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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM091814JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, September 18, 2014 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 &card Members Phil Johnson, County Commissioner District #1 David Sullivan, Chair, County Commissloner, District #2 John Austin, County Commissioner, District #3 Sally Aeras, Citizen at large Kris Nelson, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Vice -Chair, Citizen at large JIMOuhier, Hospital Commissioner, District#2 Staffembers Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Officer .lean Baldwin, Public Health Services Dir Julia Danskin, Publle Health Manager Jared Keefer, Env Health Services Dir Veronica Show, Public Health Deputy Dir Vice -Chair Westerman called the September 18, 2014 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:32 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Jill Buhler, John Austin, Kris Nelson, Sheila Westerman, Phil Johnson, Sally Aerts Members Excused: David Sullivan Staff Present: Thomas Locke, Jean Baldwin, Jared Keefer, Julia Danskin APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice -Chair Westerman called for review and approval of the agenda for the 09/18/2014 meeting. Julia Danskin, Public Health Manager, JCPH, requested to speak about two items during the Activity Update. Member Buhler moved to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Member Austin. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice -Chair Westerman called for review and approval of the minutes of the 8/21/2014 meeting of the Board of Health. Member Austin moved to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded by Member Johnson. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT Catharine Robinson, interim Chair for the Substance Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB) informed the Board that she will be attending the Board of Health meetings in place of Fran Joswick, who resigned from the Board due to health reasons. Ms. Robinson informed the Board that the SAAB has three applicants for Board members, but announced there is room for more. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Enterovirus D-68 suspected in Seattle Dr. Thomas Locke, Health Officer, JCPH, informed the Board that he is closely watching the national spread of Enterovirus D-68 and when cases are confirmed on the Nest Coast, he will start doing provider alerts. He explained it is not uncommon for positive Enterovirus tests this time of year, but what is unexpected is the widespread distribution of the D-68 strain which previously was rarely seen. Because it is a rare strain, most people are susceptible. Dr. Locke explained that most people get a mild respiratory illness and only a small percentage have severe infections. "Those with the highest risk are children with asthma. 2. Dabob and Quilcene Bays Closed due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Jared Keefer, Director of Environmental Health and Water Quality, JCPH, informed the Board that Dabob and Quilcene Bays are closed due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. Testing of the bays is occurring every 3-4 days, and is being monitored closely. 3. 2014-2015 Influenza and Pneumonia information Dr. Locke provided the board with a letter sent to Area Health Care Providers. The letter provides general information about prevention of seasonal influenza and explains that JCPH no longer has influenza vaccine available for adults, but will provide state -supplied flu vaccines to children ages six months through 18 years. The letter also provides information on Pneumonia vaccines. Dr. Locke reiterated the importance of vaccines and recommended every healthy person get vaccinated in order to protect the rest of the population. 4. WA State Dept. of Ecology Pet Waste Facts Following up to an issue raised at the last Board of Health meeting, Dr. Locke provided the Board with a handout from the Department of Ecology that explains the proper disposal of dog waste. It is recommended that dog waste be scooped into a bag and disposed of in the garbage. If you live on a municipal sewer itis ok to flush the waste down the toilet. Disposal in on-site sewage systems is discouraged. It is recommended that dog waste never be buried or composted as these methods do not reliably eradicate pathogens that may be present in the waste. NEW BUSINESS 1. Public Hearing: Environmental Health Fee Revisions Mr. Keefer provided the Board with the Environmental Health Fee Schedule, reflecting the hourly rate increase from $67.44 to $85.40 per hour. Member Nelson stated to the Board that she is personally affected by this issue, but that she does not feel there is a conflict of interest and it will not influence her decision. Member Buhler stated to the Board that she is personally affected by this issue, but that she does not feel there is a conflict of interest and it will not influence her decision. Vice -Chair Westerman, and Members Johnson, Austin, and Aerts expressed no concern with Members Nelson and Buhler voting. Dan Toepper from Port Ludlow made a public comment that the Board should find as many ways as possible to inform the public about the Environmental Health permit fees. Vice -Chair Westerman suggested that Mr. Keefer write a press release about the updated Environmental Health Fees Member Austin moved that the changes to the Environmental Health Fees be adopted; Member Buhler seconded the motion. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Call for Public Hearing, October 16,2014: Solid Waste Code Revisions Dr. Locke explained to the Board that this hearing had to be postponed due to extensive revisions by the county attorney, David Alvarez, and asked that it be rescheduled for the next BOH meeting on October 16, 2014. The changes were reviewed with the Board and a copy of the amended Code will be distributed to the public. Member Buhler provided Mr. Keefer with some formatting changes. Member Johnson moved to schedule a public hearing on the Solid Waste Code for the October 16, 2014 BOH meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Austin. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. 'Washington State Regionalization Efforts — Behavioral Health, Chemical Dependency, Health Care Services, and Public Health Dr. Locke presented the Board with recent correspondence regarding the healthcare regionalization efforts. He informed the Board that the state has applied for a Federal innovation Grant that would allow greater flexibility in how the State spends Medicare and Medicaid funds. Washington State's innovation grant proposal calls for formation of regional service areas known as Accountable Communities of Health (ACH). Jean Baldwin, Director, JCPH, informed the Board that they have created a workgroup to pull together all stakeholders from Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson counties to explore the benefits of forming a three -county ACH. The meeting is currently being scheduled for November. Ms. Baldwin will report back to the Board. 4. Peninsula Accountable Community of Health Planning Process Ms. Baldwin shared the Oregon Health Authority news release titled "Progress improving Oregon Health Plan highlighted in annual report," which reports the progress Oregon has made since receiving the Federal Innovation Grant, the same grant that Washington State has just submitted an application for. Ms. Baldwin reported that Oregon has made substantial progress, but it has been much more difficult than expected, even with years of prior planning. Ms. Baldwin suggested the Board read the full report, located at: http•//www oreaon Dov/o halMetrics/Paaes/index.asnx. 5. Substance Abuse Board Resignation Fran Joswick resigned from the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. The Board of Health received her resignation letter, and also signed a letter to Ms. Joswick, thanking her for her years of service. ACTIVITY UPDATE Mr. Keefer updated the Board on this year's Big Quileene fishing season. Monies secured from DOH allowed for three port -a -potties to be placed around the river, which resulted in less waste in the river. samples have come back with low or no E. Coli. Mr. Keefer also reported that on- site permitting has shortened its turnaround time from 3 months, as previously reported, to around 1.5 to 2 months. Ms. Danskin informed the Board that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Ms. Danskin also informed the Board that Girl's Night Out is October 2. Some of the funds raised will go to the breast and cervical health program at JCPH. Ms. Danskin passed out pamphlets. Ms. Danskin also informed the Board that Chimacum Prevention Coalition and 4H are moving ahead with the Strengthening Families Program. Classes start October 9 for seven weeks. Ms. Danskin handed out flyers and asked the Board to spread the word to any families they know of who might be interested who have children aged 10-14 in the Chimacum School District. PUBLIC COMMENT No Public Comment. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Solid Waste Code Revisions Public Hearing will take place at the next Board of Health meeting. Dr. Locke and Ms. Baldwin will be attending a mandatory meeting called by the new Secretary of Health to figure out a new vision for the public health system. They will report their progress at the next Board of Health meeting. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Westerman adjourned the September 18, 2014 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:13 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Phil Johnson, Member Sally Aerts, Member Kris Nelson, Member 9 SFcI A--ejue. Jill Buhler, Member Sheila Westerman, Vice Chair Respectfully Submitted: Natalie Crump