HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_08_21_BOH_Minutes_ExecutedPublic Health
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Thursday, August 21, 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 91
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 August 21, 2025 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:32 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 Dr. Allison Berry, Carter Erickson, Apple Martine, and Pinky Mingo.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Grace called for public comment.
Commenter expressed concern for the sometimes sharply increased Public Health fees and the burdensome effect they
will have on the most vulnerable in the community. Commenter urged the Board to review the fees.
Board member MickHager queried whether it would be possible to have a more in-depth discussion of Public Health
fees at a later meeting. Staff member Martine proposed an agenda item for the September Board meeting, and
provided a brief discussion of factors figuring into the raised fees.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for September 18, 2025.
MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda. Member Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion,
which carried by a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3
G. Gilbert
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2025 meeting.
MOTION: Member Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the minutes. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion,
which carried (Chair Grace and Member Kolff abstained, as they did not attend the July 17 meeting).
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report
Staff member Martine announced the approaching end of budget season and described some of the complexities to
Public Health budgeting. Staffing was also touched upon, as were various events and trainings.
2. Jefferson Healthcare Report
Member Kolff described the progress of the new hospital build -out — ribbon cutting in September, hiring of new
medical specialists going well, the hospital cafe to open to the public in September.
Olympic Medical Center has hired an interim CEO and is partnering with University of Washington to assure OMC's
survival.
3. Infectious Diseases Update
Dr. Berry announced a summer surge of COVID (nationally and locally) with some severe cases, with young children
more vulnerable, as well as elders and those with underlying conditions; boosters are recommended, particularly for
those high risk groups. Infants are at particular high because they have under -developed immune systems and have
not been exposed to COVID-19 the way the rest of the community has.
Pertussis is present in the community, as is vibrio (transmitted by raw oysters). Malaria appeared in Pierce County
(not here). Measles is not present in the community and is downtrending nationally. The best way for us all to reduce
the likelihood of a future outbreak here is to be sure that we and our families are up to date on our measles
vaccinations.
NEW BUSINESS
MOTION: Member MickHager moved that New Business 1 and 2 be taken in reverse order, to allow Dr. Berry
to segue into further discussion of vaccines. Member Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion, which carried by a
unanimous vote.
2. Vaccines Access and Recommendations, in light of recent federal changes (Dr. Berry)
Federal Secretary of Health Kennedy unilaterally removed COVID from the vaccine schedules for children and those
who are pregnant; the former experienced members of ACIP — the board who determined vaccine schedules, were
replaced by new and unqualified members. In response, law suits are pending, brought by major medical groups. A
group of infectious disease experts have formed called the Vaccine Integrity Project. They have reviewed the
available evidence around the fall vaccines and have found that they remain as safe and effective as ever. Their
deliberations are publicly available and can be viewed online. The past year there was an untick in influenza death
among children, mostly unvaccinated. Major medical associations, universities and independent scientists are doing
their best to spread accurate information, to counterbalance the influence of governmental appointees who were hired
for willingness to spread misinformation.
Currently, we don't know what vaccines will be available in the fall. Dr. Berry recommends vaccines for COVID-19
and influenza for everyone 6 months and up, and RSV for individuals at risk (babies, pregnant people, and the elderly)
who have not been vaccinated in prior years. No issues are anticipated with influenza and RSV, but the federal
government is messing with COVID. Medical associations and state governments are working hard to push back with
accurate information and efforts to improve access, including the possibility of a standing order for the vaccine
pressuring insurance companies to pay for vaccines.
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3
G. Gilbert
Dr. Berry responded to questions about shingles virus and vaccine. The shingles vaccine is recommended for
everyone 50 years of age and older, and those who are immunocompromised, including those who have had prior
cases of shingles.
1. New Schools Health and Safety Inspection Program (Hal -Wayne Woodward, Carter Erickson)
Presenters introduced a program to improve environmental health and safety of Jefferson County schools, which will
involve periodic inspections of schools looking at playground safety, classroom lighting, art and science (chemical
safety), noise and lighting, indoor air quality and other issues. Discussion ensued, particularly in regard to air quality
monitoring.
3. Environment and Energy ("E&E") Committee Tour (Chair Grace, Pinky Mingo)
Presenters described offering a tour of the city water treatment plant to members of the E&E Committee.
4. Septic Smart Week (Chair Grace, Carter Erickson)
Presenters announced an EPA event intending to educate septic system owners about taking care of their systems and
being responsible. The Governor has issued a proclamation recognizing Septic Smart Week, September 14t' thru 19t`,
which corresponds with the next Board of Health meeting and also with Public Health's Homeowner Education
Classes (classes being September 11 ' and 25' and October 2°1)
No discussion.
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mid -September will also bring (national) Diaper Needs Awareness Week (September 15 to 21), during which Public
Health will host a "diaper drive" in its parking lot (September 2 thru 31). Discussion ensued.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on September 11, 2025 at 10:30
a.m.
The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from
2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Grace adjourned the August 21, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 3:59 p.m. until the
next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
Amanda Grace, Chair
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Glenn Gilbert, Pub ' Health Assistant
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