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Home My WebLink About051823M BOH deffasm Public Hea tf� REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, May 18, 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 May 18,2023 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:32 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Chair Dr. Kees Kolff,Members Greg Brotherton,Kate Dean,Heidi Eisenhour,and AJ Hawkins. 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 addressed the Washington Board to Health's proposed initiative to restore trust in Public Health. Commenter also said that, if Jefferson County Board of Health would accept a"contrarian"voice on the board,he would be willing to serve. • Commenter spoke in support of Board of Health meetings and similar venues as a means of combating medical misinformation. 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 May 18,2023. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda,as amended. Member Dean seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Kolff requested a motion to approve the minutes for the April 20,2023 meeting,with the suggestion that the term"DCD"in the"Infectious Diseases Update"be amended to read"CDC." Member Dean suggested that the term"gender forming" in the first in public comment be amended to read"gender affirming." MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes as amended.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 spoke about JCPH's current staffing priorities and recruitment efforts. Staff Member Martine shared her time with: (a) Staff Member Hasbrouck,who spoke about a recent solid waste cleanup success,and (b) Staff Member Banker,who spoke about Community Health issues, including,among others,recent developments in School Based Health programs,and new recruits for the Communicable Disease Team, allowing for expansion of harm reduction services. 2. Jefferson Healthcare(JH)Report Chair Kolff reported on JH CEO Mike Glenn's report to the Chamber concerning replacement and expansion project, which is on time and on budget. He also spoke about JH's mission, its services provided to the County, and its strategic plan. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry announced good news on the COVID front,with decreasing hospitalizations and deaths. The federal state of emergency has been lifted. Free COVID vaccines are still available,discounted testing is still available,treatment is available through normal healthcare(there is no longer any free Paxlovid). NEW BUSINESS 1. Announcement—Available position: Nonelected Member of Board of Health as "Consumer of Public Health" Applications will(soon)be accepted for one new board member in the category defined as"persons consisting of county or health district residents who have self-identified as having faced significant health inequities or as having lived experiences with public health-related programs." Departing board member AJ Hawkins asked the board to maintain a focus on advocating for the most vulnerable in the community,bearing in mind the likelihood that nearly everyone will be disabled at some time. 2. Transgender and Nonbinary Health and Wellness Presentation Dr. Berry provided a presentation on gender-affirming care from a medical perspective. Beau Ohlgren, Director of Family Ministry at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, spoke on a wide-range of topics affecting the non- binary community, including diversity in gender, legislation,oppression,medical abuse,and gender in different societies and historically. Discussion ensued. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G.Gilbert 3. Climate Change—Pre-Summer Heat Summit Reflections Willie Bence,Director of the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management,presented concerning a recent pre-summer season coordination summit concerning heat and smoke events and wildfire response. David Codier,Jefferson County Emergency Operations Center Supervisor, spoke about the Medical Reserve Corps,which is forming to prepare for disaster response. 4. Climate Change—Wildfire Smoke Safety Community Training Update Staff member Dawson described the recent Community Training Event,where community members were provided guidance on how to organize outdoor activities during wildfire smoke events. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS [Not discussed.] ANNOUNCEMENTS [None.] AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next Board meeting will be held on June 6, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. The next Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday,June 15,2023 from 2:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kolff adjourned the May 18,2023 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:33 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Dr. ol , Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant /'- i C- v6;/4/1 Y/CE C,y-'i/2 Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G.Gilbert