HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-23-09 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
June 23, 2009
Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson; Ross Gallagher; Tim Sheldon
Ex-Officio Board Members: Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital District #2;
Absent: Frank Philips, Fire Commissioner; Tim LeClair, Skokomish Tribe; Scott Hilburn,
Hospital District #1
1. Cmmr. Gallagher called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m.
2. Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Sheldon moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion
carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-aye.
3. Correspondence - The Washington State Department of Health recognized Mason County Public Health for
effectively using Preventive Health and Health Service Block Grant funds.
4. Cmmr. Sheldon/Ring Erickson moved and seconded to approve the March 24, 2009 regular meeting
minutes and May 5, 2009 joint meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
RE-aye; G-aye; S-aye.
5. Administrative Issues
5.1 Health Officer’s Report – Dr. Yu gave an update on the Swine Flu. There has been an increase in
the H1N1 flu in Mason County over the last three weeks. The majority of cases have been
occurring in children and have not been that severe. Most of the severe cases have been in people
with underlying health conditions. A vaccine should be available in September. She is not sure
how much of the vaccine will be produced.
5.2 Director’s Report – Vicki Kirkpatrick stated they have received solid information from the State
regarding 2009-2010 budget reductions. The Health Department will be able to absorb the 2009
reductions, but the 2010 reductions will be about $130,000, which will mean a realignment of
staff. Two of the cuts in the Department of Community Development will affect their clerical
staffing as well.
Ms. Kirkpatrick clarified information in a letter the HIV/AIDS Advisory Council sent regarding a
contract with the Longview Housing Authority. That contract was not with the Health
Department. It was with the Mason County Shelter. The Housing Authority chose not to sign an
agreement with the Shelter to absorb the responsibilities of the Shelter regarding HOPWA
funding.
Finally, she announced that the Health Department was asked to speak at a community forum last
week. They asked the community what is most critical if they can’t sustain every program. Might
there be some piece the Chamber or a service club would want to sponsor? They are looking at
creative ways to sustain services through a multi-year economic downturn.
6. Community and Family Health Issues
6.1 Smoke Free Housing – Heidi Iyall presented a news release regarding the national trend towards
smoke-free housing emerging in Mason County. Staff has developed a list smoke-free housing in
Mason County, which is available on the County’s website.
Ben Johnson presented a proclamation proclaiming support of smoke free housing in Mason
County.
6.2 Nurse Family Partnership Program – Lydia Buchheit went over the statistics of the program. It
has been in Mason County for 8 years and it is for first time, low-income pregnant women. It
demonstrates cost effectiveness in its benefits to the community. The five domains they look at in
the program are Personal Health, Environmental Health, Life Course Development, Parenting,
Family and Friends.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
June 23, 2009 - PAGE 2
A short video was presented in which participants of the program talked about how it has helped
them.
Public Health Nurses Linda Bullock and Elizabeth Custis described their experiences with the
program.
Cmmr. Ring Erickson left the meeting at 11:09 a.m.
7. Environmental Health Issues
7.1 Department of Ecology Grants – Debbie Riley went over two Federal Clean Water Act grants.
Both grants are under negations with the Department of Ecology and the anticipated start date is
July 2009.
The Hood Canal Marine Recovery Area - Onsite Septic System Discovery and Pollution
Abatement: Environmental Health will be conducting water quality monitoring over 3 years.
Corrective actions will be preformed in areas of concern. They will also research parcel records to
identify the septic systems within 100’ of the shoreline. The grant expires on December 12, 2012
and the work should be completed on June 30, 2012.
North Shore Hood Canal Pollution Identification and Correction Project – Environmental Health
will conduct water quality monitoring along the North Shore of the Great Bend/Lower Hood
Canal between Belfair and Dewatto. The work will complete the shoreline sampling along Hood
Canal. They will also conduct sanitary surveys at residences where documented fecal coliform
exists. Staff will work with homeowners to provide information on operation and maintenance of
their onsite septic system and other contamination sources. The grant expires on December 31,
2011 and should be completed by June 30, 2011.
7.2 Waivers – Debbie Riley presented the Board with the current Environmental Health Waivers.
8. Public Comment – There was no public comment.
9. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m.
ATTEST
_______________________________
Shannon Goudy, Clerk of the Board
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
_______________________________
Ross Gallagher, Chair
_______________________________
Tim Sheldon, Commissioner
_______________________________
Lynda Ring Erickson, Commissioner