HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-27-10 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
April 27, 2010
Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson; Tim Sheldon; Ross Gallagher
Ex-Officio Board Members: Scott Hilburn, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital
District #2; Frank Philips, Fire Commissioner.
1. Commissioner Ring Erickson called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
2. Cmmr. Gallagher/Sheldon moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried
unanimously. RE-aye; S-aye; G-aye.
3. Cmmr. Gallagher/Sheldon moved and seconded to adopt the regular meeting minutes of February
23, 2010 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; S-aye; G-aye.
4. Children’s Nutrition: Summer Lunch Program – Kim Klint reported that she followed up with some
potential partnerships to sponsor a children’s summer lunch program. Love Inc. has committed to do a 6-
week summer lunch program at the Transit center. The head of food services and nutrition at Hospital
District #1 developed the menus and the budget for the vendors. If there are enough volunteers they will
also serve breakfast and a snack. She also noted that there are two community gardens that may be able to
donate food in the future.
5. Reshaping Governmental Public Health – Vicki Kirkpatrick explained that Reshaping Governmental Public
Health is a group of stakeholders called together by Secretary Selecky to address issues affecting
governmental public health.
Lydia Buchheit added that the group has decided to do a 5 year work plan for protecting the health of the
community against threats, communicable disease and to monitor the community’s health. The Health
Department will get feedback every month.
Cmmr. Sheldon asked how long the task force is organized for.
Ms. Kirkpatrick thought the intent is to move fairly rapidly.
6. Health Care Reform – Vicki Kirkpatrick provided a brief update of how Health Care Reform might affect
public health jurisdictions.
7. Office of the Director
7.1 Health Officer Report – Dr. Yu reported that an outbreak of measles has been reported from the
British Columbia Olympics. There is a high alert to look out for cases in Washington, but there
have been no local cases reported.
7.2 Director’s Report
7.2.1 Performance Evaluations – Ms. Kirkpatrick announced that the department has begun
implementing performance evaluations. The goal is to have 100% of the department’s
employees evaluated by June 30th.
Cmmr. Ring Erickson commented that the Board has a standing expectation that all
County employees will be evaluated every year. She asked Commissioner Gallagher to
send a memo reiterating to all department heads that employee evaluations are
mandatory.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
April 27, 2010 - PAGE 2
7.2.2 Drug Take Back Update – Ms. Kirkpatrick stated that she has been working with the
Hospital Districts and the Sheriff’s office on the process of implementing drop boxes for
unwanted drugs. Fire District No. 2 has agreed to house a box and it is now just a matter
of getting the boxes ordered. Facilities staff will help with the installation.
8. Community and Family Health – Ms. Buchheit explained that the current focus has been on cross training
staff.
9. Environmental Health –
9.1 Water Quality Update
9.1.1 Shellfish Growing Areas – Debbie Riley read a letter from the Washington State
Department of Health Shellfish Program. The 2009 annual report is finished and online.
No shellfish growing areas in Mason County are threatened by downgrades in
classifications. They continue to have concerns about Anna’s Bay, Hood Canal #6, North
Bay, Pickering Passage and Rocky Bay growing areas. Ms. Riley noted that the area is
currently experiencing a period of good water quality, but efforts cannot be relaxed. She
will present an update to the Board each month.
Cmmr. Sheldon asked about the impact of imported shellfish to the local industry.
Steve Bloomfield explained that imported shellfish are a large concern. There are health
concerns and business concerns.
9.1.2 Shorebank – Ms. Riley stated that Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia has been a great asset
in loans for replacement of septic systems. So far they have made loans to 41 Mason
County residents. The program needs an infusion of cash to carry on. She is looking to
elected officials to bring the message forward.
9.2 Waivers - Ms. Riley presented the Board with the current Environmental Health Waivers.
9.3 Ms. Riley also provided photographs of a clean up of a property on Harstine Island.
10. Public Comment –
10.1 Steve Bloomfield asked if performance evaluations are subject to public disclosure. He also
cautioned the Board that the improvements in water quality are likely due to a natural cycle. It is
important to maintain the upward trend. He noted other areas of concern regarding water quality.
10.2 Teresa Jacobson congratulated the Board on the cleanup of the Harstine Island property. She
also reminded the Board that she was told in 2008 that a property on Day Springs Road would be a
priority for clean up.
10.3 Bill Sammons presented a handout to the Board regarding biomass emissions and stressed his
concerns regarding the pending ADAGE project and the proposed Simpson Co-Gen operation. He
wants to make sure neither of these projects go forward.
10.4 Connie Simpson asked where to get Mason County’s records of air quality.
10.5 Bill Dewey commented that the report from the Department of Health regarding water quality is
exceptional and noted that there has been a tremendous amount of effort locally. He still has
concerns regarding North Bay.
11. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
April 27, 2010 - PAGE 3
ATTEST
_______________________________
Shannon Goudy, Clerk of the Board
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
_______________________________
Lynda Ring Erickson, Chair
_______________________________
Tim Sheldon, Commissioner
_______________________________
Ross Gallagher, Commissioner