Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM011708JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, January 17, 2008 Board Members• Phil Jobnson— County Commissioner District #I David Sullivan — County Commissioner District #2 John Austin, Vice Chairman — County Commissioner District #3 Jill Buhler — Hospital Commissioner District #2 Geoff Masci — Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman — Citizen at Large (City) Roberta Frissell, Chair— Citi, -en at Large (County) La ,TMemberr: Tbomas Locke, MD, Health Ofcer Jean Baldwin, Public Health Services Director Julia Danskin, Nursing Programs Director Meeting was called to order at 2:35 pm on January 17, 2008 by Chair Frissell in the conference room of Jefferson County Public Health. Members present: Chair Frissell, Member Austin, Member Johnson, Member Sullivan, Member Westerman and Member Russell. Members absent: All members present Staff present: Dr. Thomas Locke, Jean Baldwin, Julia Danskin, Neil Harrington and Cathy Avery. A quorum was present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Board Member Westerman moved to approve the agenda as written. Member Sullivan seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. ELECTION OF BOARD CHAIR & VICE CHAIR Chair Frissell called for nominations to elect the new Board of Health Chair. Board Member Sullivan nominated John Austin. Board Member Westerman seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously. Chair Frissell called for nominations to elect a new Board Vice Chair. Board Member Frissell nominated Sheila Westerman. Board Member Austin seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Member Westerman motioned to approve the minutes of December 20, 2007 as written. Board Member Frissell seconded the motion. There were three in favor and 2 abstentions. Member Westerman asked for clarification on approving the minutes with 3 votes. Jefferson County Board of Health, January 17, 2008 Page 1 of 5 PUBLIC COMMENTS A large number of people assembled to attend the scheduled public hearing on revisions to the Jefferson County Septic Code. During the Public Comments sections, several citizens complained that the Jefferson County Public Health Conference room was not large enough to comfortably accommodate the number of people wishing to attend the meeting. Member Westerman moved to change the venue of the Public Hearing on the On- site Sewage and setting fee schedule to a larger venue at a later date that is published in the in the paper of record, which is the Port Townsend Leader. Member Russell seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. Member Sullivan said there would be people who could not make it to an evening meeting and those that cannot make it to a meeting scheduled in the afternoon but he wanted everyone to know that they could write to the Board and give written testimony if they couldn't make it to future scheduled meetings. It was noted that Public Hearing comments are limited to 3 minutes in length and written comment will be accepted through the close of the public hearing. Additional public comments concerned the Public Utility District announcement they would be ending their septic system inspection program, individuals questioning the need of expanded onsite sewage system inspections, and a perception that there had been inadequate public participation in revising the Jefferson County Septic Code. Member Westerman encouraged the public, before they came to the next meeting, to get a copy of the 8.15 Jefferson County Septic Code and read it, along with the fee schedule. These can be found on the website or at the libraries. OLD BUSINESS Letter to Board re: Port Townsend Paper Company Mill Emissions Dr. Locke discussed the letter from Ms. Cindy Buxton regarding Port Townsend Paper Company mill emissions. He explained that we are still waiting for the final Health Assessment report by the Washington State Department of Health. We received a draft copy and provided a large number of comments. Dr. Locke recommended waiting until the report is released by the state, which is projected to be released at the end of the month. The report does a good job of framing the many health issues associated with air pollution. The Jefferson County Board of Health has no regulatory authority over industrial air pollution but it has responsibilities to assess threats to community health. Two key issues are the specific chemical contaminates in the mill emissions and determining whether emission levels fall within legally permitted levels. Jefferson County Board of Health, January 17, 2008 Page 2 of 5 Jean Baldwin stated that during the public comments, today, a member of the public presented her with a letter and petition from the mill signed by 101 employees to be entered into the record. Jean read the letter to the Board. The letter disputed allegations that mill emissions were causing adverse health effects. 2008 Budget Follow-up Veronica Shaw, Chief Operations Director, briefed the Board on the budget. During the budget process this year, JCPH was asked to reduce the General County Fund contribution by $100,000. During the same budget cycle union employees successfully bargained for a significant pay raise, adding additional costs to the Health Departments budget. The JCPH budget that was approved for 2008 is in the "red" by $292,000. The current salaries and benefits increase to JCPH was 7.32% for a total of $160,000. That is not impacted by any FTE changes. In the 1St Quarter budget appropriation JCPH will be talking to the Board of County Commissioners requesting a transfer from the County General Fund. Veronica pointed out that from 2006 to 2008 JCPH is looking at an 18% reduction in county contribution. Jean reminded the Board that very few service programs are funded out of the County General Fund. Jean said that she does not foresee having to reduce FTEs at this time. Update on Rover Group Study on Health District Feasibility Jean updated the Board on The Royer Group (TRG) study. TRG interviewed the Hospital Commission, City Council, to the Board of Health and some staff of JCPH. They have finished the budget tabulation work. We anticipate preliminary summaries in February. NEW BUSINESS Public Hearing: Jefferson County Septic Code 8.15: Proposed changes regarding Operation and Maintenance Plan Implementation The Public Hearing was postponed due to the large number of attendees and the limited space available. The Public Hearing will be rescheduled in the future, preferably in the evening. The Board suggested: a Press Release providing relevant facts and what the Board will be deliberating about, a summary sheet of the history and the specifics of the regulation and the issues that are before the Board and identifying the limited changes being proposed. Member Westerman suggested having a history of the meetings held in October including dates and the number of attendees and, before the hearing starts, give a brief history of state regulations pertaining to this issue. Neil Harrington, Water Quality Division Manager, discussed a letter that was sent out by PUD that may have added to some people's confusion. It was sent to notify their customers that PUD was going to stop their Municipal Oversight Service (MOS) contract. Neil and other staff spent a great deal of time putting together a letter of explanation but instead PUD sent out a "draft" letter to their customers, which was very confusing. To date the managers of PUD have not sent out a letter of correction, which resulted in the front desk of Environmental Health fielding approximately 150 phone calls. Jefferson County Board of Health, January 17, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Member Westerman said she would like to try to offer Homeowner Operation and Monitoring classes that are more affordable. Neil related that the PUD has offered some money to subsidize the classes. Public Hearing: Proposed Fee Schedule Changes The Public Hearing was postponed due to the number of attendees and the limited space available. New State Funding Authorized by E2SSB 5930 (Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform) Dr. Locke reported on the legislative appropriation of $10 million per year for public health improvement. There are nine different priorities areas in the legislation and it calls for the creation of a statewide system where all public health services are measured and tracked on a regular basis. Two committees have been working on developing performance measures and setting priorities. $103,000 per year in state funding is Jefferson County's share. Statewide priorities have been established to use these new funds for increasing the levels of vaccination and improving notifiable condition reporting and response. Jean Baldwin stated that the first requirement is for immunizations and to increase the immunization rate in Jefferson County. We have a significant number of parents who decline immunizations for their children. We may do many outreach behaviors and never change immunization rates. JCPH will continue to meet with the schools and do many outreach activities until we reach the point where we are clear that we have done the best we can to raise those rates. School Based Clinic Proposal and Application Process Jean informed the Board that she is being encouraged by Port Townsend and Chimacum Schools to apply for a school base clinics grant. Mike Blair is very concerned about health issues and mental health issues in his school. In this planning process, Jean has met with the Vic Dirksen and Paula Dowdle from the hospital and Superintendents from the schools. There is general interest in trying to increase services in the schools. School Based Health Clinics, nationally, show good impacts for mental health and access to health care. Adolescents have very limited access to health care. It's not that they can't get in to see physicians in this area; it's that they just don't go. It's a different culture. The impacts are phenomenal on the health of kids, they stay in school, pregnancy rates are lower, and immunization rates improve. Along with many challenges are great outcomes. Solid Waste Tonnage Annual Report Margie Boyd, Environmental Health Specialist, presented to the Board the 2007 Solid Waste Tonnage Annual Report. JCPH has a contract with the state to remove junk/abandoned vehicles and other solid waste. 700 junk vehicles have been recycled and removed from Jefferson County. One site had 300 vehicles removed. The vendors used to haul junk vehicles are working with Clallam County to set up a crushing site on the West End. Margie also remarked on the tons of garbage that was removed. Margie said that Jefferson County Board of Health, January 17, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Department of Ecology has given JCPH money for a Tire Amnesty for local homeowners, which will coincide with Earth Day in 2008. Jefferson County Public Health Staffing Updates Jean Baldwin reported that the Environmental Health Director position is still open and is being advertised again. Susan Porto in the interim is functioning as the Environmental Health Lead and managing the programs with Jean and Neil. None ACTIVITY UPDATE AGENDA PLANNING Schedule Public Hearing for proposed changes regarding Operation & Monitoring to Septic Code 8.15 Meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Next Board of Health meeting is February 21, 2008 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH 'Sw Joa ustin, Chair Sheila Yesterman, Vice Chair d4W 41�4 Roberta Frissell, Member Chuck Russell, Member ��/OT rtj A.T,-E&✓0�4 Nc� 'jPhil Johnson, Member Jefferson County Board of Health, January 17, 2008 Page 5 of 5