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Public Heald
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of health
Thursday, September 18, 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 September 18, 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 and Gabrielle Vanwert.
Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Lara Cittadini, Michael Dawson, Carter Erickson,
Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Grace called for public comment.
Commenter, representing Friends of Public Health, expressed the enthusiasm of the group to support public access to
healthcare.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for September 18, 2025.
Staff Member Martine requested a change to the agenda, allowing her to present her Public Health Report following
Dr. Berry's Infectious Disease Update.
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the agenda as revised. 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 August 21, 2025 meeting.
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the minutes. Member Kolff seconded the motion, which
carried by a unanimous vote.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
2. Jefferson Healthcare Report
Member Kolff narrated a presentation on the history and growth of Jefferson Healthcare, emphasizing the need for
continued growth to insure its survival. He also discussed the financial hardships facing the hospital due to reduction
of federal funding, and spoke about the desirability of forging partnerships with other hospitals.
3. Infectious Diseases Update
Dr. Berry announced a rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations, with most hospitalizations in those over 65 and
some young unvaccinated people; keeping up-to-date on vaccinations is recommended, particularly for those with
underlying conditions. Recently released, updated COVID-19 vaccine is a good match for what is circulating now
and now available in local pharmacies, recommended for everyone 6 months and up, though pediatric vaccine is not
yet available, expected in October. It may be wise to print out the State Dept of Health Vaccine Order and take it with
you to the pharmacy.
Concerning federal policy: Secretary of Health Kennedy decimated career public health infrastructure, firing
experienced ACIP health experts and replacing them with less experienced members. Evidence about vaccines is
unchanged; the only change has been who is reviewing the data. As a non-federal department, Jefferson County can
continue to present the most accurate scientific information. Washington is part of the West Coast Health Alliance,
which will work to enable its citizens to have access to vaccines.
Pertussis is present in the community; stay up-to-date on vaccine which also protects from tetanus. Noting a recent
smoke event (due to the Bear Gulch Fire), Dr. Berry recommended at -risk individuals stay informed about AQI (air
quality index), have necessary medications, and minimize exposure to outdoor smoke.
In light of recent high -profile gun violence, Dr. Berry enumerated five interventions that public health professionals
advise can reduce gun violence: 1) safe storage; 2) firearm purchaser licensing; 3) firearm removal laws; 4) regulating
the public carry of firearms; and 5) community violence intervention. Discussion ensued.
1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report
Staff member Martine just returned from a public health law conference which explored rapidly changing
contemporary topics. She also announced current events such as the diaper drive and the Quilcene Fair, and recent
events such as Environmental Health's participation in the Wooden Boat Festival. She provided an update on Public
Health hiring, and discussed the experience of a recent Environmental Health intern.
Staff member Mingo added that she and Chair Grace attended the National Association of Wastewater Technicians'
(NAWT) National Disposal Crisis Task Force meeting, where they discussed Washington State's Septage Capacity
study which drew similar conclusions as the NAWT white paper.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Proclamation re: SepticSmart Week
The County Commissioners board members read the proclamation recognizing that proper septic system use and
routine care are vital to protecting public health.
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3
G. Gilbert
2. Public Hearing Notice for a Public Hearing before the BOH on October 16 in re:
Amendment to JCC 8.15.055() Exemption from the Annual Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Fee
(Carter Erickson, Ariel Speser)
Presenters talked through the presentation concerning the reasons for amending exemption criteria for the recently
adopted On -site Sewage Code, intending a very narrow scope of revision in regard to the O&M fee, correcting the
over -expansion of exemptions that inadvertently was included in the Code. Discussion ensued.
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved that the Board approve, publicize and publish the notice of public
hearing to be held on October 16" (2025). Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which carried by a
unanimous vote.
3. Rising Costs and Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) Clinic Fee Increases (Dr. Berry, Apple Martine)
This discussion responds to public comment concerning the rise in fees for services at the JCPH SRH Clinic.
Dr. Berry introduced the subject, spoke about the mission of the clinic, and commented how recent cuts in federal
funding have put the clinic at risk. In response to a question, Dr. Berry described the relationship between JCPH and
Jefferson Healthcare.
Staff member Martine shared the process that produced the queried fees. Her presentation covered how JCPH (and, in
particular, the SRH Clinic) serves the community, what it costs to operate the clinic and where the funds come from,
fee adjustments that are available to patients, and possible sources of additional funds.
Staff member Shaw discussed process and the use of formulae provided by DOH, as well as external rules of
government entities, that are used to calculate fees.
Dr. Berry shared a comparison table of different fees for similar services in the region.
Discussion ensued.
No discussion.
There were none.
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on October 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from
2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Grace adjourned the September 18, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:31 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, Public Health Assistant
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