DATE: 03/24/2003	SUBJECT: FINAL READING ORDINANCE NO. 2003-O-069 Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s Full-Time Equivalent Positions by creating two (2) part-time with no benefits (.96 FTE) Community Service Aides positions at 19.21 hours each per week for the HIV Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period from September 1, 2002, through August 31, 2003.
INITIATED BY: STAFF SOURCE: Cynthia Collazo Hector F. Gonzalez, M.D., M.P.H. Acting City Manager Health Director
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On March 3, 2003, Council held public hearing introducing ordinance and instructed staff to proceed with final reading.
BACKGROUND: The City of Laredo Health Department’s HIV/AIDS Program was awarded $13,333 to conduct Hepatitis C Screening Project. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C in our local high-risk population. Hepatitis C (HCV) is one type of virus that can damage the liver, a vital organ that has many functions. About 30% to 40% of new Hepatitis C infections develop symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue, mild fever, flu-like illness, nausea and vomiting, stomachache, and loss of appetite. Up to 70% of those newly infected with HCV will be asymptomatic and not know that they are infected. Amongst those infected with HCV, 20% will develop chronic liver disease and suffer serious liver damage as a result of their Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The remaining 70% who develop chronic liver damage will not develop serious liver problems. Moreover, 5% of those people with HCV will die from liver failure or liver cancer, and 15% will naturally resolve the infection on their own. Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. Severe liver disease from Hepatitis C accounts for one quarter to one third of all liver transplants in the nation. There are currently no vaccines or immune globulin products to prevent HCV. A person infected with either acute or chronic HCV may infect other people, especially if no safety measures are taken. The virus is found in blood and is usually spread by direct contact with blood products. The highest risk of getting infected with HCV comes from sharing needles with an infected person, i.e. for illegal drug usage, injecting steroids, tattoos, etc. This amendment shall increase the City of Laredo’s FTE positions from 0 FTEs to Two (2) .96 FTEs.
FINANCIAL: The salaries for the Community Service Aide positions, Gr. 23, will be provided by making an appropriate transfer in the amount of $15,983 within the HIV grant (226-6074) from the contractual line item to personnel line item.
RECOMMENDATION:		STAFF: Recommends that Council approve ordinance.

ORDINANCE NO. 2003-O-069

Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s Full-Time Equivalent Positions by creating two (2) part-time with no benefits (.96 FTE) Community Service Aides positions at 19.21 hours each per week for the HIV Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period from September 1, 2002, through August 31, 2003.

WHEREAS, the City of Laredo Health Department’s HIV/AIDS Program was awarded $13,333 to conduct Hepatitis C Screening Project. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C in our local high-risk population., and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C (HCV) is one type of virus that can damage the liver, a vital organ that has many functions. About 30% to 40% of new Hepatitis C infections develop symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue, mild fever, flu-like illness, nausea and vomiting, stomachache, and loss of appetite. Up to 70% of those newly infected with HCV will be asymptomatic and not know that they are infected. Amongst those infected with HCV, 20% will develop chronic liver disease and suffer serious liver damage as a result of their Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The remaining 70% who develop chronic liver damage will not develop serious liver problems. Moreover, 5% of those people with HCV will die from liver failure or liver cancer, and 15% will naturally resolve the infection on their own; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. Severe liver disease from Hepatitis C accounts for one quarter to one third of all liver transplants in the nation. There are currently no vaccines or immune globulin products to prevent HCV. A person infected with either acute or chronic HCV may infect other people, especially if no safety measures are taken. The virus is found in blood and is usually spread by direct contact with blood products. The highest risk of getting infected with HCV comes from sharing needles with an infected person, i.e. for illegal drug usage, injecting steroids, tattoos, etc., and

WHEREAS, this amendment shall increase the City of Laredo’s FTE positions from 0 FTEs to two (2) .96 FTEs.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

Section 1: The City Manager is hereby authorized to amend the City of Laredo FTE positions in the Health Department to two (2) part-time Community Service Aides, with no benefits positions (.96 FTEs).

Section 2: This amendment shall increase the City of Laredo’s FTE positions from 0 FTEs to Two (2) .96 FTEs.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR

ON THIS _________________ DAY OF ________________________, 2003.

_______________________

ELIZABETH G. FLORES

MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.

CITY SECRETARY

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

________________________

JAIME FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY