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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-26-10 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS January 26, 2010 Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson; Ross Gallagher; Tim Sheldon - absent Ex-Officio Board Members: Scott Hilburn, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital District #2; Frank Philips, Fire Commissioner 1. Cmmr. Gallagher called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. 2. Cmmr. Gallagher/Ring Erickson moved and seconded to elect Commissioner Ring Erickson as the 2010 Board of Health Chair. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-absent. 3. Cmmr. Gallagher/Ring Erickson moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-absent. 4. Cmmr. Gallagher/Ring Erickson moved and seconded to adopt the regular meeting minutes of November 24, 2009 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-absent. 5. Discussion of Unwanted Drug Program in Thurston County – Vicki Kirkpatrick noted that the issue of unwanted drugs was the focus of previous Board of Health meetings. There is a bill in the legislature now for a drug take back program but if it passes it will not go into effect until 2012. Thurston County has installed a disposal box in front of their Sheriff’s office because law enforcement is authorized to dispose of these drugs the same way they dispose of narcotics evidence. If the Mason County Sheriff’s office was willing to work with the Health Department they may be able to do this as well. She wanted to see if the Board was interested in pursuing this before she spoke with the Sheriff or looked into funding options. Cmmr. Ring Erickson noted that the fire stations have already offered this service and the Sheriff’s office is already overburdened. Ms. Kirkpatrick replied that the fire stations had mixed feelings on the issue. The other issue would be that only law enforcement is authorized to access the narcotics. Cmmr. Ring Erickson commented that the boxes would be more secure at the fire station locations with 24 hour staff. The boxes could be emptied by law enforcement. Ms. Kirkpatrick stated she would begin exploring this, research the costs and report back. 6. Discussion of Priority Goals from the Mason County Health Report Card – Ms. Kirkpatrick explained that Mr. Hilburn and Ms. VanBuskirk met to research and identify the areas of the report card to focus on as priorities. The Community Health Task Force Steering Committee also reviewed the report card. If the Board of Health is comfortable with the priorities presented they will also become the priorities of the Task Force. Ms. Buchheit added that the report card will be on the website shortly and will be updated often. The areas that the Hospital District Commissioners chose for priorities are obesity, oral health and immunizations. Cmmr. Ring Erickson stated she is looking forward to seeing the work plans for these priorities. Ms. Kirkpatrick noted that there is funding for these three areas so it is a good fit. 7. Administration 7.1 Director’s Report – Ms. Kirkpatrick thanked Commissioner Gallagher for serving as the Chair of the Board of Health for the last two years. She also reported on several items in the State Budget and the Legislative Session that the public health community is watching. 7.2 Health Officer Report – Dr. Yu was absent. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS January 26, 2010 - PAGE 2 8. Community and Family Health 8.1 Ms. Buchheit gave an update on the Mason County Health Challenge. There are currently 12 businesses participating with a total of 172 participants. The theme this year is “Active for Life”. 8.2 H1N1 Update – Ms. Buchheit provided the H1N1 update. 10,000 doses of vaccine have been given in Mason County, which is approximately 20% of the population. Vaccine is still available in all of the pharmacies and with all of the providers. It is important for children to get their second vaccination. There have been a total of 19 hospitalizations, including 4 deaths in Mason County. The department has received a lot of funding for advertising. She thanked the media for helping to get the information out. 9. Environmental Health 9.1 Ms. Riley presented the Board with the current Environmental Health Waivers. 9.2 Cmmr. Ring Erickson asked for a status report regarding a potential shellfish protection district at North Bay. Ms. Riley stated that she had the wrong date at the last meeting. The due date is actually January rather than December. Emmett Dobey has taken the lead on the County’s response because it has to do with the sewer system. It is being incorporated as a part of the Stormwater Management Plan. Ms. Kirkpatrick added that they are still waiting to hear back from the State Department of Health. They were looking at a potential upgrade in North Bay. Cmmr. Ring Erickson noted she would like to have reports on these types of areas as a regular part of the Board of Health meetings. 10. Public Comment – 10.1 Constance Ibsen wanted to know if the Health Department had a timeline for bringing forward an updated version of the onsite standards. Ms. Riley stated the standards were finalized at the Onsite Advisory meeting last Tuesday. 10.2 Steve Bloomfield commented that the North Bay issue is frustrating. He cautioned the Board not to forget that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Ms. Riley responded that she was just at a meeting to go over the water quality work. They identified two spots for stormwater treatment. Things are moving forward. 10.3 Teri King asked if Ms. Kirkpatrick had looked at the removal of money from the toxics fund by the Legislature. Ms. Kirkpatrick responded that they have looked at the fund. It is a continuing concern, but she hasn’t heard anything that puts the current level of grant funding at risk. 10.4 Ms. Ibsen asked for an explanation of the Environmental Health Waivers. Ms. Riley explained why each waiver was granted. 11. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS January 26, 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