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Public He
MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Regular Meeting, December 16, 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 Denise Banker,Community Health Director
Greg Brotherton,County Commissioner,District#3 Dr.Allison Berry,Health Officer
Kate Dean,Chair,County Commissioner District#1 Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager
Heidi Eisenhour,County Commissioner,District#2 Alisa Hasbrouck,Environmental Health Manager
Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Apple Martine,Public 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
Chair Dean called the December 16, 2021 virtual meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:31
p.m. A quorum was present.
Members Present: Chair Kate Dean,Members Pamela Adams, Greg Brotherton,Heidi Eisenhour,Kees Kolff, Denis
Stearns and Sheila Westerman
Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson, Alisa Hasbrouck, Apple Martine
and Pinky Mingo/
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the agenda for December 16, 2021.
Member Brotherton 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 November 18, 2021 Regular Meeting.
Member Brotherton proposed a revision to Agenda Planning Calendar, paragraph 3, correcting a misspelling,the
word"EnerGov"replacing the incorrect"InnerGov".
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the minutes as revised. Member Adams seconded the
motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Dean called for public comment.
Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3
G.Gilbert
The following is a summary of comments made virtually by individuals in attendance at the meeting and reflect their
personal opinions:
• Comment regarding underreporting of cases of myocarditis and deaths due to the COVID vaccine.
• Comment querying why masking is still recommended for those who are vaccinated.
• Comment regarding health officers' slander of The Port Townsend Free Press.
• Comment regarding vaccine passport efficacy claims.
Board Members addressed comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period as well as addressed
written comments received.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson Healthcare Update
Topics addressed by Member Kolff included:
a decrease of hospitalizations due to COVID;
new hires;
the receipt of funding from the American Rescue Plan Rural Funding;
health equity; and
misinformation concerning the hospital"Master Plan".
2. Jefferson County Public Health Program Reports
Staff member Martine presented Public Health's"2021 Fall Highlight"reel,which included:
Community Wellness and Prevention Initiatives;
Foundational(water)Monitoring and PIC Project;
the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic;
Sanitarian of the Day(assistance to septic system owners);
76.9%of county has received one or more doses of COVID vaccine;
JCPH flu vaccine clinics;
Nurse-Family Partnerships(educational support for families); and
salmon protection at Chimacum Creek
NEW BUSINESS
1. COVID-19 Pandemic Update: Current epidemiology and the Omicron variant(Dr.Berry)
Dr. Berry provided information on the COVID-19 virus in Jefferson County and nationwide: COVID cases and deaths
are surging nationwide,but appear to be plateauing in the West. An increase in new cases can be anticipated due to
the holidays and the Omicron variant. Vaccine boosters are recommended due to lessening efficacy of 2-dose courses
of treatment. Need for"layering of preventative measures"(vaccine with masking and social distancing)explained.
2. Community Health Improvement Plan(CHIP)BoH oversight- request for approval(Lori Fleming,
Dr. Berry,Apple Martine)
Discussion as to whether Board of Health should undertake oversight(feedback and policy oversight).
Proposed: a Motion for the Board to take oversight of Chip program.
Suggested: a written proposal be presented for consideration in January.
3. Jefferson County Accessible Community Advisory Committee(ACAC)(Anna McEnery)
Committee promotes awareness and acceptance of those with disabilities,as well as specific projects to aid the
disabled.
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3
G.Gilbert
4. Cost Share Program for Septic System Repair and Replacement(Amanda Christofferson)
Financial assistance provided to low-income homeowners for upgrading of septic systems.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a virtual meeting on Thursday,January 20,2022 from 2:30
p.m.—4:30 p.m.
Board of Health Reorganization,as required by new legislation(January)
Discussion of climate change and public health emergencies(January)
Presentation re national home visiting services(not January)
Equitable access.
ANNOUNCED:
This is the last meeting for Pamela Adams,who is resigning as a board member.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Dean adjourned the December 16,2021 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:44 p.m.until the
next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH C�
Kate Dean,Chair ��. _.. Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant
Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3
G.Gilbert