disadvantages include: • higher fees for some businesses • once this service is turned over to the County it cannot be returned to the City of Hopkins Alternatives 1. Contract with another individual to provide health inspection services. 2. Contract with another city to provide health inspection services. 3. Turn over health inspection to Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Staff recommends Alternative 3. HENNEPIN COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES I. Mission statement of Hennepin County Community Health Department (CHD) To promote and protect the health of Hennepin County residents by working in partnership with state, federal and private community organizations. II History of CHD Minnesota State Legislature created the Community Health Services Act in 1976. This Act establishes a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and local governments, and emphasizes the community's role in planning and delivering public health services at a local level. In 1978, Hennepin County created the Hennepin County Community Health Department (CHD) to serve the public health needs of residents in the 43 municipalities not served by the already existing Boards of Health of Minneapolis and Bloomington. III. Epidemiology and Environmental Health A need for an environmental health program was demonstrated by surveys taken within Hennepin County in the 1970's. MDH was not providing a program that was sensitive to the local needs of communities in Hennepin County. A delegation agreement between Hennepin County and MDH for environmental health services was finalized in 1980. Those cities with existing inspection programs had the option of retaining their programs. Currently Hennepin County covers the Metropolitan Airport plus the following 35 cities: Brooklyn Center Hanover Minnetonka Beach Rogers Champlin Hassan Minnetrista St. Anthony Chanhassen Independence Mound St. Bonifacius Corcoran Long Lake New Hope Shorewood Dayton Loretto Orono Spring Park Deephaven Maple Grove Osseo Tonka Bay Eden Prairie Maple Plain Plymouth Woodland Excelsior Medicine Lake Robbinsdale Greenfield Medina Rockford A reorganization of CHD recognized the value of combining epidemiology with environmental health. The on -site support of epidemiology is a valuable resource for investigation of food -borne illness and other public health complaints. Together environmental health assures safety in food, beverage, lodging and public swimming facilities while epidemiology monitors illness and educates the public about significant public health diseases. IV. Relationship with other environmental health programs in the county and state Staff are active participants in the Minnesota Environmental Health Association, the Minnesota Environmental Health Council, the Local Environmental Health Association, American Public Health Association, Minnesota Public Health Association and other groups involved in developing environmental health policies for Minnesota communities. This participation is crucial for collaborative efforts, mutual support and sharing of resources. C: \SUSAN \envhlthdesc.doc 03/04/98 V. Achievements Hennepin County has developed a strong educational program with owners and operators of food, beverage, lodging and swimming pool facilities. Hennepin County was one of the first agencies to develop and offer food safety classes to food service employees. In recent years, staff has worked with operators to develop in -house educational programs for food service managers and workers. This has led to greater cooperation from operators and higher inspection scores. General achievements include identifying and correcting situations that may lead to illness and injury, setting standards and fulfilling the expectations of state law. VI. Challenges for the future Increased understanding and new techniques in food safety will address irradiation of food, a new food code, changes in food handler training and emerging food borne illness. Starting in 1999, Hennepin County Epidemiology and Environmental Health will begin regulating individual septic systems. Possible new programs include well monitoring and manufactured home parks. VII. Summary of services See attached C: \SUSAN \envhlthdesc.doc 03/04/98 Food, Beverage and Lodging, Children's Camps Licensing and inspections Quarterly Newsletter to all licensees Complaint investigations Well and septic monitoring at licensed facilities Enforcement Itinerant inspections Food safety classes Swimming Pool Licensing and Inspections Certified pool operators class Public Health Nuisance Investigations and abatement orders Support for other agencies (e.g. child protection) Lead Investigations Radon Investigations Radon kits HENNEPIN COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Summary of services Education Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act Complaint investigations and consultations Enforcement in licensed establishments Resources 8 registered sanitarians on staff Support of on site epidemiology program Experience and expertise in plan review Services to Local government Handle all billing and licensing Support of Board of Health Reduce workload of local government staff Develop working relationships with operators Timely inspections Fees on par with other agencies Educate operators Investigate complaints and answer questions County ordinances already written Wide range of public health expertise Peer reviews for plans give balance and thorough service to operators Work closely with epidemiologists to investigate and resolve illness or other complaints Cooperate with other agencies to investigate and resolve public health nuisances Can provide regular updates of inspection scores and/or complaints and resolution Variety of educational materials available to local operators and city staff Experience with expert witness testimony Satisfaction from other communities served by Hennepin County Regulations and statutes similar to those used by New Hope Uniformity of service to operators who cross jurisdictions C:\SUSAN \envhlthdesc2.doc 03/04/98 Complaint investigations Enforcement Radon awareness presentations All resources of Hennepin County Certified well inspectors Advanced septic system inspector Jurisdiction: Environmental Health Agency: Areas of Inspection: Agency: Call First After Hours Inspector: David Grussing INSPECTIONS CALL LIST Hennepin County Community Health Department 1011 First Street South - Suite 215 Hopkins, MN 55343 Food establishments Schools Daycare Seasonals (not produce stands) Congregate Dining Potentially Hazardous Food Vehicles Catering Food Vehicle Itinerant Food Stand Public Pools (includes apartments) Children's Camps Lodging Plan Review Convenience Stores (unwrapped food & fountain beverages) Public Health Threat (garbage house, vermin infestation) Call First Complaints/Emergency (8am - 5pm) 930 -2770 After hours Pager 510 -6034 Fax 930 -2782 Inspector: Steve Bray 930 -2773 Jurisdiction: Agriculture (Dairy, Non - retail Food, & Warehouse) Minnesota Department of Agriculture - 90 West Plato Boulevard St. Paul, MN 55107 -2094 Areas of Inspection: Ice Retail Store (Kmart, Walgreen's) Vending Machines (wrapped and unwrapped) Food Manufacturing (commercial bakeries) Seasonal Produce Stands Complaints/Emergency (8 am -5 pm) 296 -1592 All complaint calls are handled through a central help desk and then routed to the appropriate inspector. Call Hennepin County after hours pager number Updated 03103198 Neighboring Communities' Opinion on Hennepin County Health Inspection Services Robbinsdale Contact: Deb Skogen, City Clerk, 537 -4534 • Have been using County services for awhile (at least for the 3 years that she's been there) • They have County applications at the counter for applicants, but inform that they need to send all fees and direct all inquiries to the County • The County is relied upon to license all of the food vendors during city festivals • The City is pleased with County services and they are very easy to work with • No complaints from businesses Plymouth Contact: Joe Ryan, Building Official, 509 -5000 • They have been using County services since at least 1979 for all environmental inspections • They are very good to work with and provide great service and follow -up • Staff refers all license inquiries directly to the County; they do not have County application forms at City Hall • Does not remember any complaints that the City doesn't perform these services • Not a lot of paperwork for the City Brooklyn Center Contact: Sharon Knutson, City Clerk, 569 -3300 • They have been using County services since 1992 • Reduced tremendous amount of licensing processing /paperwork for City Clerk/License Clerk • They have never received any complaints from citizens that the City isn't performing these services • They've had "really good luck with Hennepin County" • Switching to the County was a tremendous cost savings, close to $100,000 for Sanitarian and 2 health inspectors • Council is happy with decision Maple Grove Contact: Laura Kushner • Having Hennepin County perform this service is much less expensive • For their purposes the County works well HENNEPIN COUNTY CITY OF HOPKINS Food Establishment $330.00 plus $80.00 /each service Includes Restaurants & Grocery $115.00 to $275.00 Daycare $163.00 $0.00 Daycare Snacks $ 93.00 Small restaurant license $120.00 Congregate Dining $163.00 Small restaurant license $120.00 Catering Food Vehicle $74.00 Catering Food Vehicle $145.00 Each Additional Vehicle $24.00 $145.00 Temporary Food Stand - 1" day $32.00 Temporary Food Stand $25.00 Each Additional Day $8.00 $0 Swimming Pools Outdoor $249.00 Outdoor 490.00 Indoor $249.00 Indoor $135.00 $135.00 Special Purpose $249.00 Special Purpose $25.00 Each Additional Pool $156.00 Fee based on above i Lodging- basic fee $137.00 None Each Room or unit $2.00 Each Room $4.00 Vending Machines Does not do Vending Machines $15.00 Bakery Does not do Bakery 490.00 I believe they would also not do food manufacturers and meat markets. Several licenses are calculated both ways as follows: Taits SuperValu Gene's Midnight Market Nelson's Meatmarket Hopkins House Lodging Food Establishment - Food Establishment - Food Establishment - HENNEPIN COUNTY $330.00 + $80.00 ($410.00) $330.00 + $80.00 ($410.00) $330.00 +$80.00 ($410.00) $137.00 + 322.00 ($459.00) CITY OF HOPKINS 230.00 + $90.00 ($320.00) 115.00 + $90.00 ($205.00) 90.00 + 90.00 + 70.00 ($250.00) 644.00 ($644.00)