Ogallala Board of Health
Meeting
August 17, 2004
A meeting of the Ogallala Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Paul Foy in the City of Ogallala Administration Building, 411 East Second Street, Ogallala, Nebraska. Members present: Dr. Paul Foy, Mary Lou Heelan, Dr. Kurt Johnson and Joe Humphrey. Absent: Glenn Silvius.
Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication in the Keith County News, the designated method of giving notice. Notice of the meeting was delivered to members of the Board of Health by hand delivery of an Ogallala Police Officer.
Mary Lou Heelan moved to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2004 Board of Health Meeting. Humphrey seconded the motion. Voting Yes: Foy, Heelan, Johnson and Humphrey. Voting No: None. Motion Carried
Public Forum: Dr. Foy opened the public forum and invited any individual wishing to speak to the board to come to the podium. Dr. Foy advised that the Public Forum would remain open for the duration of the public meeting.
Discussion was held pertaining to the use of Incinerators in Ogallala. Humphrey informed the Board that while researching this issue he found that incinerators are a permitted use by the Municipal Code however there is a clause that requires the user to obtain a permit from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and a copy of said permit has to be filed with the City Clerk. Humphrey also informed the Board that upon checking with the City Clerks office there were no permits on file. Humphrey stated that he contacted three businesses with incinerators, informed them of the regulations and advised them not to use the incinerators until they obtain permits from Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
Ross McManus spoke to the Board about his concerns. Mr. McManus stated that he lives on West 5th Street and has issued about the smell associated with the use of incinerators to incinerate small animals. McManus stated that he would have no objections to the incinerators if the appropriate state permits are obtained.
Dr. Dave Baltzell spoke to the Board. Dr. Baltzell informed the board that his is moving forward with the permit process. He expressed displeasure with not being informed about the permit requirement until after having investing in the equipment and having it installed. He stated that he has been in contact with the manufacturer of his incinerator and is working with them to make the incinerator burn cleaner. Dr. Baltzell also informed the Board that he has equipment on order such as smoke stack misters to assist in cleaner burning. Dr. Baltzell advised that this issue would not go away as cremation of family pets is a service that is required by many pet owners.
Discussion was held pertaining to the corner lot of 115 East E Street. Humphrey informed the Board that the owner had cut the weeds, removed most of the scrap metal with arraignments to have the rest removed. An Abandoned vehicle has been removed from the property. The other vehicles are in operational condition. Humphrey advised he believed the property to be in compliance with Municipal Code. No action taken by board.
Humphrey informed the Board, that the Board of Health’s recommendations to the Ogallala City Council to change Municipal Code Ordinance 94.018 Nuisances Enumerated by adding the wording “the placing outdoors or exposing to the elements upholstered or overstuffed furniture with loose cushions that are not waterproof nor specifically made by the manufacturer for outdoor use or exposure to the elements.” to Section A subsection 3 was passed by the Ogallala City Council on August 10, 2004.
Humphrey informed the Board that the next scheduled meeting, Tuesday, September 21, 2004.
No further business to come before the Board, Humphrey moved to adjourn. Heelan seconded the motion.
Voting Yes: Foy, Heelan, Johnson, and Humphrey. Voting No: None. Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
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Secretary Board of Health
Joe K. Humphrey