Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_06_17_Minuteseason Public Healt MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Regular Meeting, June 17, 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 Thomas Locke,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 Chair Dean called the June 17, 2021 virtual meeting ofthe 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 Pamela Adams, and Member Denis Stearns. StaffPresent: Public Health Officer Dr. Thomas Locke, Public Health Director Veronica Shaw, Community Health Director Apple Martine, Water Quality Manager Michael Dawson, Environmental Public Health Director Pinky Mingo and Environmental Health Manager Alisa Hasbrouck. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the agenda for June 17, 2021. Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve the agenda. Member Adams seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Dean requested approval of the minutes for the May 20, 2021 Regular Meeting. MOTION: Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes as presented. Member Westerman 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 1,0i4.y1 No members of public in attendance. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare Update In the absence of Member Kolff,the Jefferson Healthcare Report was read by Staff Member Shaw. He addressed health district's strategic planning efforts,referring to American Hospital Association projections re: patient volume increases;the COVID nurse-consult line is to be replaced by a recorded message. 2. Jefferson County Public Health Program Reports Staff Member Shaw reported the launch of the Breastfeeding Peer-Counselling Program. She announced seeking of funding for three public water/sewer projects. She reported staff retirements and hiring. 3. Revised County Masking Directive Dr.Locke reported on progress toward reaching immunization level required to end masking on a limited basis;requiring proof of vaccination remains an open question. There was a discussion of masking requirements for business-owners and in other public settings. NEW BUSINESS 1. Environmental Health Fee Changes Staff member Mingo announced new fees for(1)Commercial Shooting Business Inspection,and(2)Annual Operating Permit for holding tanks. Also,revision of fee for Notice to Title Rescission(separating out recording fee). Discussion followed. Commissioner Brotherton moved for a hearing(late July)on fee changes;Member Adams seconded. Approved by unanimous vote. 2. Setbacks to Wells or Surface Water Staff member Mingo initiated discussion of benefits of no longer requiring a waiver for a reduction of a horizontal setback from 100'to 75' and answered Board questions about this proposed policy change. 3. COVID—Pandemic Update: Case rate projections and Teen Trends Dr.Locke presented description of current levelling-off trend in COVID infections in the county,due to(1)decreased mask-wearing,(2)slowing vaccination,and(3)new variants. 4. Vaccination Update: Local Progress Report,Changing Risks for the Unvaccinated Partially covered in#3,Dr.Locke discussed increased incidence of infection in unvaccinated population. He went on that vaccination efforts now focus on pop-ups to target underserved populations. Discussion followed. 5. Preparing for a"Post-Roadmap"Summer: Changing strategies for testing,risk factors for public gatherings Dr.Locke predicted that COVID may continue to be a health threat for years;nevertheless, it is time for health facilities to return to core missions,providing essential services(while COVID remains as a not so all-consuming consideration). Discussion followed. ACTIVITY UPDATE Staff member Martine introduced guest speakers. Karen Obermeyer spoke about WIC,where the USDA is increasing WIC benefits for the months of June-September 2021 with funds from the American Recovery Plan Act funding. Dr. Melinda Bower spoke about the new school-based health center in Quilcene. She will also be maintaining summer hours at the Quilcene Clinic. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G.Gilbert Chair Dean recommended a video released by The Benji Project concerning teen mental health during the pandemic. See www.thebenjiproject.org. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a virtual meeting on Thursday,July 15, 2021 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Commissioner Brotherton enquired re timeline to consider the resolution from the Psychedelic Society. Dr. Locke confirmed he is giving attention to revising the resolution. 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 Kate Dean,Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G. Gilbert