HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_05_15_BOH_Minutes_Executedis Health
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 2:30 p.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA
Hybrid Meeting
Board Members
Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3
Heather Dudley-Nollette, County Commissioner, District #1
Celeste Dybeck, Tribal Representative
Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner, District #2
Amanda Grace, Chair, Community Stakeholder
Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner
Monica MickHager, Vice -Chair, Port Townsend City
Council
Gabrielle Vanwert, Consumer of Public Health
Staff Members
Denise Banker, Community Health Director
Dr. Allison Berry, Health Officer
Lara Cittadini, CHIP Manager
Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager
Carter Erickson, Environmental Health Manager
Apple Martine, Public Health Director
Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director
Jenn Mitchell, Finance Manager
Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director
Chair Grace called the May 15, 2025 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m.
Members Present: Chair Amanda Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Celeste Dybeck,
Heidi Eisenhour, Dr. Kees Kolff, Monica MickHager and Gabrielle Vanwert.
Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Lara Cittadini, Michael Dawson, Carter Erickson,
Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo, Jenn Mitchell and Veronica Shaw.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Grace called for public comment.
Commenter spoke about the benefits of school -based health clinics, and provided an update on progress for the clinic
at Blue Heron Middle School, scheduled for opening in autumn, 2025.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for May 15, 2025.
The clerk announced a change to the agenda (New Business, item 2), as Salish Behavioral Health Administrative
Services Organization was unable to attend the meeting (and will reschedule). This item was replaced by a discussion
of Urban Rest Stops (which serve to address hygiene and other services in need by the unhoused population).
MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda as amended. Member Dybeck seconded the
motion, which carried by a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4
G. Gilbert
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2025 meeting.
MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the minutes. Member Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion, which
carried by a unanimous vote.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report
Staff member Martine (on the road from Walla Walla, where she and staff member Mitchell attended a WSALPHO
f Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials} retreat) provided a brief update. (Reception was spotty
and the update was often interrupted.) The update included federal and state funding for public health. There have
already been some budget cuts; more will be known when the governor's budget is signed and released next week.
Concerning emergency preparedness and response work, JCPH recently completed its Continuity of Operations Plan.
JCPH recently participated in an intercounty public health convening with Island County, exploring shared strengths.
2. Jefferson Healthcare Report
According to member Kolff, the hospital construction project continues on schedule and on budget. An August 24,
2025 open house is scheduled, offering the public the opportunity to tour the new facility.
Dr. Kolff and Jefferson Healthcare CEO Mike Glenn recently travelled to Washington D.C. for the annual meeting of
the American Hospital Association. They met with Senator Maria Cantwell and other legislators, lobbying for
support for Medicaid and health -related legislation.
While in DC, Dr. Kolff also met with a representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to explore
how Washington, as a state, could partner directly with the World Health Organization (WHO), since the federal
government has withdrawn from membership in the WHO.
3. Public Health Legislative Update
Member Eisenhour discussed (i) the reprocurement measure (Substitute House Bill 1813) concerning streamlining of
funding for behavioral health services and improvements to administrative management of Medicaid funding, and
(ii) the status of the recycling bill.
Dr. Kolff provided additional information concerning hospital -related legislation and funding.
Staff member Martine shared that Health Bill 1531 passed, assuring that state and local health officers rely on proven
methods and the latest scientific research when responding to outbreaks of disease. She also provided a printed
summary of the recent legislative session, distributed by WSALPHO, which enumerated bills passed and failed
directly impacting public health
4. Infectious Diseases Update
According to Dr. Berry, COVID is still present in the community, but there is far less activity. Pertussis is still active,
particularly among school -age students and their families.
Measles is circulating through the country, but only 5 cases have been identified in Washington state.
She recommended staying up-to-date on all vaccines; discuss with primary care physicians or Public Health.
Troubling news is coming out of the federal Health and Human Services department. The independence of scientific
organizations is at risk, as politics blend with science.
Budget cuts will affect both state and local health; the extent of cuts is still unknown.
Avian influenza remains relatively stable, and mild in Washington. There is still some wild bird infection activity, but
not in domesticated poultry and cattle.
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4
G. Gilbert
Dr. Berry will be on a leave -of -absence until August. Health officer coverage will be provided by Regional Health
Officer Dr. Herbie Duber, with additional support by Kitsap Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow.
NEW BUSINESS
2. Urban Rest Stops, introduction and discussion 1
Anya Callahan, Harm Reduction Coordinator at JCPH, described the concept of the "Urban Rest Stop," intended to
provide hygiene resources for those experiencing homelessness. Member Dudley-Nollette provided an overview of a
recent exploratory meeting of the local behavioral health provider network, which reviewed the needs being addressed
and brainstormed how services can be provided.
Discussion ensued.
3. Overview of Transition Services for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Bonnie Obremski, Intellectual & Developmental Disability (IDD) Program Coordinator at JCPH, described the work
of the IDD Department and the programs it manages and monitors. Sam Touchie, Transition Coordinator at Cascade
Community Connections, described IDD services provided by Cascade.
1. Status of Vacancy on the Board of Health 1
Staff member Martine announced that the search for candidates to fill the three-year term of the "Other Community
Stakeholder" position on the Board of Health resulted in one application, submitted by the incumbent. Dr. Berry
added that, though efforts were extended in order to gather a broad pool of applicants for the recently available
"Consumer of Public Health" seat on the Board, she thinks it is somewhat different when you have a person who is
currently serving on the Board who just wants to continue to serve in that position; she didn't feel that there needed to
be a holding of the position while further attempts are made to find more applicants (i.e., continuing someone in their
current Board position is a little different from recruiting someone new).
MOTION: Following discussion, Member Dudley-Nollette moved "that the Board of Health recommend, to the
Board of Commissioners, the reappointment of Amanda Grace as the Other Community Stakeholder member
of the Board of Health." Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which passed with 7 votes in favor and 0
votes against (Chair Grace having recused herself).
No discussion.
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Clerk noted that the next regular meeting is scheduled for June 19', which is the national holiday "Juneteenth,"
when county offices will be closed. Discussion ensued as to whether the June meeting should be rescheduled or
cancelled.
MOTION: Member Kolff moved to cancel the June meeting. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which
carried by a unanimous vote.
Clerk announced that this meeting is the first that Carter Erickson has attended as Environmental Health Manager.
Congratulations abounded.
' Order of New Business items was reordered due to Staff member Martine's remote attendance from the highway.
Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 4
G. Gilbert
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on July 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 2:30 p.m.
— 4:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Grace adjourned the May, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:28 p.m. until the next
Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
Amanda Grace, Clair
. 6we')
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant
Page 4 of 4