HomeMy WebLinkAboutM081811JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
Thursday, August 18, 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 #1 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 2:30
PM. A quorum was present.
Members Present: Phil Johnson, David Sullivan, John Austin, Kristen Nelson, Sheila
Westerman, Jill Buhler
Staff Present: Jean Baldwin, Stuart Whitford, Veronica Shaw
Members Excused: Roberta Frissell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved and seconded for approval of the agenda of the August 18, 2011 Board of
Health meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Baldwin stated there was an error in the July 21, 2011 BOH minutes. The words
Department of Health should be changed to Jefferson County Public Health.
Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes for the July 21, 2011 BOH meeting as
amended; Member Buhler seconded the motion. The Minutes were approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
August 18, 2011 BOH Minutes
OLD BUSINESS and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Changes in Washington State Law Regarding Exemptions to Immunization requirements
for School Entry
Lisa McKenzie, Communicable Disease Coordinator, reported that the 2011 School and Child
Care Immunization Exemption Law went in to effect July 22, 2011. The purpose of the law is to
address Washington States high exemption rates and to make sure exemptions are based on
conviction and not convenience. The new law will require a parent or guardian to get risk and
benefit information from a health care provider; the health care provider then signs an exemption
form.
Water Quality Outreach Projects
Stuart Whitford highlighted the publication, "A Look Under the Hood, Diagnostics for Hood
Canal", which Tammy Pokorny was the main author. The publication went out to residents on
the Hood Canal. The publication shows residents of the Hood Canal what they can do to prevent
pollution in the Hood Canal. Mr. Whitford also pointed out that Ms. Pokorny has been involved
in the "West End Natural Resource News" and commended her for the work she has done on
both of these publications.
NEW BUSINESS
Tdap community need and GIFT (Give Immunity- Fight Transmission) program
Ms. McKenzie, announced there is a new program for free Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis)
vaccines for uninsured and low income adults that have contact with infants. Infants are usually
exposed to Pertussis (whooping cough) by a family member or care giver. The free vaccine is
provided by Sanofi Pasteur Vaccines and AmeriCares. Uninsured adults living at or below 200%
of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for this vaccine. JCPH staff will be doing outreach to
clients in WIC and JCPH programs, and to agencies and health care providers in the community.
EPA Grant & Onsite Program Updates
Linda Atkins, Environmental Health Specialist, updated the Board on Onsite Sewage and
Operations and Monitoring work. Ms. Atkins reminded the Board that in July of 2007 the Board
adopted the Jefferson County Onsite Sewage Code revisions and adopted the local Sewage
Management Plan. She stated that the plan helps to guide Jefferson County Environmental
Health with their funding needs and in determining what kind of infrastructure may be needed.
Ms. Atkins outlined what is being done to make sure they are meeting the Local Management
Plan Goal. One of the goals of the management plan has been to identify all onsite sewage
systems in Jefferson County and to make sure they are functioning properly. To achieve this
existing paper records have been entered into an electronic database. In June of 2010 they
implemented the use of the online service (OnlineRME) that tracks monitoring inspections. As
the monitoring inspections are done, unknown systems are being identified. Another goal is
education. Currently EHS are providing education to other professionals in the field and to
August 18, 2011 BOH Minutes
homeowners about taking care of their septic system. EHS workers are also meeting with
designers to maintain consistency in the reporting process.
Ms. Atkins discussed how Jefferson County is coordinating with surrounding counties to
develop and implement a system to train and allow homeowners to complete some of the
monitoring inspections required under state code.
Ms. Atkins spoke about future goals for the Onsite Sewage and Operations and Monitoring
Program. This fall an advisory group will be formed to assist in making revisions to the Onsite
Sewage and Operations and Monitoring program. The Board can expect to see an amendment to
the Jefferson County code, in early 2012, regarding homeowner inspections.
Standards for Public Health in Washington State: Jefferson County Public Health 2011
Performance Review
Ms. Baldwin reviewed the Jefferson County Public Health 2011 Performance Review Report.
She outlined the strengths and the areas that need improvement and commended the staff who
prepared the standards for the state. The entire report is available at
www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org. or the DOH web site. JCPH was found to meet 94% of
the Standard expectations.
Performance Measures
Ms. Baldwin gave a brief overview of JCPH Performance Measures for 2012. She discussed how
the information in the Performance Measures can be used by JCPH staff to do outreach. The
reports include the source of funding. The reports reflect funding that will be cut for 2012 and
programs that will be ending due to funding cuts. The end of the year 2011 report in February
2012 will be an accurate representation of services provided by JCPH.
Budget Update
Ms. Baldwin reported on a conference call regarding State and Federal reductions, several of
which began in April. Jefferson County Public Health received a notification of State reductions
of 10% across the board. Ms. Baldwin and Ms. Shaw mentioned several programs that will have
funding reduced and programs that were cut due to the federal and state budget shortfalls and
grant money that will not be available in 2012.
ACTIVITY UPDATE
Ms. Baldwin announced there is a DOH meeting October 13, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in
Mason County. She is also on the agenda to speak at the City Council meeting on September 13,
2011.
Member Westerman volunteered to participate in management interviews for the Environmental
Health Director position.
August 18, 2011 BOH Minutes
Member Sullivan announced there were concerns from the Sherriff and mental health/substance
abuse providers regarding where the mental health sales tax will be spent next year, so there will
be several people at the September Mental Health and Substance Abuse advisory committee
meeting.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The next scheduled BOH meeting will be held Thursday, September 15, 2011 from
2:30-4:30 PM at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA.
ADJOURNMENT
Member Austin moved to adjourn the August 18, 2011 BOH meeting; Member Johnson
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Chair Nelson adjourned the BOH meeting at 4:40 p.m.
JEFFERS N COUNTY BO
Kristen Nelson, Chair
Jo Austin, Member
Excused
Roberta Frissell, Member
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Ji 1 Buhler, Member
August 18, 2011 BOH Minutes
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