HomeMy WebLinkAboutM091919JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
September 19, 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 Director
Jenny Matter, Clerk of the Board
Chair Kees Kolff called the September 19, 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, Kate Dean, Kees Kolff, Denis Stearns, David
Sullivan
Staff Present: Michael Dawson, Vicki Kirkpatrick, Thomas Locke, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo, Stuart
Whitford
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Kees Kolff asked for approval of the agenda for September 19, 2019.
Member Pamela Adams motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Member
Greg Brotherton. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Kees Kolff asked for approval of the minutes for the August 15, 2019 meeting of the Jefferson
County Board of Health.
Member David Sullivan motioned to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Member
Denis Stearns. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was no public comment.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson Healthcare Update
Chair Kees Kolff informed the Board that Jefferson Healthcare: 1) recently started a master site plan for
the next 10 to 15 years, 2) has hired a plastic surgeon and a hand surgeon, 3) had 55 new clients at the
South County Clinic in August, and 4) has started a program to encourage employees to take preventative
measures against the flu.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Jefferson County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance Proposed Revisions — Public Hearing
Karen Obermeyer, JCPH Community Health Educator, summarized the process taken to repeal and
replace the Jefferson County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance to include vaping. Ms. Obermeyer reviewed
the current ordinance and summary of changes, scientific evidence on the harmful effects of vaping,
effective public health strategies to reduce tobacco use, current legislation restricting vaping, recently
reported health problems and lung disease due to vaping, and the enforcement process.
Chair Kees Kolff opened the public comment period.
Amanda Funaro of Port Townsend spoke in favor of repealing and replacing the Jefferson County
Clean Indoor Air Ordinance to include vaping.
Chair Kees Kolff closed the public comment period.
The Board discussed the definition of vaping and related health issues.
Member Kate Dean motioned to approve An Ordinance Repealing and Placing
Jefferson County Code 8.60 (Smoking and Vaping in Public Places, Places of Employment and
Outdoor Places where Children Congregate). No further discussion. The motion passed
unanimously.
2. Jefferson County Environmental Public Health Regulatory Reform Discussion Draft
Stuart Whitford, JCPH Environmental Public Health Director, told the Board about a broken side sewer
within the city limits where both the county and city had limited authority to enforce compliance. Mr.
Whitford shared this as an example of the limitations of the current Onsite Sewage Code and requested the
reform worklist include research to modify the code so the county will have authority to deal with any
county sewage related nuisance.
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Mr. Whitford provided information on the cost share program for OSS replacement, lack of funding and
personnel for the Food Safety program, inconsistencies with the fee and refund policy, and projected dates
for fee increases and updates to the OSS code. He also said they are working on alignment with DCD on
the universal site plan, considering repealing and replacing the food service establishment application
packet, and continuing to work on the list of items presented at the last BOH meeting.
The Board had comments and questions about the process for addressing sewage related public nuisances,
identifying active sewage systems, the possibility of fund raising for the OSS cost share program, the FDA
food model and risk-based inspections, and experience with being open to the public on Fridays.
3. CHIP Update: Stakeholder Review of Community Health Assessment Data
John Nowak, Co -Executive Director for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), reviewed the
2019 Community Health Assessment (CHA) information gathering process and milestones. He said both
quantitative and qualitative data collecting methods were used, including public forums, meetings with
key informants, and a community survey. Mr. Novak shared details about the process going forward and
the role of stakeholders in defining CHIP priorities. He asked that the Board of Health designate a
representative to participate in the stakeholder's group.
Chair Kees Kolff motioned for Greg Brotherton to represent the Board of Health. The motion was
seconded by Member Pamela Adams. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
4. November Board of Health Meeting — Phone in or cancel?
The Board discussed schedule conflicts for the November meeting and the possibility of changing the date
of the December meeting.
Chair Kees Kolff motioned to cancel the November 215' Board of Health meeting. The motion was
seconded by Member Greg Brotherton. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Member Pamela Adams motioned to move the December meeting from December 19, 2019 to
December 12, 2019. The motion was seconded by Member Denis Stearns. No further discussion.
The motion passed unanimously.
ACTIVITY UPDATE
Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager, said he attended the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural
Resources and Parks Committee and discussed the toxic algae study at Lake Anderson and the proposed
extension of the Olympic Discovery trail to Lake Anderson. Member Kate Dean also attended the
meeting and reported on the discrepancy between the State Park's bio -diversity policy and practice as it
relates to nuisance species. Communication between State Parks and the County has increased.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Amanda Funaro of Port Townsend requested that a method for reporting be established prior to a mandate,
if pumping side sewers is required. She also asked for clarification regarding lift tanks to sewers and
presented the idea of creating a way for local businesses and neighbors to contribute to funding septic
repairs for those who can't afford them.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
Member Denis Stearns will not be attending the next meeting.
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. at
Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kees Kolff adjourned the September 19, 2019 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at
3:49 p.m.
JEFFER N COUNTY BOARD OF HEA
Kees Kol , Chair
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Respectfully submitted
J. Matter
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