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Home My WebLink About032124M BOH Amason Public Healt REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, March 21, 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,Chair,County Commissioner District#1 Dr.Allison Berry,Health Officer Heidi Eisenhour,County Commissioner,District#2 Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager Amanda Grace,Vice-Chair,Community Stakeholder Alisa Hasbrouck,Environmental Health Manager Dr. Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Barb Jones,CHIP Program Manager Aislinn Palmer,Port Townsend City Council Apple Martine,Public Health Director Grey Schad,Consumer of Public Health Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Chair Dean called the March 21, 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, Vice-Chair Amanda Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heidi Eisenhour, Dr. Kees Kolff,Aislinn Palmer and Grey Schad Staff Present: Staff Members Dr. Allison Berry,Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck, Barb Jones,Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Dean called for public comment. There was no in-person comment. Concerning the written public comment re: "contingency management,"a question was raised as to the meaning of the term (a strategy for humane treatment of substance abuse disorder, using rewards as incentive for adherence to treatment programs). APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Dean called for a motion to accept the agenda for March 21,2024. MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the agenda. Member Grace seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G.Gilbert APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the minutes of the February 15,2023 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 Apple Martine provided a wrap up concerning public health dollars to be utilized before the state's end of fiscal year(June 30,2024), including the end of COVID money(although COVID treatment is now incorporated into the programmatic work of Public Health),Foundational Public Health Services dollars,and short-lived workforce funds for growing and training staff. Apple also announced several upcoming JCPH events, including a firearm safety storage event and heat/wildfire training for the public. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Member Kolff mentioned that staff absences for COVID are still affecting staffing,the building replacement and expansion project is almost on schedule, and Jefferson Healthcare Foundation has raised 3/4ths of its$2.5M goal to support the new linear accelerator for radiation oncology. National Doctors' Day is March 30. Free tuition is available for the certified nursing assistant training program(applications due April 3,2024; check websites of Jefferson Healthcare or Peninsula College). 3. State Board of Health Update Chair Dean spoke about comprehensive or"wraparound care"as practiced at the Swinomish Clinic. Washington State is now screening newborns for 32 medical conditions. Isolation,and its impact on health, is a current concern of the Board. The State Board of Health Report will soon be forwarded to the Governor. 4. Infectious Diseases Update According to Dr. Berry, seasonal flu and RSV are downtrending, as is COVID but not as quickly—there are still new cases which can be serious. Additional boosters are recommended for adults over 65, and isolation is recommended to infected persons who are able to isolate. Jefferson County still tests for COVID. Discussion ensued. NEW BUSINESS 1. National Public Health Awareness Week/Public Health Heroes Staff member Martine announced that National Public Health Week will be celebrated the first week of April. At the April 21 Board of Health meeting,Public Health will present awards to individuals and organizations,nominated by the public,to recognize those who make a difference in the health and well-being of the Jefferson County community. 2. Septic Cost Share Program Staff members Pinky Mingo and Amanda Christofferson described the issues of on-site septic systems in rural areas, and also described how septic issues can affect public health. They spoke of the need for maintenance and replacement of such systems, and how JCPH has supported such upkeep with financial grants. As the pool of money financing the grants is drying up, suggested alternatives for funding were discussed. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G.Gilbert 3. Legislative Update: 2024 Session Review Chair Dean and staff member Martine provided a scorecard of wins and losses from the last legislative session. Big wins included the funding of the septage capacity study requested by Jefferson County,and infrastructure funding for school-based health clinics. Federal funding of WIC and SNAP will continue. 4. A Proposed Ordinance that will adopt rules for the adoption of ordinances,resolutions and motions in Jefferson County Deputy prosecuting attorney Ehrlichman introduced the draft ordinance that will provide rules for how to adopt ordinances and resolutions. The ordinance provides the distinction between ordinances and resolutions,what each should contain, and presents an orderly progression through county administration. Discussion followed. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS Member Kolff queried about keeping climate change consistently on the agenda and the activity of the climate subcommittee. Discussion ensued. Added to the list for future agendas: Septage Capacity discussion Opioid Settlement Disbursement ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Dean requested suggestions for topics for legislative priority to be brought to a retreat of the Legislative Steering Committee of Counties. Chair Dean also announced a day-long meeting hosted by Local 2020 entitled Moving Ahead concerning transportation alternatives(see Local 2020 website). AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on April 9, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday,April 18,2024 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Dean adjourned the March 21,2024 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:31 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Kate Dean, Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G.Gilbert