HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_02_20_BOH_Minutes_ExecutedREGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of Health
Thursday, February 20, 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
Celeste Dybeck, Tribal Representative
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
Gabrielle Vanwert, Consumer of Public Health
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 February 20, 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, Monica MickHager and Gabrielle Vanwert
Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson and Apple Martine.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Grace called for public comment.
Commenter, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coordinator for Jefferson County, announced their
participation at the Connectivity Summit at Chimacum High School on March 7 and 8, 2025, a great place to learn
about available resources, and there will be prizes. They are also seeking a new member to join the Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board (IDDAB).
Commenter announced that the action group The Indivisible is seeking support and members. They requested a place
on a future BoH agenda.
Commenter, a student at Port Townsend High School, spoke in favor of the school -based health clinic (SBHC) at Blue
Heron Middle School, the opening of which has been delayed. They enumerated the various services provided, and
spoke of the favorable impact of the SBHCs at the high school and at the Chimacum School.
Commenter spoke of the services provided by Gatheringplace to those with intellectual and developmental
disabilities, and spoke of the current capital campaign to expand facilities.
Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4
G. Gilbert
Commenter spoke doubtfully about the ability of local public health to determine the "best science," and provided
examples of some questionable practices of the past (including references to practices during the COVID epidemic).
Member MickHager asked for more information about the IDDAB.
Dr. Berry thanked all the commenters for their participation, and responded to statements and questions.
Member Brotherton encouraged more participation by community members, such as the group of commenters today
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for February 20, 2025.
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the agenda. Member Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion,
which carried by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2025 meeting.
MOTION: Member Mick -Hager moved to approve the minutes. 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 Denise Banker provided a slideshow entitled "JCPH Highlights January 2025" describing Public Health
programs, recent events and achievements.
2. Jefferson Healthcare Report
Member Kolff reminded that Jefferson Healthcare, though undergoing construction, is still open for business,
providing, among other services, testing for respiratory illnesses. The hospital construction remains on -budget and
on -time. Jefferson Healthcare staff have had discussions with legislators in Olympia, and are scheduled to meet with
others in Washington D.C., concerning upcoming state and federal legislation.
The state is facing a budget shortfall which could be devastating. Jefferson Healthcare is financially stable, but
continues to plan for future challenges. Such challenges could come from federal legislation (where potential cuts for
critical services are an unknown).
3. Infectious Diseases Update
According to Dr. Berry, there has been a great deal of influenza activity in the community (none of which is avian
influenza). There is still time for flu vaccination, and masking is useful. RSV is still circulating, but the vaccine has
reduced hospitalizations and death. COVID activity is low.
Avian flu: there are no known human cases in Washington, nor poultry or dairy cow cases. There are infected wild
birds, and they can infect cows, likely through water sources. Washington dairy testing has found no infection in milk
supply, and eggs are also safe. Outdoor cats can be infected by eating infected birds.
There are no known cases of measles in Jefferson County but a large outbreak is growing in Texas and New Mexico.
The safest and most effective form of protection is getting vaccinated. The measles vaccine is 97% effective after 2
doses, and 93% effective after 1. It's a very safe vaccine that has been around since the 1960s and very well studied.
We encourage all Jefferson County residents to confirm that they are up to date on their measles vaccines. Residents
born before 1957 are considered immune.
Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4
G. Gilbert
Current federal governmental activity is being carefully monitored, and is of great concern. Funding cuts are
hindering agencies, and scientific independence is being eroded by a new rule that CDC statements must be vetted by
political entities. Local scientific authorities remain independent. Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Announcement re: 2025 Public Health Heroes, Submissions Open
Staff Member Banker announced National Public Health Week (April 7 — 13, 2025), which JCPH celebrates by
awarding Public Health Heroes, nominated by the public. Submission form available at:
htt s://ieffersoncoun ublichealth.or FomiCeiiter/Publie-Health-7/Public-Health-Heroes-2025-92
or at the JCPH office (615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend)
2. Focus on Air Quality in Jefferson County: Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA)
Jeff Johnston, ORCAA's Executive Director, provided a slide show concerning ORCAA's mission and activities,
with a focus on Jefferson County. ORCAA is a local government agency with a mission of protecting air quality
within a six -county jurisdiction. Activities include permitting "stationary sources" (businesses that have the potential
to emit air pollution); enforcing, state and federal air pollution regulations; monitoring air quality; and educating the
public about air quality issues.
Odell Hadley, Senior Air Monitoring Specialist, provided a history of air monitoring in Port Townsend. Mike Shults,
Compliance Manager, discussed outdoor burning in Jefferson County; asbestos and demolition requirements; and
business inspecting.
3. Winter Storm Safety Presentation
Willie Bence, Director of the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management, delivered a slide -show
concerning preparing for winter weather hazards, and included discussion of earthquakes, tsunamis and wildfires.
4. Call for Public Hearing re: On -Site Sewage (OSS) Code
Carter Erickson, Environmental Health Specialist at JCPH, requested a public hearing at the March BoH meeting on
proposed new OSS Code. Also notice provided for SEPA Review (State Environmental Protection Act), which
determines whether the new OSS Code will have environmental impact. Public comment is requested.
MOTION: Member Brotherton moved "that we approve the hearing for the March 20 Board of Health
meeting as presented today." Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote.
FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Member Eisenhour announced that state representative Steve Tharinger introduced a bill (House Bill 1805) which
adds a 1/10' of 1% sales tax to provide services for kids and families, and it was inspired by Jumping Mouse
Children's Center.
Dr. Berry announced that she is expecting a baby in May, and she will be taking three months away. Regional Health
Officer Herbie Duber and Gib Morrow, Kitsap Public Health Officer, will cover for her in her absence.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on March 13, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 2:30
p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 4
G. Gilbert
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Grace adjourned the February, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the
next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSOI�L C UNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
Amanda Grace, Chair
Respectfully submitted
G. Gilbert
Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant
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