HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2012 BOH
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
August 28, 2012
Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson, Steve Bloomfield.
Tim Sheldon was absent.
Ex-Officio Board Members: Scott Hilburn, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital
District #2; Frank Phillips, Fire Commissioner; Mike Olsen, City of Shelton Commissioner.
1. Cmmr. Bloomfield called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m.
2. Adoption of Agenda - Cmmr. Bloomfield suggested switching the order of items 4 and 5, and to move
public comment to the beginning on the agenda.
Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Bloomfield moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion
carried. RE-aye; S-absent; B-aye.
3. Cmmr. Ring Erickson/Bloomfield moved and seconded to adopt the regular meeting minutes of July
24, 2012 as presented. Motion carried. RE-aye; S-absent; B-aye
Public Comment - Ken VanBuskirk spoke on behalf of the Belfair Farmers Market. The market has been
around for 20 years but it struggling. The congestion on Highway 3 was making business difficult and the
temporary food establishment permit is $150. They are losing food vendors because of the permit fee. He
asked the Board to investigate the permit fee to make sure it is in line with adjoining counties.
4. Resolution calling on Legislature to Restore Local Control of Retail Tobacco Sales & Promotions
Joy Gilroy, Project Manager, discussed tobacco prevention and control in Washington State. The state is at
risk of losing its ground in the fight against tobacco because of a loss of funding and the tobacco industry is
still spending large sums on marketing. She explained preemption, which eliminated the power of the local
governments to regulate tobacco. She went over the benefits of local control of tobacco. If preemption
were repealed local communities could respond to issues that affect their specific community. She
suggested policies that could be implemented to help control the sale of tobacco to minors.
Mr. Hilburn asked if any counties have stated that they would not support the repeal.
Ms. Gilroy replied that there were three counties in eastern Washington that had concerns with patchwork
regulations and the possibly of a lack of funding from the State.
Cmmr. Ring Erickson thought that opinion was part of a broader policy issue in those counties.
Vicki Kirkpatrick noted that it would be a voluntary measure. Local governments wouldn't be required to
have their own regulations but they would have the option of local regulation.
Cmmr. Ring Erickson discussed the Commissioners’ decision to make the County a smoke-free campus.
5. Medical Reserve Corps Recognition – Ms. Kirkpatrick recognized the Medical Reserve Corps volunteers
for their assistance with the 2012 Paddle to Squaxin event. She presented the volunteers with certificates of
appreciation.
6. Administration
6.1 Health Officer Report – Dr. Yu was absent.
6.2 Director Report – Ms. Kirkpatrick reminded the Board that she would be attending a symposium on
family dependency court in California. She also provided an update on the Mental Health Advisory
Committee. She reminded everyone that flu season was coming soon and people should be thinking
about getting their flu shots.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
August 28, 2012 - PAGE 2
7. Environmental Health
7.1 Water Quality Update – Debbie Riley reported that there have been some issues with sampling due to
equipment malfunctioning at the lab. They will be doing additional sampling to take care of the issue.
Vibrio had been reported in Pickering Passage and Treasure Island. Hood Canal 5 was also closed due
to vibrio in 6 unrelated people. She discussed septic repairs that are needed at the hot tub cabins in
Robin Hood village. She also announced that the Oakland Bay Clean Water district was the recipient
of the Champions award from the Puget Sound Partnership.
7.2 Ms. Riley reported that the department received the first positive horse test sample for West Nile
Virus. The horse had to be euthanized. She reminded everyone not to leave pooling water around
their homes.
7.3 Waivers – Ms. Riley provided the current environmental health waivers for the Board’s information.
Cmmr. Bloomfield discussed vibrio. He also announced that Mason General Hospital had completed the
transformation of their surgical wing.
Vicki Kikpatrick noted that she had received a phone call from Scott Grout and Bill Allen regarding the
Skokomish fishing area. The issue was investigated and they found that there was not a public health
threat because the toilets were being emptied three times per week and the garbage was being emptied once
per week. Since the season has opened they have had four staff members go to the area several times and
they haven't found anything that they could issue a citation for.
Mr. Hilburn asked what the next agenda topics would be.
Ms. Kirkpatrick stated that youth services, as part of the community health improvement plan, would be a
topic.
Cmmr. Olsen provided an update on the City's issues with homeless encampments near the yacht club.
8. Community and Family Health
8.1 Manager’s Report – The Community and Family Health manger was absent.
10. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m.
ATTEST
_______________________________
Shannon Goudy, Clerk of the Board
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
_______________________________
Steve Bloomfield, Chair
_______________________________
Lynda Ring Erickson, Commissioner
_______________________________
Tim Sheldon, Commissioner