HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-04-minutes-bocc-and-board-of-health-joint-meeting 05/04/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH/BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 11:00 A.M. MAY 4, 2020
Board of Health members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; and Via
Webex: Vice-Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Commissioner Cory Wright; and Dr.
Asriel.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Jerry Pettit, Auditor; Amy
Cziske, Treasurer; Dr. Mark Larson, Public Health Officer; Tristen Lamb,
Public Health Director; and Via Webex: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of
the Board II; Neil Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor; Clay Myers, Sheriff;
Bruce Tabb, City of Ellensburg Mayor; John Camarata, City of Kittitas;
Rob Omans, City of Cle Elum Administrator; and 2 members of the public.
SPECIAL MEETING COVID-19 BOARD OF HEALTH
Chairman Wachsmith called to order a Special Meeting of the Kittitas
County Board of Health.
Dr. Mark Larson reviewed a proposed Resolution which would allow
Kittitas County to apply to the State for the COVID-19 variance. He
explained how the plan is a phased approach to re-open the State of
Washington and reviewed the reasons why Kittitas County was one of a few
counties who are eligible to apply. He went over issues relating to case
and contact tracing; training; isolation and quarantine; and how it
needs to be a community approach. Dr. Asriel said it will take
cooperation from all County residents to move forward, while recognizing
the risks of opening back up because we are surrounded by a couple of
the hardest hit including Yakima County and King County. Dr. Larson said
there was a place on the Governors website where businesses can request
clarification and that they have been responsive to questions.
Commissioner Wright said he was concerned with opening businesses to
others from outside the County and questioned if there was a way to
place any travel restrictions. Dr. Larson said they could not legally
restrict the movement of people but has been recommending to the
residents of Kittitas County to not go shopping for instance down in
Yakima County.
Julie Peterson, CEO Kittitas Valley Hospital, reviewed a letter
explaining how they are prepared to meet surge demands in their
Emergency Department, their ambulatory clinics as well as their Critical
Care and Acute Care settings, and have adequate bed capacity and
05/04/2020 MINUTES 2
personal protective equipment to keep their workers safe. She said they
were in support of requesting a variance to the State, as recommended by
the Public Health Official. Dr. Larson said they have also received a
letter of support from Kittitas County Sheriff Clayton Myers. He
reviewed the draft Kittitas County Public Health Department COVID-19
Isolation or Quarantine Community Plan. Tristen Lamb, Public Health
Director, reviewed training for volunteers for case and contact, which
included some retired medical professionals, college students, and KVH
employees.
BOH RESOLUTION 2020-002 APPLY FOR COVID-19 VARIANCE PUBLIC HEALTH
Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve Board of Health Resolution No. 2020-
002, To Apply for the COVID-19 Variance. Commissioner Wright seconded.
Motion carried 4-0.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
At 11:58 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened the Special Meeting of the
Kittitas County Board of Commissioners.
Tristen Lamb, Public Health Director, explained how they believe they
can move forward with Phase 2 without any lives lost, and recommended
the Board approve the proposed Resolutions.
RESOLUTION 2020-094 FUNDING FOR COVID-19 VARIANCE PUBLIC HEALTH
Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve Resolution No. 2020-094, Committing
Funding to Kittitas County Public Health for COVID-19 Variance.
Commissioner Osiadacz seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
RESOLUTION 2020-095 APPLY FOR COVID-19 VARIANCE PUBLIC HEALTH
Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve Resolution No. 2020-095, to Apply
for the COVID-19 Variance. Commissioner Wright seconded. Motion carried
3-0. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman