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HomeMy WebLinkAbout122123M 47—N- Col Public Hea REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, December 21, 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 Grey Schad,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 December 21, 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, Chair Kees Kolff, Members Greg Brotherton, Heidi Eisenhour,Amanda Grace,Grey Schad and Libby Wennstrom. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr.Allison Berry,Alisa Hasbrouck,Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice-Chair Dean called for public comment. There was none. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Dean called for a motion to accept the agenda for December 21,2023. Staff member Martine provided a clarification to the agenda,New Business#2: re Establishment of Department Reserve, asking that the agenda be amended to reflect that the discussion will be led by Veronica Shaw and Jenn Mitchell. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda as updated. Member Brotherton seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G.Gilbert APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the minutes of the November 16,2023 meeting. MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the minutes; Member Schad seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. Vice-Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the minutes of the November 27, 2023 special joint meeting of the Board of Health and Board of County Commissioners. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes; Member Brotherton 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 a brief"highlights reel"concerning JCPH developments,and previewed some program updates to be further discussed in January. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Chair Kolff described the progress of the expansion of the hospital campus, anticipating opening to patients in summer of 2025. 3. State Board of Health Update Vice-Chair Dean's report of the state BoH matters included: (i)rule writing concerning contamination of drug sites and transient accommodations; (ii)concerns regarding health and safety at ICE detention center in Pierce County; and (iii) state draft on-site septic rule now available for public comment, scheduled for a hearing on January 10, 2024. 4. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry reported on current respiratory illnesses and recommended preventative measures. Dr. Berry described the environment created by the war in Gaza as a manmade"public health catastrophe,"as fatalities continue to rise from violent death as well as increasingly resulting from population displacement, lack of healthcare,and outbreaks of disease. Discussion ensued. It was proposed that the BoH draft a resolution, speaking specifically to the universal right to access to healthcare facilities and sanitation. Due to the urgency engendered by the Gaza conflict, it was suggested that someone(Dr. Berry volunteered)draft a statement of the Board's position for consideration before the end of the meeting. NEW BUSINESS 1. POTENTIAL ACTION re: Election of Board of Health Chair and Vice-Chair for 2024 Following discussion: MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to elect Kate Dean as the Chair of the Board of Health in 2024 and Amanda Grace as Vice-Chair of the Board in 2024. Chair Kolff seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. 2. BRIEFING and POTENTIAL ACTION re: Establishment of Department Reserve for emergencies, program activities,and special projects Staff member Jenn Mitchell(Finance Manager of Public Health),assisted by staff member Veronica Shaw, provided a presentation regarding the status of the JCPH budget,the necessity to be prepared for another health emergency such as the COVID pandemic, and the need for a financial reserve to promote readiness. Discussion ensued. ACTION was postponed pending further consideration,and presentation of a policy, at the January meeting of the Board of Health. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G. Gilbert 3. Legislative Update,in anticipation of the speedy and action-packed legislative session Staff member Martine and Vice-Chair Dean briefly listed priorities for the 2024 state legislative session. 4. Overview of Explorations/Actions at JCPH and statewide for climate resilience in communities Staff members Denise Banker and Lara Cittadini read through actions JCPH has been preparing to assist the community to cope with and adapt to different aspects of climate change such as increasing temperatures, rising water levels,and prolonged and more frequent wildfire events. 5. Update on Climate Action Committee Tabled due to lack of time. INSERTION: Dr. Berry presented her proposed resolution regarding the Gaza conflict,with regard particularly to the public health impact. Brief discussion ensued with suggested revisions. Public comment was requested. There was none. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved that the Board adopt this resolution as presented. Member Schad seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS No discussion. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were none. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on January 9,2024 at 11:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Dean adjourned the December 21,2023 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:28 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Kate bean,Vice-Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G.Gilbert