December 11, 2020
ASBM Board Meeting Minutes
Zoom Meeting:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71733790950?pwd=U0Q0VEZRK05wSy9qOGNiN21CekN3QT09
Meeting ID: 911 038 5604
Passcode: 7SKH7p
The Alabama State Board of Midwifery met on Friday, December 11, 2020, to conduct business. This meeting was held via zoom and in person. The physical location was Vestavia Hills City Hall. In attendance were: (1) Ms. Bufkin(Board Chair), (2) Ms. Leithart(member), (3) Mr. Megginson(member) (4) Ms. Dennis(member) (5) Ms. Litas(member), Ms. Armstead(member), Ms. Nero(member). Ms. Carmack(Board attorney) and Dr. Porterfield Miller (Administrative Assistant).
The members of the public in attendance were: Mr. Matt Hart (attorney) representing the Board of Medical Examiners(BME), Rachel Clark (CNM/(CPM), and Hamilton Yarbrough (CNM/CPM), Donna Mitchell, (CPM ret.) Lauren Collins (LM), and Jordan Yarbrough, a family member.
The Board meeting had been advertised on the Secretary of State’s website, in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act. There being a quorum of board members present, Ms. Bufkin, Board Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. and proceeded to preside over the meeting.
Ms. Bufkin presented the November 13, 2020 meeting minutes for the Board’s approval. Copies of the minutes were provided to the members prior to the meeting for their review. One correction was noted. Ms. Leithart made a motion to adopt the November 13, 2020 minutes with the approved correction. The motion was seconded by Ms. Armstead. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. The minutes were unanimously approved by the Board.
Reports
The Board chair (Ms. Bufkin) report reflected on getting ready for 2021 year. The Chair and Mr. Megginson will be meeting and communicating with other agencies in the coming year (2021).
The report from the Board Attorney (Ms. Carmack) expressed concern about the AG opinion. Ms. Carmack asked if the Board had received a response from the AG office.
At that time, Ms. Leithart made a motion to go into Executive Session for 20 minutes to discuss the legal ramifications regarding the next steps legally the Board could take concerning the AG opinion. It was seconded by Ms. Dennis and certified by the Board Attorney, Ms. Carmack. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. The motion passed. The board entered to Executive Session at 10:20. Mr. Megginson made a motion to return to General Session. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart, A roll call vote was taken: All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. The Board returned to General Session at 10:36. The Board chair ( Ms. Bufkin) opened up the General Session by suggesting that the Board draft a letter to the AG Office. Ms. Leithart made a motion that Ms. Bufkin and Mr. Megginson draft a letter by December 15, 2020 requesting a response to the request for an opinion pertaining to the new born screening cards. It was seconded by Ms. Litas. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed.
Report from Administrative Assistant (Dr. Porterfield Miller) consisted of the financial report and the administrative assistant quarterly report. An Administrative Assistant Manual has been written by Dr. Porterfield Miller. The Board attorney requested a copy for the board’s records.
Old Business
The Board Attorney (Ms. Carmack) asked for updates on the Amended rules. Ms. Leithart said that all of Chapter 2 got certified and none of Chapter 3 got certified. Ms. Leithart made a motion to table any rule changes to Chapter 3 until further notice. It was seconded by Ms. Nero. A roll call vote was taken, all in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, abstain, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. The motion passes with one Board member abstaining.
New Business
The Board members gave positive comments concerning the Administrative Assistant. The Board Attorney suggested that the Board develop an Employment Evaluation tool. The Administrative Assistant was asked for comments concerning her year of working with the Board. It was noted by the Administrative Assistant that she was still adjusting to the use of Zoom as a meeting tool and that she was not yet 100% comfortable with hosting. The Administrative Assistant also suggested that the Board consider purchasing Zoom for more minutes per meeting. The present Zoom plan that the Board uses is free and only 40 minutes per meeting. Board Expenses discussed by the Administrative Assistant were phone (Republic Wireless, $20.11 monthly), Post Office Box Rental ($56.00 yearly) and Board room (Vestavia City Hall, $300.00 per year, paid one year in advanced with $200,00 as the refundable deposit).
Ms. Armstead made a motion to go into Executive Session for 10 minutes to discuss the good name, character and job performance of Dr. Porterfield Miller, Administrative Assistant. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart and certified by the Board Attorney, Ms. Carmack. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed.
Ms. Leithart made a motion to end the Executive Session and return to general session at 11:18am. Ms. Dennis seconded. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. Ms. Leithart moved to extend Dr. Porterfield Miler’s contract as Administrative Assistant to the Board at $500.00 per month for 12 months. Motion was seconded by Ms. Armstead. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye.
None opposed. Dr. Porterfield Miller’s contract was approved.
Mr. Megginson made a motion to go in Executive Session for 30 minutes to discuss the good name and character of the applicants for licensure. It was seconded by Ms. Nero and certified by the Board Attorney, Ms. Carmack. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. The Board entered in Executive session at 11:36. Mr. Megginson made a motion to return to General Session. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed.
The Board returned to General Session at 11:50am. The Board Chair reopened the General session with a call for a motion to approve the applicants. Ms. Dennis made a motion to approve applicant LM# 0017. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. Applicant LM 0017 was approved.
Ms. Dennis made a motion to approve applicant LM 0018. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. None opposed. Applicant LM 0018 was approved.
Ms. Dennis made a motion to approve applicant LM 0019. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken, All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Armstead, aye, Dennis, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye and Nero, aye. No opposed. Applicant LM 0019 was approved. Congratulations was given to the newly licensed Midwives:
Jordan Miles, Hamilton Yarbrough, and Rachel Clark
Board Chair, Ms. Bufkin, asked for comments or concerns from the public. There were no comments or concerns from the public.
The ASBM Board chair, Ms. Bufkin, thanks Ms. Dennis for three (3) years of service to the board. She thanks her for her passion and commitment to the board. She stated that Ms. Dennis shoes will be hard to fill and that she will be greatly missed. Ms. Nero stated it was great working with Ms. Dennis. Mr. Megginson also thanks her for three (3) year of wonderful service to the Board.
The Administrative Assistant reminded Board Members of the scheduled Board Meeting dates with a special note of the time. The Board meetings for 2021 will begin at
11:00 am instead of 10:00 am.
Ms. Leithart made a motion to adjourn the meeting and it was seconded by the Ms. Armstead. Oral vote: all in favor, none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 12:18 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Dr. Sharon Porterfield Miller
Administrative Assistant