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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM111711JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 2:30 PM — 4:30 PM Public Health Conference Room, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend Board Members Phil Johnson, Vice Chair, County Commissioner District #1 David Sullivan, County Commissioner, District #2 John Austin, County Commissioner, District #3 Roberta Frissell, Citizen at large (County) Kristen Nelson, Chair, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Citizen at large (City) Jill Buhler, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 Staff Members Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Officer Jean Baldwin, Public Health Services Director Julia Danskin, Nursing Services Director Member Austin moved to nominate Member Westerman as chair pro tem. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Member Westerman called the meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:35 PM. A quorum was present. Members Present: Roberta Frissell, John Austin, David Sullivan, Jill Buhler, Sheila Westerman (Kristen Nelson arrived shortly after the meeting began and assumed the Chair duties) Staff Present: Dr. Thomas Locke, Jean Baldwin, Julia Danskin, Veronica Shaw Members Excused: Phil Johnson APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Austin moved to approve the agenda for the November 17, 2011 BOH Meeting. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Buhler moved to approve the minutes for the October 20, 2011 BOH meeting. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. None PUBLIC COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Nurse Family Partnership — Regional Approach Ms. Baldwin reported that she met with the Clallam County BOH to discuss how Nurse Family Partnership can help reduce the numbers of low birth weight, preterm delivery, teen births and infant mortality in Clallam County. Clallam County BOH was supportive of JCPH writing letters to the Tribes and home visiting providers to offer NFP services. EPA Homeowner Process Report Linda Atkins, Environmental Health Specialist, updated the Board on the progress of forming a work group to facilitate changes to the onsite sewage code. She reported that bid requests went out to 5 firms for facilitation of the work group. The bids are due November 21, 2011. There will be an ad in the Leader next week for work group participants. Ms. Atkins anticipates the work group to meet over the first 3 months and expects them to complete their work and bring a draft of recommendations of changes of the onsite sewage codes O&M section by March 2012 to the BOH. Health Changes/State Budgets Ms. Baldwin reviewed the press release on the Governors suggested budget cuts. Ms. Danskin handed out OFM's 4th quarter budget predictions and there was a handout was from Jefferson Healthcare on talking points for legislative visits. They are hoping for revenue plus cuts rather than an all cut budget. If an agreement is reached in special session it will be a worse case scenario of what all the cuts would look like and then they would try to buy back programs with targeted revenue. Member Buhler reported this is the first year she has meet with Congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. and was told that federal resources are no longer available to help fund needed programs and that she would have to go back to her local community for support. Member Buhler stressed that the Critical Access funding formula for rural hospitals must be protected. Smile Mobile, WIC Ms. Danskin reported that the Smile Mobile was in Chimacum for a week and a half. JCPH scheduled the appointments for the Smile Mobile. Ms. Danskin also presented a graph that outlined how WIC Outreach efforts have been a success and there has been an increase in participation since July. New Business Proposed Environmental Health Fee Schedule Briefing Ms. Baldwin handed out a table from Clallam County which compares the environmental health fees of comparable counties. Ms. Shaw presented a spreadsheet comparing 2011 Environmental Health fees to the 2012 proposed fees which show a CPIW (Consumer Price Index for Washington) increase of 3.9%. Ms. Shaw pointed out that the only other change made to the fees were for Well Inspection and Water Sample for Loan. This is a new fee which Susan Porto explained was previously rolled into Onsite Evaluation of Existing System fee. Banks are requiring a separate inspection be done by the health department for the property owner's loan. Member Westerman moved to hold a public hearing at the December 15, 2011 BOH meeting on the revised Environmental Health fees. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Substance Abuse Prevention Redesign Initiative Ms. Danskin reported that Port Townsend is one of 19 communities chosen to receive support from the Prevention Redesign Initiative to focus on keeping youth, young adults and others free of alcohol and other drug misuse. Ms. Danskin also announced that Port Townsend was chosen by the State to receive training by `Communities That Care' to assist the community and PRI work group in identifying the highest prevention needs in Port Townsend, creating a strategic work plan and implementing evidence -based strategies. Temporary Food Service Report Alison Petty, Environmental Health Specialist gave a presentation on the challenges the food team has encountered in temporary food service permitting and inspections. Ms. Petty showed examples of what a temporary food establishment is and the risk factors involved with serving food in temporary settings. Ms. Baldwin discussed the draft letter that was included in the agenda packet which is intended to be sent to event coordinators in Jefferson County, advising event coordinators on the information necessary to process multiple day event applications. Ms. Baldwin announced Jared Keefer is the new Environmental Health Director and will be starting in January. Letter to Legislature Dr. Locke discussed the letter to Representatives Tharinger and Van De Wege and Senator Hargrove, a draft copy of which was included in the agenda packet. Dr. Locke pointed out the section in the letter that addresses public health funding sources that have already been greatly reduced and the impact that has had on public health. He also stated the letter advocates for a balanced approach of increased revenue and decreased expenditures rather than an "all cuts" budget. Board Members suggested changes to verbiage in the letter and corrections to errors that are in Board Members titles on the letter head. Member Austin made a motion to direct the Medical Officer to complete the letter with agreed changes and submit for signatures of the Board Members. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. ACTIVITY UPDATE Julia Danskin announced there will be a forum on jobs in Jefferson County December 6, 2011 at the Unitarian Church in Port Townsend. Member Austin announced on November 22, 2011 from 9 to 2 the Environmental Health Commission of the State Board of Health will be meeting at the Commissioners Chambers. Member Austin invited anyone interested to come to the meeting. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The next scheduled BOH meeting will be held Thursday December 15, 2011 from 2:30 — 4:30 PM at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA. ADJOURNMENT Chair Nelson adjourned the November BOH meeting at 4:28 p.m. JE ERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ill Buhler, Member . ��k M L Kristen Nelson, Chair Roberta Frissell, Member Sheila Westerman, Member (excused) Phil Johnson, Vice -Chair Jo ustin, Member Davi a iv , &emer