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Home My WebLink About02 February JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 1998 BOARD MEMBERS Ddn Harpole, chairman - coumy commisJfol1lr District] RfcMrd WoJi, Member - county Commissioner District 3 Glen HUIlttndord, Member - COUllty Commissioner District 2 Ted shouIberiJ, Member - port TOWtlmW City coullcil JiU Buhler, Vice CMirmall - Hosyftal District #2 Commlssiol1lr sheila westermall, Member - Cittzen ai LaliJe (City) Roberta FrisseU, Member - Cittzen at LaliJe (COUllty) STAFF MEMBERS DllVid specter, Health Department Director J eml Baldwill, Director of NursilliJ SelYices Larry Fay, Director of HlVirOllmental Health chester Prndhomme, Director of sJJbstallce Abuse Thomas welte, M.D., Health officer Mary MaltdtU, Admillistrative support Vice Chairman Jill Buhler called the meeting to order. All Board and staff members were present with the exception of Chairman Dan Harpole and Member Sheila Westerman. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No public comments. OLD BUSINESS Ludlow Utilities Sewer Service: Larry Fay reported that a letter was sent to Greg McCarry, Olympic Resource Management on January 26th explaining concerns regarding the sewer issue in the Port Ludlow area (see attached). The letter requested a written confirmation stating that Olympic Resource Management is committed to providing sewer service to residents who request it. The letter also asks for information on cost estimates for providing the sewer service to those areas. Linda Sexton: Larry Fay stated that he and David Christensen met with the Prosecuting Attorney, to review this case. The Prosecutor indicated that his office will file for a court date, requesting a temporary injunction within the next sixty (60) days. Vice Chairman Buhler asked what the time line is for this process? Larry Fay responded that it may take months to prosecute. Commissioner Wojt asked if Linda Sexton is still advertising for used articles? Larry Fay said he has not seen any advertising lately, However, he hasn't checked the paper for a couple of weeks. Board of Health Leadership Workshop: Vice Chairman Buhler reported that the Board of Health Leadership Workshop was one of the best workshops she has ever attended. She highlighted several key points: * Most health policies are shaped at the local level rather than the State level. * One of the greatest challenges facing local Boards of Health are deciding what issues are actually matters of public health. * Public health is ultimately pragmatic and better left in the scientific arena. * State Attorney General Christine Gregoire reported on the national tobacco settlement. The legislators are arguing over how the potential settlement will be divided. * Assistant Attorney General outlined the powers and duties of the local Boards of Health and Health Officers. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES-FEBRUARY 19, 1998 Page: 2 David Specter stated that Bruce Myahara, State Secretary of Health will be attending the Board of Health meeting in May. Ifthere is a particular issue that anyone wants more information about, he will ask Bruce Myahara to give a presentation during that meeting. NEW BUSINESS 1998 Budget Briefing: David Specter handed out and discussed a budget summary for the Administration, Nursing, Environmental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Disabilities divisions of the Health Department (see attached). He stated that some professional services are contracted out such as computer support services. This year a market comparison will be conducted on the fee structure, which is done every three (3) years. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Wojt moved to approve the January 15,1998 minutes. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Legislative Briefing: Dr. Tom Locke reported that the legislature is currently in short session. Essentially everything that was not voted down during the long session is automatically alive again. Dr. Locke stated that many of the bills have a public vote clause attached to them which would by-pass a possible veto. Following is legislation which is being reviewed: . Washington State is one of20 States that do not require reporting ofHIV cases. Not knowing how many people are infected, makes it hard to track the HIV epidemic. It is also very difficult to know if preventative efforts are working. The majority is in favor of an identifier system. This identifier system has been tried in two (2) states and has failed due to the complexity of the coding. . Free testing to good samaritans who act as first responders in injury situations and have been exposed to blood or infectious materials. Testing would be paid for by local health departments. If the unfunded mandate included treatment of a disease it could increase the cost significantly. . There are several bills regarding water rights. The Department of Ecology has not granted a water right in this State for seven (7) years and people are trying to find ways of getting around them. Member Shoulberg stated that there is an argument about who is on the watershed council. He asked what rights do they have or will they give up and what is the definition of a stakeholder? Another bill regarding water issues is called six packs. Six Pack wells would be treated as a type of community water system. . Senate bill 6203 developed in response to concerns of the recycling industry. This bill would create barriers to recycling and the beneficial use of solid waste. This bill would authorize the State Department of Ecology to develop rules and establish criteria for exempting certain types of waste from solid waste regulations. It could also exempt certain types of facilities from solid waste permitting requirements. It would allow a facility that is operating under another environmental permit to not have to get a solid waste permit. . Onsite sewage certification bill. The State Department of Health and Department of Licensing have been working together to develop statewide standards for licensing onsite sewage system designs. Dr. Locke said that if anyone is interested in tracking current legislation, he receives a weekly report and would be glad to share that information. Commissioner Huntingford stated that he was informed that the potential monies from the tobacco settlement will be divided between schools and health agencies. Dr. Locke replied that the settlement, as negotiated, specified that the money would have to be used for health purposes. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES-FEBRUARY 19, 1998 Page: 3 Local Public Health WAC 246-05 Revision: Dr. Locke handed out the time line for WAC revision. This will be discussed further at the Health Board meeting in ApriL Consolidated Contract Pilot Project: Jean Baldwin reported that Jefferson County was one of six (6) Counties chosen to participate in a consolidated contract pilot project. The State Department of Health has given their permission for these six (6) counties to write their own state contract for 1998. Jefferson County's goal was to compile as much information into one area and make it readable. They will send reports to the State that they feel are valuable. Commissioner Wojt asked if the elderly programs were included in the State contract? Jean Baldwin answered that they were not and there are many other things that the Health Department does that are not included in this contract. Member Shoulberg asked if the new elderly care facility in Port Townsend is licensed as a boarding house? Jean Baldwin replied that, yes, this type of facility is licensed and regulated by the State Department of Health. Member Shoulberg then asked if Jefferson County is responsible for the nature of care received and if not, who monitors that? Dr. Locke stated that Jefferson County's only involvement would be if a disease outbreak occurred. Commissioner Huntingford informed the Board that at the Olympic Area Agency on Aging meetings they have discussed how to refer elderly people who may be in need of more specialized care to get the help needed. There was a program started to train individuals who regularly come into contact with the elderly, to notice a change in their habits and report it to a physician. . Substance Abuse Prevention-Special Population: Kellie Ragan talked about a rap group for Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Transgendered Youth. This group of young people are more susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction, school dropout, suicide, homelessness, runaway, and teen pregnancy. She handed out a Safe Schools Report which is an anti-harassment documentation project. This project is a way to bring awareness to schools. Member Shoulberg stated he is in support of this project, and asked who initiated it? Jean Baldwin answered that this program was encouraged by the State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Kellie Ragan added that she has done a lot of research on sexual minorities. Presentation/1997 Food Service Outstanding Achievement Awards: Environmental Health Director Larry Fay explained that this is the fourth year that the Health Department had issued outstanding achievement awards for maintaining food service sanitation standards. He explained that the State Board of Health inspection codes are used in evaluating public health sanitation in local food service establishments. Larry Fay presented awards to the managers/owners of the following food service establishments: 1st YEAR RECIPIENTS Bread & Roses Chimacum School Cafeteria Coho Cafe Silverwater Cafe Fat Smitty's Hannuksela Brewing Co. Ludlow Bay Cafe Nancy's Place Kim's Cafe Stormin Norman's Peninsula Foods Deli Whistling Oyster Penny Saver Deli Seabeck Pizza of Pleasant Harbor Port Townsend Cafe HEALTH BOARD MINUTES-FEBRUARY 19, 1998 Page: 4 2nd YEAR RECIPIENTS Browning's Bayview Cellar's Market Jefferson County Jail Lonny's Restaurant Boeitker's Java Port Waterfront Naturals 3rd YEAR RECIPIENTS Waterfront Pizza Upstairs Quilcene School Lunch Program On Common Grounds Valley Tavern Shanghai Restaurant Port Townsend Senior Program Quilcene Senior Program Halfway House 4th YEAR RECIPIENTS Discovery View Del's Deli Agenda Calendar: The following was agreed upon as future meeting agenda items: March Meeting Grays Harbor Board of Health Visit Introduction to Environmental Health Regulations Revisions Giardia Cluster Study Washington State Health Report Legislative Update Tentative April Meeting Needle Exchange Program as a Public Health Strategy Communicable Disease Program Reorganization Health Access in Jefferson County HIV Position Statements Tentative May Meeting Secretary of Health Visit Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 1998 at 2:30 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH (Excused ~bsence) ,;urman / -~ (Excused Absence) s.~man, Me,mber -d:tat;P' ~ Roberta Frissell, Member