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Home My WebLink About011824M Afeitson Public Healt REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, January 18, 2024 @ 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 Dr. Kees Kolff,Chair,Public Hospital District#2 Barb Jones,CHIP Program Manager Commissioner Apple Martine,Public Health Director Aislinn Palmer,Port Townsend City Council Pinky Mingo,Environmental Public Health Director Grey Schad,Consumer of Public Health Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Vice-Chair Grace called the January 18, 2024 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Chair Kate Dean (remote attendance),Vice-Chair Amanda Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heidi Eisenhour, Kees Kolff, Aislinn Palmer and Grey Schad Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry,Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck, Barb Jones, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice-Chair Grace called for public comment. There was none. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for January 18, 2024. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda. Member Kolff seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G.Gilbert APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the December 21,2023 meeting. MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the minutes; Member Schad seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. ANNOUNCEMENT The clerk of the Board announced that Aislinn Palmer has replaced Libby Wennstrom as the representative of the Port Townsend City Council. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health(JCPH)Report Staff Member Martine presented a"highlights reel,"recapping JCPH programs and community activities during the autumn of 2023. PUBLIC COMMENT(revisited) Vice-Chair Grace reopened public comment as a member of the public arrived within the time allotted for public comment. • Commenter quoted sources indicating that information presented by Public Health during the COVID epidemic as knowledge or fact has since been proved to be misinformation. Dr. Berry responded,acknowledging the difficulty in forming public policy relating to a new virus and that guidance gradually has to be revised based on new information,complicated by a virus that evolved over time. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS(continued) 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Dr. Kolff described the disruptive effect of COVID on hospital operation. He also provided a brief update on progress of the hospital renovation. 3. State Board of Health Update Chair Dean's briefed the board on legislative activities including the passing of the new state on-site septic code, rule writing concerning indoor air quality,and research and writing of the State Health Report due this year. 4. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry spoke about the three very active respiratory viruses going around,nationally and locally(where the virus surge is noticeably lower than nationwide). NEW BUSINESS 1. Update on Climate Action Committee Staff member Laura Tucker presented an overview of the CAC: who they are,organizational goals,recent actions, and projections relevant to public health. Discussion ensued. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G.Gilbert 2. Fentanyl/Opioid Overdose Response Dr.Berry led a discussion concerning the sharp increase in overdoses in Jefferson County from all drugs and from opioids, in particular: the causes driving the rise in overdosing,available responses to overdosing,and longer term treatments for addiction. 3. CHIP-CHA and Vaccine spotlight Staff member Barb Jones provided an orientation to the CHIP(Community Health Improvement Plan)and CHA (Community Health Assessment)programs and their mission: collecting and evaluating data for the purpose of providing solutions for improving community health. She placed particular focus on the difficulties in providing vaccines to citizens in diverse and sometimes underserved communities. 4. Real world implementation of climate resiliency projects—a perspective from natural resources program Staff member Tami Pokorny introduced some of the lead entities and regional organizations working toward salmon recovery and floodplain restoration in northwestern Washington. In planning for future climate change projects, she advocated for appreciating the native"messiness"of nature,and partnering with existing lead entities,building upon their knowledge and experience. 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 February 6, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday,February 15, 2024 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Grace adjourned the January 18,2024 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON CO T OARD OF HEALTH - Amanda Grace, ice-Chair Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G.Gilbert