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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-24-09 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 24, 2009 Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson; Ross Gallagher; Tim Sheldon Ex-Officio Board Members: Scott Hilburn, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital District #2; Frank Philips, Fire Commissioner; Tim LeClair, Skokomish Tribe - absent 1. Cmmr. Gallagher called the meeting to order at 3:38 p.m. 2. Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Gallagher moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-absent. 3. Correspondence - None 4. Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Gallagher moved and seconded to adopt the regular meeting minutes of February 24, 2009 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-absent. 5. Administrative Issues 5.1 Legislative Update – Bills of interest to public health – Vicki Kirkpatrick presented an overview of the current bills in the Legislature relating to public health. One major bill is an act relating to public health financing. The funding mechanism has been stripped and is now in the Senate. Currently the bill doesn’t do anything for public health. It just puts more restrictions on funding. There are also bills regarding tire piles, inmate medical care, board of health composition, health districts with taxing authority and the safe disposal of unwanted drugs. Cmmr. Sheldon joined the meeting at 3:49 p.m. 5.2 Potential State budget changes affecting public health – Ms. Kirkpatrick stated the chances of public health escaping State cuts are remote. In July 2009 there will no longer be funding for Group B water programs. An ordinance would need to be established in order to continue the regulation of Group B water systems. The ordinance would have to collect a fee. Cmmr. Ring Erickson stated she would like to see what the potential fees would be. Debbie Riley stated it could be a huge fee for these systems. Ms. Kirkpatrick stated there still will be funding for Group A systems. Ms. Kirkpatrick went over additional public health funding that could be cut, including the AIDS Omnibus fund, funding for the implementation of the onsite management plan, a solid waste grant, Motor Vehicle Excise Tax that supports the Health Officer position, and dollars that are used to meet State mandates for communicable disease, TB control and obesity. Cmmr. Sheldon asked if the State Department of Health will be cutting their requirements if the State is cutting the funds. Ms. Kirkpatrick stated she wasn’t sure if the money was even being cut yet. She is just looking at the worst case scenario. Cmmr. Sheldon asked when all of this would happen. Is there a backup plan to make sure that the Current Expense Fund is not impacted? Ms. Kirkpatrick stated the plan is to use the money they already have in different ways. She is hopeful there is some federal money, but the reality is there are services that will go away if these cuts are made. They are planning for the worst and hoping for the best. The programs likely to be cut are the prevention programs. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 24, 2009 - PAGE 2 Cmmr. Sheldon asked about restaurant inspections. Debbie Riley stated those inspections are fee supported by the restaurants themselves. 5.3 Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response- Region 3 – Ms. Kirkpatrick stated the regional structure will no longer be maintained. Funding will be pooled and divided between Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis and Pacific Counties in August. 5.4 Health Officer’s Report – Dr. Yu was in Denver for training. 5.5 Director’s Report – Ms. Kirkpatrick will be assuming the role of Director for the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response. The Health Department is in the process of spreading their emergency preparedness responsibilities throughout the department. Also, the Community Health Task Force is reengaging and they are creating a steering committee. There will still be sub-committees to focus on diabetes prevention and management. Cmmr. Ring Erickson asked if there were participants from the hospital districts. Ms. Kirkpatrick stated Scott Hillburn will be on the steering committee. Commissioner Ring Erickson stated she would also like to participate. There was a discussion on the Health Department’s move to Building 8 and what can be done with the buildings that will be left vacant. 6. Community and Family Health Issues 6.1 Manager’s Report – Lydia Buchheit was absent. 7. Environmental Health Issues 7.1 Manager’s Report – Debbie Riley gave an update of the micro remediation projects. Also, there are stimulus funds for drinking water projects in Oak Park and PUD #1 at Madrona Beach for reservoir replacement. 7.2 Waviers - Debbie Riley presented the Board with the current Environmental Health Waivers. 8. Public Comment – Frank Phillips reminded everyone of the Fire Association Seminar on April 11th. Ms. Kirkpatrick will be doing a presentation. Peggy VanBuskirk announced that Belfair Urgent Care will be open for business on April 20th. Scott Hilburn stated on April 1st Public Hospital District #1 will be taking ownership of Dr. Weber and Dr. Butler’s practices. The doctors will remain as providers. It will be interesting running a clinic as opposed to a hospital. There was further discussion regarding budgets. 9. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 24, 2009 - PAGE 3 ATTEST _______________________________ Shannon Goudy, Clerk of the Board BOARD OF HEALTH MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON _______________________________ Ross Gallagher, Chair _______________________________ Tim Sheldon, Commissioner _______________________________ Lynda Ring Erickson, Commissioner