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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM041521 4/ -tr. 09e ehson Public HecePuirtt MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Regular Meeting, April 15, 2021, 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Virtual Meeting Board Members Staff Members Pamela Adams,Port Townsend City Council Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager Greg Brotherton,County Commissioner,District#3 Alisa Hasbrouck,Environmental Health Manager Kate Dean,Chair,County Commissioner District#1 Vicki Kirkpatrick,Public Health Director Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Thomas Locke,Health Officer Denis Stearns,Vice Chair,Citizen at large Apple Martine,Community Health Director Heidi Eisenhour,County Commissioner,District#2 Pinky Mingo,Environmental Public Health Director Sheila Westerman,Citizen at large Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Chair Dean called the March 18, 2021 virtual meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m.A quorum was present. Members Present: Chair Kate Dean, Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Member Sheila Westerman, Member Kees Kolff, and Member Pamela Adams. Staff Present: Public Health Officer Dr. Thomas Locke, Public Health Director Vicki Kirkpatrick, Community Health Director Apple Martine, Water Quality Manager Michael Dawson, and Environmental Health Manager Alisa Hasbrouck. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the agenda for April 15, 2021. Chair Dean corrected item 1 under new business as it should read ESHB 1152. Member Westerman moved to approve the agenda with the addition of a short discussion regarding Psychedelic Society. Member Adams seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Dean requested approval of the minutes for the March 18,2021 Regular Meeting. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes as presented.Member Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Dean called for public comment of which there were none, but acknowledged other comments submitted by individuals via email which reflect their personal opinions and which were reviewed by the Board of Health members. Dr. Locke Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 K.Abbott responded to public comments regarding in person education. Member Brotherton discussed a question he received in the community regarding CDC recommendations for safely opening facilities that have been shut down for an extended period of time due to COVID-19. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare Update Member Kolffprovided the Jefferson Healthcare Report. He discussed COVID-19 vaccination efforts, financial health for Jefferson Healthcare and anti-racism efforts. Discussion followed. 2. Jefferson County Public Health Program Reports Staff Member Kirkpatrick presented the quarterly Jefferson County Public Health Program Highlights. There was further discussion related to the partnership between Jefferson Healthcare and Jefferson County Public Health related to School Based Health Centers. Discussion followed. 3. National Public Health Week 2021 Dr. Locke discussed Commissioner Dean's attendance at the Jefferson County Public Health Staff meeting for National Public Health Week. He discussed past Public Health week themes. Staff Member Kirkpatrick highlighted the difficulties public health workers have endured during these difficult pandemic times and her appreciation for all they do. 4. Welcome Dr.Melinda Bower Dr. Locke expressed our good fortune at having Dr. Melinda Bower working for us at the Public Health Department. Staff Member Martine shared more background details of Dr. Bower and what she brings to the Public Health Department. Discussion followed. NEW BUSINESS 1. COVID-19 Pandemic 4th Wave: Epi Update,Variant Spread,School and Economic Impacts,Local Response Efforts Dr. Locke reported that things are moving fast and changing weekly. We are currently experiencing our 4th wave of infections. He discussed the reasons behind this and the variants. He confirmed that the UK variant is present in Kitsap and Clallam counties now. He explained the transmissibility of this new variant and importance of being vaccinated. Discussion followed. 2. COVID Vaccine Update—Progress Report,FEMA IMO Agreement,Funding Challenges Dr. Locke provided the COVID Vaccine Update. He also reported that Jefferson County leads the state in vaccination levels. We are at 53.7% of our residents have had at least first dose of entire county population. 38.9%have now completed their vaccinations. Discussion followed. 3. ESHB1152 Update Dr. Locke and Chair Dean provided the ESHB 1152 update. Chair Dean also reported breaking news that ESHB 1152 has passed the House and the Senate with concurrence in the House and expected to be signed by the Governor. Discussion followed. ACTIVITY UPDATE Chair Dean invited everyone to attend the public meeting on the Hadlock sewers directly following the Board of Health meeting. Staff Member Kirkpatrick reported on the result of the DOH Family Planning audit that was conducted recently on our department. Dr. Locke discussed inviting the Psychedelic Society to the next board meeting to present their referendum. Discussion followed. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 K.Abbott Member Brotherton reported that he does not have his pit privy presentation ready for this meeting but will have it ready for a future meeting. Staff Member Dawson reported on the staff meeting he attended last week with the Department of Health, Ecology and King County Lakes Program on fresh water signs of bacteria issues. Chair Dean reported on a bill that past legislation this year regarding new regulations for on-site potable water reuse, gray and black water. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a virtual meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Dean adjourned the April 15,2021 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:28 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Kate Dean, Chair Karen Abbott, Clerk of the Board Ors-- Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 K.Abbott