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Board of Health Minutes <br />February 21,2019 <br />2 of4 <br />Department updates <br />Administrator update <br />Tristen Lamb stepped to the microphone and updated the board members on the following: <br />•The Washington State Department of Health continues to update local health departments on the <br />measles outbreak.Currently there are 64 cases in Washington State. <br />Contracts and Agreements: <br />Ms.Lamb noted that there were several contracts that had gone through the BOCC for approval <br />this month. <br />Staffing updates: <br />•Jesse Cox is the new Environmental Health Supervisor. <br />•The Environmental Health Specialist position is posted and interviews will start today. <br />Accomplishments: <br />•The Kittitas County Public Health Department recently applied for a grant by Kasey Knutson, <br />Chelsey Loeffers,and Amy Fuller.The department was awarded $60,000/year for five years <br />through the Local State Physical Activity Nutrition (LSPAN)grant from DOH. <br />•Kittitas County Health Network (KCHN)assisted KCPHD in another grant application.The <br />department was awarded $5000 for work done by Amy Fuller to help build the Community <br />Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)that is implemented in partnership with the Kittitas County <br />Health Network (KCHN). <br />Program updates: <br />•Nea Alfaro worked with Ellensburg School District and Kittitas Schools to provide information <br />about vaping.According to the 2016 Healthy Youth Survey,Kittitas County High School seniors <br />report using e-cigarettes or vape devices at twice the rate of cigarettes. <br />•Our Water Resources staff worked closely with the Water Transfer Workgroup to add some <br />parcels above the KRD canal to our over the counter program. <br />•The Water Transfer team also worked with Benton County to provide details and information <br />about our water program to help Benton County during the implementation of their new water <br />program. <br />•Health Promotion and Assessment staff presented during the Leadership Kittitas County's Social <br />and Health Services Day.Judy Love emailed Kudos to staff for their presentations. <br />Admin updates: <br />•Tina Rowan,KCPHD's Fiscal Analyst,has been working closely with Judy Pless,Auditor's <br />Office,to complete year-end financial requirements.She received Kudos from Ms.Pless for the <br />hard work she put into calculating this year's indirect rate. <br />•Staff completed another great all staff retreat on January 25. <br />•Dr.Larson and Tristen Lamb were interviewed by Dr.John Merrill-Steskal for a radio show on <br />Ellensburg Community Radio. <br />Health Officer Update <br />Dr.Mark Larson reported on the current outbreak of Measles in Washington State and that there are 64 <br />confirmed cases.There are 63 in Clark County and 1 in King county.The outbreak has cost Washington <br />state over one million dollars.Dr.Larson discussed a couple of bills that would remove the personal <br />exemption clause and make it mandatory for vaccinations.Dr.Larson also briefly touched on the <br />following topics: <br />•Discussed TB and Rural Tuberculosis Day that is on March 25,2019. <br />•Discussed legislation and gun control in Washington State and Sheriff Dana's statement about <br />gun laws that will be taking effect this year. <br />•There is money from the state to help surrounding counties get rid of deceased cows that died <br />during the recent cold weather.