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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM011719JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, January 17, 2019 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Board Members Kate Dean, County Commissioner District #1 David Sullivan, County Commissioner, District #2 Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3 Ariel Speser, Chair, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Citizen at large Kees Kolff, Hospital Commissioner, District #2 Denis Stearns, Citizen at large Staff Members Thomas Locke, Health Officer Vicki Kirkpatrick, Public Health Dir Stuart Whitford, Env. Public Health Dir Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Dir Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager Pinky Mingo, Env. Public Health Mgr Apple Martine, Community Health Dir Jenny Matter, Clerk of the Board Vice -chair Kees Kolff called the January 17, 2019 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:33 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: David Sullivan, Greg Brotherton, Sheila Westerman, Kees Kolff, Denis Stearns Staff Present: Thomas Locke, Vicki Kirkpatrick, Stuart Whitford, Apple Martine, Michael Dawson, Veronica Shaw, Jenny Matter ELECTION OF OFFICERS Vice -chair Kolff called for nominations of officers for 2019. Vice -chair Kolff nominated Ariel Speser for the position of Chair. The nomination was seconded by Shelia Westerman. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Greg Brotherton nominated Kees Kolff for the position of Vice -Chair. David Sullivan seconded the nomination. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Vice -chair Kolff asked for approval of the agenda of the January 17, 2019. Dr. Tom Locke, Health Officer, asked to add an informational item regarding a measles outbreak in Clark County. Vice -chair Kolff asked for a vote to approve the agenda as amended. All voted in favor of the amended agenda. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Page 1 of 5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice -chair Kolff asked for approval of the minutes of the December 13, 2018 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health. Vice -chair Kolff asked for a vote to approve the minutes. All voted in favor of the minutes. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS Vice -chair Kolff opened the public comment period. John Tevis, of Port Hadlock, expressed his concern over the name of the "Kountry Korner" store located near Kingston, a confederate flag hanging across the street from an elementary school in Chimacum, and a white power flyer posted across the street from the Chimacum High School. Vice -chair Kolff closed the public comment period. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare (JHC) Update Kees Kolff reported that: 1) 99% of the staff at JHC have complied with their employee influenza vaccine policy; 2) the Olympic Area Agency on Aging has agreed to relocate in order to make room for the new dental clinic at 915 Sheridan Street; 3) February 1St is National Wear Red Day supporting women's heart health and JHC will be holding the annual Well Hearts Luncheon fundraiser for the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation, in which tickets are still available; 4) a Wellness Fair took place in Quilcene and Elizabeth Olinger, ARNP was welcomed to the community; and 5) Sound Health insurance reimburses members for participating in Live Well Fit events and the ReCyclery will be hosting the Tour de Forts ride in October. 2. 2018-19 Influenza Update Dr. Locke stated that flu season has officially started and there have already been 15 deaths associated with influenza in Washington State this year. Widespread flu activity is expected over the next two months and there is little reason to believe it will be a mild flu season. Last year there were 46,000 deaths nationally due to influenza. Dr. Locke said the nasal spray is available for children this year, and explained why vaccine rates for influenza are difficult to track and how wearing face masks can help stop the flu from spreading. Page 2 of 5 NEW BUSINESS 1. Measles Outbreak Dr. Locke reported that there are 14 confirmed cases and three suspect cases of measles in Clark County. The first case was diagnosed on December 31 st and exposure has happened at a variety of public venues (airport, Costco, schools, etc.). In order to prevent an outbreak, the level of immunity should be about 95%, which we don't have since vaccination levels have declined. Dr. Locke explained how time consuming and expensive it can be to stop the spread of measles once there is an outbreak. He will participate in a statewide conference call tomorrow to discuss the current status and path forward. The Board had questions about quarantining families, ages of those infected, and why parents choose not to vaccinate their children. 2. Foundational Public Health Services Vicki Kirkpatrick, Public Health Director, provided an overview of public health services from the 19th and 20th centuries and how the 21" century concept of foundational public health services came into existence. Foundational public health services are what is required in every community in order to protect and improve the public's health statewide. Under the premise that the State has a strong interest in protecting and improving the public's health, it is argued that they should fully fund these services. In 2018 it was estimated this would cost $450 million per biennium. This year the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials and other non-governmental partners including the Washington State Association of Counties are planning to ask for $100 million. Ms. Kirkpatrick highlighted what could and could not be provided with $100 million per biennium and how this funding would affect the services provided by Jefferson County Public Health. She also explained the history of funding for public health in Washington State and how the constraints of funding in Jefferson County limit services that are expected to be provided. Next month, Ms. Kirkpatrick will ask the Board to sign a resolution supporting the request for $100 million from the state legislature as a down payment to support foundational public health services. The Board had questions and comments about sources and priorities for state funding, support from government officials, costs incurred and health impacts of not providing services, legislature turn over, and public health advocacy day in Olympia. 3. Community Health Improvement Plan Implementation (CHIP) 1:19 Lori Fleming, Co -Executive Director of the Community Health Improvement Plan, presented a brief history on the development of the East Jefferson County CHIP Effort, including key players, funding, and how the 4 priority areas were identified. Ms. Fleming provided progress updates on each of the priority areas and included information on partnerships formed, trainings developed, services provided, along with future activities and goals. In 2019 a community health assessment will take place and Ms. Fleming provided an overview of that process. Page 3 of 5 Ms. Fleming and John Nowak, both Co -Executive Directors of the Community Health Improvement Plan, have been impressed with the level of community support and agency commitment to improving the health of Jefferson County residents. Ms. Fleming said a forum for community justice professionals to share ideas, standardized data collection, identify service gaps and potential funding sources for both single and multi -county initiatives has been formed and the next meeting will take place on February 5th. Ms. Fleming also described a model for creating intentional communications and outreach and how this can be used to collaborate with other groups and share CHIP information. Mr. Nowak said a community walk / run is being planned to increase social opportunities and provide outreach. The Board had questions and comments about grant funding, vaccine rates, community health assessments, and their overall appreciation for the work done thus far and the resources provided to do this work. 4. National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, January 22-27, 2019 Denise Banker and Karen Obermeyer, Community Health Educators, presented a proclamation for the Board to sign to demonstrate their commitment to drug and alcohol abuse prevention. They provided information on how National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week was established, along with costs of drug and alcohol misuse, factors that contribute to misuse, and current research on marijuana use. Member David Sullivan motioned to approve the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Member Denis Stearns. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. ACTIVITY UPDATE There was no activity update. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR Shelia Westerman requested more information on how hate speech can affect public health. Page 4 of 5 NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 2:30 — 4:30p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA. ADJOURNMENT Vice -chair Kolff adjourned the January 17, 2019 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:35 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Ariel S ser, C air Kees ff, Vi e -C air Denis Stearns, Member Kate Dean, Member Sheila Westerman, Member Respectfully submitted J. Matter Page 5 of 5