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MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Regular Meeting, August 19, 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
Heidi Eisenhour,County Commissioner,District#2 Dr. Allison Berry,Health Officer
Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Apple Martine,Community Health Director
Denis Stearns,Vice Chair,Citizen at large Pinky Mingo,Environmental Public Health Director
Sheila Westerman,Citizen at large Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director
II
Chair Dean called the August 19, 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 Pamela
Adams, Member Denis Stearns,Member Kees Kolff and Member Sheila Westerman.
Staff Present: Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry,Public Health Director Vicki Kirkpatrick, Community Health
Director Apple Martine, Water Quality Manager Michael Dawson, Environmental Public Health Director Pinky Mingo,
Environmental Health Manager Alisa Hasbrouck.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the agenda for August 19, 2021.
MOTION: Member Adams moved to approve the agenda. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried
by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Dean requested approval of the minutes for the July 15, 2021 Regular Meeting.
MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes as presented.Member Adams seconded the motion
which carried by a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Health Assistant Gilbert: there were two members of the public waiting to speak:
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G.Gilbert
Stephen Schumacher disputed the effectiveness of mask wearing and vaccines, and cast doubt on statistics of correlation
between vaccination status and infection.
Annette Huenke disputed data supporting use of masks and vaccines.
Dr.Berry responded to members of public,recommending information available to the public on the Washington State
Dept. of Health website and the CDC website. And,while neither masks nor vaccines are 100%effective in preventing
COVID infection,used in tandem they are the most effective tools available. Death due to vaccine is a misreading of
data,and there have been no deaths resulting from vaccination in either Jefferson or Clallam counties.
Member Brotherton, Staff Member Dawson and Member Eisenhour addressed written public comments.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson Healthcare Report
Member Kolff addressed staffing needs,the high level of utilization of the hospital system,the effectiveness of COVID
efforts in the county,and the master site planning process. Discussion followed.
2. Jefferson County Public Health Program Reports
Staff Member Martine introduced the Public Health highlight reel and described featured programs.
Staff Member Kirkpatrick discussed the CHIP program and proposed changes in program infrastructure.
Dr. Berry discussed current herd immunity.
Staff Member Mingo provided an update on environmental issues, including a nascent cost-sharing program and
innovations in response to public records requests.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Hearing re: Environmental Health Fee Changes
Staff Member Hasbrouck described proposed changes to fees. Discussion followed. No public participation.
Staff Member Mingo restated the Motion"to adopt the fee schedule with the changes for a holding tank only."
Member Kolff moved to accept the motion as stated;Member Adams seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous
vote.
2. ESSHB 1152: Potential Changes to Jefferson County Board of Health
Staff Member Kirkpatrick summarized the legislative bill which requires changes to the Board of Health composition by
July, 2022. Discussion followed.
Chair Dean proposed that current members whose terms have expired(Members Adams,Kolff and Steams)be
reappointed. No demur.
Dr.Berry proposed reaching out to tribes concerning interest in appointing members to the Board of Health.
3. COVID Pandemic Update
Dr.Berry described the worsening pandemic in Jefferson County, spurred by vaccination hesitancy,travel and large social
gatherings. Contact tracing is breaking down due to large numbers of cases,and hospital service is strained.
Boosters appear to be on the horizon,not here yet,but logistical preparation is in the works. Vaccination of 5 to 12-year
olds is likely in September or October. There is no current plan for closing schools or initiating new lock-downs.
Discussion followed.
4. Opiate Epidemic Update
Dr.Berry described a sharp rise in Fentanyl use and opiate overdoses during the pandemic.
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G.Gilbert
ACTIVITY UPDATE
Member Eisenhour thanked retiring Staff Member Kirkpatrick for her service and leadership.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a virtual meeting on Thursday, September 16,2021 from 2:30
p.m.—4:30 p.m.
Chair Dean enumerated agenda items: housing as a next public health issue,restructuring of the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Dean adjourned the August 19,2021 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:49 p.m. until the next
Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY OARD OF HEALTH G%27/40.,
Kate Dean, Chair e lenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant
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G.Gilbert