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KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH (BOH)
Meeting Minutes
September 16, 2021
WebEx
10:00 am
Present
Board of Health (BOH): Cory Wright, Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, Dede Utley, John Asriel M.D.,
Absent:
Public Health: Audelia Martinez, Chelsey Loeffers, Cambron Walker, Candi Blackford, Erin Moore, Jesse Cox, Joseph
Rainwater, Kasey Knutson, Kate Johnson, Katie Odiaga, Tristen Lamb, Mark Larson M.D., Mackenzie Carter, Lianne
Bradshaw, Marie Betts, Lauren Wickerath
Other:
Meeting called to order at 10:03 am
Introductions
Introductions were completed.
Minutes
Motion to approve the August 19, 2021 Board of Health meeting minutes.
Motion 09-01: Motion to approve the August 19, 2021 Board of Health meeting minutes. Cory Wright moved to
approve the August 19, 2021 Board of Health meeting minutes. Dede Utley second. All approved. Motion 09-01
carried to approve the August 19, 2021 Board of Health meeting minutes.
Public Comment Opened at 10:05 am
Mike Lowe, Chairman of Kittitas School District School Board, gave a public comment regarding his concern over
the credibility of the information that is coming out of the Kittitas County Public Health Department regarding the
COVID-19 outbreak the Kittitas School District.
Public Comment Closed at 10:09 am
BOHAC Update
Tristen Lamb stated that Board of Health Advisory Committee met before the Board of Health meeting. They
welcomed a new member from Aging and Long-Term Care. The group discussed sign up for Board of Health
meeting attendance. There was an update regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine Assessment for Kittitas County. Ms.
Lamb provided a summary of the 2022 budget and there was discussion of E2SHB 1152 implementation and the
future role of BOHAC.
Department updates
Health Officer Update
Dr. Mark Larson updated the board on the following topics:
• COVID-19 case rates and percent positive in Kittitas County
• Percent of Kittitas County population vaccinated at 51%
• KVH hospital capacity
• COVID-19 within schools
There was a question and discussion regarding the public comment from Mr. Lowe.
Board of Health Minutes
August 19, 2021
2 of 2
There was a question and discussion around large community events coming up, and if organizers have reached
out the public health for guidance to mitigate spread of disease.
Director’s Report
Ms. Lamb updated the board on the following topic:
• Official 9-month resignation notice from Tristen Lamb
Business
Covid-19 Vaccination Planning and Tabletop Summary
MacKenzie Carter and Cambron Walker updated the board on the following topics:
• Vaccination efforts in Kittitas County
• Vaccine booster doses, third doses, and pediatric vaccines.
• Tabletop exercise summary
There was a question and discussion about the reception of the traveling clinic was at the fair.
E2SHB 1152 Implementation Recommendation – Information Only
Tristen Lamb let the Board of Health know that due to E2SHB 1152, she will be making the recommendation to the
Board of County Commissioners that the Board of Health expand by recruiting two new members that either are
public health practitioners, consumers of public health or other community stakeholder.
There was a question and discussion on the qualifications that each new BOH candidate should have.
2022 Budget Updates
Ms. Lamb presented to BOH an updated budget summary 2022:
• Public health department awarded COVID-19 Health Equity grant
• Additional Law and Justice grant for car seat purchases
• Slight increase in funding for solid waste enforcement
• Foundational public health services funding increase
Dr. Merrill-Steskal Presentation
Dr. Merrill-Steskal gave a presentation on COVID-19 vaccinations, specifically mRNA vaccines.
There was a question and discussion on natural immunity vs. vaccine immunity
There was a question and discussion on the timeline for the emergency approval for vaccination of children ages 5 -
11 years of age.
There was a request for next meeting that there is an update on vaccine breakthrough and how that affects our
community.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm
_____________________________________________
Brett Wachsmith, Chair of the Board of Health
_____________________________________________
Tristen Lamb, Director
Kittitas County Public Health
_______________________________________
Audelia Y. Martinez, Clerk of the Board of Health