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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-21-minutes-board-of-healthttitas 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 January 21, 2021 WebEx 10:00 am Present Board of Health (BOH1: Cory Wright, Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, John Asriel M.D., Dede Utley Public Health: Katie Odiaga, Candi Blackford, Jesse Cox, Chelsey Loeffers Other John Merrill-Steskal, MD., Rich Elliott, KVFR Meeting called to order at 10:00 am Introductions Introductions were completed. Minutes Motion to approve the December 17, 2020 Board of Health meeting minutes Motion 01-01: Motion to approve the December 17, 2020 Board of Health meeting minutes. Dede Utley moved to approve the December 17, 2020 Board of Health meeting minutes. Laura Osiadacz second. All approved. Motion 01-01 carried to approve the December 17, 2020 Board of Health meeting minutes. Motion to approve the December 17, 2020 Public Hearing meeting minutes Motion 01-02: Motion to approve the December 17, 2020 Public Hearing meeting minutes. Dede Utley moved to approve the December 17, 2020 Public Hearing meeting minutes. Laura Osiadacz second. All approved. Motion 01-02 carried to approve the December 17, 2020 Public Hearing meeting minutes. Business Dr. Merill-Steskal gave a presentation to the board about the COVID-19 vaccine. The presentation included information about how the vaccines work, how well the vaccines work ("vaccine efficacy"), and how safe the vaccines are. There were questions from the board about the source of the mRNA and possible ethical issues. There were also questions about the 95% effectiveness being clinical or transmission, as well as if adjustments are needed for other strains. Board of Health Minutes January 21, 2021 2 of 2 Retail Food Code Revisions Jesse Cox gave an update to the board regarding recent Washington State Code updates, with various changes taking effect January 15, 2021, and March 1, 2022. There were questions from the board regarding the new code updates regarding dogs in restaurants. BOH Annual Orientation Chelsey Loeffers gave the current Board of Health (BOH) members their annual orientation for public health. The BOH orientation included information about what public health is, what the core functions are, the impacts of public health, review of the local public health system, board responsibilities, statutes that govern public health, and a review of the public health department programs. There were questions from the board to inquire if any other states use a regional Public Health model. Department updates Staff/Program Updates Chelsey Loeffers gave an update regarding staffing and programs: • Erin Moore is transitioning back to work a couple days per week. o Madi Gigstead, one of the contact tracers has transitioned to full time. • Environmental Health specialist interviews will take place Friday. • Working with agency partners regarding hiring a Vaccine Coordinator. • Syringe Exchange Grant for Survey in partnership with University of Washington. COVID-19 Health Officer Update • Rich Elliott, Deputy Fire Chief for Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, gave the board an update regarding the vaccine efforts. Other Chelsey Loeffers shared an update from Dr. Larson regarding the meetings for regional phased re- opening. Those meetings are happening weekly, and there have been 2 meetings so far. Meeting adjourned at 11:24 am r Brett M achsmith, Chair of the Board of Health Tristen Lamb, ec-rdr---, Kittitas Cou v ublic Health wMalNPAIP 20W.&AWA ARA