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Home My WebLink About091924M 09ellason Public Healt REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, September 19, 2024 @ 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA Hybrid Meeting Board Members Staff Members Greg Brotherton,County Commissioner,District#3 Denise Banker,Community Health Director Kate Dean,Chair,County Commissioner District#1 Dr.Allison Berry,Health Officer Heidi Eisenhour,County Commissioner,District#2 Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager Amanda Grace,Vice-Chair,Community Stakeholder Alisa Hasbrouck,Environmental Health Manager Dr. Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Barb Jones,CHIP Program Manager Monica MickHager,Port Townsend City Council Apple Martine,Public Health Director [Vacant[,Consumer of Public Health Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Due to the(anticipated)absence of Chair Dean and Vice-Chair Grace, member Eisenhour acted as chair for the meeting. Acting Chair Eisenhour called the September 19, 2024 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. Members Present: Members Greg Brotherton, Heidi Eisenhour, Kees Kolff and Monica MickHager. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck, Barb Jones, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Acting Chair Eisenhour called for public comment. There being none,the option was left open for public comment to be made in the ensuing 15 minutes. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Acting Chair Eisenhour called for a motion to accept the agenda for September 19, 2024. MOTION: Member MickHager moved to approve the agenda as written. Member Brotherton seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 3 G.Gilbert APPROVAL OF MINUTES Acting Chair Eisenhour requested a motion to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2024 meeting. MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the minutes. Member MickHager seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health(JCPH)Report Staff Member Shaw announced that the annual JCPH budget has been completed and turned in,and provided a brief description of current JCPH activities, such as the Care A Van,which provides vaccines throughout east Jefferson County. Environmental Health has conducted two focus group meetings with housing and septic professionals to discuss changes in the onsite septic code. Water quality staff were active in the recent Wooden Boats Festival,public health staff will be present at the South County Open House, Harm Reduction staff will be tabling at the Quilcene Fair. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Member Kolff provided an update on hospital construction,and described efforts to engage employees in alternate transportation,to reduce parking congestion during construction. He also mentioned hospital observance of Employee Appreciation Month, and announced emergency preparedness training. PUBLIC COMMENT Acting Chair Eisenhour interrupted Old Business in order to allow comment from a member of the public. Commenter spoke about COVID and described"two worlds,"one being the unvaccinated for whom COVID is old news,the other being those who have gotten COVID repeatedly due to cumulative adverse effects of multiple booster vaccinations. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS(continued) 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry reported, in regards to COVID, a low rate of transmission and hospitalization. A current downtrend may reverse when kids return to school. In response to Commenter,Dr. Berry said that the unvaccinated more likely to get COVID but are less likely to be diagnosed because they are less likely to be tested. Vaccination,testing,masking and staying home when sick are still recommended. Vaccination for flu is also recommended. Avian flu is not detected in Washington wastewater sampling but continues to be seen in the wild bird population. In response to questioning, she addressed RSV,the availability of vaccines to prevent it for infants and individuals over 65, and its particular risk for babies and the elderly. She also commented on the rise of syphilis in the region,and the resurgence of malaria,which has been found in the U.S. but not in this area. NEW BUSINESS 1. Exposure Investigation of Outdoor Air Exposures from Port Townsend Paper Corporation Dr. Rhonda Kaetzel, senior toxicologist at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry(ATSDR),provided an overview of ATSDR, its mission—to prevent natural and manufactured exposures,and activities—public health assessment, exposure investigation and technical assistance. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 3 G.Gilbert Elmer Diaz, of the Washington Department of Health, provided historical background of this exposure investigation. Debra Gable, senior environmental health scientist at ATSDR, explained the investigation process. Dr. Aaron Young, environmental health scientist at ATSDR, explained the process for screening for contaminants and provided results of the investigation: In brief, aldehyde contaminants in Port Townsend air were higher during mill operation(as opposed to shutdown), but aldehyde contaminants did not rise to a"level of concern." Sulphur compounds, associated with environmental odors, were at significantly higher concentrations during mill operation, and can potentially cause adverse respiratory effects. Smelling sulphur does not indicate contaminant level is at a risky stage. On occasion,there is a potential for concentrations to result in adverse health effects. Continued community-based monitoring is recommended. Also, Washington Department of Ecology should continue to monitor odor complaints. Lori McGann,the Paper Mill Corporation's communications coordinator, spoke of the mill's new owners' commitment to reducing mill odors. 2. Zoonotic Disease: Lyme Disease Dr. Berry provided a presentation on Lyme Disease,which is becoming more significant in this area(the first case of locally-acquired infection took place in Clallam this year). Dr. Berry described symptoms and preventative measures; she assured that the disease is treatable if caught early. 3. Consumer of Public Health position on Board of Health The deadline for submitting applications for this position has been extended to October 7, 2024. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS No discussion. ANNOUNCEMENTS ATSDR is available to meet with physicians, healthcare providers and others,to talk about sulphur compounds.. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on October 10, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 2:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Acting Chair Eisenhour adjourned the September 19,2024 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEEFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH / V` �y Heidi Eisenhour,Acting Chair Glenn Gilbert,Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 3 G.Gilbert