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Home My WebLink About031623M BOH del ehsort Public Heart REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, March 16, 2023 @ 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse— Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA Hybrid 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 Amanda Grace,Community Stakeholder Alisa Hasbrouck,Environmental Health Manager AJ Hawkins,Consumer of Public Health Barb Jones,CHIP Program Manager Dr.Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Apple Martine,Public Health Director Libby Wennstrom,Port Townsend City Council Pinky Mingo,Environmental Public Health Director Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Chair Kolff called the March 16, 2023 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:34 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Chair Dr. Kees Kolff,Members Greg Brotherton,Kate Dean, Heidi Eisenhour,Amanda Grace and Libby Wennstrom. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker,Dr.Allison Berry, Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck,Barb Jones, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Kolff 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 objected to public officials' assumption of"unlawful"emergency powers during a pandemic,and enumerated instances of new judicial and court restrictions being put in place to restrict such assumption of emergency powers in the future. He further objected to treating the fourth year of the pandemic as an emergency that allows for continued mandates and assumptions of authority. As a separate matter,commenter mentioned a publication stating that the majority of bird deaths connected with avian flu were the result of extermination and sterilization,rather than the disease. Board members and staff addressed comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period. It was mentioned that there are no remaining emergency orders or mandates in Jefferson County,except for the Washington State requirement for masking in healthcare facilities(which expires April 3,2023). Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G.Gilbert APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kolff requested a motion to approve the agenda for March 16, 2023. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda. Member Grace seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Kolff recommended amending the Jefferson Healthcare Report to replace the words'Dig it' moving earth party"with 'Dig it' plant rescue sale." Chair Kolff requested a motion to approve the minutes for the February 19,2022 meeting. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes(as amended).Member Dean seconded the motion which carried by a majority vote(Member Grace recused,as having not been present). OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare (JH)Report Chair Kolff addressed issues currently impacting the hospital and clinics, including providing an update on the hospital expansion project(anticipated move-in early 2025)and speaking about the extraordinary impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers. 2. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report Staff Member Martine provided an update on Public Health activities, including information on new hires and available employment, upcoming events,the opportunity for anti-racist literacy training for county staff, and new grants. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry presented current COVID statistics, noting the absence of a surge. She reiterated that April 3 is the end date for the state mask mandate,though masking and vaccination is still recommended(further vaccination not currently recommended for those who have received the bivalent booster). She also commented on the Cochrane report. NEW BUSINESS 1. Washington Air Quality Guide and the Guide for Public Health Actions for Wildfire Smoke Kaitlyn Kelly, air quality policy specialist with the Washington Department of Health, presented an overview of risks due to smoke, and opportunities for ameliorating the risks. She also discussed state informational resources. Discussion ensued. 2. Legislative Update Member Dean, with input from staff members Martine and Holly Gumm, described several measures affecting public health which are currently making their way through state government. 3. Public Health Hero Nominations Staff member Martine announced that National Public Health Week will be celebrated the first week of April. At the April 20 Board of Health meeting,Public Health will present awards to individuals and organizations, nominated by the public,to recognize those who make a difference in the health and well-being of the Jefferson County community. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS Climate change: staff member Martine announced the intention of having someone attend with reference the comprehensive plan for fires. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G. Gilbert ANNOUNCEMENTS Member Dean has been appointed to the State Board of Health. In May, five members of the board will attend Local Board of Health Training in Blaine. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next Board meeting will be held on April 11, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. The next Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, April 20,2023 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kolff adjourned the March 16,2023 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:27 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Dr. Kees Kolff,Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public lth s'stant 0/1° Respectfully submitted Page 3 of-3 G.Gilbert