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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM051619JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, May 16, 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 Member Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3 Pamela Adams, Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman, Vice Chair, Citizen at large Kees Kolff, Chair, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner Denis Stearns, Citizen at large Staff Members Thomas Locke, Health Officer Vicki Kirkpatrick, Public Health Director Stuart Whitford, Env. Public Health Director Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager Pinky Mingo, Env. Public Health Manager Apple Martine, Community Health Dir Jenny Matter, Clerk of the Board Chair Kees Kolff called the May 16, 2019 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Pamela Adams, Greg Brotherton, Kees Kolff, David Sullivan, Sheila Westerman Staff Present: Michael Dawson, Vicki Kirkpatrick, Thomas Locke, Apple Martine, Jenny Matter, Pinky Mingo, Veronica Shaw, Stuart Whitford APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kees Kolff requested to move New Business, Item 1: Jefferson County Nurse Family Partnership Update to Item 5 and add Item 6: Anderson Lake Update. Member Pamela Adams motioned to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Member Greg Brotherton. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Pamela Adams and Chair Kees Kolff requested corrections to typos on page 2 and page 3 of the minutes of the April 18, 2019 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health. Member Pamela Adams motioned to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Member David Sullivan. No further discussion. The motion passed. Page 1 of 5 PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Kees Kolff asked members of the public to introduce themselves. Sara Groth, Dennis Daneau, and Doug Milholland briefly introduced themselves. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare (JHC) Update Chair Kees Kolff reported that: 1) National Hospital Week is May 12-18 and events will take place at JHC throughout the month, 2) JHC has upgrade their advanced life saving in obstetrics course, 3) the dental clinic is expected to open in June, 4) the retail pharmacy in Port Hadlock will open soon, and 5) JHC is starting a master site plan. 2. Introduction to Indoor Air Quality Dr. Tom Locke, Health Officer, said most standards for indoor air quality are advisory rather than regulatory. Federal standards set by the EPA are advisory instead of mandatory. The health impacts of indoor air quality are a subject of intense research. The Board shared their experiences and concerns about indoor air quality. NEW BUSINESS 1. Powers and Duties of Local Boards of Health Dr. Locke said Washington State law confers expansive powers and duties to local board of health (BOH). Each local BOH has "supervision over all matters pertaining to the preservation of life and health of people within its jurisdiction", a very broad mandate. Local BOHs have a duty to follow state law and enforce the rules of the State Board of Health. Failure to enforce this laws and rules is a misdemeanor criminal violation. The Board has questions about the duties of the Health Officer and how conflicts are resolved if there is a conflict between state and federal statutes. 2. Proposed Amendment to Jefferson County Clean Indoor Air Regulation Chapter 8.60 to Prohibit Vaping in Public Places and Places of Employment Stuart Whitford, Environmental Public Health Director, introduced the proposed change to prohibit vaping so it is included in the current regulation for clean air. Karen Obermeyer, Community Health Educator, explained how the existing regulation would be modified to align with the state regulation (RCW 70.345) and informed them of other local health jurisdictions that have adopted similar regulations. The Board had questions about regulations for marijuana retailers in comparison to vaping retailers, changes to current business signage, definition of indoor places and the possibility of including parks and recreation areas. They agreed to hold a public hearing at the next scheduled Board of Health meeting in order to vote on the proposed amendment. Page 2 of 5 3. Resolution to support Calling for the United States to Sign the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Doug Milholland and Dennis Daneau, residents of Jefferson County, expressed their deep concern over nuclear weapons and requested the Board sign the proposed resolution. The Board discussed concerns about how the resolution was written, the intent of the resolution, and the possibility of signing a joint resolution with the City of Port Townsend and the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson County. Vice Chair Sheila Westerman motioned to approve and have all Board members sign the resolution Calling for the United States to Sign the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The motion was seconded by Member Pamela Adams. Member Greg Brotherton motioned to amend the motion so all signatures were not required. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Sheila Westerman. The motion to amend the original motion passed unanimously. Member David Sullivan motioned to amend the resolution so the FIRST statement to be approved and adopted read, "The President of the United States is called upon to work with the other eight nuclear nations to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion," and remove the five bulleted items after the SECOND statement. The motion was seconded by Member Greg Brotherton. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed amendment. Vote taken: 2 in favor, 3 opposed. The motion did not pass. Chair Kees Kolff asked for a vote to approve the resolution Calling for the United States to Sign the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Vote taken: 3 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstained. The motion passed. 4. Proposed Amendments of Jefferson County Solid Waste Code 8.10 Pinky Mingo, Environmental Health Manager, informed the Board that WAC 173-350 Solid Waste Handling Standards was amended in August of 2018 and local health jurisdictions were given a year to adopt it by ordinance. Ms. Mingo reviewed the proposed changes, including how and why the definition of junk vehicles will be modified and more closely aligned with state standards. The Board had questions about junk vehicles and how the amended code would affect each renters and homeowners. The Board agreed to hold a public hearing at the next scheduled Board of Health meeting in order to vote on the proposed amendment. 5. Anderson Lake Update Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager, reported on the death of a dog after entering Anderson Lake on May 12, 2019. Prior to the death, JCPH recommended that State Parks close Anderson Lake due to high toxin levels. State Parks did close Anderson Lake and posted danger / closed signs and used caution tape at the boat ramp. Mr. Dawson is in contact with the State Park Ranger to increase immediate signage. Page 3 of 5 Mr. Dawson explained the history of the lake, factors that exacerbate algae growth, past studies to identify and trace the DNA of the bacteria, and future options. He said JCPH has been involved in a study with a lake specialist to develop a lake management plan. Once the study is completed, they will make recommendations to the State and Fish & Wildlife on how proceed with managing the lake. Stuart Whitford gave examples of similar lakes that have been successfully managed by funding secured by the State or from local taxes. He also discussed the possibility of declaring the lake to be a public nuisance. The Board had questioned why the lake is highly toxic compared to other nearby lakes, who has jurisdiction over the lake, and how toxins are absorbed into the body. 6. Jefferson County Nurse Family Partnership Update Apple Martine, Community Health Director, provided a brief overview of the Nurse Family Partnership and noted that Yuko Umeda, Public Health Nurse Supervisor for JCPH, has participated in NFP since its inception in Washington State twenty years ago. Ms. Martine informed the Board about the recently approved budget by the legislature for NFP and expected outcomes. She also invited the Board to attend the Baby Brunch at Harrison Hospital in late June. The Board had questions about income requirements, number of families served, and partnerships with Jefferson Healthcare. ACTIVITY UPDATE Member Pamela Adams said the Peninsula Homecare Cooperative is holding a summit to address the shortage of caregivers for the increasing senior population in Jefferson County on May 22, 2019. Vicki Kirkpatrick, Public Health Director, informed the Board that JCPH has received a $200,000 HRSA grant to support the continued implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and the goal of creating a crisis stabilization facility in Jefferson County. Chair Kees Kolff said funding expected from the legislature for a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) center to be located in Sequim was received, but funding for the 16 -bed inpatient unit was not. Stuart Whitford said the new Code Compliance Officer will start June 3rd and their office will be located in the Department of Community Development. Pinky Mingo said funding from the state for solid waste enforcement was reduced by $15,000 and Environmental Public Health will be asking the County to replace the loss so they can continue to provide service. Member Greg Brotherton presented a petition signed by Jefferson County residents asking for septic relief and requested to discuss the issue later in the summer. Page 4 of 5 PUBLIC COMMENT Amanda Funaro of Port Townsend asked how the public is notified about upcoming public hearings. There was no agenda planning. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 2:30 — 4:30p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kees Kolff adjourned the May 16, 2019 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:30 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Kees Kolff, C it � 6� �_ W SheiXWerman, Vice -chair Dav, em er Excused Denis Stearns, Member Excused Respectfully submitted J. Matter Page 5 of 5