HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Health Adv Board By-LawsDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701 -1960
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AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT
For Board Business Meeting of December 9, 2009
Please see directions for completing this document on the next page.
DATE: November 25, 2009
FROM: Scott Johnson Health Services 322 -7502
TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of Board Signature of Document 2009 -682, Public Health Advisory Board Bylaws,
revised November 2009.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? No
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The Bylaws for the Public Health Advisory Board were last adopted by the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners in 2007. We are submitting this proposed revision in an effort to bring the Bylaws up
to date and to reflect the Department's current operations and priority interests of our community public
health advisory board. The document has been prepared in consultation with County Counsel to
address legal requirements. The document also incorporates elements related to our Strategic Plan.
The revised Bylaws have been thoroughly reviewed by the Advisory Board itself and come with a do
pass recommendation. There are no policy implications.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED:
We recommend adoption of the revised Bylaws for the Deschutes County Public Health Advisory
Board.
ATTENDANCE: Scott Johnson
DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS:
Please send executed original to Kathe Hirschman, Deschutes County Health Services, 2577 NE
Courtney Drive, Bend (322 -7504)
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Public Health Advisory Board By -Laws
Mission Statement:
To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.
BY -LAWS
Article I
NAME AND ADDRESS
The name of this body shall be the Deschutes County Public Health Advisory Board ( "the
Board "). The permanent address for the Board will be 2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend,
Oregon 97701. The Advisory Board shall carry out the responsibilities of the following
mandated board: ORS 431.412 (5) public health advisory board.
Article II
PURPOSE
The Public Health Advisory Board is established to enhance community relations with
Deschutes County Health Services (DCHS) to increase public knowledge about public
health issues and assist in the betterment of services provided by DCHS. The Board also
advises the Board of County Commissioners concerning matters of public health and the
operation of the public health system.
Article III
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Advisory Board's responsibilities include providing advice, leadership and guidance
in support of DCHS's mission.
The Board shall:
A. Advocate for a strong public health system.
B. Participate in ensuring that the Department operates in accordance with applicable
federal, state and local laws and regulations.
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C. Work cooperatively with the Addictions & Mental Health Advisory Board and
other Department advisory groups to promote service integration, Department
benefit and accountability as well as operational efficiency and effectiveness.
D. Promote the services and educational opportunities provided by the Department
within the community.
E. Participate in developing and endorsing the priorities and services provided or
sponsored by the Department.
F. Participate in planning and reviewing the Department's operating budget
throughout the year as well as in endorsing the annual priorities and budget.
G. Participate in planning, measuring, and evaluating the Department's progress in
meeting its annual and long -term programmatic and financial goals.
H. Assist and provide input to the Department regarding funding and grant decisions.
I. Advocate for the resources necessary to assure the provision of essential public
health functions.
J. Participate in informing, educating and empowering people about health issues.
K. Advocate for the monitoring of health status indicators that will help to identify
and solve community health problems.
L. Annually review the Department's Strategic Plan and determine the Advisory
Board's focus, projects, priorities and progress based on the Strategic Plan.
M. Advise the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administrator on the
performance of the local public health system.
Article IV
MEETINGS
Section I. Regular Meetings:
Board meetings will be held, at minimum, once per calendar quarter. The Board
Chairperson, in consultation with the Department Director, may call other meetings as
necessary. Meetings will be held in a conference room accessible to Board members and
the general public.
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Section II. Special Meetings or Work Sessions:
Special meetings and work sessions may be called by the Board Chairperson. Public law
requires that members of the Advisory Board and the press receive written notice at least
24 hours prior to holding such a meeting.
Section III Quorum:
A majority of the board members, including those physically present as well as those
attending by proxy, shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of any and all
business of the Board.
Section IV Minutes:
The Board shall cause minutes of all meetings to be prepared and approved in accordance
with Oregon Public Meetings law. Health Services staff shall prepare, maintain and have
available minutes of the Advisory Board meetings, including, without limitation, a
recording of all motions and subsequent actions. Announced conflicts of interests shall
be noted.
Section V. Voting:
Each Advisory Board member shall have one vote. Any matter coming before the Board
shall be decided by a majority of members, either physically present or by proxy, and
voting. The Chairperson shall refrain from voting except to break a tie. While personal
attendance is always preferred, proxy voting is permitted upon any issue which has been
included in the notice of the meeting. Members who are physically present are limited to
not more than one absent member's proxy, in addition to their own vote. Members who
choose to vote by proxy shall notify the Advisory Board Chair, Advisory Board
Secretary, and the Advisory Board member to whom the proxy is assigned via email prior
to the meeting. Proxy votes will be documented in meeting minutes. If the matter is not
voted on at the meeting for which it was noticed, then all proxies for such matter shall be
deemed to have expired.
Section VI. Notice of Meetings:
All members shall be given notice of time, date, location and agenda for the meeting via
email at least seven (7) days before a regular Advisory Board meeting. This notice shall
be mailed by regular postal service to members who have no access to email.
Notice will be provided for other members of the public who have requested in writing
that they be given copies of the official meeting notices. Meetings are public, where
deliberations of the Advisory Board will take place; and opportunities for public
comment will be provided.
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Article V
MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Qualifications & Representation:
The membership of the Board shall provide a balanced representation of the geographic
and social diversity of the County and shall be comprised of lay citizens, health
professionals and others with a sincere interest in advocating for a strong public health
system. The Board shall be composed of at least nine (9) and not more than fifteen (15)
individuals. These persons shall be qualified by interest, training, or experience to review
and make recommendations for the development and implementation of policies and
procedures with regard to the statutory duties and services of Deschutes County Health
Services. At least one member of the Board must be a physician.
The membership should reflect the varying age, gender, ethnic, socioeconomic,
geographic, and professional interests in the County. Members shall serve without
remuneration.
Section II. Nominations:
The Advisory Board shall make nominations for membership on the Advisory Board to
the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners for approval and appointment.
Section III. Ex- Officio Members:
In addition to the appointed Advisory Board members, the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners shall appoint, from among themselves, one member to serve as liaison to
the Advisory Board who is expected but not required to attend at least two (2) Advisory
Board meetings each calendar year.
Additionally, the Director of the Department and the County Health Officer will be ex-
officio members of the Board. Ex- officio members do not have voting rights. The Board
may appoint other ex- officio members as appropriate.
Section IV. Attendance:
Advisory Board members shall endeavor to attend all meetings in person. Three (3)
consecutive unexcused absences shall constitute grounds for removal. Members who
anticipate their absence from a regular meeting shall endeavor to notify the Board
Chairperson in advance and provide the reason for their absence. The Chair shall
determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused.
Section V. Removal:
Any member may be removed whenever the best interests of the Department or the Board
will be served. The member whose removal is placed in issue shall be given prior notice
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of his/her proposed removal and a reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard at a
meeting of the Board. A member may be removed pursuant to this section by not less
than two - thirds (%) of the total number of members then serving on the Board, or by
majority vote of the Board of County Commissioners.
Grounds for removal from the Board include, without limitation, taking a position that is
in conflict with the mission of the Board and /or Department and having three (3)
consecutive unexcused absences from Board meetings without prior notification to the
Board Chair.
Article VI
TERMS OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES
Section I. Term and Length of Service:
Board members shall serve staggered terms of office and be assigned a position number
with expiration date to assure even rotation. A full term is three (3) years. The Founding
Board will be assigned initial terms of 1, 2, or 3 years by the Board of County
Commissioners in order to initiate staggered rotation.
After a Founding member finishes his or her initial term, the member may apply for
nomination for a second term. A member appointed to serve the unexpired term of
another member shall begin his/her membership on the first day of the month
immediately following the date it is approved. Regular terms shall begin and expire on
February 1. A member may not initiate a new term on the Board if the member has
already served for 8 years or more.
Section II. Vacancies:
A vacancy occurs when a Board member's term expires, or when a Board member moves
out of the service area, dies, resigns, or is removed from the Board. When a vacancy
occurs on the Board, the nominating committee shall select a replacement to complete the
unexpired term and recommend appointment of such replacement to the Board by the
Board of County Commissioners.
Article VII
OFFICERS
Section I. Officers:
The Board shall elect a Chairperson, Vice - Chairperson and Secretary, each to serve a
one -year term which can be renewed for a second year upon consent of the Board and
acceptance of the nominee. In addition, The Vice - Chairperson shall be eligible for
election to the Chair after Chairperson's term ends.
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Section II. Elections:
Elections of new officers shall take place prior to the end of the calendar year with the
new term beginning at the Board's first regular meeting the following February.
Section III. Duties:
Duties of the officers are as follows:
1. Chairperson:
a. Shall prepare the agenda with the Director's assistance
b. Shall conduct the meeting in accordance with parliamentary procedure and
comply with the rules and regulations of County and State with regard to
public meetings.
c. May call special meetings of the Board as are necessary.
d. Shall serve as an ex- officio member of all committees.
2. Vice - Chairperson:
a. Shall assist the Chairperson as needed.
b. Shall serve as Chairperson during such time as the Chairperson is absent
or unable to serve.
3. Secretary:
a. Shall maintain all minutes of Board proceedings.
b. Shall perform additional duties that may from time to time be prescribed
by the Board.
Article VIII
COMMITTEES
Section I. Standing Committees:
The Board shall appoint standing committees and their membership at its discretion.
Membership may include Board members, staff, and other community members at the
discretion of the Board.
Section II. Executive Committee:
The executive committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson, Vice - Chairperson,
Secretary and Department Director. The executive committee shall have the authority to
act on behalf of the entire Board for matters of routine business, but shall report to the
entire Board its actions as reflected in carefully maintained minutes. The Department
Director shall be a non - voting member of the executive committee.
Section III. Ad -Hoc Committees:
Ad -hoc committees may be established by the Board as needed and may consist of
additional individuals from the community chosen for their expertise and knowledge and
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concern about a specific issue or a field of endeavor. Once an ad -hoc committee has
completed all assigned tasks and reported same to the Board, it shall expire.
Section IV. Public Meetings:
All committee meetings shall be open to the public.
Article IX
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
No Board member shall be an employee of Deschutes County Health Services or an
immediate family member of an employee. An exception is allowed for individuals who
serve in an on -call, temporary, or limited duration capacity with the Department.
Article X
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Meetings shall be conducted using the general guidelines of Robert's Rules of Order.
Article XI
ADOPTION, AMENDMENT
The Public Health Advisory Board shall review, revise, and recommend approval and
adoption of these By -Laws. After Board approval, the By -Laws shall be delivered to the
Board of County Commissioners for final approval and formal adoption.
Adopted this day of
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
Tammy Baney, Chair
Dennis R. Luke, Vice Chair
Alan Unger, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
Reviewed By Legal: November 17, 2009
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