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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM042111JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 2:30 PM — 4:30 PM Public Health Conference Room, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend Board Members Staff Members Phil Johnson, Vice Chair, County Commissioner District #I Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Officer David Sullivan, County Commissioner, District #2 Jean Baldwin, Public Health Services Director John Austin, County Commissioner, District #3 Julia Danskin, Nursing Services Director Roberta Frissell, Citizen at large (County) Stuart Whitford, Environmental Health Services Director Kristen Nelson, Chair, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Citizen at large (City) Jill Buhler, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 Chair Kristen Nelson called the meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:34PM. A quorum was present. Members Present: David Sullivan, John Austin, Roberta Frissell, Kristen Nelson, Jill Buhler, Phil Johnson Members Excused: Sheila Westerman Staff Present: Jean Baldwin, Julia Danskin, Stuart Whitford, Veronica Shaw APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Nelson recommended that the Public Health Hero Awards be moved to Item 1 of the agenda. Member Sullivan moved to approve the agenda as amended and Member Johnson seconded for approval. The agenda was approved unanimously as amended. 2011 Public Health Heroes Awards Member Austin moved that the Board endorse the nominations of the Public Health Heroes. Member Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Member Nelson presented the 2011 Public Health Heroes awards to the following individuals for their contribution to the community: The Special Recognition Award and was presented to Jeanette and Bruce Travis and Tom Brannigan on behalf of the Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization (ECCHO). The Community Based Organization Category was presented to Carl Hanson for the Community Outreach Association Shelter Team (COAST) for their work in the homeless shelter. Page 1 of 5 BOH Minutes April 21, 2011 The Public Health Leadership Category was presented to Shirley Moss from the Port Townsend Food Bank and Connie Johnson from the Tri Area Food Bank on behalf of the four Food Banks in Jefferson County. The Business Category was presented to Chancey and Dash Tudhope-Locklear who run the Recyclery, a business that promotes safety through the use of bike helmets and by providing recycled bikes and parts. The Community Health Promotion Category Award was presented to Linda Pfafman, from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, for her work with child safety seat training and instruction. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Buhler moved for approval of the March 17, 2011 minutes; Member Frissell seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. None PUBLIC COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Press Release Re: Japanese Nuclear Power Plant Disaster Ms. Baldwin reviewed the press release from March 16, 2011 regarding the nuclear reactor emergency in Japan, a copy was provided in the packet. She stated that there have been additional RAD monitoring stations added in Washington. Many of the risks still remain unknown. Member Austin handed out copies of slides from the State Board of Health, which outlines facts and concerns from the Japanese Nuclear Reactor accident. Jefferson County Adult Tobacco Use Ms. Baldwin reviewed the Comparison and Explanation of Available Rates, included in the packet. Ms. Baldwin said she asked Siri Kirschner, Epidemiologist from the Kitsap Health District, to review the graph on Adult Tobacco Use. Siri Kirschner's summary stated that since the small sample size results in the potential for wide variation in rates year-to-year, it's best to look at the trend over time. Ms. Baldwin stated that this graph is used by the State for a year-to- year State comparison. Our Kids: Our Business — April Update Ms. Danskin highlighted some of the upcoming events that are planned for the remainder of the month in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On April 27th the Olympic Educational Service District (OESD) is sponsoring training by Dennis Page 2 of 5 BOH Minutes April 21, 2011 Embry, President of the Paxis Institute in Tucson, AZ, at the Port Townsend High School. This event is open to the public. Family Fun Fest will be held April 23rd at Mountain View. Member Sullivan talked about the Drug Take Back event on April 30t' at the Port Townsend Police Department. He stated that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will take back unwanted medications and supplements. As a result of differing interpretation of the DEA restrictions, the Port Townsend Police Department will only take items in their original containers but the Sheriff's office will take back unidentified drugs as well. Member Buhler asked what the best way to dispose of unidentified medications would be. Ms. Baldwin stated they should be broken and placed in wet kitty litter or coffee grounds, put in a coffee can and thrown in the garbage. They should not be flushed down the toilet. ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) article — "The Poverty Clinic" Ms. Baldwin stated the article on "The Poverty Clinic" was a good article on the ACES issue. Ms. Baldwin said that staff had drafted a letter to the editor of the Journal of American Public Health Association thanking them for publishing the article and stressing the importance of integrating mental health into overall public health practice. Member Frissell passed around a book by Paul Offit called "Deadly Choices, How the Anti - Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All". NEW BUSINESS Washington State Budget — Local Health Department Impacts Ms. Baldwin reported that at this time there wasn't any new information to share. She will continue to update the Board as she learns more. County Health Ranking Report Ms. Baldwin stated that the County Health Rankings Report is a report that only 17% of Health Departments use in Washington State. The rankings do not give a clear picture of the health status in Jefferson County in comparison to other counties in Washington State because the numbers are based on a small population and the report does not look at the data over time, which is necessary when looking at numbers for a small population. Ms. Baldwin did note that this report is a good way to look at the nation and at the state, but it does not do much at a county level. A brief discussion was held on the different rankings in the report and possible reasons for the way Jefferson County was ranked in comparison to other counties. Board Discussion: Jefferson County Food Safety Code Revisions Mr. Whitford informed the Board that there is a type written error on the fee schedule. The fees for `espresso stand' and `grocery stores checkout 1-3' were reversed. He will bring the corrected fee revision to the next BOH meeting for discussion. Page 3 of 5 BOH Minutes April 21, 2011 Mr. Whitford talked about forming an advisory group to discuss and strategize ways to resolve issues around food service. The first issue that needs to be addressed is temporary events. Temporary events present a significant risk for foodborne illness transmission and are strictly regulated according to state and local food code. This means that separate permits are required for events with different locations and/or menu items. However, the fee schedule and temporary guidelines did not adequately anticipate this change in approach. So, proposed changes to both our guidelines and the fee schedule are being developed for the Board of Health's review.. Other Legislative Updates Mr. Whitford reported on a bill which includes changes in licensing for designers and limiting continuing education requirements. In regards to Environmental Health, a bill related to licensing of onsite wastewater system designers/engineers/inspectors passed. This bill will have positive impacts on fees and continuing education requirements. Most bills that were of concern to Environmental Health Directors did not become law. A bill that would have authorized local boards of health to work with County Assessor's Offices to charge an annual onsite sewage management fee did not pass. That bill could have led to a stable and consistent funding source for implementing onsite sewage system local management plans. ACTIVITY UPDATE Ms. Baldwin announced that both she and Dr. Locke will be absent for the May BOH meeting. Ms. Baldwin stated she can provide reports and have staff members review the reports, unless the Board prefers to cancel the meeting in May. Ms. Baldwin suggested having community members come to the BOH meetings and talk about their organization and the services they provide. Member Nelson pointed out that she would like to make sure enough time will be allowed for community members to speak to the Board about their programs and how they are affecting our community. Member Johnson moved to cancel the May BOH meeting; Member Austin seconded. The motion was approved unanimously AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The next scheduled BOH meeting will be held Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 2:30-4:30 PM at the Health Department, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA. ADJOURNMENT Chair Nelson adjourned the BOH meeting at 3:53 p.m. Page 4 of 5 BOH Minutes April 21, 2011 JEFFERSON COUNTY e, W) k)4g� Kristen Nelson, Chair Ji Buhle&r,M em Roberta Frissell, Member Excused Sheila Westerman, Member OF HEALTH Phi] Jo Austin, Member David Sullivan, Member Page 5 of 5 BOH Minutes April 21, 2011