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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM021915JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, February 19, 2015 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Boar_ d Members Phil Johnson, County Commissioner District #1 David Sullivan, County Commissioner, District fill Kathleen Kier, County Commissioner, District #3 Kris Nelson, Port ?Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Chair, Citizen at large Jill Buhler, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 &qff Agent Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Offker Jean Baldwin, Public Health Services Dir Julia Danskin, Public Health Manager Jared Keefer, Env Health Services Dir Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Dir Chair Westerman called the February 19, 2015 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: David Sullivan, Jill Buhler, Sheila Westerman, Kathleen Kler Staff Present: Tom Locke, Veronica Shaw, Jared Keefer, Julia Danskin Members Excused: Kris Nelson APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda was approved as written. Chair Westerman moved to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Member Kler. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Westerman called for approval of the minutes of the 1/ 15/2015 meeting of the Board of Health. Member Buhler moved to approve the minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by Member Kier. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Recycling Update Jared Keefer, JCPH Environmental Health Director, gave a follow-up report describing the ways in which JCPH is getting the news to the public regarding expansion in the recyclable items accepted in the county. 2. Marijuana Then and Now Julia Danskin, Community Health Manager, JCPH, shared with the Board an upcoming event to be held at the Chimicum High School Library on Monday, March 9h from 6-8 PM. This is a public awareness event given by Scott McCarty, Prevention System Project Manager with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. The event is a Chimicum Coalition event sponsored by OESD 114,4-H, the Chimacum High School, JCPH, and the WA Department of Social and Health Services and has been advertised via the Coalition newsletter. All school districts in the county are invited to attend. JCPH will further advertise the event via its website 3. E -cigarettes Follow Up Ms. Danskin reported to the Board in a follow-up to a discussion held at the January 15, 2415 BOH meeting. There is current legislation at the state level concerning the growing numbers of youth involved in using tobacco products via new delivery systems. Legislation is focused on age limits, restriction areas, and school district bans on aerosolizing delivery devices. Ms. Danskin directed the Board to Governor Jay Inslee's press release concerning legislation that will serve to "curb the increase in use." 4. Public Records Request Tracking and Expense Update Veronica Shaw, Deputy Director, JCPH, reported on the increasing number of public records requests that Jefferson County Public Health responds to and the growing cost of doing so. Member Kler voiced concern over cost and potential harassment requests. Member Sullivan reiterated the intent of the law is to be helpful to the public, and Chair Westerman reminded the group of the need for government transparency. Member Kier informed the group of an effort by the Washington Associations of Counties to tabulate individual county costs for the purpose of demonstrating to the public the local cost of the disclosure law. Mr. Keefer explained a database designed to house all septic records online to ease public access. Ms. Shaw mentioned an Q & M fund managed by the Auditor's office that could potentially pay for an employee who could scan all Environmental records into the database. 5. Board of Health Member Resignation — Election of Vice -Chair Chair Westerman reported on a meeting at which she accepted the unexpected resignation of Board member and newly elected Vice -Chair Sally Aerts. This resignation requires the Board advertise for a new member. Additionally, the resignation requires the Board to hold a new election to replace Aerts. Member Buhler motioned to elect Member Kler to the post of Vice -Chair. Members discussed the position's duties and time commitment. Member Buhler motioned to elect Member Kier to the post of Vice -Chair. Member Sullivan seconded Buhler's nomination. There was no further discussion. The motion carried. 6. Board of Health Correspondence Two letters were received by JCPH. One complimented Mina Kwansa, Food Safety lnspector, on her thorough and ethical inspection practices. The other letter was an award from "Hope Senders" congratulating JCPH on its success in keeping food safe and as a result keeping "the community safe and healthy." NEW BUSINESS 1. Jefferson County Environmental Health Fee Revisions — Recommended Call for Public Hearing March 19, 2015 Mr. Keefer reported and explained to the Board fee revisions to the Environmental Fees, pointing particularly to the Sewage Disposal Permits, Evaluation of Existing systems/Monitoring Inspections, and Waiver Variance applications. Mr. Keefer explained at length various models used to determine new fees, both reductions and increases. Member Sullivan motioned to hold a public hearing at the March 19, 2015 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting.. Member Buhler seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.. The motion carried. 2. Proposed Shellfish Rule Changes for Vibriosis Prevention Michael Dawson, Environmental Health Specialist, JCPH, introduced Laura Johnson, WA Department of Health, who gave a presentation on a new Shellfish Rule that is focused on prevention rather than reaction to reported shellfish related illnesses. If the Rule is adopted at the state level, DOH and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold training meetings to update and train local health jurisdictions on new prevention measures and practices. 3. Measles Outbreak Prevention — National, State, and Regional Dr. Tom Locke, JCPH Public Health Officer, updated the Board regarding measles cases in Clallarn County and the measures taken to quarantine those potentially exposed. Dr. Locke further explained measles outbreak control protocols, the ongoing presence of measles as an international infection acquired by unvaccinated travelers, the specific strain found in Clallam County, and the strong link between vaccination exemptions and the current outbreak. Ms. Danskin reported to the Board regarding vaccine supplies held by JCPH and the difference between Child and adult vaccines. 4. Influenza Update — Seasonal and Avian Dr. Locke reported to the Board that the influenza season is nearly at its end. This year's predominate flu strain, H3N2, was challenging in that it was strongly associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. Because of emergence of a new strain of H3N2 after this season's vaccines had begun production, available vaccine was only partially protective. The usual 50-60% influenza vaccine efficacy was reduced to 23%. Regarding Avian Flu, Dr. Locke explained that the greatest problem associated with Avian Flu is the potential of infection at massive poultry operations. Where infection is found all birds must be slaughtered. Among backyard flocks, infection results in all birds having to be killed as well. Control and cleanup is costly. Avian flu generally does not cause human disease. There is, however, the remote possibility that a human (or other animals like swine) will become infected with both human influenza and avian influenza, producing a new virus that has the potential to be a global pandemic strain. S. Public Health Heroes Chair Westerman reported on the meeting held to determine this year's focus for the Public Health Heroes Award. After reviewing past award recipients and current national trends, it was decided to focus on honoring those who actively engage in supporting children and in so doing support a national movement to achieve Healthiest Nation 2034. it was decided that the BOH would honor Jumping Mouse Children's Center and Nurse Family Partnership for their efforts to promote family and childhood health. Chair Westerman motioned to honor Jumping Mouse Children's Center and Nurse Family Partnership at the March 19"' 2015 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting. Member Kler seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion carried. ACTIVITY UPDATE There was a review of Board Action Items, 2014 The 2015 meeting schedule was reviewed. Discussion to cancel the November BOH meeting was tabled until the March 19, 2015 meeting. It was decided the BOH packet would no longer contain a Media Packet; rather, the packet will contain a face sheet containing headlines, dates, and source. JCPH will retain its notebook containing one copy of each article for convenience. Otherwise, Board members may read listed articles online at their leisure. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR There was no further planning. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA ADJOURNMENT Chair Westerman adjourned the February 19, 2015 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:23 PM JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Davi Sullivan, 16/ Kris Nelson, Me EXCUSED Respectfully Submitted: Denise Banker ill Buh er, Member Sheila Westerman, Chair W. Kathleen Kier, Member