The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026_01_15_BOH_Packet�e�vcson Public H Board of Health Meeting January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health Agenda Minutes PubI*Ic Health January 15, 2026 Regular Meeting Agenda Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, January 15, 2026 @ 2:30 PM Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA To view agenda items and meeting materials, click here: www.co.jefferson.wa.us — Services — Laserfiche Web Portal (usemame and password is: public) — Health — Agendas —Minutes —Packets — Board of Health Documents (then search by date: yyyy_mm—dd) To view public comments received, www.co.jefferson.wa.us — Services — Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public) — Health — BOH Public Comments (search for folder of comments by date, year first) This is a hybrid meeting: Virtual and In -Person Attendance You can join this meeting by using these methods: • Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/i/82378389363 This option will allow you to join the meeting live. You will need to enter an email address. If you wish to provide public comment, click on the hand icon at the bottom of the screen to "raise your hand." Participation will be up to the Chair and/or Clerk of the meeting. • Audio -only: Dial: 1-253-215-8782 and use Webinar ID: 823 7838 9363# This option will allow you to listen to the meeting live. If you wish to provide public comment, press *9 to "raise your hand." Participation will be up to the Chair and/or Clerk of the meeting. • In -Person: You are welcome to join the meeting in -person. In the event of technical difficulties, at least one of the methods above will be accessible to the public. Please try all methods first before calling 360-385-9100 to report any issues. Public comment will be accepted and can be emailed to: BQH@co.jefferson.wa.us until 5:00 PM the evening prior to the start of the meeting. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER — Chair Grace I. Public Comment (10 mins.) Public Comment Periods are dedicated to listening to the public. Each person may address the Board one time during these periods. To ensure equal opportunityfor the public to comment, all comments shall be limited to 2 or 3 minutes per person, depending on the volume of public in attendance. AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request II. Approval of Agenda III. Approval of Minutes of November 20, 2025 Board of Health Meeting IV. Old Business and Information Reports 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report (Apple Martine) (10 mins.) 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report (Dr. Kees Kolff) (5 mins.) 3. Infectious Diseases Update (Dr. Allison Berry) (15 mins.) V. New Business 1. Legal Aspects Regarding Setting of Public Health Clinical Fees (Apple Martine, Allison Berry) (5 mins) 2. Public Health Budget Update; Potential Services Cuts (Apple Martine, Veronica Shaw) (30 mins) 3. Update on BHAC's progress with 1/1Oth of 1% Funding and Opioid Settlement Funding (Apple Martine) (15 mins) 4. Lakes Program Update (Michael Dawson, Tim Weissman) (20 mins.) 5. Selection of New Board of Health Chair and Vice -Chair (5 mins.) VI. Future Potential Agenda Topics: The County Strategic Plan Salish Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization Opioid Settlement spending Olympic Connect, the Community Care Hub model Board of Health 101 Homelessness Public Health Impacts resulting from Federal Initiatives Rural Reproductive Health Emergency Fund for Public Health The Child Development Center Sewer projects / wastewater VII. Announcements ADJOURNMENT BY: 4:30 p.m. AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request Next Scheduled Meeting: February 19, 2026 2:30 —4:30 PM Jefferson County Public Health Hybrid Meeting AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request Public Health REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, November 20, 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 Vice -Chair MickHager called the November 20, 2025 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. Members Present: Vice -Chair Monica MickHager, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Celeste Dybeck, Heidi Eisenhour (departed early), Kees Kolff (departed at 3:10 p.m.) and Gabrielle Vanwert. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson, Apple Martine, Jenn Mitchell and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice -Chair MickHager called for public comment. There was none. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice -Chair MickHager called for a motion to accept the agenda for November 20, 2025. Staff Member Martine requested a change to the agenda, correcting the title of Section V.2 to read "Behavioral Health Advisory Committee" in place of"Behavioral Health Consortium." MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the agenda as revised. Member Dybeck seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G. Gilbert APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice -Chair MickHager requested a motion to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2025 meeting. MOTION: Member Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the minutes. Member Brotherton seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report Staff member Martine addressed Public Health annual budget issues, including various factors negatively impacting public health budgets and consideration of reducing services. Staff member Shaw elaborated on the potential need to discontinue some JCPH programs due to lack of funding. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Member Kolff reported that Jefferson Healthcare is also facing budget cuts similar to JCPH which could result in reduction of critical services. The recent expansion of the hospital included introduction of new "specialty services" which may save the hospital financially. A linear accelerator recently treated its first patient, and delivery of a new mobile "health and dental van" is expected. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry reported that the number of COVID cases is declining. There has been one death from COVID-19 reported this season in Jefferson County. Staying up to date on vaccinations is important to reduce the risk of severe disease, especially for those at high risk. There is a rapid rise in flu cases locally and current flu appears to be more severe than in recent years; vaccination and masking in public gatherings is recommended. RSV is expected later in the season. Avian influenza is a risk during this migratory bird season; avoid contact with wild birds (personal flocks should be kept separate from wild birds). Flock owners are recommended to wear N95 mask, gloves, and eye protection if caring for sick birds or cleaning their coops. The CDC recently claimed that a connection between vaccines and autism "cannot be discounted," contradicting years of research. Dr. Berry shared that there has been extensive research into this possible connection and it has been repeatedly disproven. The primary driver of increasing rates of autism is better detection and the broadening of diagnostic criteria, with a small contribution of increased parental age. With the reopening of the federal government, funding for SNAP and WIC has resumed, although funding has been reduced. Dr. Berry recommended supporting local food banks. Discussion ensued. NEW BUSINESS 1. Policy Regarding Establishing Public Health Clinical Fees Staff member Martine spoke in response to a question (from the October meeting) requesting consideration of how the Board can be more involved in the setting of fees. The County Prosecuting Attorney's office is reviewing the 2012 Board of Health policy which set rules for clinical fee setting; recommendations for revision of the policy are expected by the 5' of December and may be considered at the December Board of Health meeting. Discussion ensued. 2. Alternate Board Member Representing the Board on the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee Staff member Martine led a discussion of the need for an alternate representative to the BHAC, and its responsibilities. Member Vanwert volunteered to serve as alternate representative. MOTION: Member Brotherton nominated Gabrielle Vanwert as the alternate for the Board of Health representation on the BHAC. Member Dybeck seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G. Gilbert 3. Board of Health Member Updates Dr. Berry addressed an update to board membership rules at the state level. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1946, passed during the 2025 legislative session, amends local board of health composition requirements regarding appointment of Tribal representatives. Multiple seats on the board must be made available if there are multiple local tribes who wish for representation on the board. Additional tribal members will necessitate rebalancing of elected and non -elected members on the board. Discussion ensued. 4. Encampment Update/Board Discussion: Mission, Policy, and Service Delivery Staff member Martine introduced an update and discussion concerning happenings concerning the sweep of the encampment adjacent to the DSHS building, and planning for support of those affected by the sweep. Wide-ranging discussion included the role of JCPH in providing harm reduction services in support of the unhoused, guidance provided by National Association of County and City Health Officials, the county policy governing how homeless issues should be addressed going forward, and the critical lack of available housing. Viola Ware, Director of Housing and Community Development at OlyCAP, described partnering with JCPH harm reduction staff to provide funding for support services. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS It was recommended that homelessness be added as a recurring topic on the BoH Agenda at least quarterly. Staff Member Martine will reach out to Jolene Kron, Executive Director at Salish Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization, to present an update about behavioral health programs and services available in Jefferson County through SBHASO, in addition to an update on the Opioid Settlement funding process. Member Dudley-Nollette requested an update on the status of Senate Bill 5803, the Vapor Tax. There were none. ANNOUNCEMENTS AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on December 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Vice -Chair MickHager adjourned the November 20, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:32 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Monica MickHager, Vice -Chair Respectfully submitted G. Gilbert Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Page 3 of 3 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 1 Jefferson County Public Health Report [No hand-out] Public Health January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 2 Jefferson Healthcare Report [No hand-out] C C)�:t1 Public Health January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health Old Business and Information Reports Item 3 Infectious Diseases Update [No hand-out] i V _ L:txa:h� Public Health January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health V. New Business Item 1 Legal Aspects Regarding Setting of Public Health Clinical Fees [No hand-out] / i J4S1)I2 bUftt Public Health January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health 0 New Business Item 2 Public Health Budget Update; Potential Services Cuts ind-Out] �rl Publ'l'c Healtf January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health New Business Item 3 Update on BHAC's progress with 1 /10th of 1 Funding and Opioid Settlement Funding "' Iind-out] �l �� nrlvtll Public Healtfi January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health V. New Business Item 4 Lakes Program Update [No hand-out] Public eYSOii Cowl& Healt�i January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health V. New Business Item 5 Selection of New Board of Health Chair and Vice -Chair "' - '- end -out] Public Health January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health VI. Agenda Planning Public Health - January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health Announcements V Public' Healt January 15, 2026 Public H