HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-18-minutes-board-of-healthKittitas County
Public Health
Department
To Protect and Promote the Health and the Environment of the People of Kittitas County
KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH (BOH)
Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2019
Commissioners' Auditorium
10:00 am
Present
Board of Health (BOH):
Cory Wright, Rich Elliott, Laura Osiadacz, Brett Wachsmith
Absent: John Asriel M.D.
Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC):
Andrew Lyons, Hope Source, Nancy Pfeiffer, Community Health of Central Washington
Public Health: Candi Blackford, Tristen Lamb, Erin Moore, Samantha Cox, Lucy Garcia, Jesse Cox, Will
Schwab, Zac Bales, Holly Erdman, Mark Larson M.D
Others: Carrie Barr, KVH, Laurie Ross, KVH, John Merril Steskall M.D., KVH, Julia Karns, ESD,
Phillip Garrison, APOYO Food Bank, Patricia Garrison, APOYO Garrison, Other representative from
APOYO, Jessica Perez, CWU Observer
Meeting called to order at 10:46 am
Introductions
Introductions were completed.
Meeting agenda edited to move up the BOHAC Public Champion agenda Item after the approval of
minutes.
Motion 04-01: Motion to amend the agenda to move the Public Health Champion up on the agenda.
Laura Osiadacz moved to approve the amended agenda. Brett Wachsmith second. All approved.
Motion 04-01 carried to amend the agenda to move the Public Health Champion up on the agenda.
Minutes
Motion to approve the March 29, 2019 Board of Health meeting minutes
Motion 04-02: Motion to approve the March 29, 2019 meeting minutes. Rich Elliott moved to
approve the March 29, 2019 Board of Health meeting minutes. Brett Wachsmith second. All
approved. Motion 04-02 carried to approve the March 29, 2019 meeting minutes.
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April 18, 2019
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Pub& Health Champion
Andrew Lyons stepped to the microphone and presented APOYO with the Public Health Champion
Award for 2019. Phillip Garrison accepted an award and $500.00 for APOYO. Mr. Garrison spoke a few
words about APOYO and thanked the many volunteers that help make APOYO possible and run the
APOYO food bank. Mr. Lyons stepped to the microphone to acknowledge John Merrill-Steskal, M.D.
with a Honorary Public Health Champion award for his valuable work in the community. Dr. Merrill-
Steskal stepped to the microphone and was thankful for the award and was happy to be able to and
continue to make a positive impact on our community.
Public Comment
Public Comment open at 11:07 am
Public Comment closed at 11:07 am
BOHAC update
Tristen Lamb stepped to the microphone and informed the board that at the last BOHAC meeting the
group discussed the customer survey form the health department is hoping to roll out, moving BOH
meeting time, and discussed representation at BOH meetings.
Department updates
Administrator update
Tristen Lamb stepped to the microphone and updated the board members on the following:
Contracts and Agreements
• There have been 5 contracts that have recently been approved by BOCC
Staffing updates:
• Lianne Bradshaw returned from leave
• Four interns at public health
Program updates:
• Staff working on updating forms and fees for implementation May 1, 2019
• New EH staff hosted a soils class for other On -Site Sewage System Inspectors in Eastern
Washington
• Upper County Exchanged welcomed its first exchange in March
• Health Promotion staff attended a two-day Social Norms training
Health Officer Update
Mark Larson M.D. stepped to the microphone and updated the board on the current unvaccinated resident
in Ellensburg who has been exposed to Measles while traveling overseas. Dr. Larson discussed the role
public health plays and the work that goes into one potential exposure and the outside resources that are
necessary. There was some discussion about measles, quarantine, and vaccination rates at the college.
Financial U date
No financial update.
Business
Wildfire Smoke Impacts Workgroup -Update
Mark Larson M.D. presented to the board information from theWildfire Smoke Workgroup. Dr. Larson
presented information about PM2.5 during the wildfires of previous years and discussed air quality
around fair time last year. Dr. Larson discussed the potential for future impacts due to air quality and that
the Wildfire Smoke Impact Workgroup, that includes people from Department of Ecology, Washington
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State DOH, Oregon Health Sciences, people from California who deal with wildfires, local public health
departments, Spokane, and King County. We know that wildfires are getting worse. Dr. Larson discussed
multiple closures around the county and the health impacts that affect our community. The Wildfire
Smoke Impact Workgroup is focusing on guidance for air quality problems and objectives. The three
main objectives are communication that is consistent across the state, provide school closure and event
cancelation procedures, and discuss what we can do with low cost sensors. Closures due to air quality are
going to come from the local health departments. The group had decided last week using PM2.5 to
consider closing at 35.5 and require closing at 80.5. Dr. Larson discussed the health risks of being out in
wildfire smoke, and discussed the future of how to approach discussions with those that will be effected
by bad air quality, and closures that may need to happen. Dr. Larson will keep the board posted of further
updates from the group and this will be an ongoing discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 11:59 pm
Co a Board of Health
risten Lamb,'nistrator
Kittitas Countytic Health
U6
Candi Blackford, Clerk of the Board of Health