HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/11/29 - BOH PacketMason County Public Health
415 N 6th Street, Bldg. 8, Shelton WA 98584,
(360) 427-9670 ext. 400
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
November 29, 2022
3:00 PM
Commission Chambers
411 North 5th Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Meeting ID: 834 8034 3274
Passcode: 721009
DRAFT AGENDA
1. Welcome and Introductions Chair
2. Approval of Agenda – ACTION Board Members
3. Approval of Minutes (September 27, 2022) – ACTION Board Members
4. Health Officer Report Dr. Keri Gardner
a. COVID-19
b. TB
5. Administration Report Dave Windom
6. Environmental Health Report Ian Tracy
7. Community Health Report Melissa Casey
8. Other Business and Board Discussion Board Members
9. Set 2023 Meeting Schedule – ACTION Dave Windom
10. Public Comments
11. Adjourn
If special accommodations are needed, please contact McKenzie Smith at (360) 427-9670 ext. 589 or
msmith@masoncountywa.gov.
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
411 North 5th Street, Shelton, WA
September 27, 2022
Attendance: Randy Neatherlin, County Commissioner; Kevin Shutty, County Commissioner; Sharon Trask,
County Commissioner; Dr. Keri Gardner, Health Officer; Darrin Moody, Hospital District No. 1; Peggy
VanBuskirk, Hospital District No. 2; Kathy McDowell, City of Shelton; Keri Davidson, Shelton School Board;
Ian Tracy, Environmental Health Manager; Todd Parker; Haley Foelsch; Tim Wood, FCS Group; Steve P,
Central Mason Fire Commissioner; Mike Shults, Compliance Supervisor ORCAA; Jeff Johnston, Executive
Director ORCAA; Odelle Hadley, Senior Monitoring Specialist ORCAA; Todd Chase, AICP, LEED AP FCS
Group; Lauren Whybrew, Engineer ORCAA; McKenzie Smith, Clerk of the Board; and Dedrick Allen,
MasonWebTV.
1. Chair Peggy VanBuskirk called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
Kathy McDowell/Dr. Keri Gardner moved and seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
carried.
3. Approval of the July 26, 2022 Minutes
Kathy McDowell/Cmmr. Neatherlin moved and seconded to approve the July 26, 2022 Board of Health
minutes as presented with the addition of Kathy McDowell as an attendee. Motion carried.
4. Health Officer Report
Dr. Gardner shared that COVID-19 cases have been less frequent and milder but encourages constituents
to get another booster shot. The latest booster has been updated to cover the BA4 and BA5 variants.
Focus will be pivoted back to Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) such as screening and
treatment of Hepatitis C. Partnerships are being ramped up with Mason Health, the tribes, Corrections
departments, and other community stakeholders. The response to the opioid crisis is also being
improved. Mason County has the highest rate per capita of opioid fatalities in Washington state. The
biggest contributors include opiates and methamphetamines. Successes include lowering the Monkey
Pox outbreak and having vaccinations available to those who are high risk. The City of Shelton brought
Public Health into the Homelessness Task Force which was created to address the housing needs of the
community.
5. Administration Report
The administration report is available in the Board of Health packet.
Keri Davidson asked when the guidance for schools may be updated? Dr. Gardner answered that changes
are expected but the Department of Health has not shared when that information will be released.
6. Environmental Health Report
Ian Tracy shared that due to delays and spending out water quality grants from COVID impacts to
operations, the Department of Health has extended several grants through December 31, 2022.
7. Community Health Report
Melissa Casey shared the July through August health report. As a new manager, her focus is working
with staff and understanding their day-to-day work.
8. Other Business and Board Discussion
No other business or board discussion.
9. ORCAA Presentation
Jeff Johnston, Executive Director at the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), shared an air
quality report. ORCAA, with authority from the Washington Clean Air Act, oversees six counties
(Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston) and enforces local, state, and federal
clean air laws and regulations. ORCAA has a nine-member board consisting of County Commissioners
and City Council members from the three largest cities (Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater) in the Olympic
Peninsula jurisdiction. 90% of revenue comes from fees (permits, asbestos notifications, and per capita
assessments) and state and federal grants. The Department of Ecology provides the on-the-ground air
quality work. Particulate pollution is a main focus which includes home heating sources such as wood
stoves. There is a wood stove replacement program in place that is open to individuals in Thurston
County and parts of Mason County. Individuals, when replacing a non-compliant stove, are eligible for
$750 when replacing a pellet stove and $1,000 when replacing a wood stove with a natural gas or propane
appliance or $1,800 for an electric heat pump. There is also a wood stove recycling program that will
give individuals $500 for their wood stove. Education outreach is another main focus of ORCAA. The
ORCAA website will be redesigned and relaunched around February 2023.
Lauren Whybrew, ORCAA Engineer, shared that, under the Clean Air Act, ORCAA is responsible for
reviewing air permit applications and reviewing implications for proposed businesses or facilities. These
permit applications for outdoor air emissions are referred to as notice of constructions. A permit is
needed when fuel is burned (boilers, crematories, and coffee roasting), when liquids are treated or stored
(auto body shops with spray booths, gas stations, breweries, and wastewater treatment plants), when there
is potential for dust or particulate (sawmills, abrasive blasting, and gravel pits), or when products are
manufactured or processed (chemical manufacturing plants, mechanical paper mills, commercial
composting, food processing plants, veneer and plywood production, and landfills). ORCAA is also
involved with soil vapor extractions (air sparging). Marijuana facilities do not require a notice of
construction application.
Odelle Hadley, Senior Monitoring Specialist at ORCAA, discussed that Washington primarily monitors
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 and ozone concentrations. PM2.5 is any airborne particle with a diameter
less than 2.5 micrometers. Total suspended particulate (TSP) matter are particles such as smoke and dust
that are small enough to remain in the air. Each County has at least one PM2.5 air monitor to monitor the
worst ambient air quality. Data is used to evaluate compliance, determine is a burn ban is required, and
allow the public to make informed decisions. The Air Quality Index (AQI) shows if there is any level of
health concern. Historically, air quality worsens in the winter due to wood stoves. In June 2019 and June
2020, Purple Air sensors were installed to determine if the current monitor location property represented
Mason County. Currently there are eight Purple Air sensors in the County. Also shared were tools to
stay informed about the current air quality as well as ORCAA contact information.
Mike Shults, Compliance Supervisor at ORCAA, shared there are three main areas of focus regarding the
inspection standpoint. Marijuana farms generally have an agricultural exemption; however, odor is still
considered an air pollution. ORCAA will not inspect the marijuana facility but will work with the facility
to limit or reduce odors. Most commonly ORCAA is known for smoke – wood stove, campfire, land
clearing fires, etc. – and will respond to complaints but do not issue permits. Permits go through the Fire
Marshal’s office. The last area of focus is asbestos and demolition. ORCAA requires individuals to get
demolition permits and an asbestos survey for said demolitions and works with the County to ensure all
the proper permits have been applied for. An asbestos survey is also required for some remodels.
10. Housing Needs Assessment
Todd Chase, Economic Services for FCS Group, gave a Mason County Housing Needs Assessment
presentation. Discussion topics included project objectives, emerging trends, stakeholder input, housing
needs, and next steps. A Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) analyzes housing data, public input, and
existing policies to create or amend the housing action plan and comprehensive plan update.
Tim Wood, Assistant Project Manager for FCS Group, discussed the population growth forecast for
Mason County. The medium growth forecast equates to 19,686 people and over 10,130 new housing
units over the next 20 years. For housing construction permit trends, 2,250 new housing units have been
built over the past 5 years. Mason County housing inventory showed 34,000 total housing unites with
nearly 1 in 3 homes being used for seasonal use only. Home types include single-family detached,
townhomes/plexes, multi-family, and manufactured home/other. These dwellings are also categorized by
owner-occupied, renter-occupied, and seasonal/vacant. The home value index, based on the Zillow
median home value, shows an increase of 23.4% in Belfair and 29.5% in Shelton from January 2020 to
January 2022. Severe rent burdens show that nearly 3 in 10 renters pay over 50% of their income on rent.
Mason County and Shelton both exceed the State average for poverty and ALICE (asset limited, income
constrained, employed) households. 4 out of 10 households meet these criteria. A graph was shared for
Mason County at-risk subgroups. This includes victims of domestic violence, senior citizens, persons
with disabilities, veterans, individuals with mental illness, and homeless families with and without
children. Households identifying as Hispanic or Latino was also shared.
Todd Chase shared that community stakeholders include housing non-profits, developers, and real estate
brokers which help “ground truth” the data and provide perspectives on existing housing issues and
policies. The top barriers are funding for new public housing, voucher navigator staff, timing of public
sewer/water and power extensions in the Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), and housing costs rising quicker
than incomes. Opportunities are City and County revenue from the Affordable Housing Levy, immediate
market demand for rentals and mobile home parks, recent City of Shelton code changes, the Belfair
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the veteran’s village. The new housing need is 11,573
dwellings over the next 20 years with an immediate demand of over 326 government-assisted units and
market demand for 376 rental units. The housing need is then broken down by class (upper, upper
middle, lower middle, very low, extremely low, and other). The next step is to refine and accept the
HNA then consider policies that promote housing production as part of the Housing Action Plan and
Comprehensive Plan update. Strategies include zoning and code changes, reducing regulatory
impediments, financial incentives, financial resources, tax exemption and abatement, land acquisition,
lease, and partnerships, and other custom options.
11. Public Comment
No public comment at this time.
12. Adjourned at 4:34 p.m.
ATTEST
_______________________________
McKenzie Smith, Clerk of the Board
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
_______________________________
Darrin Moody, Hospital District #1
_______________________________
Kathy McDowell, City Commissioner
_______________________________
Kevin Shutty, Commissioner
_______________________________
Randy Neatherlin, Commissioner
_______________________________
Sharon Trask, Commissioner
_______________________________
Peggy Van Buskirk, Hospital District #2
_______________________________
Gary Plews, Fire Commissioner
_______________________________
Keri Davidson, Shelton School Board
Reminder, get your flu shot!
From the Director’s Desk
November 22, 2022
Gobble, gobble.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Welcome to Fall in Mason County. The leaves are turning and falling, and the bright and crisp days,
remind us that it’s time to get your flu shot! Influenza A has made a resurgence this year after an almost
complete absence in 2020. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is being especially tough on pediatric patients
and area hospitals are feeling the pressure.
1
In good news, WIC has accepted our proposal for offering WIC services in partnership with Mason
Health and the YMCA. We now enter a period of contract approvals, MOAs, staffing, and training. It may
be well after the first of the year before the clinic is ready to open. Once the clinic is open, we’ll be
providing services to south Mason County. We’re looking especially carefully at reaching populations
most at risk. Our early estimations show the need to reach at least 500 families.
I’d like to take this opportunity to commend the public health team we have. 2022 has been a year of
transition. Ian Tracy replaced Alex Paysse as Environmental Health manager and Melissa Casey took over
for Lydia Buchheit in Community and Family Health. We’ve shown the ability to transition from a COVID-
19 response to more traditional public health activities and still respond to emerging threats such as TB.
We continue to expand our capabilities in communication, education, and epidemiological study. The
team takes personal interest in every case, ensuring they have support and information. Casey and
1 Washington DOH Influenza dashboard
Reminder, get your flu shot!
administrative folks keep things humming and provide support for the COVID response through efforts
to collect and disseminate daily information updates. Environmental Health continues to support the
county through onsite septic work, shellfish protection, solid waste, and food safety. We’ve worked
diligently to help solve the barriers around homelessness. We truly have a sharp, involved, and energetic
team.
Proposed meeting dates for 2023:
January 24 – Annual Meeting
March 28
May 23
July 25
September 26
November 28
Looking forward to 2023!
Dave Windom, MSHS
Environmental Health Report
For Board of Health November 22, 2022
From Ian Tracy, Environmental Health Manager
Staffing update
We recently lost 2 staff members. Travis Casey left our Water Quality program to work at the Dept.
of Ecology in their non-point pollution program. Erik Doran in our Onsite septic/Solid Waste code
enforcement program is shifting duties to fill this roll. We are currently hiring for a new Code
Enforcement staff member.
Charle Anunta left our Food Program to work for Dept. of Licensing. Fortunately, we had 2 staff in
the Food program so we still have partial coverage while we fill the vacancy.
Sewage Overflows
Several significant events occurred since our last meeting.
Blue Heron Condominiums Large Onsite Septic System(LOSS)
Blue Heron operates a LOSS which serves 22 condo’s. On October 31st the facility reported a
sewage spill caused by a crushed pipe. Sewage did not impact Hood Canal no shellfish closures
have resulted from the overflow. The facility is working with the State Dept. of Health LOSS
program to institute repairs. The spill occurred during low occupancy at Blue Heron which helped
to make this a low impact event.
North Bay/Victor lift station sewage overflow
On November 2nd the lift station in Victor overflowed spilling 500gal of sewage onto the ground
around the station. There were no impacts to North Bay and no shellfish closures resulted.
Rustlewood Waste Water Treatment Plant(WWTP)
On October 30th plant operators discovered that their UV disinfection light was not functioning.
The facility estimates approximately 10,000gal of partially treated effluent was discharge to
Pickering passage as a result. The WWTP out fall already occupies an existing 41acre long-term
shellfish closure area. No additional closures occurred because of this spill.
Environmental Health Program Fee Increase
We’ve completed our annual fee evaluation and have released an updated fee schedule which
will take effect January 1, 2023.
Unduplicated
Participants
44
580 YTD
SUBSTANCE USE
MOBILE OUTREACH
Syringes
Exchanged
30,210
41
Successful overdose
reversals with naloxone
COMMUNITY HEALTH
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE &
NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONS*
574 cases of COVID-19
33 cases of Chlamydia
*CD rates are suppressed for all nonzero
counts which are <10
OVERDOSE DATA TO ACTION
(OD2A)
308 Naloxone kits distributed
63 new people trained on overdose
prevention, recognition, and
response
Re-engaged with 45 participants to
give refills
In partnership with the City of Shelton, North Mason Regional
Fire Authority, Shelton School District, ESD 113 TrueNorth, Mason
County Sheriff's Office, Shelton Police Department, and
Skokomish Tribe, we hosted a Youth Substance Use Community
Forum at the Shelton Civic on November 9th. Over 80 people
attended in-person and over 500 have viewed the recording.
Recording available at: https://masonwebtv.com/archives/50316
MATERNAL &
CHILD HEALTH
17
Children with Special
Health Care Needs
families served
47%Diagnosed with
Autism
88%
Of Hispanic families
speak an indigenous
language with Spanish
as a second language
COMMUNITY HEALTH
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022
Actual Goal
AIAN 9%5%
Black 4%4%
Hispanic/
Latinx 34%32%
POC 49%43%
HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS
RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE PROGRAM (RCORP)
MCPH continues to work in partnership with Mason Health, Olympic Health and Recovery
Services, and North Mason Regional Fire Authority to provide substance use disorder services
to the community. In addition to connecting individuals to prevention, treatment, and
recovery supports, RCORP staff have also worked alongside MCPH staff at the Mobile
Outreach, Transit Center Overdose Outreach Table, and Behavioral Health Navigator
outreach. Most noteworthy activities were individuals who were provided seamless linkages
to care upon discharge from the ED, jail, and inpatient treatment services. Many families and
caregivers were also given navigation to SUD services.
1,369 evictions were prevented
through rent assistance programs
879 were female Heads of Household
482 were male Heads of Household
7 were non-binary
Temporary Eviction Programs:
Racial Equity Performance Measures
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & RECOVERY
SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
New Permanent Consolidated Homeless
Grant Eviction Program
coming soon!
475
Total transports of Mason County
residents in substance use &
mental health recovery
SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION COALITION
The coalition has started the 100 Cups of Coffee project. Each coalition member
has been trained and are asked to meet with 5 community members each. The
goal is to listen to our community's concerns and ideas that may help with future
prevention.