HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/09/26 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
411 North 5"Street,Shelton,WA
September 26,2023
Attendance: Randy Neatherlin,County Commissioner;Kevin Shutty,County Commissioner;Sharon Trask,
County Commissioner;Dr.Keri Gardner,Health Officer;Darrin Moody,Hospital District No. 1;Peggy
VanBuskirk,Hospital District No.2;Kathy McDowell,City of Shelton;Keri Davidson,Shelton School Board;
Dave Windom,Public Health Director;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 3:00 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 July 25,2023 Board of Health
Minutes as presented. Motion carried.
4. Health Officer Report
Dr.Keri Gardner shared that it is currently flu,RSV,and COVID season. There is also a large
upswing in COVID wastewater. COVID home tests are available for free at Public Health or online at
www.covidtests.aov. Tests should be ordered before individuals feel sick. Flu vaccines are available
and so are RSV vaccines for adults 60+and infants under 2 years old. Vaccines for infants born
during RSV give immediate resistance and cuts down on hospitalizations. Washington State had its
first case of Candida,which is different than yeast and is an invasive disease that is hard to treat but
easy to test for. Symptoms include fever,chills,weakness,and exhaustion. Health Officers have been
discussing masking;recommending or making it mandatory. With COVID upswing,it is mandatory
in long term care facilities and correctional facilities. It is preferred to be mandatory,not required.
5. Administration Report
Dave Windom shared contract amendments 13 and 14 for the Consolidated Contract(CONCON).
The amendments revolve around Foundational Public Health Services(FPHS)and allowing Public
Health to expand capacity in communication,emergency planning,life-course work,immunization
outreach,Environmental Health leadership,finance capacity,and illicit substance abuse response.
FPHS funds are not a replacement for County funds,just an expansion. There is a need to add an
assistant manager position for both Environmental Health and Community Health. There is$709k
available to run COVID clinics but cannot be used for vaccines. An additional 2,000 test kits have
been received. Expired COVID tests are still viable if the control line is dark.
6. Environmental Health Report
Ian Tracy shared a water quality report handout for Oysterfest. The goal is information and interest
around water quality. There is a QR code to view the actual report. The 2023 Annual Water Quality
Report with interactive map was presented. In general,the water quality in Mason County is very
good. There are"yellow"and"orange"areas,but those still meet State standards for water quality.
The only location not meeting standards is Cranberry Creek,but not by a lot. Standard sampling
method is done in the middle of channel about 6"below surface.
An application was received from Constance Ibsen to reapply to the On-Site Sewage Advisory
Committee(OSAC)for another three-year term.
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cathy McDowell moved and seconded to reappoint Constance Ibsen to the On-
Site Sewage Advisory Committee. Motion carried.
The On-Site Sewage System(OSS)Permit Extension Policy was shared. The OSAC all voted in
favor,one abstained.
Peggy VanBuskirk/Cmmr.Neatherlin moved and seconded to approve the On-Site Sewage System
(OSS)Permit Extension Policy. Motion carried.
7. Community Health Report
Melissa Casey shared that Community Health is anticipating a busy fall season and was awarded part
of a syndemic grant applied through the Department of Health. This will assist chronic disease
prevention,extension of syringe exchange programs, implement clinical services using a mobile
exchange RV,allow for wound care,and provide HIV/STI screening and treatment. Wendy Wong,
Pharmacist,will help with Hepatitis C testing and treatment. The full amount was not awarded;part
of the strategic plan includes looking at services that can be provided immediately. This will begin
January 1,2024.
Public Health has partnered with Mason Health and the Shelton Family YMCA to bring back the
Women,Infants,and Children(WIC)program. The WIC Coordinator/Certifier job position will be
posted soon. Services will be available two days a week with flexible hours. Feedback has been
received fi-oin the schools. Equipment has been ordered for the clinic as well. The hope is for a
January start date.
Mason Matters and Blue Zones is hosting a Food Sumit on September 27,2023 at 12:30 p.m.at Public
Works. The new Health Educator launched a newsletter on the Healthy Mason County website and
subject matter expert groups have identified their S.M.A.R.T.goals using data provided in the
Community Health Assessment. Mini grants were received from FPHS and the YMCA was able to
partner with Hope Garden and the Skokomish Tribe to host cooking classes with fresh produce.
Dave added that he purchased a rapid tox screen machine that can do a tox screen in twenty minutes to
identify presence of drugs and the quantity of drugs in an individual's system. This will be kept at the
Coroner's Office. Updates for the device are guaranteed for nine years.
8. Other Business and Board Discussion
Dave discussed Board of Health membership and opening the Fire Commissioner position up.
Positions for the tribes are still open as well.
9. Public Comments
No public comment at this time.
10. Adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
ATTEST MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
rr AA MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
McKenzie SmitliClerk of the Board
Darrin Moo ,Hosp' 1 District#1
j�sL� Council
Kevin ShutK,Coi issioner
Ran Neather m,Commissioner
Sharon Trask,Commissioner
Peggy Van Bus irk,Hospital District#2
Gary Plews,Fire Commissioner
a L�
Keri Davidson,Shelton School Board