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Minutes 01-26-00 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND FLUORIDATION PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2000 AT 6:00 P.M. Present: Gerald Broening, Mayor Henderson Tillman, Vice Mayor Nellie Denahan, Commissioner Ronald Weiland, Commissioner Also Present: Wilfred Hawkins, Interim City Manager Dale Sugerman, Assistant City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk Robert Kenyon, Deputy Utilities Director Call to Order Mayor Broening called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. The Mayor advised that this Special Meeting was called to discuss the fluoridation of the City drinking water. Mayor Broening asked City Attorney Cherof to reiterate the rules governing the presentations. Mr. Cherof reminded the presenters that they could speak out for or against or reserve their comments for the public forum section. He asked that each speaker identify themselves and include their special qualifications. He reminded everyone of the strict three minutes each or thirty minutes total proviso on each side (Pre or Con). The option of coordinating the presentations within the thirty minutes was explained. Attorney Cherof reminded the presenters of the rules of decorum that would apply: no outbursts of support or derision to any speaker, The presentations at this meeting are to pertain solely to the issue of fluoridation, Attorney Cherof called for any additional sign-ups to speak prior to retrieving the sign-up sheets and beginning the hearing of the presentations. Speakers in Favor: Speakers in Opposition: Dr. Jeff Eder, D.D.S. Dr. Jean Malecki, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Robert Dumbaugh, D.D.S.,M.P.H. Dr. Michael Easley, D.D.S.,M.P.H. Patricia Moreell Douglas Balog, Attorney at Law Dr. James Harrison, D.D.S. Lee Marlow MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND FLUORIDATION PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 26, 2000 Public Forum Commentators: Alex Williams, Bill Schmalz, Dr. Franklin Boyer, D.D.S., Bob MacLaren, Michelle Watson, R.D.H., Dr. Theodore Ritota, D.M.D., David London, Herb Suss, Dr. Leonard Rush, D.D.S. SUMMARY OF PROPONENTS OF FLUORIDATION: The proponents of fluoridation were introduced by Dr. Jeff Eder. During the thirty minutes of time alloted, four speakers set forth facts pertinent to fluoridation. The proponents of fluoridation maintained it to be a safe, effective and efficient means of reducing dental caries and tooth loss across all ages of the population. These contentions were supported by the recitation of various technical studies and the professional experience of the dentists themselves. The American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and other professional and scientific organizations endorse water fluoridation. SUMMARY OF OPPONENTS OF FLUORIDATION: The leading speaker for the four opponents of fluoridation was Ms. Patricia Moreell, Director of the Boca Raton Chapter of the Citizens for Safe Drinking Water. The opponents of fluoridation contended that fluoridation is ineffective and causes adverse health effects. They further maintained that to fluoridate the water supply would be an invasion of the rights of individuals to freedom from unwarranted intrusions into their lives. Their contentions were also supported by the recitation of various studies against fluoridation. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were nine speakers in the public forum section of the meeting, representing both viewpoints. Of the nine speakers the majority were in favor of fluoridation by a margin of 7-2. At 7:30 P.M. the Mayor closed the Public Forum, having allowed the full 30 minutes indicated at the start of the meeting, and asked for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Weiland asked about the possibilities for error, such as adding too much fluoride to the water if fluoridation were implemented. Mr. Sugerman stated that he was not competent to state what the chances of such an error would be and doubted if any staff were competent to do so. The Mayor directed this question to Mr. Kenyon, the Deputy Utilities Director. Mr. Kenyon could not assess the chances for error exactly; however, he referred to his experience as a shift operator in the Water Department in Defiance, Ohio in 1974-75 and stated that they fluoridated the water and there were no overdoses during that period of time. Commissioner Weiland asked how the City would proceed with the fluoridation process. Mr. Kenyon said there would be several controls but that he was not an engineer and could not state at this time which compound would be used. There would be an engineering study and one of several fluoride compounds would be chosen. There would be very specific equipment. There are licensed operators on duty 24 hours a day, and there would be an alarm system. For example, with chlorine we have safeguards. We have double-wall containment, alarm systems, certified people on duty, trained staff, set dosages, and properly-sized equipment. 2 MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND FLUORIDATION PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 26, 2000 Mr. Sugerman said that the City would have a set of methods and practices it would follow and the process would be permitted by Palm Beach County under the laws of the State of Florida. Vice Mayor Tillman praised the deportment of both sides of the issue, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to hear so much valuable information on the subject of fluoridation. It was noted that the problem of tooth decay and tooth loss is still a prevalent condition and that concerned citizens of a civilized society should make every effort to deal with this problem by fluoridating the water supply. The Mayor also expressed appreciation for the presentations of both sides. He stated that he preferred the pragmatic approach to the anecdotal and that his decision would be based on the knowledge of competent professional opinions, as expressed in this forum tonight, and on the results of sound, epidemiological studies. The Mayor posed a question to both sides, asking if there were any formal epidemiological evidence linking fluoride to any public health problem and if so, to please cite the formal epidemiological study. An epidemiological study is one that is done under extremely controlled circumstances over a period of time by competent professionals. Dr. Easley responded that in 1991 the U.S. Public Health Service did a comprehensive evaluation of all of the studies regarding fluoridation that had been done up until that time. They reviewed thousands of studies and concluded that there is no evidence of community water fluoridation playing a role by causing, enhancing or negatively affecting any disease category. Comments were made from the audience as to various reports and studies in opposition to fluoridation but the Mayor stated that they did not meet the criteria of sound epidemiological studies. The Mayor declared that the public forum section was over and asked for further questions from the Commission. There were none. Motion Commissioner Weiland moved that the City of Boynton Beach add fluoride to its drinking water. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Tillman. Mayor Broening called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously. Adjournment Commissioner Weiland moved to adjourn the meeting. Vice Mayor Tillman seconded the motion. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:50 P.M. 3 MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND FLUORIDATION PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 26, 2000 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mice Mayor ' A-I-rEST: Mayor Pro Tem Cit~' Clerk Recording Secretary (two tapes) Commissioner Commissioner 4