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Home My WebLink About101724M 09enetson Public Healt REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, October 17, 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 Chair Dean called the October 17,2024 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:32 p.m. Members Present: Chair Dean, Vice-Chair Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heidi Eisenhour and Kees Kolff. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker,Dr.Allison Berry, Michael Dawson,Alisa Hasbrouck, Barb Jones, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Dean called for public comment. Commenter spoke about the available position on the Board of Health and their desire to represent Consumers of Public Health thereon. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Dean called for a motion to accept the agenda for October 21,2024. Staff Member Martine proposed amending the agenda to potentially take action on New Business Part 3 to potentially add"a stipend for non-elected members of this newly diversified-board based on House Bill 1152." MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda as amended. Member Grace seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4 G.Gilbert APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Dean requested a motion to approve the minutes of the September 19,2024 meeting. Staff Member Martine proposed revisions to the minutes, suggesting that the text"a high rate of transmission"be changed to"a low rate of transmission" in Old Business,Part 4,"Infectious Diseases Update." Dr. Berry supported the change MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes as amended. Member Brotherton seconded the motion,which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health(JCPH)Report Staff Member Martine provided several updates concerning the recently-completed JCPH biennial budget,recent changes to Foundational Public Health Services,annual reports on the WIC program and the School-Based Health Centers program,and upcoming septic classes and changes to the septic code. More information will be provided during her Quarterly Review under New Business,later in the meeting. 3. State Board of Health Report Chair Dean spoke concerning on-going tasks at the state Board of Health, including revision of PFAS("per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances")Rules governing"forever chemicals",new codes for recreational aquatic facilities, sanitary control of shellfish,new newborn screening requests, new environmental health school rules, and developing guidelines for fluoridation of water. Chair Dean reminded that she will be leaving the State Board of Health at the end of the year,when she retires from the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Board of Health. 4. Infectious Diseases Update Dr.Berry reported Jefferson County is experiencing low rates of transmission in all the major respiratory illnesses (COVID-19, influenza and RSV); she advised staying up-to-date on vaccines,prior to a likely rise in transmission during the holiday season. There is some avian flu activity in neighboring states,though not currently detected in Washington,and a first human case with no known animal exposure was seen in Missouri. Recent hurricane activity has caused a shortage of IV fluids,which does affect Jefferson County. In response to written public comment,Dr.Berry reported that two large meta-analyses found that COVID vaccines are very safe, including for pregnant individuals(who are disproportionate affected by COVID-19). 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report(moved from its earlier position due to Dr.Kolff's late arrival) Member Kolff led with a mention of dependency on supply chains(in regards to IV fluids,as an example,there is now a national shortage due to flooding near the Baxter Lab in North Carolina)and segued into a discussion of earthquake preparedness,and their effect on hospital function and on employees,whose family needs must be balanced with patient needs. Hospital renovation and expansion is still on time and on budget. In regards to the 2025 draft budget report,presented at a meeting with CFO and CEO,the hospital is on-track to be in the black next year,though the report highlights the slim operating margin within which the hospital operates. In response to a question,Dr.Kolff replied that Jefferson Healthcare works in close coordination with County Emergency Management in regard to emergency preparedness. A further question concerned the presence of lead pipes in county. Dr.Berry responded that, in an area with older housing such as Port Townsend,the likelihood is great,but the location of the pipes is uncertain and the cost of replacement is high; lead could also be found in soil. Testing of children for lead exposure is recommended. A study by the state Dept.of Health estimates a high likelihood of lead in the region. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4 G.Gilbert NEW BUSINESS 1. [POSSIBLE ACTION]Discussion of Board of Health Membership Staff member Martine spoke of state law mandated efforts to diversify the Board of Health. In order to recruit a required"Consumer of Public Health"member,it has been necessary to extend the deadline for applications several times. It is suggested that offering a stipend to non-elected members might increase interest. Chair Dean requested approval to extend the deadline for new applicants for the"Consumer"member,and asked the board to consider offering a stipend. Dr. Berry amplified that the law requires recruiting a broad pool of applicants. She recommended the stipend as non- elected members may have other jobs. MOTION: Member Kolff moved that the deadline be extended for another two months,and that the Board also look into providing a stipend for those who might need it to be able to participate. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion. Member Brotherton commented in favor of the motion and recommended that the Planning Commission be used as a model, as it pays stipends to commissioners. He also mentioned the possibility of rescheduling another time for Board of Health meetings. (Doubt was cast upon the likelihood of finding another time that would be convenient to all.) Staff member Hasbrouck mentioned that code revision would be required in order to allow payment of a stipend. Further discussion ensued. Chair Dean opened up the discussion for public comment. Commenter expressed appreciation of the value of exploring the accessibility inclusivity pieces of being able to reimburse people for their time and bringing the language forward of what are the real qualifications. Chair Dean called the question. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Celebrating 25 years of Nurse Family Partnership(NFP)in Jefferson County Staff member Denise Banker announced the anniversary of JCPH's assumption of work necessary to promote healthy families,partnering first-time parents with registered nurses who provide home visits. JCPH staff nurse Kathleen Colby provided historical perspective on the program,and the benefits to families and society. JCPH staff nurse Sarah Jane spoke of the history of NFP in Washington State, in Jefferson County,partnerships between Jefferson and other counties and jurisdictions,and some of the challenges the program has overcome. JCPH staff nurse Korinda Kay provided details of one case history,and introduced a short film of former JCPH staff nurse Katie-Rose Fischer-Price interviewing one parent partner. Kay provided a brief description of data collection and a forecast of the future of the program. Discussion ensued. 3. Quarterly Review of JCPH Staff member Apple Martine presented JCPH's quarterly highlights reel,briefly describing a variety of current JCPH programs and activities. 4. Report on Summer Algal Blooms Staff member Michael Dawson described an update on algae blooms affecting lakes in Jefferson County,particularly in regard to cyanobacteria,a producer of serious, sometimes deadly toxins. He described testing procedures,efforts to keep public updated when toxins reach danger levels. Bloom severity and toxin levels are predicted to worsen in the future due to climate change. Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 4 G.Gilbert