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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM081519JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES August 15, 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 Vice Chair Sheila Westerman called the August 15, 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, Denis Stearns, David Sullivan, Sheila Westerman Staff Present: Vicki Kirkpatrick, Thomas Locke, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo, Stuart Whitford APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Sheila Westerman asked for approval of the agenda for August 15, 2019. Member Greg Brotherton motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Member Pamela Adams. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Sheila Westerman asked for approval of the minutes for the July 18, 2019 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health. Vice Chair Sheila Westerman said she attended the last meeting and it was not reflected in the minutes. She asked to have her name added. Vice Chair Sheila Westerman motioned to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Member Greg Brotherton. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Page 1 of 4 PUBLIC COMMENTS Vice Chair Sheila Westerman opened the public comment period. Jerry Bement, who owns property in Canal Tracts, said he has received conflicting information about pump tanks and how to manage grey water. Vice Chair Sheila Westerman closed the public comment period. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Port Townsend Psychedelic Society Resolution and the "New Science of Psychedelic Therapy" Rebecca Ramsey addressed the Board and explained the mission of the Port Townsend Psychedelic Society. She provided information about the medicinal properties of entheogens and explained how they can be used to treat Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety. Ms. Ramsey gave examples of indigenous people throughout the world using them for ceremonial purposes and discussed the history of criminalizing entheogens and current policy efforts to decriminalize them in California and Colorado. Ms. Ramsey said support from the BOH would help her effort to get the County and City to sign a joint resolution to decriminalize entheogens. The Board asked for clarification regarding the intent of the resolution and had questions and comments about outreach to other officials in Jefferson County, previous arrests for using entheogens, the proper venue for changing legislation, safety and dosage information, and how the BOH can support the effort to destigmatize entheogens. 2. Revised Policy on Closing Outdoor Events Pinky Mingo, JCPH Environmental Public Health Manger, explained how the policy on closing outdoor events was revised to a more readable format. Member Pamela Adams motioned to approve the Jefferson County Public Health policy for Closure to Outdoor Events. The motion was seconded by Greg Brotherton. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. Jefferson County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance Proposed Revisions — Possible Call for Public Hearing Karen Obermeyer, JCPH Community Health Educator, reviewed the current status of the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance and discussed the recommendations from the Prosecuting Attorney and the consultant hired to assist with writing the ordinance. Instead of amending the current ordinance, it was advised to repeal and replace the ordinance. Ms. Obermeyer said the ordinance aligns with the state vapor law, Page 2 of 4 the state tobacco law, goals of the Community Health Implementation Plan, and state tobacco strategic plan. She explained the county's current clean indoor air ordinance, how it was originally implemented and how it has resulted in reduced rates of smoking. Ms. Obermeyer asked the board for guidance in defining public places and vapor products. The Board had questions about the rationale for differences between state regulations for vaping and smoking outdoors. They discussed how the draft ordinance was worded and possible changes for clarification. Member Pamela Adams motioned for Public Health to hold a public hearing on September 19, 2019 to repeal and replace the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance. The motion was seconded by David Sullivan. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Jefferson County Environmental Public Health Regulatory Reform Discussion Draft Stuart Whitford, JCPH Environmental Public Health Director, reviewed the purpose of Resolution #17-91 for Regulatory Reform and sought guidance from the Board for further action. After Mr. Whitford presented each item and provided background information, the Board agreed to support further action to: 1) change the active date for repair permits from 90 days to 1 year, 2) develop a fee and refund policy, 3) investigate the possibility of a Class B Waiver for pressure distribution on-site sewage systems (OSS), 4) evaluate the process for becoming a certified operation and monitoring specialist and removing unnecessary barriers, 5) develop criteria for residential emergency holding tanks, 6) look into utilization of commercial holding tanks and develop criteria for use, 7) develop an operational certificate program for high risk commercial septic systems, 8) develop policy for when and where section 8.15.060 Adequate Sewage Disposal will apply (e.g., critical aquifer areas), and 9) investigate developing a regulation and associated fees for a more robust drinking water program. The Board had questions and comments about advanced septic systems inspections, replacing or updating septic systems, the process for certification of monitoring specialists, holding tank limitations, repercussions of holding tank certifications for emergency situations, Group B septic systems, etc. There was no activity update. ACTIVITY UPDATE PUBLIC COMMENT Amanda Funaro of Port Townsend said holding tanks can be easily monitored by those who are doing the pumping and asked the Board to reconsider smaller holding tanks for single person residences. She also asked the Board to be mindful about the lack of housing in Jefferson County when considering further water quality regulations. Page 3 of 4 AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR Vice Chair Sheila Westerman will not be at the next meeting. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Sheila Westerman adjourned the August 15, 2019 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:31p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Excused Excused Kees Kolff, Chair Kate Dean, Member Sheila W an ice -chair rot erton, ember / 1 avi ivan, em er ;a a dams,;�ber enis Stearns, ember Respectfully submitted J. Matter Page 4 of 4