HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026_08_20_Approved Minutes-~ ·~ Jffr;son
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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Thursday, August 20, 2026@ 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, Vice-Chair, Community Stakeholder
Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner
Monica MickHager, 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
Jenn Mitchell, Finance Manager
Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director
Chair MickHager called the August 20, 2026 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 P.M.
Members Present: Chair Monica MickHager, Vice-Chair 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, Jenn Mitchell and Veronica Shaw.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair MickHager called for public comment.
There was none.
In the absence of public comment, Staff Member Martine asked to provide a response to some written public
comment. First, in response to a written public comment concerning Jefferson County's Encampment Policy, Martine
suggested that time be allotted for a discussion of the policy at the next regular meeting of the Board of Health,
September 17, 2026.
Staff Member Martine also responded to a written comment about the installation of a flock camera in the QFC
parking area. She mentioned that Public Health had little information concerning the camera, but that it has been
removed.
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Page 1 of 4
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair MickHager called for a motion to accept the agenda for August 20, 2026.
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the agenda. Member Dudley-Nolette seconded the motion,
which carried by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair MickHager requested a motion to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2026 meeting.
Staff Member Martine suggested corrections to two scrivener's errors in the minutes.
MOTION: Member Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the minutes as edited. Member Brotherton seconded the
motion, which carried by a majority vote (with two abstentions).
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report
Staff member Martine offered a recognition of the retiring Clerk of the Board of Health, and thanked him for his years
of "shepherding" the Board, as well as other responsibilities to JCPH.
Martine also alluded briefly to "a lot going on at Public Health," in particular work on the budget, due September I",
2. Jefferson Healthcare Report
Dr. Kolff also chose to use his time to thank the retiring Clerk "for all of the amazing shepherding he's done."
3. Infectious Diseases Update
Dr. Berry reports that COVID-19 transmission in the community is currently very low, with minimal wastewater
detection and no hospitalizations. Clallam County is experiencing a significant pertussis outbreak - likely larger than
reported - and staying up to date on vaccines or seeking prompt care for severe coughs in children is strongly
encouraged. Nationally, the cyclospora outbreak continues to grow (to about 13,000 cases), fortunately not in
Washington State.
Concerning the recent executive order on vaccines (splitting of the MMR vaccine and encouraging the splitting of all
vaccines), there is no evidence to support the executive order, and it could take years for split MMR vaccines to be
available. Rely on the advice of your doctors; most will work with you, addressing your concerns.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Local Sewage Management Plan (LSMP) Update
Emma Erickson, JCPH Environmental Health Specialist, and Carter Erickson, Manager of the JCPH Environmental
Health Department, described the updated plan which outlines how the county health department manages all onsite
septic system activities. Such plans have been required by Washington State since 2005. Following major statewide
code revisions in 2025, counties must update their LMPs by April 2027 and then every five years. New requirements
include addressing phosphorus concerns and sea level rise impacts. The county's septic and water quality programs
have expanded significantly since the 2007 LSMP- adding the Clean Water District, funding assessments,
homeowner inspection authorization, and broad education and outreach efforts.
The draft 2027 LSMP reviews progress since 2007, identifies current challenges such as financing and infrastructure
limitations, incorporates climate change considerations, and outlines recommendations that will be discussed with the
Board of Health and community stakeholders.
Discussion ensued.
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Page 2 of 4
2. OWL 360 YCCTPP Mini Grant Presentation
Kara Billenger-Hessom, who coordinates two youth substance abuse prevention grants for JCPH, introduced the
Youth Commercial Cannabis and Tobacco Prevention Program, which funds some local youth-serving organizations
and their activities, helping to prevent youth substance misuse in Jefferson County.
Derek Firenze, the resource navigator for OWL360, described the work of this nonprofit dedicated to supporting
Jefferson County youth and young adults, providing housing resource navigation, workforce development, education,
and mental health services. This mini-grant project provided a photo booth and sensory-friendly outdoor chill area for
the recent Pride Festival, allowing teens, including those without phones or those who are neurodivergent, to engage
in the festivities comfortably. He emphasized the importance that non-parent adults play in young people's lives,
offering stable, supportive relationships for youth who face adversity.
3. Scouting America YCCTPP Mini Grant Presentation
Lolo Sherwood spoke about efforts to rebuild Scout Troop 1479 following COVID, when the troop struggled with
only two scouts, making it hard to fundraise or run a full program. Camp remained essential for keeping youth
engaged in scouting. A grant allowed the troop to send four new scouts to summer camp, giving them opportunities
to bond, learn leadership skills, and choose their own activities. The experience helped the troop reestablish
momentum, strengthen youth connections, and support scouts in transitioning from adult-led Cub Scouting to
youth-led patrols.
4. Jefferson County Soccer Club YCCTPP Mini Grant Presentation
Rufina Garay, "Director of Generosity" for the Soccer Club, expressed gratitude for the mini-grant which made it
possible for a young "futsal" program to expand its spring tournament, providing quality equipment, shade, and
shared meals, improving the experience for over 100 families. A parent-powered effort has grown into an inclusive
community activity that strengthens kids' skills, confidence, and executive functioning through regular pickup games
and team planning. The support allowed the organization to better embody its values - fun, inclusion, growth, and
community - while offering more opportunities for children to engage, connect, and thrive.
"Futsal" - a modified form of soccer, played with five players per side on a smaller, often indoor, pitch.
5. Jefferson County Supports for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The JCPH Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program was described by Cynde Marx, Program
Coordinator, and Dr. Melinda Bower, who does evaluations at Jefferson County school-based health centers. The
program, which uses the SMART (school medical autism routine) model- a multidisciplinary, collaborative
evaluation process - helps families access autism and developmental assessments locally and with fewer barriers, The
team gathers information from families, schools, and medical providers to build a full picture of each child and
determine whether an evaluation is appropriate. Over time, with two trained providers now conducting evaluations,
the SMART team has become a coordinated, accessible option for families who previously faced long waits, travel
challenges, and insurance barriers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Member Grace announced that the Port Jefferson School Board Fall Retreat was recently held. The Board reviewed
the Health Youth Survey. She expressed concern about reduction of funding for youth mental health. She announced
that demolition of the Lincoln Building was completed, with the intention of the space being the entrance for the
campus, including for busses.
Member Dudley-Nollette stated that this year's 1/10th of 1 % fund allocations mostly went to youth and young adult
programs, and cautioned that the broader challenge is that programs continue to depend on unstable, pieced-together
funding sources. Sustainable funding - requiring advocacy at multiple levels - is essential to maintain vital services
and avoid repeated disruptions when grant cycles or eligibility rules change.
Discussion ensued.
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Page 3 of 4
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
The clerk announced that there are already several requests for a place on the September agenda, mentioning another
YCCTPP Mini Grant Presentation.
Staff member Carter Erickson mentioned he will be bringing Environmental Health fee schedule updates for review
and discussion.
Staff member Martine will review the encampment policy implementation. She also ran through several other topics
that may appear on later agendas.
Member Eisenhour recommended addressing House Bill 2442 before Jeff Chapman is no longer part of the county
family, as he has a unique understanding of some of the mechanisms that could enable those funding sources and their
impacts.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on September 10, 2026 at 10:30
A.M.
The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from
2:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair MickHager adjourned the August 20, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:29 P.M. until
the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant, ret.
Portions of these minutes were drafted with AI assistance.
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Page 4 of 4