HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/03/23 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
411 North 51h Street,Shelton,WA
March 23,2021
Virtual Attendance:Randy Neatherlin,County Commissioner;Kevin Shutty,County Commissioner;Sharon Trask,
County Commissioner;Peggy Van Buskirk,Hospital District#2;Dave Windom,Mason County Community
Services Director;Lydia Buchheit,Mason County Community Health Manager;Abe Gardner,Community Health
Program Assistant;Darrin Moody,Hospital District# 1;Keri Davidson,Shelton School Board;Kathy McDowell,
City of Shelton Council Member Seat#2;Dr.Dan Stein,Health Officer;Gary Plews,Fire Fighters Association;
McKenzie Smith,Clerk of the Board;Katie Hayes,Shelton-Mason County Journal.
1. Chair Peggy VanBuskirk called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda—Kathy/Cmmr. Shutty moved and seconded to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion carried.
3. Selection of Vice-Chair—Cmmr.Trask/Kathy moved and seconded to appoint Keri Davidson as vice-
chair. Motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes—Cmmr.Trask/Cmmr. Shutty moved and seconded to approve the January 26,2021
minutes as presented. Motion carried.
5. Health Officer Report by Dr.Dan Stein
Dr. Stein shared that focus still remains on COVID-19. At this time there is a plateauing of the descent of
cases which is being monitored. Staff is doing a great job distributing vaccines. Reopening schools for in
person learning is being looked into with the Governor and the CDC. Key points include maintaining the
six-foot distance between students and checking in with schools monthly.
6. Administrative Report by Dave Windom
Dave discussed the vaccine rollout in January which had a bit of a bumpy start. However,a three-week
forecast on vaccine availability is now being provided by the Department of Health. Our two primary
providers for mass vaccine and pop-up clinics are Mason General Hospital and Peninsula Community
Health. At this time there is no access to Johnson&Johnson,only Moderna and Pfizer. Pharmacies will
be stocked with initial doses and some with their second doses. Dave anticipates by the end of May there
will no longer be mass vaccination clinics. The vaccine will be available to individuals 18 and older on
May 1'. The State is getting 6,000 doses of Johnson&Johnson this week,but there is not a way to order
doses through the system yet. Currently we are in Phase 3. Regarding schools,a three-foot distance rule
was recommended to stay consistent with the CDC.
The recently selected Health Officer has declined the position. Dr. Stein is willing to help facilitate the
transition for a new Health Officer but is hoping to step down by July. Dave will send out candidates to the
Personnel Committee for screening. All options are being explored such as sharing a Health Officer with
another jurisdiction and having an interim.
Fiscally a lot of COVID funds are coming in,however there are some strings attached. For example,funds
to run vaccine clinics would require joining with a multi-County incident management team,requesting an
overhead team to come in from the State,and the funds would not cover actual administration of the
vaccine. The State is about two months behind in getting the consolidated contract amendments out.
County health rankings should be coming out April 1,2021. Dave plans to create a document focused on
Community Services in 2021 looking at the mission and adjustments that need made regarding Community
Services,Public Health,and Community Development.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
March 23,2021—Page 2
7. Environmental Health Report by Dave Windom
Dave shared the Environmental Health Report for Alex. Environmental Health permits are up,the County
is seeing a large influx of incoming residents,and houses are selling same day. With the pandemic,some
Environmental Health staff are helping support the vaccine clinics.
8. Community Health Report by Lydia Buchheit
Lydia shared that half of her staff are still working within their programs while the other half are helping
fill in for COVID-related activities. One additional person has been added to cover COVID calls and to
work mass clinics on Thursdays. COVID cases are remaining low.
9. Other Business and Board Discussion
Abe presented a Mason County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion(LEAD)and Behavioral Health
Navigator Programs slideshow. The grant for the LEAD program will go through the end of June and Abe
is confident they will hit their target of 50 referrals.
Sharon discussed her concerns for House Bill 1152 which has to do with organizing regional Public Health
districts. At this time the Bill has passed the House and is in the Senate. This Bill would require the
County to pay for expenses incurred by the Health District or County for enforcing the Governor's
proclamations. Larger counties will get a majority of the funds due to population size instead of need.
10. Public Comments
11. Meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
March 23,2021 —Page 3
ATTEST MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
vywwu
McKenzie S61ith, C rk of the Board DCVUUNI
Darrin Mo6Ay,Hospital Distric 1
Kathy Mc well, City Commis ' ner '�
K vin Shut ComXii loner
Randy eatherlin, missioner
'Sharon Trask,Commissioner
Peggy Van skirkjlospital Distr 42
%W"p wMa Abt �J�
Gary Plews ire ObmmissionerU
MUMA
}�J l
Keri Davids , Shelt&School Boa—