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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 December JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, December 16,1999 Board 2l1embers: Dan f Tarpole, Alember - County Commisri()nerDistnd # 1 Glen Huntintford, ,,{ember - County Commirsioner Distnd #2 lv,hard Wo;t, Chairman - Cimnty Commissioner District #3 Gelfjfrey Masci, l'.1ember - Pon Towmend City Council Jill Buh!el; Member -Hospital CommissiOller District #2 Sheila Westerman, Gtizen at LaQ;c (CiDJ RQberta Fnisel/' VkecCnairmau, Citizen at Lnge (COtmty) Staff Members: - Jean BaldnJin, Nursing Jem.w Director Larry r-i1y, Emimnmental Health DirettoI' Thomas Locke, AID, Health O.ffuvr Chairman Wojt.caUed the mcctingto order at 2:30 p.m. All Board and staffmcmbers were present with the exception of Commissioner Huntingford. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Buhler moved to approve the minutcs of the November 23, 1999 meeting. Member Masci seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS MYSTERY BAY SHELLFISH & MOORL"lG BUOYS UPDATE: Larry Fay stated that the Health Department is continuing to work with the State Department of Health on tracking the number of mooring buoys in Mystery Bay. Presently there are approximately 20-30 boats anchored at Mystery Bay that arc not permitted, along with 20 or so that havc permits. The Statc Dcpartment of Health is . concerned with the density of boats per acfc and the impact to shellfish in that area. NEW BUSINESS APPEAL HEARING RE: WILLIAM SCHMITT: Canceled. TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL PLAN FOR WASHINGTON STATE: Dr. Locke reported that Washington State was thc only State to put thc moncy received from the tobacco settlement into health related areas. The State Legislature has set aside $100 million, over a 4 year period, to aggressively combat tobacco usc among youth and to help those who are addicted to tobacco products. The appropriation was made prior to the passage of 1-695 and efforts to reduce the S 1 00 million are highly possible. Dr. Locke presented a draft resolution supporting the need to keep the tobacco settlement funds for prcvention and control programs, not to make up for funding shortfalls due to Initiative 695. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - December 16, 1999 Page: 2 Commissioner Harpole asked what qualifies as prevention? Dr. Locke responded that it has to be based on verifiable best practices and proven kinds of strategies. Member Buhler pointed out that in the last paragraph ofthe draft resolution, the wordlorm should be from. Chairman Wojt said that in reading the draft resolution he doesn't feel that tobacco prevention will save 28,000 lives but will extend 28,000 lives. Dr. Locke suggested that the resolution be changed to read, "tobacco prevention will prevent 28.000 premature deaths. . ." After discussion of the statistics of marijuana related deaths, Member Masci suggested deleting the word marijuana from the resolution. Commissioner Harpole moved to approve the resolution with the suggested changes. Vice-Chairman Frissell seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX REPEAL. STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS: Dr. Locke reported that the elimination of the motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) has created a loss of over $400 million to local governments. Public health alone, will lose close to $26 million in 2000. Jean Baldwin stated that it is the perception of some people that local health agencies should cut out the "extras" or the programs that are "not needed." What is not understood is that funding for the "extras" are programmatic, meaning that state funds are to be used for specific programs. The programs that are County funded from the general fund and motor vehicle excise tax include communicable diseases, immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases, portions offamily planning and portions ofWlC. She said that the State Legislators need to realize there is not a lot of flexibility as to where cuts occur. After further discussion Commissioner Harpole moved to have staff draft a letter to State Legislators regarding the priority need of County Health Departments; request their support of the Governor's budget; and request they begin discussing long term funding strategies for public health. Member Masci seconded the motion for discussion and amended the motion to include the letter be sent to the Hospital Commission, City Council, and Board of County Commissioners for their endorsement. Chairman Wojt amended the motion to include in the letter the constraints that Jefferson County faces. Commissioner Harpole accepted the amendments to his motion and included that additional information concerning the recent problem in Jefferson County be attached to the letter. Chairman Wojt called for a vote on the motion which carried unanimously. Copies of the letter will be sent to the State Board of Health and Governor Locke. Member Masci stated he has concerns with possible State ferry cutbacks and the impact it could have on the transport of critically ill and traumatized patients to Seattle. He moved to prepare a letter from the Board of Health to the Hospital Commission supporting their efforts to stop the decrease offerry runs. Commissioner Harpole seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - December 16, 1999 Page: 3 FOODBORNE OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: Dr. Locke handed out and briefly discussed a synopses titled "Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States. " Larry Fay reported that the recent foodborne outbreak in Jefferson County was an unregulated activity in which the Health Department staff didn't have a preventative role in. Once the reports started rolling in the Health Department responded quickly. Lisa McKenzie gave a timeline of the events that occurred. The Chimacum volunteer firefighter appreciation dinner was held on Saturday, December 4, 1999 with over 100 people in attendance. On Monday, December 6th, the Chimacum Fire Department contacted the Environmental Health Department indicating several people were having flu like symptoms. A complete menu of food items, where the food was purchased, and by whom was requested by Environmental Health Staff and available on Tuesday, December 7th. A questionnaire was given to the Chimacum Fire Hall on Tuesday, December 7'h to be distributed to people who attended the dinner. By Wednesday, December 8th, 55 completed questionnaires had been received with the rest interviewed by telephone. On Wednesday, December 8th seven stool samples were sent to the State lab for testing. Six of the seven tested positive for the Norwalk-like Virus. A new questionnaire was drafted and sent out to gather additional information. Commissioner Harpole asked if the virus was narrowed down to one or two foods that were carrying the disease? Lisa McKenzie replied that all of the information is not compiled and will be ready next week. Larry Fay stated that the Norwalk virus is passed from person to person very easily and has been associated with a number oflarge-scale outbreaks in the United States. V ice-Chairman Frissell asked what can be done to prevent this or any other type of foodborne outbreak from occurring? Larry Fay replied that a statewide policy is being proposed which would require the use of gloves to handle prepared food. Member Masci suggested creating a policy requiring a permit for a function with food provided for more than 25 people. He feels it would be more of an educational tool. A list of proper food handling techniques could be provided \vith the permit. Larry Fay said he doesn't know ifthe Health Department has the capacity to enforce a policy of this nature when they are busy enforcing State regulations. Vice-Chairman Frissell suggested that the organization or group planning a party could designate one person to be responsible for food handling and preparation. Member Buhler also suggested and volunteered to contact Safeway to see ifthere is interest in jointly creating educational material concerning proper food handling procedures for public distribution. Jean Baldwin stated that an advertising campaign will be drafted and put on the agenda for the January Health Board meeting. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - December 16, 1999 Page: 4 APPEAL HEARING - RAY VINES: Mr. Vines and his representative were not present. Larry Fay said this is a zoning issue and Mr. Vines may just be going through the legal steps to appeal to a higher level which is Superior Court. After discussion, Commissioner Harpole moved to accept staff recommendation to deny this appeal and stated that ifMr. Vines was not properly noticed of the appeal hearing, the Health Board will consider his appeal at the January meeting. Member Westerman seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. AGENDA CALENDAR/ADJOURN I'i1 JOINT HOSPITAL COMMISSIONERS AND HEALTH BOARD MEETING - December 30, 1999 I'i1 APPEAL HEARING Possible - Ray Vines - January (Larry Fay) I'i1 INFORMATIONAL UPDATE OF SEPTIC PERMIT ISSUES - January (Larry Fay) I'i1 FOOD HANDLER INFORMATION MATERIAL - January Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 19,2000. (NOTE: The January 19th meeting will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Health Department. The last hour of the meeting will be a continued discussion with Hospital Commissioners. ) Richard Wojt, Chairman ~4'~df/ Roberta Frissell, Vice-Chairman Masci, Member ~-'/ A~ 1 Buhler, Member ~lL uJ~W~ (Excused Absence) Glen Huntingford, Member D~d=zr~ Sheila Westerman, Member County Health & Human Services JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH RESOLUTION WHEREAS, tobacco use is one of the greatest public health threats of modern times; WHEREAS, tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable premature death; WHEREAS, everyday 65 children in Washington State begin smoking or chewing tobacco and one third of them will die as a direct result of using tobacco; WHEREAS, tobacco kills more than 8,000 people in Washington State every year and costs more than $3 billion a year in hospital and medical costs; WHEREAS, tobacco use kills more people in Washington every year than all deaths from AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, rpariJn~aafiliotor vehicle crashes, fires, homicides and suicides combined; L fuiiCtJi\T 'h V. f/_\u.a de",.. '5 WHEREAS, tobacco prevention will 28, 0 ~-l<eG and $136 million in state Medicaid costs in three years; WHEREAS, adequately funded tobacco prevention programs have achieved successful and measurable results in other states; and WHEREAS, the Govemor and Legislature, recognizing the human and economic toll tobacco use takes, established a dedicated account for tobacco prevention and control and agreed to put $100 million of the tobacco settlement funds into the account from the state's first tobacco settlement payment; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOL VE~t the Jefferson County Board of Health supports the dedicated use of $1 00 million. 1llhe tobacco settlement funds for tobacco prevention and control programs designed to prevent children from getting addicted to tobacco and helping users quit. JCBOH opposes using those funds for any other purpose, including making up for funding shortfalls due to Initiative 695. APPROVED this 16th Day of December, 1999 Yes No Richard Wojt, Chair HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE 360/385-9400 FAX 360/385-9401 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Agenda Item Information/Description . Regular Business FOR MONTH OF: December, 1999 1. Description .. a brief description of the agenda item: Please include project, road. contract. grant. etc. number if one is available for the Commissioner Index. Appeal Hearing- SEP 98-0007. Application for design change was denied by Environmental Health Staff. 2. Issue .. a short outline of the issue: including policy issue falls within; strategy or objective issue supports; key reference areas (Iaw/policy/regulation): SEP 98-0007 was issued in 1998 to Mr. Vines. The septic system was designed for an automotive detailing shop. The approved design places the entire septic system is located on lot 1, Melwood Terrace. A redesign was submitted by Mr. Vines in the spring of 1998. The redesign included provisions to enlarge the septic system by placing the drainfield component on the adjacent residential property, lot 2, Melwood Terrace. Mr. Vines was informed that the design change could not be approved without written confirmation from Jefferson County Community Development the placement of the commercial septic on residential land is consistent with county zoning. The redesign request was forwarded to planning for review and no further action was taken. In November Mr. Vines submitted another redesign that places the drainfield component on lot 2. Again the redesign includes provisions to enlarge the capacity of the septic system. Again the matter was referred to planning. On November 18, 1999 this office received the attached memo form Michelle Grewell of the planning department and the attached letter from David Alvarez to Mr. Vines' attomey. The letter and memo summarize decisions of the county hearings examiner, Kitsap County Superior Court and the Growth Management Hearings Board and point to the conclusion that placement of the commercial septic on the residential lot would be contrary to county zoning. Based largely on Mr. Alvarez letter and recommendation, the redesign proposal was denied. Mr. Vines was notified in writing and has requested the Board of Health hear his appeal of the decision. 3. Specific Departmental Recommendation .. why was the action recommended and what would be the impact of not taking the action: What specific action is necessary by the SOH approva/- adoption - deny - remand back to department. Staff recommendation is to deny the appeal.