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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081723M BOH )ffehsan Public Healt REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, August 17, 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,Vice-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 [Vacant],Consumer of Public Health Barb Jones,CHIP Program Manager Dr.Kees Kolff,Chair,Public Hospital District#2 Apple Martine,Public Health Director Commissioner Pinky Mingo,Environmental Public Health Director Libby Wennstrom,Port Townsend City Council Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Vice-Chair Dean called the August 17, 2023 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Vice-Chair Kate Dean,Members Greg Brotherton, Heidi Eisenhour,Amanda Grace and Libby Wennstrom. Staff Present: Staff Members Dr.Allison Berry,Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck,Apple Martine,Pinky Mingo. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice-Chair Dean 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 spoke concerning recent admissions about lack of transparency and misinformation in regard to what federal officials knew about experimentation at the Wuhan Institute in China and the origins of the COVID pandemic(funded in part by the U.S). They cautioned that local boards of health must maintain a critical attitude in regard to institutional health power. Staff member Dr. Berry replied in reference to past medical experiment injustices,efforts to reform the way medical research is done, and commented that the current belief about the most likely source of COVID-19 is spillover from a zoonotic disease. Respectfully submitted G.Gilbert Page 1 of 3 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Dean called for a motion to accept the agenda for August 17,2023. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda; Member Grace seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the minutes for the July 20, 2023 meeting. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes; Member Grace 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 activities, events of the past month(including this year's first emergency response in regards to heat risk, including cooling centers),and upcoming events such as the All County Picnic, and campaigning efforts in regards to harm reduction, gun safety and tire recycling. Member Eisenhour announced a sewer groundbreaking event in Port Hadlock. 2. State Board of Health Update Co-Chair Dean spoke about efforts in Washington to increase testing for lead(lead being high in Port Townsend due to the age of buildings and factories, where lead can leech into the soil). New rule-writing is anticipated in regards to vibrio, a shellfish-borne illness,more concerning with wanner water temperatures. A health-impact review has been requested by legislator concerning new crab regulation; input requested. The legislature has continued to block implementation of indoor air quality standards for schools. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry's report mentioned the increase in COVID-19 transmission,also seen in Jefferson County,where hospitalizations have also increased. A new COVID booster is anticipated in September or October;those not at high risk should wait for the new booster. There has been some early influenza activity;vaccinations should be available soon. New vaccine for RSV now approved,for those over 60, and an infant vaccine. NEW BUSINESS 1. Selection of New Member of the Board of Health—"Consumer of Public Health" According to House Bill 1152, local boards of health are required to recruit board members who satisfy categorial requirements. Having lost one member,due to resignation,candidates were interviewed for the"Consumer of Public Health"position on the Jefferson County Board of Health. Candidates for the position were self-identifying as"Consumers of public health,"meaning 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. The following candidates were interviewed: Stephen Schumacher Grey Schad A third candidate did not appear for their interview. Subsequent to the Q&A(which followed a consistent set of questions),the Board discussed the relative merits of the candidates. Following deliberation: Respectfully submitted G.Gilbert Page 2 of 3 MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved the Jefferson County Board of Health recommend Grey Schad be appointed as the Consumer of Public Health Member of our Board to the Board of County Commissioners. Member Wennstrom seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. 2. Jefferson County Public Health COVID-19 After Action Report Staff member Martine introduced Emergency Response Coordinator for the JCPH Communicable Disease Team, Ocean Mason. Ocean provided an"after action report,"a study reviewing response to a particular event and evaluating the effectiveness of the response and possible innovations to improve future responses. This particular report specifically reviewed JCPH's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS Member Grace suggested more immediate attention to preparing for future regional emergencies. Member Eisenhour said that community outreach and community engagement is the current stage of preparation for Jefferson County's wildfire plan. Staff member Martine announced guest speakers addressing sea level rise is queued up for the September meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next Board meeting will be held on September 12,2023 at 11:30 a.m. The next Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 2:30 p.m. —4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Dean adjourned the August 17,2023 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:29 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH V-----AL— Kate Dean, Vice-Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted G.Gilbert Page 3 of 3