HomeMy WebLinkAboutProposed Jefferson BoCC COVID-19 Phase 2 Reopening Resolution - 05 22 20201 of 5
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In The Matter Of Submitting An Application}
To Washington State To Allow Jefferson } RESOLUTION NO.
County To Move To A Phase 2 Reopening }
Under The Safe Start Washington Plan }
During The COVID-19 Pandemic }
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 the Jefferson County Commissioners approved
Resolution No. 12-20 - Declaration of an Emergency of the COVID-19 Pandemic; and,
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020 the Governor issued Proclamation 20-25 “Stay Home,
Stay Safe,” which was subsequently amended by Proclamation 20-25.1 and Proclamation 20-
25.2; and,
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2020 the Governor issued Proclamation 20-25.3 adopting the
Safe Start Washington phased reopening plan; and
WHEREAS, under the Governor’s Proclamation and Safe Start Washington plan,
Jefferson County was one of the first ten counties in Washington eligible to submit a Variance
Application to the Washington State Department of Health to enter Phase 2 under the state’s Stay
Home-Stay Safe order; and
WHEREAS, to submit a Variance Application to Washington State and be approved to
enter into Phase 2, the state requires the following steps:
1) a signed recommendation from the local public health officer to the local board of
health;
2) the local board of health wishing to submit an application must make a motion and
vote in favor of a variance request;
3) the local hospital(s) must submit a letter certifying that they have adequate bed
capacity to serve their community and adequate PPE supplies to keep their workers
safe;
4) the county commission must vote to request to move to Phase 2 (or a subset of Phase
2) of the “Safe Start” plan; and
5) the Director of the local health jurisdiction, Jefferson County Public Health, must
submit an application to the Washington State Department of Health including all
state-required documents and attachments; and
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2020, Public Health Officer Dr. Thomas Locke transmitted his
initial Phase 2 recommendations to the Jefferson County Board of Health; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Health held a Special
Meeting to review the Health Officer’s recommendations; and
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WHEREAS, on May 15, 2020, Jefferson Healthcare, Jefferson County’s only hospital,
submitted a letter certifying that the hospital has adequate bed capacity to serve their community
and adequate PPE supplies to keep hospital workers safe; and
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2020, Governor Inslee declared additional counties eligible to
submit a Variance Application to enter into Phase 2 under the Safe Start Washington plan,
including four counties adjoining Jefferson: Kitsap, Clallam, Mason and Island Counties; and
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Health, the County
Commission, Port Townsend City Council, Port of Port Townsend Commission, and Jefferson
County Public Utility District Commission held a Joint Special Meeting to consider
approximately 200 written comments submitted by the public and hear from representatives of
several sectors potentially eligible for inclusion in a Phase 2 reopening; and,
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Health met to consider
revised recommendations by Public Health Officer Dr. Thomas Locke, in light of the eligibility
of neighboring counties and input received from the public; and the Board of Health voted [7 for
and 0 against] to adopt a resolution recommending Jefferson County submit a Phase 2 Variance
Application to Washington State, including specific Phase 2 modifications, attached to this
Resolution as Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, on May 22, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners held a
Special Meeting to consider the Board of Health’s Recommendation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Commissioners for Jefferson
County that:
1. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners concurs with the May 21, 2020 Phase 2
variance recommendation moved and approved by the Jefferson County Board of Health;
2. All procedural steps required by Washington State for considering a Phase 2 Variance
Application have been met;
3. The Director of Jefferson County Public Health is hereby authorized to immediately
complete and submit to the Washington State Department of Health Jefferson County’s
Phase 2 Variance Application for Phase 2 activities and conditions consistent with the
Board of Health’s recommendations, attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1, and include
with the Application all state-required documents and attachments.
[SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE]
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APPROVED AND SIGNED this 22nd day of May, 2020.
SEAL: JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Greg Brotherton, Chair
ATTEST:
Kate Dean, Member
Carolyn Gallaway
Deputy Clerk of the Board David Sullivan, Member
EXHIBIT 1
Jefferson County Board of Health Resolution For Phase 2 Modifications
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