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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-18-minutes-board-of-healthPublic Health To Protect and Promote the Health and the Environment of the People of Kittitas County KITTITAS COUNTY JOINT BOARD OF HEALTH (BOH)|BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISIONERS (BOCC) Meeting Minutes June 18,2020 WebEx Meeting 10:00 am Board of Health Meeting began at 10:00am Present Board of Health (BOH): Cory Wright,Brett Wachsmith,Laura Osiadacz,John Asriel M.D. Public Health:Katie Odiaga,Tristen Lamb,Mark Larson M.D. Other:Neil Caulkins,Stephanie Hartung,Mandy Buchholz,Doug Fessler Meeting called to order at10:00 am introductions Introductions were completed. Minutes Motion to approve the January 16,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes Motion 06-01:Motion to approve the January 16,2020,Board of Health meeting minutes.Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the January 16,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes.Laura Osiadacz second.AII approved.Motion 06-01 carried to approve the January 16,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes. Motion to approve the February 20,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes Motion 06-02:Motion to approve the February 20,2020,Board of Health meeting minutes.Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the February 20,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes.Laura Osiadacz second.AII approved.Motion 06-02 carried to approve the February 20,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes. Motion to approve the April 16,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes Motion 06-03:Motion to approve the April 16,2020,Board of Health meeting minutes.Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the April 16,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes.Laura Osiadacz second.All approved.Motion 06-03 carried to approve the April 16,2020 Board of Health meeting minutes. Public Comment Public comment was moved to the end of the joint BOH/BOCC meeting. Board of Health Minutes June 18,2020 2 of4 Business Phase 3 Application Discussion Dr.Mark Larson spoke to the board and recommended applying for the Phase 3 variance to implement all Phase 3 modifications as outlined in the Washington phased approach to reopening.Kittitas County is currently meeting all metrics that are required by the secretary of health John Weisman to apply for Phase 3. The board had questions about how Kittitas County has maintained those metrics when surrounded by counties who are still in Phase 1.Dr.Larson noted that the success of Kittitas County has to do with community members and businesses taking stay home stay healthy seriously and were willing to make sacrifices.Kittitas Valley Hospital also did great work,and was able to have testing available,and the Health Department doing case and contact investigation was also a requirement. There was an additional question about testing requirements in Kittitas County versus Yakima County. Kittitas County is currently meeting the testing criteria for the Washington re-opening plan metric and is doing more testing per percentage of the population than Yakima County. Phase 3 Application Resolution to Apply for the COVlD-19 Variance BOH Resolution 2020-003. Motion 06-04:Motion to approve BOH Resolution 2020-003 to apply for the COVID-19 Phase 3 Variance.Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the BOH Resolution 2020-003 approving Kittitas County to apply for the COVID-19 Phase 3 Variance.Laura Osiadacz second.AII approved.Motion 06-04 carried to approve BOH Resolution 2020-003 approving Kittitas County to apply for the COVID-19 Phase 3 Variance. The board thanked Public Health and the community for their work on progressing through the phases and expressed gratitude that we were able to continue to move through to Phase 3. Tristen Lamb,Public Health Director,displayed a letter of support for Phase 3 from Kittitas County Hospital.Julie Peterson,KVH CEO,spoke to the hospitals ability to support the COVID-19 response,with expanded surge capacity,the availability of the COVID clinic,and the ability to do rapid testing when needed. Stay at Home Health Order Appeal Ms.Hammond voiced concern over not receiving documents in a timely manner for the appeal date. The appeal hearing will take place at the July 16th BOard of Heath Meeting. COVID-19 Update Ms.Lamb updated the board on current Washington State COVID-19 metrics for Kittitas County,while showing the Washington State COVID-19 website.Ms.Lamb stated that some metrics that are being measured are not shown on the website,such as time form symptom onset to date of getting tested. Ms.Lamb went through the Kittitas County Phase 3 Application narrative with the Board,which is required by the state for the application. Dr.Larson re-stated that Kittitas County is meeting all required metrics for phase 3 and was optimistic about approval.Dr.Larson touched on community engagement and working of plans for safely re- opening schools in the fall.There are currently no metrics available from the State to move into Phase 4. Dr.Larson also noted there are positive cases that touch Kittitas County,but are technically assigned to Yakima that Kittitas County Health Department is helping with case and contact because Yakima Health Board of Health Minutes June 18,2020 3 of4 District is overwhelmed with cases.KCPHD has also been working closely with CWU and plans for students returning in September,as well as the Fair and Rodeo Board to explore all options to try to host those events safely.Dr.Larson re-affirmed the need for community engagement as we move in to Phase 3,as more activities will be taking place,increasing the chance for disease spread.Currently there have been no cases associated with long-term care facilities. There was a question from the board regarding the disproportionate affect of COVID-19 on the Hispanic/Latinx population,and how KCPHD is addressing the cultural and language differences to make sure they are getting adequate care.Dr.Larson stated that KCPHD has multiple Spanish speakers on staff and volunteering that are the ones who contact the positive cases and their contacts,and there is no need for an interpreter. The board also noted a large agricultural difference between Kittitas County and Yakima County (mechanized productions vs.hand labor).Commissioner Wright asked if those companies are getting the help they need with outreach to both employers and employees to help manage the situation ahead of time.Dr.Larson responded that two members of the EOC staff had driven out to those locations to provide outreach in the spring.Outreach is continuing with employers. Other Board of Health Meeting adjourned at 10:53am Joint BOH/BOCC Meeting began at 10:53am Phase 3 Application Discussion Ms.Lamb reviewed the BOCC resolution to approve the BOH plan to move forward with the Phase 3 application. Phase 3 Application Resolution to Apply for the COVID-19 Variance BOCC Resolution 2020-123. Motion 06-05:Motion to approve BOCC Resolution 2020-123 to approve the local Board of Health's plan to move forward to Phase 3 Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the BOCC Resolution 2020-123 to approve the local Board of Health's plan to move forward to Phase 3.Laura Osiadacz second.AII approved.Motion 06-05 carried to approve BOCC Resolution 2020-123 to approve the local Board of Health's plan to move forward to Phase 3. Motion authorizing the BOCC chair to sign and send a letter certifying the date of both BOH and BOCC approvals,including the vote totals. Motion 06-06:To authorize the BOCC chair to sign and send a letter certifying the date of both BOH and BOCC approvals,including the vote totals.Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the request to authorize the BOCC chair to sign and send a letter certifying the date of both BOH and BOCC approvals,including the vote totals.Laura Osiadacz second.AII approved.Motion 06-06 carried to authorize the BOCC chair to sign and send a letter certifying the date of both BOH and BOCC approvals,including the vote totals. Board of Health Minutes June 18,2020 4 of4 Motion to approve the Request for Authorization for the Public Health Director to submit the Phase 3 application to Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman. Motion 06-07:Motion to approve the Request for Authorization for the Public Health Director to submit the Phase 3 application to Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman.Brett Wachsmith moved to approve the Request for Authorization for the Public Health Director to submit the Phase 3 application to Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman.Laura Osiadacz second.AII approved.Motion 06-07 carried to approve the Request for Authorization for the Public Health Director to submit the Phase 3 application to Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman. Public Comment opened at 10:58am Stacy Hammond stated concerned about the technical issues experienced,as well as the minutes for the January,February and April minutes not being approved until today's meeting.Ms.Hammond stated concern regarding Dr.Asriel being unable to speak during the meeting,she feels the County and the Prosecuting Attorney's office are not following the law by being involved in the meeting. Tiffany Christman wanted to state that she felt the verbiage used in the Health Order regarding travel was not consistent or clear.Ms.Christman would like the messaging to be consistent.Ms.Christman also brought a concern regarding masks in schools and other buildings that have mold,wanting to know if they would be tested to alleviate concerns about wearing masks in these places for extended amounts of time.Ms.Christman also wanted to know if Yakima County is providing and funding for FTE or CARES funding for Kittitas County's assistance. Jeff Cleveland wished to give public comment,however due to technical issues was unable to speak.He was advised to contact the BOCC office to be able to give his comment at a future meeting. Alex Ybarra wished to thank everyone for the good information,especially about the Hispanic/Latinx population and that he learned a lot that about the Kittitas County Health system which will help him better serve his constituents in the other counites as well.He thanked Kittitas County for the work they were doing regarding COVID-19. Public Comment closed at 11:09am Joint BOH/BOCC Meeting adjourned at 11:10am Brett W chsmit hair of the Board of Health isten Lamb,Dire'or Kittitas County Pu ic Health Katie Odiaga,Clerk of t ard of Health