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Health
MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Regular Meeting, May 20, 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 May 20,2021 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,Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour,Member Sheila
Westerman,Member Kees Kolff,and Member Pamela Adams,Member Denis Stearns.
Staff Present: Public Health Officer Dr.Thomas Locke,Public Health Director Vicki Kirkpatrick,Public Health Director
Veronica Shaw,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 May 20,2021.
Member Kolff moved to approve the agenda.Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a
unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Dean requested approval of the minutes for the April 15,2021 Regular Meeting.
MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the minutes as presented.Member Adams seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Dean called for public comment.
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Juan-Carlos Foust commented that he is here to answer any questions and/or lend clarifications regarding the resolution of
decriminalizing hallucinogens.
Commissioner Brotherton acknowledged other comments submitted by individuals via e-mail,which reflect personal
opinions and have been reviewed by the Board of Health members. Member Westerman said she appreciates seeing that Dr
Locke personally responds to some of the comments that were submitted.
Commissioner Dean offers that anyone who wishes to e-mail a comment,they may do so.Carolyn Gallaway, Clerk of the
Board of County Commissioners,commented that the community can submit e-mailed comments to boh@co.jefferson.wa.us.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson Healthcare Update
Member Kolff provided the Jefferson Healthcare Report. He discussed National Hospital Celebration Week, 10-year
anniversary of the Port Ludlow Clinic, COVID-19 vaccination efforts: last first-dose COVID vaccination clinic;they will
now give out the vaccination through express care and the emergency department. They are also working to make COVID
vaccine in every clinic over the next few weeks and their nurse-consult line is still active.Member Kolff ended his update
with discussion regarding the financial health for Jefferson Healthcare. Discussion followed.
2. Jefferson County Public Health Program Reports
Staff Member Martine highlighted Nurses Week reported of Nurse Danskin retiring. She discussed Community Health
Division work in substance use,food and nutrition,family health,community mitigation.
Director Kirkpatrick discussed the partnerships between the community as well as a thank you to all of the partners who have
collaborated with JCPH. She also mentioned that she is retiring and recruitment is underway for her replacement. Discussion
followed.
Staff Member Hasbrouck discussed the partnership with restaurant proprietors as well as Pollution Prevention Assistance
grant funding and amnesty letters.Discussion followed.
3. Region 2 Notifiable Conditions Surveillance Report
Dr. Locke discussed this report as being a reminder that there are other communicable diseases besides COVID-19. He
explained that we are now seeing more notifiable conditions and we may see a post-pandemic surge.Discussion followed.
4. Updated Jefferson County Health Officer Order re: The Open Public Meetings Act
Dr.Locke discussed information that applies to the Board of Health.It is now possible to have in-person meetings,with
distancing/masking criteria and space restrictions.
5. Anatoxin Levels Elevated in Anderson Lake
Staff Member Dawson reported that the first sample at the outlet stream that joins with Chimacum Creek was non-detect.
Discussion followed.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Board of Health Resolution Regarding Entheogens—Initial Discussion
Dr.Locke requested that the Board of Health discuss the resolution regarding entheogens.He stated that there is a trend
for governing bodies to weigh in on the issue and discuss the therapeutic values;Juan-Carlos Foust is here to answer
questions.Discussion followed.
2. Roadmap to Recovery Plan Update and Mandatory Masking Changes
Dr.Locke provided the COVID Vaccine Update. Governor Jay Inslee changed the masking order. Dr. Locke has revised his
local masking directive.Discussion followed.
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3. COVID-19 Pandemic Update:International picture,U.S.4t°Wave Modeling,Future Scenario Planning
Dr.Locke offered that rates are dropping modestly in WA State,but dramatically in Jefferson County. He further discussed
international picture and what needs to be accomplished in the next 3-4 weeks.
4. ,COVID-19 Vaccine Update
. Locke presented that Jefferson County continues to have the highest percentage of fully vaccinated individuals in
Washington.Variants are becoming more dominant and it will be harder to stay safe from exposure;Dr.Locke urges
unvaccinated individuals to really consider their options. Discussion followed.
ACTIVITY UPDATE
Commissioner Eisenhour asked about the risk of swimming pools and the spread of COVID-19;Dr.Locke responded that
there is very little risk.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a virtual meeting on Thursday,June 17,2021 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30
p.m.
Member Kolff will not be present at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Dean adjourned the May 20,2021 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:23 p.m. until the next Regular
Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH 1
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Kate Dean,Chair Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director
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