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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-2012 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS February 28, 2012 Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson, Steve Bloomfield. Tim Sheldon was absent. Ex-Officio Board Members: Scott Hilburn, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital District #2; Frank Phillips, Fire Commissioner; Mike Olsen, City of Shelton Commissioner. 1. Cmmr. Bloomfield called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. 2. Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Bloomfield moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; S-absent; B-aye. 3. Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Bloomfield moved and seconded to adopt the regular meeting minutes of January 24, 2012 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; S-absent; B-aye 4. Squaxin Island Tribe’s appeal of water adequacy determinations for DB Industries, Case Nos. COM2009- 00082 & 00083 John Konovsky, Squaxin Island Tribe, explained that the Tribe has spent a lot of time looking at John’s Creek due to lost flow. They evaluate development proposals that could affect the Creek. They filed an appeal because they were concerned that the water use for the project could harm John’s Creek. They are now withdrawing the appeal because they feel their time is better spent working with County staff to clean up the system. The Department of Ecology evaluates the water availability and issues water rights. The County has a parallel process when subdivision permits are issued. The Tribe wants to make sure those decisions are made in the most scientific and legal matter possible. In the DB case it is unclear when the water adequacy was determined. The Tribe would like the County to become clearer on the determination date because there is a time limit for public comment after the determination. They want to pinpoint when a water adequacy decision is made and to make sure it is published so the public has the opportunity to comment and review the decision. They thought the water adequacy decision should come before the building permit. The Tribe wanted to ensure a transparent process so the proposals could be fairly evaluated. He noted that the law around water adequacy has changed. It needs to be more than just determining if water is available. It also needs to be legally available. The Tribe would like to work with the County to come up with a procedure for determining availability on these applications. Part of the County code discusses requesting a report from a water expert and it wasn’t clear when a water expert would be called in. They would also like to see water adequacy provisions for individual building permits. Sharon Haensly, Squaxin Island Tribe, noted that the County Code also has a provision for individual wells that requires that existing rights aren’t impaired by establishing the well. She thought that provision could also be used towards John’s Creek. Mr. Konovsky stated that the Tribe wanted to make sure that there was a timely notification for an opportunity to appeal and that there was a clear paper trail. There needs to be a clear final decision date for water adequacy. They also want to work to add the legal water adequacy requirement to the process as well as more direction about the water study requirements. Forms would need to be redone but it could be a more transparent and easier process for everyone. Mr. Haensly noted that staff has been fantastic to work with and she hoped that would continue throughout the process. Vicki Kirkpatrick, Public Health, supported the suggestions to clarify the process. She agreed that the final dates in the process needed to be clearer for the public. She recommended engaging with the Tribe and the Department of Community Development to look at the permitting process. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS February 28, 2012 - PAGE 2 Cmmr. Ring Erickson apologized that the situation had gotten to this point. She thought that every applicant should know the point when they can build their project. She thought it was an opportunity look at the process to straighten it out. Ms. Kirkpatrick noted that there was an issue of determining what the County’s responsibility was compared to the State. It was agreed that the Tribe would meet with staff to work on the issue.   5. Administration 5.1 Director Report – Ms. Kirkpatrick had investigated whether to continue the subscription through the National Board of Health organization. She found that there weren’t any funding opportunities available through the organization. Some counties maintained their membership because they found that the information that was provided was useful. She was neutral on the membership. Dr. Yu noted that there had been discussion about the creation of a State Board of Health organization. Cmmr. Ring Erickson thought that if staff wasn’t interested in the association they should discontinue the membership, especially in the current economic climate. Ms. Kirkpatrick also reported that the Senate’s proposed budget left public health funding primarily intact. Cmmr. Ring Erickson asked how the State’s budget proposals were affecting the hospitals. Mr. Hilburn responded that there was a proposal to cut critical access funding that would result in a cut of one million dollars of funding to Mason General Hospital. 5.2 Health Officer Report – Dr. Yu reported that there have been a couple of additional active TB cases in the county. Usually there is only one active case in Mason County every couple of years. She also reported that the medical reserve core was asked to provide first aid for the Squaxin canoe journey. She noted that there are always concerns about disease outbreaks when there are events with a large amount of people, so she would like to provide assistance. 6. Community & Family Health 6.1 Manager Report – Lydia Buchheit reminded everyone to get their TDap shot, which protects against tetanus and pertussis. She also stated that the annual report and strategic plan would be provided next month, along with data reports regarding obesity and other topics. The department is providing a survey to citizens allow them to prioritize community health improvement issues. A newsletter is also available now. 7. Environmental Health 7.1 Water Quality Update – Ms. Riley reported that the department is sampling in Hood Canal. There are no new closures for shellfish harvesting. 7.2 Waivers – Ms. Riley also provided the current environmental health waivers for the Board’s information. 8. Public Comment 8.1 Constance Ibsen asked if Kim Klint receives her salary from Mason County. Ms. Kirkpatrick explained that she is a contract employee and Mason Matters is jointly funded with Hospital District #1. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS February 28, 2012 - PAGE 3 8.2 Dave Mariono asked if there is a requirement for regular septic pumping that would include a report back to the department. Ms. Riley responded that there is a requirement and the pumpers are able to enter their reports directly into the database. 8.3 Terri King asked if the Pioneer Community Food bank is a 501c3. She noted that it was unfortunate that granting agencies weren’t able to provide funding to them. 9. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m. ATTEST _______________________________ Shannon Goudy, Clerk of the Board BOARD OF HEALTH MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON _______________________________ Steve Bloomfield, Chair _______________________________ Lynda Ring Erickson, Commissioner _______________________________ Tim Sheldon, Commissioner