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HomeMy WebLinkAbout012606 '1 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, January 26, 2006 Board Members: Geoffrey Mam~ Chairman - Port Townsend City Council David Sullivan) ~/ice Chairman - County Commissioner District #2 Phil Johnson- County Commissioner Distnd #1 Patrick M. &dgm - County Commimoner District #3 Jill Buhler - Hospital Commissioner Distlict #2 Shezla Westerman - Citizen at Large (City) Roberta Frissell- Citizen at Large (County) StafMembers: Jean Baldwin, Public Health S ,roices Director Julia Danskin, ])lursing Services Director Thomas Locke, MD, Health Officer Mike A[cNickle, Environmental Health & Natural Resources Director Meeting called to order at 2:41 pm by Chair GeoffMasci in the conference room of Jefferson County Public Health Department. All Board and Staff Members were present, with the exception of Board Member Rodgers who was excused. ELECTION OF BOARD CHAIR & VICE CHAIR Chair Masci requested nominations for the new Chair. Board Member Westerman nominated David Sullivan as Chair. Board Member Buhler seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously. Chair Sullivan requested nominations for the Vice Chair. Board Member Masci nominated Pat Rodgers. Board Member Frissell seconded. The vote passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion to approve agenda was made by Board Member Masci and seconded by Board Member Buhler. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Sullivan called on the public for comments. A community member reported that he was happy to see the health department informing the public and getting involved. He also suggested the public be forced to have their septic systems pumped by a private company possibly around the tax season. Concerns regarding the distinction between abandoned and junk vehicles were voiced and a request for the public to be informed when public meetings will be held was made. Mike McNickle responded to the citizens' specific concerns and advised them of the different meetings scheduled around the county for the public to learn more about Environmental Health. A citizen expressed concern about proper training on the equipment to be used for the Hood Canal Research and the importance of Staff understanding people's property rights. Another request was to make sure the collected data is accurate and is shared with the public. A suggestion was made for the Board to be more open with the public regarding information presented at the meetings, to listen more closely to people and take their concerns seriously. OLD BUSINESS Hood Canal Sanitarv Survey Project Mike McNickle explained that the survey letter included in the packet was sent out to approximately 100 people. The meetings were divided into three geographical areas in order to make it easier for community members to attend. At this point in the collection of the data there has shown evidence of a water contamination problem. NEW BUSINESS Jefferson County 901 Implementation Proeram Kellie Regan explained that since its implementation date of December 8th, we have been educating the community on initiative 901. Kellie reported that 13 complaints have been received about establishments that are in potential violation of the smoking ban. Two official notices have been mailed. Signs have been sent to all businesses subject to the new law to help them comply with the requirement that every public place post a no smoking sign. Some private clubs thought they were exempt from this new law. However, if a club or private facility has employees, they are subject to this law. Board Member Westerman asked what evidence is there about the degree of harm second-hand causes. Dr. Locke responded by saying lout of every 9 lung cancer deaths is caused by second hand smoke exposure. Heart disease is another serious health consequence of second hand smoke. Draft Jefferson County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance Some of the food and bar establishments that have allowed smoking in the past are challenging the new regulation. Under the proposed ordinance, a step by step process will be put into place to encourage compliance. First, a letter along with educational materials, will be sent. Second, another letter will be mailed to inform them of an inspection to be completed within 30 days. Third, if another violation is observed a ticket will be issued for the amount specified in the state statute -- $100. Additional tickets may be issued for further violations. If five or more violations occur, their food service permit will be suspended. This will, in turn, cause their liquor license to be suspended. This approach sends the message that JCPH is serious about the Clean Indoor Air Regulations. The Liquor Control Board supports this process. Board Member Masci asked how the rebuttal process will work. He was advised that rebuttals will be considered on a case by case basis. All food establishments are invited to attend a meeting on February 8th at the WSU extension to learn about the proposed enforcement process. Board Member Buhler asked what the process is if the right of entry is denied? Mr. McNickle responded that licensed facilities are required to grant access reasonable access to food safety inspectors. Failure to grant access can lead to suspension of a food service establishment license. We are working closely with our neighboring counties, Clallam and Kitsap to have similar enforcement laws. It is up to each BOH to adopt the ordinances. Jean Baldwin requested a public hearing on the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance. Board Member Masci motioned for a public hearing at the BOH meeting scheduled for February 16th, 2006. Board member Frissell seconded and the vote passed unanimously. Proposed Fee Schedule for Indoor Air Reeulation Enforcement An amendment to the 2006 Fee Schedule that was approved by the Board in December was presented. The amendment will provide revenue for JCPH to perform re-inspections related to the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance and to process applications for rebuttals to the 25 setback requirements. Board Member Masci moved for a public hearing for the amended fee schedule at February's BOH meeting. Board Member Frissell seconded and the vote passed unanimously. Jefferson County Svrinee Exchanee Proeram Report 2000-2005 Kellie Regan explained that the Syringe Exchange program report represents the last five years. She advised that the report shows there has been a drop in utilization during the year 2005. However, there are new people accessing the program services. Leeislative Session Update Dr. Locke informed the Board that we are in the first month of a 60 day legislative session. The Board packet contains a news release from the Governor's office pertaining to insurance reform issues and ways to better use information technology to promote quality of care and patient safety. Two bills are being offered for emergency preparedness activities. Public Health is being challenged to come up with more outcome measures to replace current process measures. The intent is to better evaluate the impact of specific public health activities. There is a senate bill that targets pandemic influenza planning A discussion was held about the recent rejection of the Peninsula Regional Service Network's(RSN) request for qualifications (RFQ) application. Chair Sullivan stated that RFQ were submitted by all RSN's in the state. He reported the Department of Health staff could not explain how the RFQ's were scored, what the expectations were for each of the questions, or who the experts were that did the scoring and how they were evaluated. Board Member Masci asked about House and Senate public health funding bills and their respective appropriations. Dr. Locke responded that each bill proposed $20 million. If both bills passed it would be $40 million total but it is unlikely they would both pass. The senate bill targets new funding for pandemic flu preparedness, the house funds a broader range of emergency preparedness activities but calls for development of outcome -based standards. Mike McNickle reported on HB3040 which would require on-site maintenance specialists to be licensed by the state similar to how certified designers are licensed. There would be a test they would need to take. A discussion was held about SB3039 and potential impacts on Hood Canal water quality improvement efforts. A draft letter was presented to the Board. Board Member Masci suggested that the letter regarding 3039 express the Board's commitment to higher onsite sewage standards. Dr. Locke stated that SB3039 is moving fast through the legislature but there is no compelling scientific evidence to support that the functioning onsite septic systems are contributing to excess nitrogen on the Hood Canal. Board Member Westerman requested to change the last sentence in the letter from "will not" to "may not" since we do not really know. Board Member Masci motioned that we approve the sending of the letter with the changes as discussed. Board Member Buhler seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously. Influenza Season Update Dr. Locke stated that seasonal influenza transmission continues in Washington State but we are not seeing increasing levels over the past 2 weeks. Almost all the influenza in circulation is of the H3N2 variety that first emerged in the Hong Kong Flu pandemic of 1968. Influenza is always changing. This strain of influenza A appears to have gained a rapid resistance to 2 types of antiviral medications, amantadine and rimantadine, that are used to control institutional outbreaks. Two newer drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, are still effective but they are expensive and in short supply due to international efforts to stockpile them in anticipation of an Avian Flu outbreak. Activity update / Aeenda Plan nine Changes to the number of state contracts are impacting the budget process. Contracts that were a year long are now 6 months. DSHS and Ecology are considering changes in multiple contracts. The Take Charge program was a federal waiver that paid for low income people to get birth control to prevent them from going into the welfare system. Other potential future agenda items: . 901 Fees . Mental Plan . Performance report for 2005 . Solid waste results for March and April . Chimacum Creek . Hospital assessment project . Update on junk car ordinance . Board Retreat Board member Westerman and Buhler are excused from the February 16th BOH meeting. Board Member Masci moved to adjourn the meeting at 4.25 pm. JEFERSSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH \ David Sullivan, Chairman 7r- 1'1 '" ./' J/ /' //- (t~:-,t>..,&?/~v?tiJ~~ Patrick M. Rodgers, Vice Chair (Excused) " f/_ ,,:..' ., ..' ,-, ","C!.4-i(';;Tf/UL&((' Roberta rnsseIT, Member . ~c~~ G f Masci, Memb;;;:' <;tL <<, M,mbcr ~W~WU-kJ~ Sh . , Member ~ In order to maintain safe water quality for people and marine life in Hood Canal, Jefferson County Public Health is embarking on a project to inspect and assess septic systems and help homeown- ers learn how to prolong the life of their septic system. This two year project is funded by Washington State Department of Ecology with funds approved by the Legislature. The goals of the project are to protect public health, prevent shellfish doures, and protect Hood Canal from pollution. Stafffrom Jefferson County Public Health will: . Hold public meetings and distribute information about the project to communities from Tala Shore south through Brinnon to the county line. . Take samples from sources of fresh water along the Hood Canal shoreline. . Identity and correct pollution sources and we may ask you to allow us to perform an inspection of your septic system. If your septic system is found to be failing, we will assist you in finding resources for repairing it. Bacteria, viruses, and other organisms in sewage are a health hazard and the system must be repaired. . Survey shoreline and watershed area homeowners about their septic systems We will contact you to set up a convenient time to meet with you at your home to ask questions about and in- spect your septic system. Or, if you see us in the neighborhood, we could set up an appointment or perform the inspection at that time. . Provide information about septic system operation and maintenance. . Provide resources for management of animal waste, storm water, and other pollution sources. . Report the results of the survey and project to you and the community. The survey and inspection will take approximantly 30 minutes. The results of the project may help guide individual communities and in the futuer land use planning in the Hood Canal. You are a key part of the effort to protect "our" Hood Canal. Together, we can make it safe for our families and marine life. If you have questions, please call Jefferson County Public Health. JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, Washington 98368 Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Jefferson County Phone: (360) 385-9444 Fax: (360) 385-9401 web: www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Department 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORT TOWNSEND, WA PERMIT NO. 45