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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM121913JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, December 19, 2013 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Board Members Phil Johnson, County Commissioner District #1 David Sullivan, Vice Chair, County Commissioner, District #2 John Austin, County Commissioner, District #3 Roberta Frissell, citizen at large (County) Catharine Robinson, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Citizen at large (City) Jill Buhler, Chair, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 Staff Members Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Officer Jean Baldwin, Public Health Services Dir Julia Danskin, Nursing Services Dir Jared Keefer, Env. Health Services Dir Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Dir Chair Buhler called the December 19, 2013 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 PM. Chair Buhler called for review of Old Business item number one, to delay approval of minutes and agenda until the arrival of a second commissioner needed to form a quorum. Members Present: Jill Buhler, Sheila Westerman, Roberta Frissell, Catharine Robinson, David Sullivan, Phil Johnson, John Austin Staff Present: Jean Baldwin, Jared Keefer, Julia Danskin, Veronica Shaw Members Excused: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Buhler called for review and approval of agenda. Member Austin moved to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Member Johnson. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Buhler called for review and approval of the minutes. Member Westerman moved to approve the minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by Member Johnson. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. BOH Minutes - December 19, 2013 PUBLIC COMMENT Nine (9) Jefferson County residents testified regarding the permitting process for the Port Townsend Paper Corporation's landfill. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Report on National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) Leadership in WA DC A handout has been included in the Board's agenda packet outlining the programs at Jefferson County Public Health that was presented at a NACCHO meeting in the Nation's capitol. Mr. Keefer and 100+ local health officials finished up a fellowship program in WA, D.C. and visited with congressmen and senators to discuss public health issues. Mr. Keefer met with Representative Kilmer and his staff and discussed Nurse Family Partnership, Puget Sound restoration and clean water, primary care and behavioral health coordination. Updates: Main Street Project; SmileMobile and WIC, Clean Water District Julia reported on October 3' the Port Townsend Main street event, "Girls Night Out", raised $3,186.50 for Jefferson County Public Health. SmileMobile was in Port Townsend and at Tri -area Community Center in November. The SmileMobile will return in the spring. WIC staff created and circulated a holiday newsletter, mailed to over 800 WIC participants. WIC is a resource and services coordination hub for many area programs. On Tuesday, January 21, at 6:30 pm, Michael Dawson will make a Water Quality and Clean Water District presentation to the Port Townsend City Council. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Comments, Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO) & WA State Association of Counties (WSAC) The Washington State's ACA response plan was open for comments and the final comments have now been submitted on behalf of WSALPHO. The submitted comments are rolling into a new vision for overall healthcare. The process involves how Washington State will implement portions of the Affordable Care Act. Ms. Baldwin indicated that she will forward any relevant documents and information regarding this process, to the Board, as it's released. Affordable Care Act Enrollment Jefferson County has done well with ACA enrollment outreach. The enrollment process has been challenged by Healthplanfinder.com website difficulties. Member Austin acknowledges Julia Danskin, and JCPH staff for their work. Jefferson County Public Health staff has seven people who are "in-person assisters." The staff time investment involved in enrollment has challenged the department. The process is complicated, and demand for enrollment was greater than expected. Olympic Area Agency on Aging volunteers made time to be at JCPH to help with public enrollment, which has helped BOH Minutes - December 19, 2013 reduce the demands on JCPH staff. Staff time being used for "in-person assisting" isn't reimbursed through grants/funding sources, and the time spent decreases revenue, and hinders regular workflow. Chair Buhler reported that Jefferson County is at the top of the State for enrollment numbers. The deadline for purchasing individual or family policies for 2014 is March 31 st. There is no deadline for enrollment for people below 138% of federal poverty level and outreach will continue for this group. The Healthiest Next Generation Initiative Governor Inslee Governor Inslee is focusing on healthcare through his "The Healthiest Next Generation Initiative". This initiative calls for working across State departments to reduce childhood obesity and tobacco use and proposes increased budget for these initiatives. A regionalization approach is supported by Governor Inslee. The next step will be to form a partnerships pilot, funded by the Center for Medicaid Medicare Services, with in-kind donations from Counties. It may be beneficial for JCPH to be an early adopter in the process. Member Johnson feels that a smaller county cohort group is more suited to Jefferson County's purposes. Member Sullivan feels that the process may involve bureaucracy that might detract from direct care. Chair Buhler suggests a mailing list to focus/study/respond to this issue as it progresses. Broken Promises to Our Children, Tobacco funding A report from the American Lung Association is included in the Board's agenda packet. It's been 15 years since 1998 settlement, and funding for tobacco cessation initiatives has decreased. Washington State is 45th in the US in terms of funding of these programs. Ms. Baldwin will draft a letter to representatives, regarding the funding of this program. Update on Homeowner Inspections O&M Linda Atkins updated the Board on Septic 101 and 201 class progress. Currently, our website has a 42 page field guide, an FAQ, safety tips, and a link to view on-site sewage system as-builts and record drawings. The website allows the public to view the Septic 101 or Septic 201 videos. Jefferson County has about 13,500 septic systems. NEW BUSINESS Jefferson County Substance Abuse Advisory Board Re -appointment Chair Buhler stated that she was honored to present this item for the Board's consideration. Frances Joswick is requesting approval for another term on the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. Member Austin moved to approve the appointment of Frances Joswick to another term on the Substance Abuse Advisory Board; Member Robinson seconded the motion. Further discussion: Member Frissell stated that Jefferson County and the SAAB are lucky to have Frances: The motion passed unanimously. BOH Minutes - December 19, 2013 Frances reports that there are vacancies on the board with particular need for persons who are in recovery. STD/Chlamydia Update Chlamydia incidence is on the rise in Jefferson County. In 2008 there were about 50 cases of Chlamydia reported. At the end of November of 2013, 71 cases have been reported. 29 of those are in the age group 15-19, 20 are ages 20-24; 60 are women, 11 are men. JCPH is diagnosing the majority of these cases. JCPH sent a reminder to clinics and doctors to universally screen certain ages, and re -screen positives three months post treatment to check for reinfection. When a test is positive, it is practice to also treat all partners of the infected case. Environmental Health Proposed Fees for Cost Recovery Chair Buhler recused herself from the discussion and vote, disclosing a financial involvement with Port Townsend Athletic Club, which operates a spa. Vice -Chair Sullivan agreed to chair this issue. Fee schedule updates have been discussed in previous BOH meetings, and issues are reviewed in depth in a document included in the Board's agenda packet. Mr. Keefer reviewed permit fee revision strategy. Three main goals were pursued: (1) develop a more transparent fee structure, (2) develop a more equitable permitting structure to better account for time spent, and (3) to increase cost recovery (as previously directed by the Board). Changes are suggested, and included in the Board's agenda packet, in the: a. Food Program b. On-site Sewage Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Program c. Water Recreation Facilities Member Westerman expressed concern about increases in the food program Recurring Event Permit fee (which is a subsidized fee). There may be public concern regarding this fee alteration, and she wonders, as an alternative if there's a way to streamline the application process. Member Westerman moved to hold a public hearing in January at a regular Board of Health Meeting on the proposed fee changes. Member Austin seconded the motion. Chair Sullivan called for vote. The motion passed unanimously. JHC/JCPH Community Health Partnership There was another meeting with Jefferson Healthcare and Jefferson County Public Health regarding the Community Health Assessment. The group is working on community improvement vision and a possible plan. JHC wrote a grant and is paying for an update of some of the assessment data. The group is focusing on mental health, substance abuse, and diabetes tracking. The group discussed infrastructure of a work group which would include hospital staff, JCPH, the Chimacum High School Principal, and others. BOH Minutes - December 19, 2013 ACTIVITY UPDATE Washington State has made substantial cuts public health, according to an article from Governing Magazine (handed out at the meeting). Member Frissell moved to direct staff to draft a letter to be signed by Chair Buhler, to State legislators, cc: WSAC, regarding the funding cuts to public health and to smoking cessation programs to be sent before January 6th, 2014. Member Westerman seconded the motion. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. No public comment. PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The January Jefferson County Board of Health meeting place will need to be moved, due to proposed fee schedule hearing. Officer elections will be held during the January BOH meeting. PTPC update from staff will be added to the January agenda — including a summary of the public process, and the permit process requirements, and a description of where the variance is allowed in the process. Fee hearing will be added to the agenda. Chair Buhler announced that she will not be in attendance at the next meeting. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING Next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, January 16th, 2014 from 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. at a location to be determined. ADJOURNMENT Chair Buhler adjourned the December 19, 2013 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:35 PM. BOH Minutes - December 19, 2013 A JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Phil Johnson, Member Roberta Frissell, Member cu4t-- 2 1-, i- Catharine Robinson, Member , L4, 6 1.1-) Sheila Westerman, Member Respectfully Submitted: Cara Leckenby, BOH Clerk Jill Buhler, Chair DavieSaulliva ,Vice Chair/ Jo Austi , Member 6 BOH Minutes - December 19, 2013