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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM092012JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, September 20, 2012 2:30 PM — 4:30 PM Masonic Hall, 1338 Jefferson 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 2:35 PM. A quorum was present. Members Present: Phil Johnson, David Sullivan, John Austin, Roberta Frissell, Sheila Westerman Members Excused: Catharine Robinson, Jill Buhler Staff Present: Dr. Thomas Locke, Jean Baldwin, Cathy Avery APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Sullivan moved to approve the agenda for the September 20, 2012 BOH meeting; Member Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Westerman requested the second sentence at the top of page 5 be changed to read "These services are funded by the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Sales Tax" and the sentence where Jim Todd spoke under Public Comment be changed to "Jim Todd expressed concern over the waste being deposited into the mill's landfill and encouraged a limited purpose landfill permit be issued." Member Austin moved to approve the minutes of the Augustl6, 2012 BOH meeting as amended. Member Westerman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2012 Influenza and Pneumonia Information Ms. Baldwin addressed the letter from JCPH to the area healthcare providers, which was included in the agenda packet. The letter provides information about the 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccine. She also pointed out that JCPH publicizes information about influenza BOH — September 20, 2012 vaccine availability in the local newspapers. Dr. Locke encouraged everyone older than six months of age to get the influenza vaccine, stating the more people who are vaccinated the less likely we are to see widespread influenza outbreaks in the community and the more protected the vulnerable population will be. Ms. Baldwin stated there are new recommendations to increase the use of a newly licensed form of pneumonia vaccine for people with transplants, splenectomies, and immune compromising diseases. JCPH will be doing a series of letters to healthcare providers reminding them how to store the pneumonia vaccine and encouraging the physicians to vaccinate their vulnerable patients. Washington Vaccine Association Completes Second Year of Operation Dr. Locke briefly reviewed the history of childhood vaccination funding in WA State. Up until 3 years ago, all childhood vaccines were paid for with state and federal funds. In 2009 the State Legislature determined they were spending 17 million dollars per year on vaccines for children who were insured and who could be covered by private insurance. At that time the State cut back on their vaccine purchases which might have led to providers managing two separate vaccine supplies, one that was state supplied and the other that was privately purchased. This would have likely lead to many primary care providers ceasing to offer childhood vaccinations. A Washington Vaccine Association program was created where the state continues to purchase vaccine at a low federal discount rate and makes it available to all children and insurance companies contribute their share to the purchase cost. Dr. Locke reported that this program has been operational for two years and is working well. Big Quilcene Water Quality Michael Dawson, Water Quality Lead, updated the Board on the 2012 Big Quilcene salmon fishing season. He reported during the 2011 fishing season there was trash and human waste left along the river which resulted in a temporary shutdown of the commercial shellfish growing area in Quilcene Bay. This year the Water Quality Division was able to find temporary funding through a water quality grant for two Sanicans. Water Quality does not have a source of funding for the 2013 fishing season. Mr. Dawson discussed the Big Quilcene Water Quality Sample table which was included in the agenda packet. The table shows a lower amount of E. coli bacteria from the same time last year. The Board agreed a letter should be sent to Fish and Wildlife from the Board requesting funding for the Sanicans and dumpsters for next year. NEW BUSINESS Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning and Shellfish Closure Update Michael Dawson, Water Quality Lead, gave an overview of shellfish monitoring. He reported that Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) numbers were some of the highest values that have been observed since testing began. In addition, another type of marine neurotoxin has been detected at elevated levels, resulting in the first closure for Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) in Jefferson County. Mr. Dawson gave the current status of which beaches are closed for both DSP and PSP. Mr. Dawson announced they were able to get funding from the State to cover additional monitoring costs, and staff time to go out and post signs. BOH — September 20, 2012 BEACH Program Update Michael Dawson, Water Quality Lead, stated that the BEACH Program is a federally funded program through the Department of Ecology and the Department of Health which has helped fund the monitoring of Fort Warden, Herb Beck Marina, and Camp Parson for enterococcus contamination. Elevated enterococcus levels are associated with sewage contamination and are used to determine whether recreational water activity is safe. Mr. Dawson reported that in 2011 all samples were in the acceptable ranges, but they were done only during the Hood Canal clean water project. This year sampling has been done weekly and all samples were normal. Mr. Dawson hopes that next year Water Quality will be able to sample at Irondale Beach Park, since it is undergoing a cleanup project and is likely to be a beach that will be used by a lot of people. Communicable Disease Update: Pertussis, West Nile Virus, and H3N2 Influenza Dr. Locke updated the Board on the current status of the State pertussis epidemic. He stated that pertussis rates are dropping statewide, but the state is still in epidemic mode. Dr. Locke explained that pertussis outbreaks tend to come in 3-4 year cycles. People who get pertussis develop some immunity, making community outbreaks less likely. However, this natural immunity does not last long and in another three to four years conditions are ripe for another outbreak if more people are not vaccinated. He also noted there is a problem in children who have received all of their vaccinations with the newer lower side effect acellular pertussis vaccination, because the duration of immunity is greatly reduced as compared with the older vaccine formulation. Dr. Locke reported to the Board that 2012 has been the worst year on record for West Nile Virus cases in the United States. He stated that 80% of infected people have no symptoms and 20% have symptoms of fever, body aches and flu like symptoms. About 1 out of every 150 of cases of West Nile Virus infection experience a serious type of brain infection which can lead to permanent neurological problems or death. Dr. Locke reported that about half of the reported cases have been in Texas. It is believed the weather was the contributing factor in the outbreak. Dr. Locke also reported that there have been two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Washington State; one case was acquired out of state. Dr. Locke explained to the Board that the new form of variant H3N2 influenza has had an impact on county fairs around the country because it is spread between people and pigs. There has been a lot of extra signage at the fairs and they have asked the fair veterinarians to screen pigs and exclude any sick pigs from the fairs. Dr. Locke reported there have been no cases of H3N2 in Washington State or the Pacific Northwest. "Boomer" Demographics Ms. Baldwin discussed the handout in the agenda packet from the online magazine Governing (www.y,ovemin .com) on Jefferson County's baby boomer population. She explained that she included this in the packet as an item to be looked at in the future because 63% of Jefferson BOH — September 20, 2012 County's population is at age 45+, which puts Jefferson County as the largest percentage of "Boomers" in Washington state. Substance Abuse Advisory Board Reappointment Member Westerman moved to reappoint Conner Daily to the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. Member Austin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ACTIVITY UPDATE Ms. Baldwin invited any interested Board Members to the joint WSALPHO and Local Health Board Alliance meeting November 14, 2012, 8:30 — 9:45 a.m. at the WASAC meeting. Dr. Locke updated the Board on the current status of the Port Townsend Paper Corporation landfill permit application. He stated the permit renewal application was received before the deadline in early September. The mill has applied for a renewal of their existing permit with some additional language that deals with financial assurance, groundwater monitoring and waste stream testing. Dr. Locke stated they are in a 45 day review period and expect a decision in mid- October. He also mentioned that all public documents that are relevant to this case are being posted on the JCPH website. Finally Dr. Locke reminded the Board that if the decision regarding the permit is appealed the Board may be called on to make a decision, so he urged the Board members to protect their impartiality on this case. PUBLIC COMMENT Eveleen Muehlethaler of Port Townsend Paper thanked the Board for their time and efforts in regards to the renewal of the landfill permit and stated the permit application had been submitted with the required standards and they look forward to receiving their renewal. Jim Todd urged Dr. Locke to require a limited purpose landfill permit for the Port Townsend Paper landfill with strong financial assurances. Scott Tennant of USW Local 175 District 12 spoke on behalf of the mill employees and in favor of the mill in their permitting process. Valerie Phimister expressed her support for Dr. Locke and his efforts in moving toward a limited purpose landfill permit to Port Townsend Paper. Elaine Bailey suggested that independent testing to determine the content of the mill ash be done by BAP, through the United States Army Corp Engineers. Mike Phimister thanked Dr. Locke for his patience and urged him to issue a limited purpose landfill permit to Port Townsend Paper. BOH — September 20, 2012 Pam McWethy commented on the issue of the community's financial responsibility of the cleanup of the landfill if Port Townsend Paper is not issued a limited purpose landfill permit. Rick Doherty expressed concern over the amount of lead being deposited into the mill landfill and the landfill not being inert. Will Litzler expressed concern over the mill being allowed to operate their landfill without environmental monitoring and financial assurance. Sally Schumaker commented in favor of Dr. Locke issuing a limited purpose landfill permit to Port Townsend Paper. Rick Faraci expressed concern over Dr. Locke not seeing an emergency in issuing the landfill permit to Port Townsend Paper. Jeanette Richoux commented on the health effects of wood and the mill smoke in Port Townsend and the financial responsibility of the landfill cleanup should Port Townsend Paper close. Dave McWethy commented in favor of deadlines being set that lead to a limited purpose landfill permit to Port Townsend Paper. Hollin Stafford spoke on behalf of the generations below the baby boomers and expressed concern over the health issues from the mill landfill and financial assurances for landfill cleanup being in place should the mill have to close. Stephen Boyd commented in favor of moving toward doing the right thing for the community Shirley Rivas commented on the health effects due to poor air quality and encourages a limited purpose landfill permit be issued to Port Townsend Paper. Ruth Apter commented on the cost of cleaning up a landfill when a mill closes and testing to determine what was dumped in the landfill in the history of the dump. Peter Lauritzen thanked Dr. Locke for what he has done and encouraged him to do what DOE requires. Gretchen Brewer commented on her concerns of the mill staying open and who would pay for the landfill cleanup, wood ash being considered dangerous waste in Washington for anyone other than paper mills and the run off of the landfill going in to Admiralty Bay. Stephen Schumacher encouraged Dr. Locke to issue a limited purpose landfill permit to Port Townsend Paper and expressed concerns over who would pay for cleanup of the landfill should the mill close. Linda Lanakammer commented in favor of a deeper more meaningful look being taken at the mill and their landfill. BOH — September 20, 2012 Bill Wise, Chair of Team Port Townsend, commented on the mill supporting our economy and performing at a high level of social responsibility. O'Neill Louchard expressed concern over the reasons nothing is growing on the historic landfill portion that has been covered and is concerned over the economic impact on the community should the shellfish be killed off. Nancy Frederick commented on problems with air quality and expressed appreciation for Dr. Locke working with the mill but urges him not to compromise on the landfill permit. Laura King commented in favor of all businesses in the community abiding by legal parameters and is concerned about the lack of financial assurances being provided by PTPC. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The next Board of Health meeting will be held on October 18, 2012 from 2:30 — 4:30 pm. ADJOURNMENT Chair Johnson adjourned the BOH meeting at 4:47 pm. JEFFER ON COU TY BOARD OF HEALTH P 1 Johnson, C air Roberta Frissell, Member Excused Catharine Robinson, Member Sheila Westerman, Member Respectfully Submitted: Stacie Reid Excused Jill Buhler, Vice Chair DaOSulliv BOH — September 20, 2012