HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_01_16_BOH_Minutes_ExecutedPublic Hea
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Thursday, January 16, 2025 @ 2:30 p.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA
Hybrid Meeting
Board Members
Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3
Heather Dudley-Nollette, County Commissioner District #1
Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner, District #2
Amanda Grace, Chair, Community Stakeholder
Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner
Monica MickHager, Vice -Chair, Port Townsend City
Council
[Vacant], Consumer of Public Health
Celeste Dybeck, Tribal Representative
Staff Members
Denise Banker, Community Health Director
Dr. Allison Berry, Health Officer
Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager
Alisa Hasbrouck, Environmental Health Manager
Apple Martine, Public Health Director
Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director
Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director
Chair Grace called the January 16, 2025 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m.
Members Present: Chair Amanda Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Celeste Dybeck,
Heidi Eisenhour, Dr. Kees Kolff
Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson and Apple Martine.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Grace called for public comment. There being none, the option was left open for public comment to be made
by late arrivals.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for January 16, 2025.
MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda as amended. Member Kolff seconded the motion,
which carried by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2024 meeting.
MOTION: Member Kolff moved to approve the minutes. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which
carried by a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4
G. Gilbert
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report
Staff Member Martine welcomed Commissioner Dudley-Nollette to the Board, representing District 1. They also
thanked Member Kolff for offering to represent the Board of Health at the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee
(BHAC) and reminded the Board that an alternate will need to be appointed.
They mentioned that the State Department of Health is in financial flux, due to state budget shortfalls and changes in
federal and state administrations. This may impact health funding and services across the governmental public health
system.
Member Eisenhour informed that she has taken on the liaison role with state government and will regularly be
attending meetings in Olympia.
Member Martine concluded with an announcement that JCPH published its first Environmental and Climate and
Health Impact Report (community health assessment) with a correlated data dashboard, available on the County
website.
2. Jefferson Healthcare Report
Member Kolff attended a meeting of the Washington State Hospital Association, discussing priorities and possible
impacts of government action.
Jefferson Healthcare is one of the rare hospitals that operates profitably. The hospital renovation and expansion is on
track, both time and budget -wise, anticipating a July opening.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Grace paused Old Business in order to allow comment from a member of the public.
Commenter made a statement concerning the costliness and scarcity of eggs, and questioned overreaction (declaration
of emergency in California) to avian influenza when considering the rarity of human infection.
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (continued)
3. Infectious Diseases Update
Dr. Berry gave an update on current infectious diseases of note. There is currently a high rate of influenza cases,
though there are early signs of a downturn. Vaccination, and masking when in indoor, crowded spaces, is
recommended; stay home when ill. Low rates of COVID have been seen. RSV has had a mild year, largely due to
good uptake of the RSV vaccine; there is a good RSV vaccine, recommended for elderly, infants and pregnant people.
There is good news concerning Avian flu; it remains largely an animal (not human) ailment. Human infection results
from close, unsafe contact with animals; wear gloves and an N95 mask if caring for sick poultry, cattle, or wildlife.
There are no current poultry outbreaks in Clallam or Jefferson Counties. Protect poultry flocks by reducing contact
with wild birds. Monthly dairy testing has found no avian flu in cows in the state of Washington.
The declaration of emergency in California is largely an economic issue, due to devastation of the dairy industry.
There have been cases of avian flu crossing over into cats, due to eating wild birds or raw meat. Avoiding raw food
and keeping cats indoors or to limited outdoor areas is recommended.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Introduction of Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette to the Board of Health
Staff member Martine welcomed new Board Member Dudley-Nollette to the Board of Health, and to the Board of
County Commissioners, and looked forward to introducing her to the work of JCPH.
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4
G. Gilbert
2. Introduction of Celeste Dybeck, new Tribal Representative to the Board of Health
Member Kolff gave a brief biography of new Board Member Dybeck and listed many of her services to Jefferson
County.
3. [POTENTIAL ACTION] New Consumer of Public Health Board Member: applicant interviews and selection
The following individuals, having expressed interest in serving on the Board of Health in the position of Consumer of
Public Health, and having filled out an application, were interviewed by the Board:
Eden Blooms
Bridgette Ramsey
Ariel Shultz Armijo
Stephen Schumacher
Erica Ellis
Michael Schattenkerk
Jamillah DeCianne
Gabrielle Vanwert
Following a vote by current Board Members present:
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to appoint Gabrielle Vanwert as the new Consumer of Public Health
Member on the Board of Health. Member Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion.
Chair Grace called for public comment.
Commenter congratulated Ms. Vanwert on selection and appreciated her willingness to speak for people who don't
have a voice in the community.
A vote was held on Member Brotherton's motion, which passed unanimously.
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
Member Brotherton proposed scheduling a presentation by Olympic Region Clean Air Agency concerning its
services.
Staff Member Martine reproposed the Olympic Community of Health, which will present on the new Community
Care Hub model that will be launched in the region in 2025.
Member Kolff proposed adding climate action topics.
Member Eisenhour suggested a discussion of Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and the Community Wildfire
Defense Grant (in development).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
According to Member Kolff, Jefferson Healthcare recently received a Climate Change Air Quality Grant and has
reached out to JCPH.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on February 13, 2025 at 10:30 ,
a.m.
The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 2:30
p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 4
G. Gilbert
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Grace adjourned the January 16, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:29 p.m. until the
next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COVNTR BOARD OF HEALTH
49qAmanda Grace, air Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant
Respectfully submitted Page 4 of 4
G. Gilbert