Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM011614JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, January 16, 2014 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Board Members Phil Johnson, County Commissioner District #I David Sullivan, 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, Vice Chair, Citizen at large (City) Jill Buhler, 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 January 16, 2014 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:35 PM. A quorum was present. Members Present: Jill Buhler, Sheila Westerman, Roberta Frissell, David Sullivan, Phil Johnson, John Austin Staff Present: Thomas Locke, Jean Baldwin, Jared Keefer, Julia Danskin, Veronica Shaw APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Buhler called for review and approval of agenda for the January 16, 2014 meeting. Member Austin suggested adding a review of HB 2086 which would make it a traffic infraction to smoke in a moving or parked vehicle with a person under the age of 18, under New Business. Member Westerman moved to approve the agenda as amended; the motion was seconded by Member Sullivan. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chair Buhler called for nominations of officers for 2014. Member Westerman nominated Member Sullivan for the position of Chair. The nomination was seconded by Member Austin. No further nominations. Nominations were closed. Member Austin nominated Member Westerman for the position of Vice -Chair. Member Frissell seconded the nomination. No further nominations. Nominations were closed. Chair Buhler called for a vote of approval of nominated members: Member Sullivan for the position of Chair for 2014 and Member Westerman for the position of Vice -Chair for 2014. The approval passed unanimously. BOH Minutes — January 19, 2014 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Sullivan called for review and approval of the minutes of the December 19, 2013 meeting of the Board of Health. Chair Sullivan notes the following correction to be made: At the bottom of page 4, correct "Chair Sullivan" to "Vice -Chair Sullivan." Member Buhler moved to approve the minutes as amended; the motion was seconded by Member Westerman. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Sullivan opened the public comment period. Three Jefferson County residents testified regarding the mediation process and permitting process for the Port Townsend Paper Corporation's landfill. Chair closed public comment period. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Clean Water District Update Michael Dawson, Environmental Health Specialist, will be speaking at City Council on Tuesday January 21St at 6:30 regarding the Clean Water District. Mr. Dawson reviewed the Water Quality and shoreline sampling results that are part of JCPH efforts to protect shellfish beds and water recreation. Wet season testing showed a small number of samples with increased bacterial numbers. These results were single sample results (confirmation utilizing 3 tests of the same area is required to validate results; a single elevated sample result indicates potential contamination but is not conclusive). Testing sites (coordinated with John Merchant of City Public Works — with maps of pipes) included some stormwater outfalls within city limits. Chair Sullivan wondered about posting to public — Mr. Dawson responded that confirmation requires three samples, but warning postings may be a good idea to generally recommend safe behavior for the public. The next round of sampling will not be until the 2014 dry season (summer). Staff Report — Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) Landfill Permitting Process Dr. Locke reviewed a detailed staff memo prepared for the Board and included in the Board's agenda packet. Throughout the process of permitting the PTPC landfill, Jefferson County Public Health's goals have not changed. The goal is that the landfill be permitted under the correct legal category (i.e. limited purpose landfill), and that the mill be compliant with the requirements of this regulation. This is the limit of the local health jurisdictions regulatory authority. There was a fundamental disagreement between PTPC and JCPH about whether the landfill should be BOH Minutes — January 19, 2014 regulated as an inert or limited purpose site. This is the essential issue that PTPC has appealed to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearing Board. While this case remains before the PCHB, JCPH has agreed to enter into mediation discussions with the hope of expediting the process of limited purpose landfill permitting. Litigating the issue will likely take several years before a new permit is in place. If the mediation process can reach the same goal more rapidly this would best serve the public interest. If this process is unsuccessful, the litigation will resume. Dr. Locke responded to public concerns expressed during the public comment period, explaining that a variance doesn't exempt a permit holder from the standards or intent of the law. A variance is an application to meet the requirements of the law in an alternate way. Example: The PTPC landfill currently has a variance from liner requirements. They will likely apply for that again. What they would have to do to be granted a new variance is prove that the specific site characteristics offer the same protection of the groundwater that a liner would. If they can prove there is equivalent protection, the variance could be granted. Dr. Locke also responded to concerns expressed during the public comment period regarding the timeline of mediation and the requirement for confidentiality during the mediation period. JCPH has agreed to enter into mediation with the goal of reaching an agreement as soon as possible. Ten months timeline has to do with scheduling of a Pollution Control Hearing Board. In the best of circumstances, the mediation will resolve the outstanding issues and we can resume the permitting process. In a worst case scenario, we're back where we started. Mediation, by law, is a confidential process. Once started, staff isn't allowed to comment on the process. JCPH prefers a completely public and transparent process, but has to abide by what the law requires. After the mediation process, at the point that a settlement is reached, and goes to the Hearings Board for approval, the results of the mediation becomes public. There will still be a permit process that is public, including the possibility to appeals by members of the public or groups. Pollution Control Hearings Board decisions are appealable to superior court and higher courts. During any appeals, the current state of operations at PTPC (no groundwater monitoring, no financial assurance) would remain in place. JCPH's goal is to resume groundwater monitoring and resolve closure cost issues as quickly as possible. Jefferson Healthcare/Jefferson County Public Health Community Assessment Project Update Ms. Baldwin gave an update regarding the Community Health Assessment project, which looks at community health indicators and health needs of the community. A Kitsap County epidemiologist has been hired and a work group is forming to look at what issues should be assessed. The group will look at the data, and identify other areas for review. A community survey is being considered and community leaders will be consulted about prioritization of issues. Dr. Locke indicated that the goal is for the community health assessment to lead to a health improvement plan which is then implemented. Hospitals and health department have overlapping needs and issues which will be addressed during the assessments. NEW BUSINESS BOH Minutes — January 19, 2014 Public Hearing: 2014 Environmental Health Fee Schedule Revisions Chair Sullivan opened the Public Hearing for proposed 2014 Environmental Health Fee Schedule Revisions. Member Jill Buhler recused herself from voting on this matter due to a financial relationship with the owners of PTAC which has a spa. Jared Keefer summarized fee proposals: • Notice to title recession (additional fee) • Deleting a number of Temp Food permit category fees, and the increase of one of the fees. The deletion of two fees in recreational water facility operating permit. And the addition of a number of fees in water permit to merge relationship with state WAC regarding fees for water recreation facilities. Member Austin asked for clarification regarding onsite sewage BLA review fee — $158 + $79 per lot. Is the additional $79 for additional lots beyond 2 lots involved? Mr. Keefer confirmed: Yes, the additional $79 is for lots beyond the first 2 lots involved. Member Westerman wondered if staff will keep track of fees and whether staff can track how effective these will be in cost recovery. Mr. Keefer confirmed: Yes, time and fees will be studied to ensure that fees are effective cost recovery. Chair Sullivan opened public comment period for the public hearing. No public comment. Chair closed public comment period. Member Austin moved to approve the ordinance to amend the 2014 Environmental Health Fee Schedule Revisions. Vice Chair Westerman seconded the motion. Chair Sullivan called for discussion. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. 2014 Jefferson County Public Health Budget, Staffing Changes, Training Jean Baldwin reported that due to County/City/Federal funding decreases, layoffs and staff reductions are occurring at Jefferson County Public Health. While Department staff is shrinking, most staff have been taking on more work. The biggest staffing impacts have been in the financial/admin department. Quarterly budgets are continuing on each program throughout the year. The Affordable Care Act may have additional impacts. Veronica Shaw announced that there will be a retirement party toward the end of February for Diane Espenson, Donna Marvin and Cathy Avery, from the financial/admin department. Affordable Care Act Enrollment Updates and Impacts on JCPH Jefferson County has enrolled a large number of people. JCPH historically has served a younger population. Right now, the push is to identify the families who have kids on Apple Health. 4 BOH Minutes — January 19, 2014 Families are getting stuck in the online enrollment due to glitches in the system, and are coming to JCPH for help, which is a burden on staff. Some of the families, not meeting the standard for free care, are struggling with the prospect of paying even the reduced premiums. With reduced staffing in the Medical Records team, JCPH isn't able to meet everyone's demands. The Olympic Area Agency on Ageing is coming in to alleviate some of the burden. Julia will be going on air at KPTZ to discuss the younger populace enrollment. The issue for 20 -somethings is technology — most use smart phones and the state enrollment site doesn't interact well on a smaller screen (not mobile compatible). Another issue is that there are scheduling problems for people working during the day — getting call-backs from the state while they're at work. 2013-2014 Influenza Season Update Flu season is be peaking on the East Coast (a month or more ahead of us in terms of outbreak activity), and we are in the middle of the season. We have widespread (but mild/moderate intensity) activity across Washington State. The timing of this year's outbreak is almost identical to last year. Influenza like illness (fever/cough), are at a peak but only 1/3 of these cases turn out to have flu when tested. Virtually all of the confirmed cases of influenza are the 2009 H 1N 1 pandemic strain. H 1N 1 causes fewer deaths and fewer hospitalizations than the other predominant form of influenza, H3N2, and it tends to effects younger populations. The media has put a lot of attention on the 11 deaths in Washington State vs. 58 last year. The reported deaths may be the tip of the iceberg. Most influenza related deaths aren't reported. Over 90% of deaths from flu are in people over age 70. Influenza vaccination and basic prevention are still the best ways to avoid influenza: anyone who's sick with fever or respiratory symptoms should stay home, cover your cough, wash your hands, and avoid food preparation. HB 2086 Member Austin reviewed House Bill 2086, which would make it a traffic infraction to smoke in a moving or parked vehicle with a person under the age of 18. The State BOH is sending a letter to the House in support of bill. Members Austin moved to direct Chair Sullivan to sign a letter of support for the bill requesting the House Transportation Committee move the bill forward to the House for a vote. Member Buhler seconded the motion. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. ACTIVITY UPDATE A letter, which the board directed to be drafted and signed by the Board Chair, is available at JCPH for signature. Mr. Keefer reviewed a couple of bills being proposed in the Legislature. One would exempt food delivery trucks from all food and safety requirements in the state. Food trucks pose a food safety issue because of the rented nature of the food trucks. Another proposed bill, involves the Cottage Food Bill: The Department of Agriculture proposes an increase in the monetary limit from 15,000 to 25,000 (baked goods, person to person sales). PUBLIC COMMENT BOH Minutes — January 19, 2014 Two citizens made further comment regarding concerns over the mediation process and permitting process. No topics discussed. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING Next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA. ADJOURNMENT Chair Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 4:10 PM. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH David Sullivan, Chair A Phil Johnson, Member Roberta Frissell, Member NOT AV/)IL/aO!_.F. Catharine Robinson, Member Respectfully Submitted: Cara Leckenby 6 6�' L �)J STN Sheila Westerman, Vice Chair Jill Buhler, Member BOH Minutes — January 19, 2014