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JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Board Members:
David Sullivan, Chairman- Coun!.y Commiuioner District #2
Patn'ck AI. Rodgers, Vice Chairman - Count)' Commissioner
DiJtrict #3
Phil JohnJon- County CommlJ'sion'r DiJtri,1 #1
Jill Buhler- Hospital CommlJ'Jioner District #2
Geo!/lv]aJli - Port Townsend City Coumil
Sheila WeJterman - Citizen at Lorge (City)
Roberta Frimll- Citizen at La/X' (County)
StafiMembm:
Jean Baldwin, Publtc Health Serviw Dim/or
Julia fJanskin, l\Tursing Services Director
Thomas Locke, MD, Health Officer
}';[ike AlcNi,kle, Environmental Health & Natural
Resources Director
Meeting was called to order at 2:30 pm on June 15,2006 by Chair David Sullivan in the
conference room of the Jefferson County Public Health Department. All Board members
and staff were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Board Member Masci moved to approve the agenda. Board Member Westerman
seconded the motion, which was carried by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board Member Masci moved to approve the minutes. Board Member Johnson
seconded the motion, which was carried by a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Sullivan called on the public for comments.
A member of the community was concerned that the language of the Solid Waste
Ordinance is not clear. He stated that the regulations do not specify the number of junk
cars allowed on one's property. Another concern was that the Jefferson Count Public
Health website is not being updated with Board of Health minutes and agendas in a
timely manner.
OLD BUSINESS
Drinkine Water Week Nominations
The PUD was nominated by the Washington State Department of Health's Office of
Drinking Water and staff for the category of Going Above and Beyond award.
NEW BUSINESS
Areas of Threatened Shellfish Closures - Jefferson County and Cyanobacteria
Bloom in Anderson Lake - Human and Animal Health
Mike McNickle reported that the Lake Leland fishing derby was postponed because of a
potentially toxic blue green algae bloom. The rising levels of algae were at the threshold
of concern. The decision was made to postpone the event because the most recent water
test results would not be back prior to the event and public health and safety could not be
assured.
Mike presented a power point presentation on Surface Water Management. He explained
the roles of Environmental Health and Natural Resources and how the two programs
work together on this issue. This collaboration includes shellfish harvest closures, blue-
green algae blooms, monitoring, complaint investigations, and funding issues.
Neil Harrington explained the influence of the commercial shellfish industry and the
impact of recreational harvesting. Areas of concern are sections of Hood Canal and
Mystery Bay. Mike advised that Environmental Health is working with the Parks
Department to monitor all the county lakes that have public access during the summer
months.
Dr. Locke explained the science behind cyanobacteria blooms and discussion followed
regarding factors that stimulate cyanobacterial grow1h.
Update - Joint Select Committee on Public Health Financine
Dr. Locke gave an update on the work of the Legislative Committee tasked with making
recommendations on long-term public health funding. He explained that this
committee's job is to investigate public health system needs, propose solutions to
identified problems, and send recommendations to the legislature for a stable, long term,
and predictable source of funding for public health services. State and local public health
agencies have done a great deal of work to support this effort, including a detailed report
showing what would be done with additional funding. It was estimated that it would take
at least two hundred million dollars per year state-wide to bring the Public Health system
up to a uniform standard performance across the state. Dr. Locke advised that the report
is available for those who would like to review it.
Activity Update I Aeenda Plannine
Jean Baldwin has evaluated the Board of Health By-Laws, the Hearing Code and the
Ordinance Regulations and will discuss the discrepancies and areas that need revising at
the July BOH meeting.
There was a discussion regarding the funding sources for Anderson Lake monitoring,
shellfish concerns, and the Surface Water Management Plan.
There was a discussion on the language discrepancies, between the Unified Development
Code (CDC) and the Junk Vehicle Ordinance regarding the definition of junk vehicles
and how many are allowed on a property. Board Member Masci made a motion that
recommendations be developed to assure consistency between the language of the
UDC and the Solid Waste Ordinance and that these recommendations be brought
back to the Board for review. Board Member Westerman seconded the motion.
There was additional discussion regarding the policy to allow flexibility for those who
restore cars. Mike McNickle stated that the Environmental Health Department has been
following the policy of "three or more junk vehicles" and the violation of this policy has
been enforced. Chair Sullivan called for the vote, which carried by a majority vote
with two opposing.
Chair Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 3:35 p.m.
Next Board of Health meeting is July 20, 2006.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
Davil;l~
M. Rod ers, Vice Chair
Jill Buhler. Member
9t// .f3u.J~-
}heila Wester?lan, Member
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Phil 0 ember