Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout111606 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, November 16, 2006 Board Members: David Sullivan, Chairman - County Commissioner District #2 Patrick M. Rodgers, Vice Chairman - County Commissioner District #3 Phil Johnson- County Commissioner District #1 Jill Buhler- Hospital Commissioner District #2 GeoiJ Masci - Port Townsend City Council Sheila Westerman - Citizen at Large (City) Roberta Frimll- Citizen at Large (County) StafMembers: Jean Baldwin, Public Health Seroices Director Julia Danskin, 1\Tursing Programs Director Thomas Locke, MD, Health Officer Mike M.cNickle, Environmental Health & Natural Resources Director Meeting was called to order at 2:30 pm on November 16,2006 by Chair Sullivan in the conference room of Jefferson County Public Health. All Board members were present. All staff members were present with the exception of Dr. Tom Locke. A quorum was present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Board Member Buhler moved to approve the agenda as written. Vice Chair Rodgers seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes as written. Board Member Westerman seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS None OLD BUSINESS Additional Human and Animal West Nile Cases in Washineton Lisa McKenzie, Communicable Disease Program Coordinator, provided the Board with two updated DOH News Press Releases, which confirmed 1 additional human WNV infection producing mild disease and 1 case of horse infection, resulting in the death of the horse bringing the total in Washington to 3 human, 6 horses and 13 bird testing positive for WNV. Jefferson County sent 15 birds for testing all showing negative. Surveillance for WNV closes at the end of November and will start up again in the Spring. Jefferson County Public Health Pandemic Flu Forum Julia updated the Board in connection with the Pandemic Flu Forum, presented November 8th by Dr. Locke and Betty Dunaway, RN of the Kitsap County Health District. All were encouraged to get a flu vaccination. There are 3 clinics planned for Saturday, Nov. 18. Lisa McKenzie explained the recommendations for getting a flu vaccination. Flu shots are recommended for anyone 50 and older, anyone with a medical risk factor, heart or lung disease, diabetes, any immune system problems, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes or long term care facilities, health care workers and family members caring for those at risk for influenza complications. Publicly funded flu vaccine is available for children under age 5 and for household contacts of high risk individuals up to age 18. State Association of Local Boards of Health Follow-up In response to the request at the last BOH meeting a letter was drafted by Dr. Locke and sent to Council Member Patterson regarding a State Association of Local Boards of Health. John Fishbach informed the Board of Health that the County Commissioners have taken a position on this issue. A letter was sent from the Office of the Commissioner's recommending that Boards of Health work through WSAC rather than form their own association. Concern was expressed by members of the BOH regarding this action and member Westerman suggested that from this point forward, if issues are not time sensitive they come to the Board of Health. Breast Cancer Prevention & Girls Nieht Out Jean reported on Main Street Project, Girl's Night Out. The event was well attended and exciting. Retailers supported this project selling raffle tickets for "Goodie Bags". The proceeds were donated to Jefferson County Public Health for the Mobile Mammogram and Breast Cancer Awareness. This is the fourth year the Mobile Mammogram came to Quilcene, funded by Susan G. Komen Foundation and staffed by employees from Public Health. This year there were 25 women screened. This program continues to be well attended. Updated 901 Education Letter A draft of the Clean Indoor Air Act compliance letter was presented to the Board. Member Masci moved to approve the letter with minor verbiage changes. Member Rodgers seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. NEW BUSINESS 4410 Public Health Fundine Update Jean updated the Board on EHCR 4410-Public Health Funding. There was a joint committee on Public Health Financing. The joint committee has concluded gaps in the system are resulting in deterioration of the whole system and the state bears some responsibility for addressing this funding shortfall. The joint committee proposes that fifty million dollars annually would be dedicated to public health funding. These increases are focused on targeted gaps, Communicable Disease programs, Chronic Disease and Disabilities Prevention, Healthy Families, Environmental Public Health programs, Preparedness for Health Emergencies, Access to Health Care and Health Information. This money is for use at a local level. Upon receiving this money the plan would be for each County to review their Standards with their BOH to determine how to correct identified deficiencies. This is not a replacement for any existing funding but would be used to address current gaps. Several health departments were interviewed to identify and prioritize gaps. John Fischbach and Vice Chair Rodgers questioned the rationale behind calculating statewide costs. Jean will report back on the rationale for these calculations. Jean Baldwin would like to contact the legislators representing Jefferson County soon to educate them on local Public Health priorities and encouraged Board members to contact the legislature. On-Site Operation and Maintenance - Potential Chanees Mike McNickle updated the Board on the On-site Regulation Code draft. Mike will meet with PUD about changing operation and maintenance functions. Mike will be coming to the Board for policy direction over the next couple of months. PUD does not want to continue their role in operation and maintenance of on-site sewage systems. Mike will be talking with Clallam County and Kitsap County Environmental Health Directors in an attempt to regionalize on-site protocols. Training is being conducted between the three counties Environmental Health staff in an effort to work together on essential issues. Member Westerman suggested talking to septic pumpers in an effort to find out what they would require for on-site maintenance in order to make it more marketable to the private sector and to invite representatives from the private sector to a meeting to find out what it would take for them to get involved. Discoverv Bay Shellfish Protection District The Department of Health sent a letter informing Jefferson County that part of Discovery Bay shellfish growing area has been reclassified from Approved to Restricted because of water quality results at Station 48. Reclassification will be effective 35 days after the report is distributed unless the County appeals. After that time, JCPH will be required to develop a closure response plan within 60 days that includes a plan to reopen Station 48. The goal is to find the water quality problem and fix it in a timely manner. Once a closure response plan is in effect the county must form a shellfish protection district within 180 days. In the meantime the county has provided money to start water sampling from 17 stations around Snow and Salmon Creek. Green Business Awards Three businesses were presented with Green Business Awards for their efforts to reduce waste, save energy, reduce water use, and increase recycling. This program recognized Auto Works, Monroe Street Medical Clinic and Wholistic Skin Therapy Center. PTTV, "Many Faces of Public Health", featured Dentistry Northwest, a recipient ofthe Governor's Award, in September and discussed Green Business. Dentistry NW reported that they have 15 new clients since that segment aired. Substance Abuse Advisorv Board Nomination Interviews were conducted after the Board of Health meeting. Activity Update - Public Health Heros Eagle Harbor has been providing Jefferson County Public Health with free books for the past year. These books are distributed between the Quilcene Clinic and the Port Townsend Health Department lobby. By providing these books to our clients the waiting room is as welcoming as it is professional. Also mentioned was Wooden Boat Foundation for their use in recyclable corncob cups and Aldrich's for their refusal to sell tobacco products. Jean Baldwin asked for the participation in nominating heroes. Member Masci, Member Frissell and Jean will be meeting to discuss BOH criteria for awards. Member Masci suggested placing a notice in the Leader asking for nominations and a way to get the public involved. Member Rodgers praised Hospice of Jefferson County for their diligent work and their support given to families in the community. Member Rodgers complimented Mike McNickle for his hard work and effort in the South County Solid Waste clean up. Member Rodgers reported that a great deal of work has taken place in South County and tons of vehicle trash is gone. Aeenda Plan nine Jean Baldwin spoke about the 1/10th of 1 % revenue, which will help support assessment work on community impacts of co-occurring disorders. There is a great deal of data that we have not had the ability to look at. JCPH is negotiating with Kitsap to provide technical assistance in this area. Meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm. Next Board of Health meeting is December 14,2006. JEFFE. ON C. OlJ,N..T. Y. BOARD OF HEALTH ~ >. tr4~ .. ~ /c~u./:{j_#II!>,~ Su l' I,l Bu r, ember ~..lLi;'~ uJ 1.,4tVw-c--- PatricJ< M. Rodgers, Vice Chair i >/ ./ _J .., .. ~: "~~lIf~_ '-'/f ?/L~I/{(. Roberta Frissell, Member ~Sci' Member November 9,2006 The Honorable Julia Patterson Chair, Seattle-King County Board of Health Dear Councilmember Patterson: I am writing on behalf of the Jefferson County Board of Health which discussed your thoughtful letter regarding a State Association of Local Boards of Health. The Jefferson County Board of Health is an "expanded" board with 7 members: 3 county commissioners, a City of Port Townsend council member, a hospital commissioner, and two appointed at-large positions. The Board's reaction to your letter was generally positive. Potential benefits of a statewide association include improved advocacy for a dedicated, stable public health funding source and a resource to provide training and education to new board of health members. Questions were raised about how such an association would be funded. I think you can certainly add Jefferson County to your list of local boards of health expressing an interest in a proposed State Association of Local Board of Health. On behalf of the Board, thank you for your leadership on this project. Sincerely, Tom Locke, MD, MPH Jefferson County Health Officer Also appended is correspondence between Jeanette Stehr-Green, Chair of the Clallam County Board of Health and Julia Patterson, Chair of the Seattle-King County Board of Health ----Original Messagem-- From: Patterson, Julia [mailto:Julia.Patterson(iiJMETROKC.GOV] Sent: Thursday, September 21,20065:00 PM To: jstehrgreen@att.net Subject: RE: State Association of Local Boards of Health Hi Jeanette, I'm sorry for the late reply - this message just came before me today. I hope that my responses can still reach other Board of Health members and may answer questions raised at your meeting on Tuesday. - I have received positive responses from Island, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Snohomish, Yakima, and NE Tri Boards ofHeatth. I have ouly received one 'negative' response, from Okanogan County Board of Health, which feels as though their time and efforts are already stretched. After my staff recently spoke with Bill Vogler, ofWSAC, I understand that this is a sentiment shared by a number of small Boards of Health, especially those whose membership consist solely of County Commissioners. - WSAC and W ASLPHO have both expressed some concerns, primarily as they relate to how each organization will work together and share information. There was also some concern with a SALBOH hiring a lobbyist, but we are far too early in the exploratory process to even be considering this particular issue. My staff have worked with Bill Vogler to answer a number of questions Boards of Health have posed to WSAC, and are working closely with him in providing accurate information to those that have inquired. - This last question is one we will have to explore as a group. There are so many different directions we could take a state association, from participating as a sub-group ofWSAC (as suggested by WSAC) to forming a SALBOH with staff and resources. I do think there is value in formalizing a connection between local Boards of Health, however we choose to proceed. The Board of Health I chair strives to serve as a bully pulpit for health issues and utilizes our political and community connections to promote health. Boards of Health have a role unique to health and not easily wrapped into other state organizations. Thanks again for your email and I apologize for responding so late. Julia ----Original Message----- From: Jeanette Stehr-Greeu [mailto:istehrgreen(q)att.netl Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 3:11 PM To: Patterson, Julia Subject: State Association ofl-acal Boards of Health Hi, Julia. 1 am the chair of the Clallam County Board of Health. We will be discussiug local interest iu a Washington State Association of Local Boards of Health at our September Board Meeting (September 19). To aid in our discussion, I had a few questions: - What has been the response from other counties so far? _ Have there been reactions from other groups (the State Board of Health, the Department of Health, W ASLPHO)? _ Do we really think that such an association will have a significant influence on the slate legislature or govemor where SBOH, DOH, and W ASLPHO have had seemingly limited success? (What pressure/carrots/sticks do we have that the named organizations don't?) 1 would be most interested in your candid thoughts that will allow our Board of Health to have an informed discussion on Tuesday. Please feel free to respond to this email or give me a call (360-417-6988). (I work from home.) Once we have had our discussion on Tuesday, we will certainly share our thoughts back with you. Thanks. (And thanks for raising the idea to all local boards of health and sifting through the responses.) Sincerely, Jeanette Stehr-Green, MD Chair Clallam County Board of Health