Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM011713JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, January 17, 2013 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Board Members Staff Members Phil Johnson, County Commissioner District #1 Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Officer David Sullivan, Vice Chair, 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, Chair, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 Chair Johnson called the meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:33 PM. A quorum was present. Members Present: Phil Johnson, David Sullivan, John Austin, Roberta. Frissell, Catharine Robinson, Sheila Westerman, Jill Buhler Staff Present: Thomas Locke, MD, Jean Baldwin, Julia Danskin, Cathy Avery APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Austin requested that a State Board of Health update be added to Agenda Planning. Member Austin moved to approve the agenda of the January 17, 2013 BOH meeting as amended. Member Robinson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously ELECTION OF BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2013 Member Westerman nominated Member Buhler as Chair of the Jefferson County Board of Health for 2013. Member Austin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Member Westerman nominated Member Sullivan as Vice Chair of the Jefferson County Board of Health for 2013. Member Austin seconded the motion. Member Austin moved to close the nominations. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Robinson requested under Activity Update the fourth paragraph be amended to read "Jean Baldwin announced Jared Keefer was awarded a fellowship from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation." Member Robinson moved to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2012 BOH meeting as amended. Member Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. BOH Minutes January 17, 2013 OLD BUSINESS and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law: Port Townsend Paper Corporation Appeal of Inert Waste Landfill Permit Renewal Denial Dr. Locke discussed the Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law relating to the appeal hearing conducted in November. A copy of the document was included in the agenda packet. Dr. Locke discussed the statutory criteria for inert waste designation and how the waste in the Port Townsend Paper landfill failed to meet these criteria. Accordingly, the inert waste landfill permit was denied and the appeal of that decision was sustained. He also stated that a new limited purpose landfill permit would require the mill to resume groundwater monitoring and establish a financial assurance plan to cover closure costs. Jefferson County Public Health Help Card Julia Danskin stated that JCPH has updated and printed their Help Cards which include service resource phone numbers, warning signs, and what to do in the case of drug overdose or suspected suicide risk. The Help Cards are distributed to local businesses and schools to hand out. Tobacco Cessation Spending, Part 2: Washington State Spending Dr. Locke updated the Board on state specific tobacco prevention spending data. He pointed out that Washington State has dropped from being 21St in the nation for the amount spent on tobacco prevention to being 42nd. He also mentioned the CDC recommends each state spend about 10% of their tobacco generated revenue on prevention and Washington State is currently spending 1 % of its revenue. NEW BUSINESS EnviroStars Awards Jean Baldwin announced Day Boat Works, Rain Shadow Woodworks and Washington State Ferries — Port Townsend Terminal have all met the criteria and have been awarded EnviroStars awards. . 2012-2013 Influenza Season Update Dr. Locke updated the Board on the 2012-2013 Influenza season. Widespread influenza activity is being seen earlier than usual with predominance of the H3N2 strain, which tends to cause more severe illness. Dr. Locke stated an issue being seen is increased numbers people going to the ER with flu symptoms, so as part of the education campaign they are trying to establish criteria for when someone should and should not seek medical attention. Dr. Locke also mentioned they are seeing high levels of other seasonal respiratory viruses and that this year's influenza vaccine is a good match to the strains that are circulating. BOH Minutes January 17, 2013 JCPH Department Planning for 2013-2014 Biennium Dr. Locke discussed 3 separate articles included in the agenda packet, which address the planning efforts of local and national organizations relating to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He stated that 2013 will be spent preparing for the full implementation of the ACA in 2014 when subsidized insurance will become available and there will be a large expansion of the Medicaid program. With these changes in health care financing, the roles and responsibilities of local health departments will be reexamined and could be fundamentally altered. Ms. Baldwin stated that one important goal is to develop a common vision for the transition process and to set up a planning process that involves all the organizations involved. Washington Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO) 2013 Legislative Agenda Dr. Locke discussed WSALPHO's top 3 priorities for their 2013 Legislative Agenda. The first priority is to focus on maintaining current flexible funding for 2013. Secondly, WSALPHO will support its partners in pursuing legislation that clarifies and provides consistency with regards to the prescribing and dispensing of pharmaceuticals by local health agencies. The last item on the agenda is to pursue legislation that will allow health districts to operate as their own fiscal agent with the consent of their local board of health and county government(s). National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) Ten Things to Watch in 2013 Dr. Locke discussed the article included in the agenda packet which discusses NACCHO's 10 trends to watch in 2013. He pointed out these trends are being watched because they can all have an effect on public health. Dr. Locke briefly discussed each of the following trends which include issues such as deficit reduction, sequestration, the Fiscal Cliff, Health Reform, opposition to the ACA, the increased role of women in Congress, EPA actions, the Farm Bill, Transportation Law, and waiting for the Food Safety Modernization Act Regulation to be fully implemented. WA State Department of Health Agenda for Change Action Plan, July — December 2012 Edition Dr. Locke pointed out in the Public Health Improvement Partnership (PHIP) newsletter that there is an effort underway to define the minimum level of public health services each citizen has the right to expect. These minimum services are being referred to as "foundational public health services" and represent the fundamental duty of all levels of government to offer basic public health services. The challenge before the legislature is how to maintain those foundational services while enacting major budget cuts. Board Discussion: Goals for 2013-2014 Ms. Baldwin announced she is doing work with the staff, starting with the team leads to review the current strategic plan to better prepare for changes. Right now they are focusing on what they do now, what is missing and what needs improvement. They will bring the change 3 BOH Minutes January 17, 2013 statements back to the Board. Ms. Baldwin suggested to the Board that Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap Counties Boards of Health meet together at a future time to discuss how each county is handling the many changes occurring. ACTIVITY UPDATE State Board of Health Update Member Austin announced the State Board of Health has 2 new members; Dr. Thomas Pendergrass and Fran Bessermin. Member Austin watched a presentation last week on the ACA. The power point presentation is available on the State Board of Health website. He was reappointed to his position will remain on the Board until 2015 Ms. Baldwin mentioned the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice distributes postcards with yearly public health highlights, one of which highlighted JCPH. Ms. Baldwin distributed an article that details President Obama's gun control legislature and aspects of the Affordable Care Act that require parity for mental health and substance abuse treatment. The president also talked about the cost of jail's to local government and specifically about the cost of medical care when health insurance (both public and private) is suspended when a person is incarcerated. None PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR Ms. Baldwin stated they will be discussing drinking water changes and changes in Environmental Health. Member Frissell would like an update on how the onsite sewage classes are going. Member Austin moved to adjourn the January 17, 2013 BOH meeting. Member Robinson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The next Board of Health meeting will be held on February 21, 2013 from 2:30 — 4:30 pm at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 ADJOURNMENT Chair Buhler adjourned the BOH meeting at 4:20 pm. BOH Minutes January 17, 2013 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH 64.E Ji 1 Buhler, Chair Roberta Frissell, Member Catharine Robinson, Member I�w (4, V)it, � Sheila Westerman, Member Respectfully Submitted: Stacie Reid David Sullivan, Vice Chair ber John Ahhstin. Member BOH Minutes January 17, 2013