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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031722M BOH ‘i'ellffelm Public He MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Regular Meeting, March 17, 2022, 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Virtual Meeting Board Members Staff Members Greg Brotherton,County Commissioner,District#3 Denise Banker,Community Health Director Kate Dean,Chair,County Commissioner District#1 Dr.Allison Berry,Health Officer Heidi Eisenhour,County Commissioner,District#2 Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Alisa Hasbrouck,Environmental Health Manager Denis Stearns,Vice Chair,Citizen at large Apple Martine,Public Health Director Libby Wennstrom,Port Townsend City Council Pinky Mingo,Environmental Public Health Director Sheila Westerman,Citizen at large Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Chair Brotherton called the March 17, 2022 virtual meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:32 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Chair Greg Brotherton, Members Kate Dean, Heidi Eisenhour, Kees Kolff, Denis Stearns, Libby Wennstrom and Sheila Westerman. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Brotherton requested a motion to approve the agenda for March 17, 2022. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda. Member Westerman seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Brotherton requested approval of the minutes for the February 20, 2022 Regular Meeting. MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the minutes.Member Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Member Brotherton called for public comment. The following is a summary of comments made virtually by individuals in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G.Gilbert • Comment regarding a return to in-person board meetings(or hybrid meetings)when it is considered safe by the health officer. • Comments in support of harm reduction services. • Comment regarding COVID mortality statistics,and regarding the relative efficacies of vaccines versus natural immunity. Board members and staff addressed comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare Update Board Member Kolff provided information concerning the effects COVID is having upon services at the hospital. He also discussed hospital involvement in legislative initiatives concerning healthcare workforce development and the Jamestown Healing Campus in Sequim. He also discussed support for"secular healthcare",and progress with the hospital's infrastructure planning. 2. Jefferson County Public Health Program Reports Staff member Martine's Public Health highlights included the new COVID Risk Gauge on the county website,the upcoming staff retreat,new workflow improvements,revised policies,diversity inclusion projects,home healthcare (including COVID services),Naloxone distribution, a recall of WIC formula, drug take-back events,tire recycling, completion of clean-water projects,developmentally disabled support,and new NACCHO grants. 3. Update on Reorganization of the Board of Health Dr.Berry and board member Stearns described new draft Bylaws,written to adhere to revised state rules concerning the composition of local boards of health. Discussion ensued. NEW BUSINESS 1. COVID Pandemic Update-Transition to Endemic Phase of Response Public Health Officer Dr.Allison Berry provided information on the COVID-19 virus in Jefferson County,and presented recommendations for behavior as mandates are relaxed. Discussion. 2. Drinking Water- Staff members Susan Porto and Emma Erickson led a discussion of two new drinking water policies, drafted to clarify and consolidate a larger number of repealed policies and resolutions. The Board declined to vote on the policies to provide time for members to further consider the policies,and for staff to incorporate last-minute revisions. 3. Transition to In-Person/Hybrid Monthly Meetings- Chair Brotherton introduced the topic of transitioning Board meetings from being solely virtual to an in-person or hybrid model. 4. National Public Health Week- Staff Member Martine announced the intention of Public Health to celebrate Public Health Week with nominations and awarding of Public Health Heroes. ACTIVITY UPDATE /// AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the April Board meeting will be held on April 13,2022 at 1:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G.Gilbert The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a virtual meeting on Thursday,April 21,2022 from 2:30 p.m. —4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Brotherton adjourned the March 17,2022 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:32 p.m. until the next 'i.gular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. rN COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Artwo Greg Brotherton,Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G.Gilbert