HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/05/25 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
411 North 511 Street,Shelton,WA
May 25,2021
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;Alex Paysse,Environmental Health
Manager;Melissa Casey,Community Health Specialist;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;Jean Clark,CHOICE Regional Health
Network&Cascade Pacific Action Alliance;Dan Buettner Jr.,Blue Zones.
1. Chair Peggy Van Buskirk called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda—Cmmr. Shutty/Cmmr.Trask moved and seconded to approve the agenda as
presented. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes—Cmmr.Trask/Cmmr. Shutty moved and seconded to approve the March 8,2021
minutes as presented. Motion carried.
4. Blue Zones Presentation
Dan Buettner Jr.,Vice President of Blue Zones project,shared a presentation on the overview of Blue
Zones. When Blue Zones comes into a new community,a site visit and assessment is done to discover
what is already being done and what challenges there may be. Regarding addiction,following the Power
Nine purpose can help reverse that. There is a sister solution, Starling,that could also be introduced if
there is a key need. Blue Zones is based on the science of well-being and the outcomes of each project.
Jean Clark shared that CHOICE Regional Health Network has been looking into Blue Zones for years and
that Cascade Pacific Action Alliance(CPAA)has wellness funds they are willing to spend on this
particular program. Three Counties will be launching with Blue Zones in 2021:Grays Harbor,Mason,and
Lewis.
Dave Windom did some research into this and discovered that Blue Zones builds a culture around
everything involved with health—housing,economics,etc.—not just public health. Mason Matters will be
the"backbone"of this project. Darrin Moody shared concerns that Mason Matters has gone through issues
recently. Cmmr. Shutty asked who is responsible for funding what CHOICE does not and what that cost
would be. Jean answered that there are enough funds for the initial contract and that CHOICE will handle
fundraising throughout the course of the project. Blue Zones will help look for grants and CHOICE will
write for the grants. At this time there is not an upfront contribution needed from Mason County.
5. Health Officer Report—Dr.Dan Stein
Dr. Stein shared his focus is still on the pandemic and transitioning into the recovery phase. COVID cases
have plateaued at an active rate and case and contact investigations are still being done with a concentration
on prevention. Mass vaccination sites are no longer necessary. Mason County is currently at a lower rate
of vaccine uptake than the rest of the State. Efforts are being moved over to the hospital and up north and
COVID variants are still being evaluated. Area Command has focused on secondary outcomes such as
mental health and substance abuse.
6. Administration Report—Dave Windom
Dave shared the past couple of weeks have been spent on vaccine rollout. At this time there are around
40,000 vaccinations that have been administered. Demand for vaccinations has gone down,however
vaccines can now be given to those in the 12-to 18-year old category. A small amount of Johnson and
Johnson vaccines were received. Darrin shared that Mason General Hospital is hosting a clinic with the
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
May 25,2021—Page 2
National Guard this coming Friday at the Mason Transit Center. The COVID vaccination is now offered to
be done at the same time as childhood vaccines or other vaccines. Phase recovery is constantly changing.
Currently all Counties are in Phase 3. Once we reach 70%vaccinated,or June 301,we will open up.
For the Health Officer search,there is one candidate to interview and one health officer that may be willing
to work on a contract basis.
Dave plans to emphasize prevention regarding County health rankings. The ranking is split into two parts:
health outcomes and health factors. Health outcomes measure where we are now,what has been
accomplished in the last year,and the quality of life(poor physical or mental health,low birth weights,
etc.).
Funding was received from Foundational Public Health Services(FPHS)and legislature approved another
$149 million per biennium.
7. Environmental Health Report—Alex Paysse
Alex highlighted that permits are still busy and staff are working hard to keep review times down. He is
working with the Commission and management to find more funding sources to help with additional
staffing. The water quality program was approved as well as a single County-wide shellfish protection
district. Currently,during the four-phase Hood Canal Regional PIC(pollution identification and
correction)Program,the reopening of Hoodsport commercial shellfish growing and harvesting area is
being worked on.
8. Community Health Report—Lydia Buchheit
Lydia shared that staff has been busy helping with the mass vaccine clinics and are getting back to their
regular duties now. There are three temporary employees working on COVID cases. Last week a team
worked together on doing a CDC grant for prevention work for the prevention coalitions of Mason County.
9. Other Business and Board Discussion
Cmmr.Trask shared that the Governor signed House Bill 1152 for the comprehensive health bill. A few
changes may need to be made to the Board such as having an equal number of elected and non-elected
members on the Board and having a representative from the tribes. Lydia mentioned potentially getting
members from the Health Coalition and offered to get a list of names to submit to the Board.
10. Public Comments
No public comments.
11. Meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
May 25,2021—Page 3
ATTEST MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
'CYIkm � DaM v�
McKenzie Sn ' h, Clerk of the Board Q Q
Darrin Moo ,Hospital Distric I
Kathy Mc elltity Commis ' ner r\
Kevin Shutty,Commissioner
Randy eatherlin,Commissioner
Sharon Trask,Commissioner
Peggy Van skir�al NAtrict
i
Gary Plews, F re C missioner
Keri Davids , She ton School Bo d