HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/03/26 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
411 North 51 Street,Shelton,WA
March 26,2024
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;Miguel Gutierrez,City of Shelton;Keri Davidson,Shelton School Board;
Ian Tracy,Environmental Health Manager;McKenzie Smith,Clerk of the Board;Dedrick Allen,
MasonWebTV;Sunni Evans,Food Safety;Randy Ocean,Food Safety;Ben Johnson,Brooke Quigly
Prevention Abuse Coalition;and Rachel Armas,Health Service Director at Squaxin.
1. Chair Neatherlin called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cmmr. Trask moved and seconded to approve the agenda as presented with the
amendment to include the appointment of Rachel Armas as item number six. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
Cmmr. Shutty/Cmmr.Trask moved and seconded to approve the minutes as presented with the
correction that there has been RSV in the area. Motion carried.
4. Health Officer Search
Dave Windom shared Request for Qualifications for the Health Officer position. One application has
been received from Dr. Steven Craiger.
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cmmr. Shutty moved and seconded to appoint Dr. Steven Craiger as the Mason
County Health Officer. Motion carried.
5. Public Health Week Proclamation
Dave discussed the National Public Health Week Proclamation.
Cmmr. Shutty/Peggy VanBuskirk moved and seconded to approve the Public Health Week
Proclamation. Motion carried.
6. Rachel Armas
Dave introduced Rachel Armas,Health Director of Squaxin Island Health Clinic.
Cmmr.Shutty/Peggy VanBuskirk to appoint Rachel Armas onto the Board of Health. Motion carried.
7. Health Officer Report
Dave discussed bats coming out of hibernation and what to do if an individual has an encounter with a
bat. COVID has plateaued and the Centers for Disease Control(CDC)has new guidance for COVID
response. RSV is down trending. COVID testing kits are no longer being sent from the State.
8. Administration Report
Dave shared the budget amendment from the Washington State Department of Health(DOH). The
end of the fiscal year is June 30,2024. There were not many changes from the legislative session and
there is no impact on the budget. Some Foundational Public Health Services(FPHS)COVID funds
were sent back last year. More opioid settlement funding will be received. Danin discussed a
paramedic program. The Women,Infants,and Children(WIC)clinic is up and running and going
well.
9. Environmental Health Report
Ian Tracy shared the two On-Site Sewer Advisory Committee(OSAC)applications received from
James Medcalf and Arther Whitson.
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cmmr. Shutty moved and seconded to extend James Medcalf as designer. Motion
carried.
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cmmr.Trask moved and seconded to appoint Art Whitson to open citizen
position. Motion carried.
Ian discussed the Basic Sanitation Policy to provide guidance to staff and ensure consistency when
encountering non-permitted living conditions regarding tents,recreational vehicles(RVs),campers,
sheds,cars,etc. "Chasing"individuals around the County does not eliminate the threat,changing the
location leaves no control over where the next location may be. More discussion and research are
needed.
Ian shared the request for a new food establishment permit type for street vending. Thurston County
offers this type of establishment permit and will be piloting their second year. Street vending is a
temporary event with a limited menu that has different parameters than other types of food permits—
brick and mortar,mobile units,and temporary events.
Ian discussed the closure response plans for Lilliwaup and Tahuya which was required to be submitted
to DOH within 180 days.
Ian shared,regarding the solid waste abatement fund,the Prosecuting Attorney,Tim Whitehead,
recommended that the requirements not be removed and retain the ability to foreclose the property to
recoup abatement costs. FPHS funds may,if unspent at the end of the period,be used.
10. Community Health Report
Ben Johnson gave a presentation on the Prevention Education Partners Substance Abuse Prevention
Coalition. Topics included history and mission,twelve sectors,why retail store engagement,what
was learned,packaging,and what the coalition would like to implement. The coalition would like to
drop off"lock up your cannabis"signs and bags at local marijuana shops. Dilma Demartino added
that packaging for marijuana products is similar to candy and chip products. Ben announced the
Mason County Substance Abuse Prevention Summit on Wednesday,May 8,2024 at 3:00 p.m.at the
Squaxin Island Community Kitchen.
11. Other Business and Board Discussion
Cmmr. Shutty,discussed changing the Board of Health meetings to quarterly at moving the time from
3:00 p.m.to 11:00 a.m.on Tuesdays. Darrin added that meetings can be scheduled at any time in case
of emergency.
Cmmr. Shutty/Peggy VanBuskirk moved and adopted to change the Board of Health meeting time to
11:00 a.m. Motion carried
Cmmr. Shutty/Cmmr.Trask moved and seconded to amend Board of Health meetings to quarterly and
as needed called by the Director. Motion carried
Next meeting will be Tuesday,July 23,2024 at 11:00 a.m.
1. Public Comments
Art Whitson commented on the multiple noticeable,and potentially toxic,algae bloom in Mason Lake
that seem to be blue-green algae. Two other algae blooms happened in both Benson Lake and Trails
End Lake. The County's Health department has the ability to take samples year-round,but the
Department of Ecology lab is not open year-round.
2. Adjourned at 4:34 p.m.
ATTEST MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
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McKenzie Smitl,Cler f the Board
Da oody,Hospital strict#1
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K"evIn Shutty,Commis over
RaAdy Neathe ' ,Commissioner
Sharon Tras ,Commissioner
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Peggy Van Buskirk,Hospital District#2
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Gary Plews,Fire Commissioner
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Keri Davidson,Shelton School Board