HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-2016 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
March 22, 2016
Attendance: Randy Neatherlin, County Commissioner; Terri Jeffreys, County Commissioner; Tim Sheldon,
County Commissioner was absent; Eileen Branscome Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital District #2;
Frank Phillips, Fire Commissioner; Kathy McDowell, City of Shelton Commissioner.
1. Chair VanBuskirk called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
2. Jeffreys/McDowell moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried
unanimously.
3. Phillips/Neatherlin moved and seconded to adopt the regular meeting minutes of January 26, 2016 as
presented. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Lydia Buchheit introduced Jo Sanchez, Mason County Community Health Educator, who talked about the
activities for Public Health Week/Month.
Jo read the proclamation proclaiming the week of April 4-8, 2016 as National Public Health Week 2016.
Neatherlin/McDowell moved and seconded to adopt the Proclamation as read. Motion carried
unanimously.
Jo then presented the news release pertaining to Mason County's Health Rankings which have improved to
#29 out of37 counties in 2016. Additional information can be found at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
5. Mason Matters Update: Kim Klint/Jeanne Rehwaldt
Kim Klint introduced Jeanne Rehwaldt the new Executive Director of Mason Matters. The new work plan,
Moving Mason Forward, Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) was reviewed. Issues to consider
are: the role of the Board of Health in this work plan; how to connect the services; how to make sure one
initiative doesn't unintentionally sabotage another initiative. Kim shared the Moving Mason Forward Goals
and data collected.
Kim then talked about the County Health Rankings highlights. The CHIP has addressed the complex health
issues and is making a difference in the health of Mason County. Improvement is a slow process and we are
moving forward.
Dr. Yu stated these health issues are personal decisions and the Board of Health needs to determine when
policy can be adopted that will improve the community.
6. Dr. Yu presented the Health Officer Report. Mason County had the highest rise for opiate related deaths in
the State of Washington in comparing the period of 2002-2004 to 2011-2013. There is an on-going
prevention effort and the criminal justice community is involved. She is having conversations with the local
doctors on how to deal with this issue. Mason County does not have a methadone clinic or a needle
exchange program. Dr. Yu is working on having an educational community meeting.
Cmmr. Jeffreys stated she is part of the Behavioral Health Organization and offered to help.
Dr. Yu stated that World Tuberculosis Day is coming and talked about the effect of TB and it is important
for people to be aware of their risk to TB.
7. Lydia Buchheit introduced the policy discussion topic that is continued from the January meeting. A policy
can be as simple as a statement or commitment to something or some cause. Policy gives birth to health
promotion programs, procedures, actions, practices and more.
Debbie Riley, Environmental Health, talked about solid waste programs.
Jo stated a policy can be a simple statement and then let stake holders move it forward.
. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
March 22, 2016 -PAGE 2
8. Other Business : Letter from Deb Fitz regarding BOH meetings. Cmmr. Neatherlin recalled that the number
of Board of Health meetings was reduced due to lack of agenda items . Chair VanBuskirk stated this is a
policy board; we can meet more often if there are issues to address. She doesn't want to have a meeting just
to meet. The health rankings aren't changed by the BOH meetings; but by people in the community doing
things. She doesn't see the necessity of meeting more often ifthere isn't a policy to address.
9. Public Comment -Marilyn Vogler has looked into testing drinking water for lead and has learned there is
not a local lab for a homeowner to test their tap water. Staff will check on that and bring back information at
the next BOH meeting.
10. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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