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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM022020 f • JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES February 20, 2020 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Board Members Staff Members Pamela Adams,Vice Chair,Port Townsend City Council Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager Greg Brotherton,County Commissioner,District#3 Vicki Kirkpatrick,Public Health Director Kate Dean,County Commissioner District#1 Thomas Locke,Health Officer Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Apple Martine,Community Health Director Denis Stearns,Citizen at large Pinky Mingo,Interim Env.Public Health Director David Sullivan,County Commissioner,District#2 Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Sheila Westerman,Chair,Citizen at large Chair Kees Kolff called the February 20, 2020 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, Sheila Westerman • Staff Present: Michael Dawson, Vicki Kirkpatrick, Thomas Locke, Pinky Mingo APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kees Kolff asked for approval of the agenda for February 20, 2020. Member Greg Brotherton requested to update the location of the meeting. Vice Chair, Sheila Westerman 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 Chair Kees Kolff asked for approval of the minutes for the January 16, 2020 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health. Vice Chair Sheila Westerman asked for clarification of roles for the meeting on January 16th. Chair Kees Kolff requested the minutes reflect the current roles as the complete procedures according to Robert's Rules in the election of Chair and Vice Chair were not followed at the last meeting. Member Denis Stearns motioned to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Member Pamela Adams. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. • Page 1 of 4 • REPEAT ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chair Kees Kolff called for nominations of officers for 2020. Member Greg Brotherton nominated Sheila Westerman for the position of Chair. The nomination was seconded by Pamela Adams. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Member Greg Brotherton nominated Pamela Adams for the position of Vice Chair. The nomination was seconded by Member David Sullivan. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS Don Tucker, owner of two mobile home parks in Jefferson County, said seniors and those with low incomes are disproportionately affected by Ordinance 8.15.060. He asked the Board to modify section 3 of the ordinance and exclude replacement mobile homes within manufactured housing communities from compliance with current code as a permit requirement. Cindy Jayne encouraged the Board to consider how climate change will impact the entire county and to prioritize it on their agenda. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare Update There was no update. NEW BUSINESS 1. Public Hearing Environmental Public Health Fee Policy and Proposed Fees for 2020—Repeal and Replace Ordinance 15-1212-19 Pinky Mingo, Interim Environmental Health Director, reviewed the proposed changes to the fee schedule. Chair Sheila Westerman opened the public comment period. There was no public comment. Member Kees Kolff motioned to repeal and replace Ordinance#15-1212-19 with Ordinance#01- 0220-20. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Pamela Adams. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. 411 Page 2 of 4 Climate Change and Public Health: the State Perspective—Marnie Boardman, Climate Change Coordinator Washington State Department of Health Marnie Boardman, Climate Change Coordinator for the Washington State Department of Health gave a presentation on the health risks from climate change. Ms. Boardman reviewed some of the resources and activities taking place in the region, recent state legislation supporting energy efficiency, and evidence- based research results. She said the key messages from the US Global Change Research Program on the scientific assessment of climate change impacts on health are that changes in the frequency, severity, duration and location of weather sensitive hazards will amplify existing health problems. Some populations will suffer more than others (e.g. elderly, outdoor laborers, communities of color,those with an existing chronic illness, etc.). She also provided examples of how individuals, communities, and agencies can be affected by dealing with multiple issues at once. Ms. Boardman said they will be developing community profiles to identify risks, hazards and vulnerable populations. The results will be posted on the Washington Tracking Network. She also reviewed and emphasized the importance of partnering with other organizations to included climate change activities in strategic planning and enhancing surveillance and monitoring systems for the early detection of climate change impacts. The Board had questions about future predictions, impacts due 1.5 degrees Celsius change, fossil fuel impacted communities, causal relationships due to climate change, and similar activities by other local health jurisdictions. • Chair Sheila Westerman opened the meeting to the public. Jim Scarantino asked Ms. Boardman if she was familiar with the research conducted at the University of Washington by Cliff Mass. 3. 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update—State and Local Response Plans Dr. Tom Locke, Health Officer, informed the Board about the latest findings and response plans for COVID-19. He said COVID-19 has all the characteristics of a pandemic and it is expected to spread globally. Although the majority of people who have acquired the virus are mildly ill, the death rate is currently estimated at about 1% and the elderly and those with compromised immune systems and chronic health conditions are most at risk. Dr. Locke said the main goal is to slow down the rate of transmission so services are not overwhelmed by a surge of those needing medical care. An effective diagnostic test is expected to be developed soon. Dr. Locke gave information about how individuals are being monitored and gave examples of nonpharmacologic interventions. The Board had questions and comments about future immunity, local monitoring activity,testing, efficiency of mask use, screening at U.S. borders, and characteristics of the virus. 4. 2019-20 Influenza Season Update Dr. Tom Locke said we are still in the peak of flu season and the predominant strain has changed from Influenza B to the H1N1 strain of Influenza A. Currently, it is estimated that 25 million people have been infected and the mortality count is between 12,000 and 20,000 people, although it is most likely higher. • Page 3 of 4 I 4110 ACTIVITY UPDATE There was no activity update. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR Greg Brotherton asked for an update on regulatory reform. There was a discussion regarding onsite sewage systems for mobile home parks. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020 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 February 20,2020 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:18 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY ABOARD OF HEALTH 6Atidl LLU `Cw V1rV-�.---' Clod/ (f (i 1"))u Sheila Westerman, Chair Kate De an, ember 4-ppliNifD ft lI' o'7i ' COO Pamela ��. s, Vice hair " : Merton, Member 6/441Paifid el Da (, u iv , er Kees Kolff, Mem r Denis Stearns, Member Respectfully submitted • J. Matter Page 4 of 4