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JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368
DRAFT
Board Members
Phil Johnson, County Commissioner District #1
David Sullivan, Chair, County Commissioner, District #2
Kathleen Kier, County Commissioner, District #3
Catharine Robinson, Vice -Chair, Port Townsend City Council
Sheila Westerman, Citizen at large
Jill Buhler, Hospital Commissioner, District #2
John Austin, Citizen at large
Staff Members
Thomas Locke, Health Officer
Vicki Kirkpatrick, Public Health Dir
Julia Danskin, Public Health Manager
Jared Keefer, Env. Health Dir
Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Dir
Michael Dawson, WQ Manager
Dunia Faulx, Community Health Dir
Denise Banker, Clerk of the Board
Chair David Sullivan called the April, 2016 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to
order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present.
Members Present: John Austin, Phil Johnson, Catharine Robinson, David Sullivan, Jill Buhler,
Sheila Westerman, Kathleen Kler
Staff Present: Denise Banker, Michael Dawson, Lori Fleming, Dunia Faulx, Jared Keefer, Vicki
Kirkpatrick, Tom Locke
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
David Sullivan, Board Chairman, moved agenda items New Business one and two up to
accommodate the Food Safety Award and Public Health Hero Award attendees.
Chair Sullivan asked for approval of the Agenda of the April 21, 2016.
Member Kathleen Kler motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by
Member John Austin. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Jared Keefer, Director Jefferson County Environmental Health and Water Quality, announced
the 2015 Outstanding Food Safety Awards. Each recipient was named and applauded. The
meeting was momentarily adjourned to accommodate a photo opportunity.
Dunia Faulx, Community Health Director, announced the 2016 Public Health Heroes Awards.
Each recipient was named and applauded. The meeting was momentarily adjourned to
accommodate another photo opportunity.
The meeting reconvened immediately following photos.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Sullivan asked for approval of the minutes of the March 17, 2016 meeting of the Jefferson
County Board of Health noting that Jill Buhler was present at the meeting.
Member John Austin asked that a sentence on page five "Returning travelers bitten by this type
of mosquito can transmit their infection to others who are bitten by the same mosquito" be
deleted because the antecedent to the pronoun "their" is unclear.
Chair Sullivan asked for approval of the minutes of the March 17th, 2016 meeting of the
Jefferson County Board of Health as amended.
Member Phil Johnson motioned to approve the minutes as amended; the motion was
seconded by Member Sheila Westerman. No further discussion. The motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kees Kolff, invited the Board of Health to a presentation on Affordable Dental Care Options to
be given April 27, 2016 from 12:30 — 1:30 at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship,
2333 San Juan Avenue. The public is welcome. Presenters include: Dunia Faulx, Jefferson
County Public Health Community Health Director, Dr. Alex Narvaez, Sea Mar Dental Director,
and Tom Locke, Board Chair, Washington Dental Service Foundation and Jefferson County
Health Officer.
Tom Locke introduced a guest, Marius Larsen, a Danish citizen who recently graduated from
medical school in the U.K., who is in the U.S. looking at comparative health systems. Dr. Larsen
also spent time with Dr. Locke at the Jamestown Family Health Clinic looking at the delivery of
primary care services by a Tribal Health Clinic. The board welcomed Dr. Larsen.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson County Immunization Rates
Dr. Locke reported on data from a State Board of Health meeting that was attended by Member
Austin. Jefferson County childhood immunization rates, Member Austin noted, are some of the
lowest in the State. It was emphasized that the county needs to have members of the public
involved in immunization efforts. A discussion of autism ensued, and Dr. Locke reiterated that it
has been conclusively proven that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism. Ms. Faulx
told the board that DOH is going to issue report cards to all school districts in the county, and
that JCPH will be working with the schools to improve their scores.
2. Lake Monitoring Funding Letter
Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager, reported on a response to a letter the board and
Jefferson County Public Health sent to the Department of Ecology in regards to funding for lake
monitoring of toxic algae. Ecology's response was not surprising; funding issues persist. Two
2
unexpected positive outcomes were that EPA hosted a conference in Seattle to discuss algae
blooms in general and Jefferson County was invited to attend and the DOE Lake Toxic Algae
Program supervisor asked to visit Anderson Lake.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Introduction to Foundational Public Health Services
Vicki Kirkpatrick, Director, Jefferson County Public Health summarized for the board work that
is being done on the state level concerning foundational public health services. The hope is that
identified basic foundational services will be codified in state statutes. The concern is that
erosion of public health funding is threatening the most basic public health services. Ms.
Kirkpatrick listed and explained each public health recommendation. Kathleen Kler, Jefferson
County Commissioner, expressed her concerns about the process and mentioned the difficulties
the Behavioral Health Organizations had in the past when the State held and distributed funds
earmarked specifically for behavioral and substance abuse disorders. She questioned "state held
dedicated accounts." Ms. Kirkpatrick explained local responsibilities. She emphasized the need
to be vigilant, and the importance of playing an active role in monitoring this process as it
progresses.
2. Oral Health in Jefferson County
Dr. Locke discussed with the board disparities present in access to dental care in Jefferson
County. He explained how important preventative and therapeutic dental care is to overall health
and cited many health problems that can be exacerbated by poor dental health. Most insurance
doesn't cover dental expenses, and Jefferson County has very few, if any, dental providers that
accept Medicaid. Dr. Locke presented data graphs showing Jefferson County as having the
lowest utilization of dental services by Medicaid sponsored residents in the State.
ACTIVITY UPDATE
Jared Keefer told the board they could expect to see a shift in the food program fees from
categorical to risk-based food service.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
There was some concern there would not be a quorum present at the May 19th Board of Health
meeting.
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 2:30 — 4:30
p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Sullivan adjourned the April 21st, 2016 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at
4:30 p.m.
JEFFERSON 19OUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
Phi Jo w n, Member
Dav' u i fin, Chair
Catharine Robinson, Vice -Chair
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Jo in, Member
Jill Buhler, Member
Sheila Westerman, Member
Kathleen Kler, Member
Respectfully submitted
Denise Banker