HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/07/25 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
411 North 5*Street,Shelton,WA
July 25,2023
Attendance: Randy Neatherlin,County Commissioner;Kevin Shutty,County Commissioner;Sharon Trask,
County Commissioner;Dr.Keri Gardner,Health Officer;Peggy VanBuskirk,Hospital District No.2;Keri
Davidson,Shelton School Board;Ian Tracy,Environmental Health Manager;Melissa Casey,Community
Health Manager;McKenzie Smith,Clerk of the Board;and Dedrick Allen,MasonWebTV
1. Chair Shutty called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cmmr.Trask moved and seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
Peggy VanBuskirk/Keri Davidson moved and seconded to approve the May 23,2023 Minutes as
presented. Motion carried.
4. Health Officer Report
Dr.Keri Gardner shared her thanks to Mason Health for their partnership in testing,treating,and
educating providers on tuberculosis and to Peninsula Community Health Services on their work with
the Hepatitis C Free Mason County initiative. North Mason Fire has also created innovative plans to
bring services to Mason County. Dr.Gardner applied for a Health Equity Zones Grant for improved
translation for Guatemalan languages;however,this grant was not awarded. North Mason Fire is in
the finalist group to bring primary care to people by Emergency Medical Services(EMS).
Dr.Gardner and Dave Windom have been discussing providing direct care services to fill gaps in the
community's health needs. This is still in the planning stage and is being worked on by Christina-
Muller Shin and Melissa Casey. A syndemic grant through the state has been applied for and would
provide enough money to fund those services as well as allow for the purchase of a new mobile van.
Services this van would provide include syringe exchange,HIV testing,and screening and treatment
for Hepatitis C and tuberculosis. Dave added that notification should be given around January 1 for
grant awards. Funding for the van could come out of Treatment Sales Tax(TST)funding. Cmmr.
Shutty reminded the Board to be mindful of medical billing,credentials,startup costs,and staffing.
5. Administration Report
Dave discussed grant management software that will allow Public Health to better manage grant
deliverables,payments,grant status,how much funding is left in the accounts,etc.and may be able to
integrate into Munis. Munis has a grant module,but that is more focused on bars lines and setting up
funding cycles. This software can be used by other departments as well.
The Consolidated Contract(CONCON)amendment no. 13 was signed by the Commissioners. Dave
and Casey completed the annual Foundational Public Health report which allows Public Health to
receive$1.2 million in Foundational Public Health Services(FPHS)funding. COV D funds ended
June 30 of this year. Amendment no. 14 has smaller changes. In August the second portion of FPHS
funding for the amount of$7.9 million should be available and should be in amendment no. 15. The
Maternal and Child Health(MCH)Block Grant had a small increase. Four requests for the Public
Health mini grant have been received. The Hub in Belfair applied for$1,000 for their medical library.
There has been a small uptick in COVID.
Blue Zones is trying to get the community interested in wellness for longevity;however,post-COVID
culture has made it difficult for people to join groups and forums.
Mason Matters is back up and running. An updated contract for$25,000 a year is on its way. Gaps in
access for healthcare were discussed.
6. Environmental Health Report
Ian Tracy shared there will be a total of five new staff in Environmental Health.
Ian discussed draft changes to the On-Site Sewage System(OSS)Permit Extension Policy. Changes
would allow OSS designers to extend their design permit for an additional two years for a maximum
five-year term. This is more stringent than what the state requires. The application for extension must
be stamped and signed by the original designer certifying and attesting that the design has not been
altered or disturbed, it continues to meet minimum setbacks, and that no boundary line adjustments or
subdivisions have occurred. The On-Site Sewage Advisory Committee(OSSAC)has reviewed this
change.
Teri King shared concerns regarding state law changing and asked not to"grandfather"in a five-year
permit extension. This could cause financial issues;there used to be a special fund that could only be
expended once a permit was fully executed. Teri asked what would happen if the original designer
was unavailable and how far past due can the permit be extended? The shellfish industry was not
represented at the OSSAC meeting, and this should also be referred to the Clean Water District
(CWD).
Constance Ibsen commented that not enough information was provided at the OSSAC meeting.
Board recommendation is to take the draft changes back to OSSAC and CWD and have further
discussion with other groups.
7. Community Health Report
Melissa Casey touched on housing and TST contracts,the grant management software discussed
earlier,and asked for feedback regarding the Community Health packet. Additional funding has been
awarded to Maternal and Child Health and will allow the Children with Special Healthcare Needs
Nurse to dedicate her time fully to her caseload. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program
received a no cost extension. The syndemic grant, if awarded,will be funded in January.
Dave mentioned the Insight Vision program that will allow Public Health to track and account for key
performance indicators to show the difference being made in the community.
8. Other Business and Board Discussion
No other business or Board discussion at this time.
9. Public Comments
Teri asked for more information regarding the mini grants and who it is available to. Dave shared that
$10,000 was set aside for the grants and about$4,000 has been given. Applications are reviewed by
Dave and Melissa and must meet the mission statement.
10. Adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
ATTEST MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
MAS N COUNTY, WASHINGTON
McKenzie Smit ,Clerk o the Board
Darrin Moody,Hospi\v..District#1
`%Cs t,j L
Kathy McDowelt City Council
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Kevin Shutty, mmissioner
Ran Neatherlin,Commissioner
Sharon Trask,Commissioner
Peggy Van uskirk,Hospital District#2
Gary Plews,Fire Commissioner
i t/V 1
Keri Oavidson,Shelton School Board