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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM062112JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, June 21, 2012 2:30 PM — 4:30 PM Cotton Building, 607 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Board Members Staff Members Phil Johnson, 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) Jared Keefer, Environmental Health Services Director Catharine Robinson, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Citizen at large (City) Jill Buhler, vice Chair, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 Chair Johnson 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, Jill Buhler, Catharine Robinson, Roberta Frissell Members Excused: Sheila Westerman Staff Present: Dr. Thomas Locke, Jean Baldwin, Julia Danskin, Jared Keefer APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Austin moved to approve the agenda for the June 21, 2012 BOH meeting. Member Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Robinson requested the following changes be made to the May 17, 2012 BOH minutes: On page 2 the first commenter of the public hearing should be changed from "President" to "resident", add the name of the nay voter, Member Sullivan, to page 3 where first motion passed with a 5 to 1 majority vote, and on page 5 under the first paragraph of Agenda Planning the sentence is changed to read "Jean Baldwin announced that on June 19, 2012 WASAC is having a meeting and invited the Board to attend." Member Buhler moved to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2012 BOH meeting as amended. Member Robinson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The Power of Nursing Jean Baldwin announced there is an article from the New York Times on Nurse Family Partnership included the agenda packet. She stated this is a program has been underway in Jefferson County for 13 years. Ms. Baldwin also announced that JCPH is partnering with other counties to provide supervision services. JCPH is providing those services to Kitsap Health District and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, giving them the training and ability to start Nurse Family Partnership program in their communities. Flu Shots for Moms Dr. Locke pointed out new research documenting that flu vaccine being given during pregnancy results in healthier babies. He also stated the number of flu vaccinations being given has increased steadily, especially among health care providers and the rate of flu related hospitalizations and deaths has been decreasing. Northwest Public Health Journal — Olympic Regional Mutual Assistance Agreement Article Dr. Locke reviewed an article he wrote, which was published in the Northwest Public Health Journal, about an agreement between three Washington State County Public Health jurisdictions and seven American Indian tribes, allowing them to share resources and expertise in a public health emergency. Dr. Locke also invited the Board to visit www.nnublichealth.org to read an article by the Dean of the Public Health, Dr. Howard Frumkin about the many challenges public health is facing. NEW BUSINESS Food Service Establishment Outstanding Achievement Award Presentation Jared Keefer, Environmental Health Director, announced the 28 Jefferson County food service establishments that received the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award for demonstrating the highest standards for safe food handling during the past year. Awards were presented at the BOH meeting. Jefferson County Syringe Exchange Program 2011 Annual Report Jean Baldwin reviewed the 2011 Syringe Exchange Program Annual Report. Ms. Baldwin announced there has been increases in the number of syringes being exchanged, clinic visits, and new clients, and clients from the county. Public Hearing — Environmental Health Fee Schedule Revision Jared Keefer, Environmental Health Services Director reported that the proposed fee revision is only for the O & M Homeowner Inspection Authorization fee, which is $10 for the first home owner system and $5 for each additional system. Chair Johnson opened the Public Hearing. There were no comments. Member Austin moved to adopt the $10 fee for the Homeowner Inspection. Member Frissell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Port Townsend Paper Corporation Landfill Permit Update Dr. Locke briefed the Board on their authority with regards to the Port Townsend Paper landfill permit, the history of the landfill permit, and the current status of the permit. Approval of a solid waste landfill permit is an administrative decision of the health officer subject to appeal to the board of health. Dr. Locke outlined the minimum criteria that a new permit for the Port Townsend Paper Corporation must meet, including the need to resume groundwater monitoring, provide financial assurance to cover closure costs, and adequately characterize the waste materials going into the landfill. Board of Health Minutes Format Discussion It was discussed and agreed upon by the Board that when offered by the speaker, the name of the person making public comment to the Board be listed along with a brief description of their comment. It was also agreed that the name of the Nay voters on any motion be listed. PUBLIC COMMENTS Valerie Phimister commented in favor of fair and consistent monitoring of the mill landfill and requiring financial assurance be provided should they have to close. Peter Lauritze reiterated what the previous speaker commented on. Alea Waters encouraged the Board to issue a limited purpose permit for the mill landfill. Elaine Bailey encouraged the Board not to make any special exceptions to Port Townsend Paper when considering which permit is issued for the landfill. O'Neill Louchard posed several questions regarding the landfill located at Port Townsend Paper on how tall, how deep and when it is decided the landfill is full. Gene Brandon asked whether he can be assured the public will see the mills permit application. Dr. Locke assured Mr. Brandon they will be able to see the application. Peter Guerrero expressed his concern over the ground water that flows from the landfill in to Port Townsend Bay. He also urged the Board to issue a limited use permit that requires ground water monitoring and financial assurance. Lang Russel urged the Board to issue a limited use permit for the Port Townsend Paper landfill. Gretchen Brewer thanked Dr. Locke for his analysis, asked for it to be considered to have a cover on the landfill and encouraged the Board to follow the Department of Ecology and hold the landfill to all applicable standards and not permit the landfill as inert. Doug Milholland suggested that the mill be asked to examine how the waste can be reused instead of throwing it away. Bill Curtsinger feels the mill should be required to file an environmental impact study. Ruth Apter urged the Board to use their power and not accept the minimum when considering the mills landfill permit. Monica Fletcher expressed concern over modifications being made to an inert permit rather than issuing a limited use permit. Eveleen Muehlethaler of Port Townsend Paper thanked the Board members that have visited the landfill and Dr. Locke for his presentation of the process of the permit. Rich Doherty wants to know the process if there were positive water monitoring and will it be written in to the permit. Sally Schumacher feels the mill has hired an attorney to get the Board to issue an inert permit and the Board should not be afraid of Port Townsend Paper. Johanna Perkins commented on several health issues that can be caused due to airborne particulates. Jeff Ikon runs a sauna at the Oregon Country Fair where they are banned from burning wood from construction sites that has nails or paint on them and he expressed the need to protect the children. Dave McWethy expressed the need for the ground water testing to be placed in the appropriate places. Jim Todd urged the Board to require the mill to do the appropriate testing. Mary Daubenberger suggested that the permit include serious consequences and fines. Steven Boyer expressed concern of what is being drained in to the bay and the construction debris being placed in the landfill. Alan Bond would like to see the requirements for an inert versus a non -inert permit. Ted Shoulberg asked Dr. Locke, since he has now heard the testimony if he will be able to show how he changed his negotiating position. Dr. Locke responded by stating that the specific permit requirements, compliance with state and local codes, and penalties that are in the approved permit are what is important. The permit classification (Inert vs. Limited Purpose) is of lesser importance. Dr. Locke also stated that his goal is to see the ground water and financial assurance in place as soon as possible. None ACTIVITY UPDATE AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR Ms. Baldwin announced she expects to have an update from the healthcare reform ruling which will determine the effects on services and funding. Ms. Baldwin announced she will have a report on the school based health clinics. Member Austin reported he was at a meeting for Washington State Association of Public Health Alliance which allows members of Boards of Health to interact with each other. There is a meeting in November which would be beneficial to have a Member attend. Ms. Baldwin reported on an update from the State Department of Health and State BOH on a public health agenda for change that will be released in the next few months and mirrors the Institute of Medicine report on Public Health National Changes recommended. She would like a workgroup to see what the State and Federal agencies are seeing as the future of public health. The next scheduled BOH Meeting will be held July 19, 2012 at Jefferson County Public Health. ADJOURNMENT Member Austin moved to adjourn the June 21, 2012 BOH meeting. Member Buhler seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Johnson adjourned the BOH meeting at 4:15 PM JEFFERS N COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Phil Johnson, hair Jill ler, Vice Chair Roberta Frissell, Member C ",- � , h -X' Catharine Robinson, Member Excused Sheila Westerman, Member Respectfully Submitted: Stacie Reid a Davelsel ivan, e e 41�- Jo� Austin, Member