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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Thursday, April 20, 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 April 20, 2023 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A
quorum was present.
Members Present: Chair Dr. Kees Kolff, Members Greg Brotherton, Kate Dean, Heidi Eisenhour, Amanda Grace,
AJ Hawkins and Libby Wennstrom.
Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson, Alisa Hasbrouck, Barb Jones,
Apple Martine and Pinky Mingo.
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 raised the subject of gender affirming and transitioning.
• Commenter suggested that Jefferson County/State of Washington might model its healthcare masking rules
on the less stringent rules of other jurisdictions.
Board members and staff addressed comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period.
Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3
G. Gilbert
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Kolff requested a motion to approve the agenda for April 20,2023.
Staff Member Martine proposed amending the agenda to include a new agenda item,"Climate Change,"as a new
Item 3 (moving"Legislative Update"to Item 4).
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the agenda,as amended. Member Eisenhour seconded the
motion,which carried by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Kolff requested a motion to approve the minutes for the March 16, 2023 meeting.
MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes.Member Dean seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson County Public Health(JCPH)Report
Staff Member Martine presented JCPH's quarterly"Highlights Reel,"describing current Public Health programs and
events.
2. Jefferson Healthcare(JH)Report
Chair Kolff discussed the hospital expansion project, beginning with the demolition of the 1965 building.
3. Infectious Diseases Update
Dr. Berry's COVID update noted the decreasing case rates and COVID-related deaths at the national level and
locally,the recent CDC recommendation for second bivalent boosters for those over 65 or immunosuppressed, and the
disproportionate effect of COVID on black and indigenous people due to environment and other social determinants.
Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation of Public Health Heroes Awards
In observance of National Public Health Week,Jefferson County Public Health presented it annual Public Health
Heroes Awards(individuals and groups,nominated by the public). This year's awardees:
The Benji Project
Cameron Botkin
Tonia Burkett
Greg Graves
Charlie Johnson
The JC MASH Free Clinic
The JUMP Board
The Jumping Mouse Children's Center
Judith Lundgren
Shannon Minnihan
Beau Ohlgren
Mark Saran
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3
G.Gilbert
2. CHIP Report: Youth Age Band 0 Suicide Objective&Firearm Safety Events
Staff member Jones described recommended measures for youth suicide prevention,and educational/training efforts.
Discussion followed.
3. Climate Change—Dangerous Waters/Cyanobacteria
Staff member Dawson discussed the current situation concerning toxic,potentially deadly, algae blooms in lakes and
rivers in Washington,affected by climate change/warmer temperatures.
4. Legislative Update
Member Dean and staff member Martine introduced a discussion of the progress of current legislative bills that
impact public health.
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
[Not discussed.]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
[None.]
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next Board meeting will be held on May 9,2023 at 11:30 a.m.
The next Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30
p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kolff adjourned the April 20,2023 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the next
Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFER C UN O HEALTH
D . ee Kolff, Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant
Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3
G.Gilbert