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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011923M BOHis Health REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, January 19, 2023 @ 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA Hybrid Meeting Board Members Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3 Kate Dean, Chair, County Commissioner District #1 Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner, District #2 Amanda Grace, Community Stakeholder AJ Hawkins, Consumer of Public Health Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner Libby Wennstrom, Port Townsend City Council Staff Members Denise Banker, Community Health Director Dr. Allison Berry, Health Officer Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager Alisa Hasbrouck, Environmental Health Manager Apple Martine, Public Health Director Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Chair Brotherton called the January 19, 2023 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Chair Greg Brotherton, Members Kate Dean, Heidi Eisenhour, Amanda Grace, AJ Hawkins, Dr. Kees Kolff and Libby Wennstrom. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson, Alisa Hasbrouck and Apple Martine. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Brotherton called for public comment. The following is a summary of comments made by individuals in attendance (virtually and in person) at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: • Commenter expressed concern that Jefferson County's COVID approach lacked attention to different points of view. • Commenter queried differences in state vs county statistics concerning case rates in Jefferson County. They also commented that there is increased public opinion that many unexplained deaths are cause by the COVID vaccine. • Commenter expressed support for the BoH and Public Health Officer in their handling of the COVID epidemic. • Commenter requested a link to University of Washington literature reports, referred to by the Public Health Officer at previous meetings. They also claimed that there has been no research to prove that COVID vaccinations do not cause cardiac or neurological issues. Respectfully submitted Page I of 3 G. Gilbert Board members and staff addressed comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Brotherton requested a motion to approve the agenda for January 19, 2023. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda. Member Kolff seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Brotherton requested a motion to approve the minutes for the December 15, 2022 meeting. MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the minutes. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare (JH) Report Board Member Kolff addressed issues currently impacting the hospital and clinics, including recent successes in staff recruitment, the launch of the Jefferson Accountable Care LLC (contracting with Medicare to enhance health care management), progress with facility replacement and enhancement, and advocacy with the state legislature. 2. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report Staff Member Martine reported on recent JCPH staffing success, and progress in several major segues between softwares and databases. She also highlighted the continued availability of COVID care resources. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry addressed COVID developments, both locally and nationally. Jefferson County has an unusually high rate of bivalent boosting, which appears to be effective against the latest subvariant (X.B.B.1.5). Other seasonal diseases are also on the decline. Discussion ensued. NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of Board of Health 2023 Chair and Vice -Chair As required in by-laws, new holders of the offices of Chair and Vice -Chair were elected for 2023. By unanimous votes, member Kees Kolff was elected as Chair of the Board of Health for 2023 and member Kate Dean was elected as Vice -Chair. Departing Chair Greg Brotherton conducted the remainder of the current meeting. 2. Presentation re: Empowered Teens Coalitions JCPH staff members Denise Banker, Lindsay Scalf, Holly Gumm and Drew Fechenbach described the works of the Empowered Teens Coalitions, working through schools to help teens avoid substance use early in their lives, building self-esteem and developing bonds with their communities. 3. Presentation re: Human Rights Alliance North Sound in Support of Proposal to Establish a Jefferson County Council for Human Rights Community member Emilia Da Souza (secretary of Human Rights Alliance North Sound) spoke about the Alliance's mission to promote inalienable fundamental human rights and social progress. The Alliance seeks endorsements for the (i) creation of the Council and (ii) for adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G. Gilbert Discussion ensued. 4. Climate Change — Adoption of Wildfire Policy Staff Member Dawson presented a revised policy for adoption. Action was postponed on adoption until February meeting, following further revision. 5. Report of Subcommittee for Onboarding New Members. Chair Brotherton described intended work to develop an introductory manual for new Board of Health members. III ACTIVITY UPDATE AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR Adoption of policy to replace the 2019 Wildfire Smoke Policy. Discussion of On -site code (Pinky Mingo) Planning topics for the year ahead The Agenda Planning Meeting for the February Board meeting will be held on February 7, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. The next Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Brotherton adjourned the January 19, 2023 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:29 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFE COUNTY BOA OF HEALTH G Bro e on, Chair Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted G. Gilbert Page 3 of 3