HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-19-minutes-board-of-healthKittitas County
Public Health
DeFartment
To Protect and Promote the Health and the Environment of the People of Kittitas County
KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH (BOH)
Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2023
Commissioners' Auditorium
10:00am
Present
Board of Health (BOH): Brett Wachsmith, Dede Utley, James Donaldson, Laura Osiadacz, Cory Wright
Public Health: Candi Blackford, Jesse Cox, Chelsey Loeffers, Cambron Walker, , Audi Martinez, Dora
Beukelman, Kate Johson, Kasey Knutson, Lucy Garcia, Lianne Bradshaw, Mackenzie Carter
Other: Robin Read, Board of Health Advisory Committee/Kittitas County Health Network
Meeting called to order at 10:02 am
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the October 19, 2023, Board of Health meeting minutes as presented.
Wmachsmith
otion 10.01: Motion to approve the October 19, Board of Health meeting minutes as presented. Brett
moved to approve the October 19, 2023; Board of Health meeting minutes as presented.
Dede Utley second. All approved. Motion 10.01 carried to approve the October 19, 2023; Board of
Health meeting minutes as presented.
Public comment open at 10:03 am
Public comment done at 10:03 am
Department Updates
Director Administrative Officer Report
Staffing Updates
Kasey is celebrating 15-year anniversary.
• Madi Strom is not returning from parental leave.
Departmental Updates
• Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic is next week on Wednesday, October 25th from 7am —4pm.
e Data collection for organization assessment has been completed and is waiting for the initial
report from consultant.
• All staff participated in Lean training this week. The department worked with the State Auditor's
office for Lean fundamentals, and then a more in depth training for leadership. The team will be
working to identify small practice projects for skill building.
Staff attended the Washington State Public Health Association conference last week.
Program Updates
• Veteran Services Program: hosting roundtable discussion with other local veteran
services/resources (VFW, HopeSource, WorkSource, KCHN). Mr. Paxton has already started
meeting with vets to apply for benefits and working with WDVA VSO coordinator for training.
Working on IT infrastructure and updates to the space. Front desk staff cross training to be able
to assist vets and schedule appointments. Candi Blackford will be working on getting accredited
as a VSO for backup.
■ Environmental Health: Staff spent three days working with code enforcement on site at
Mountain River Trails (MRT) to document health hazards and code violations related to sewage
and solid waste at individual sites. MRT work has allowed the department to partner with Public
Works and Community Development to obtain a common goal.
■ Developmental Disabilities Program: Kasey is working on partnering with KVH and KCHN to host
the showing of the Unseen documentary.
• Intern Sarah Dineen is working with Ellensburg School District on pilot of suicide prevention
curriculum to 9th grade as a part of health class.
1/101h Update
+ Advisory board members will be reviewing 11 proposals. The group will meet on October 26,
2023 to finalize recommendations. Presentation of proposals is planned for November Board of
Health.
+ Ms. Loeffers thanked James Donaldson for his service on board and said that he will be missed.
Other Business
Board of Health appointment recommendation by BOHAC
Robin Read. Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee noted that the committee delegated
three members to interview Board of Health applicants along with Chelsey Loeffers and Mark Larson
M.D. as non -voting members. After the interviews were conducted one candidate stood out, although
all were great. The Board of Health Advisory Committee is recommending that Danielle Bertschi be
appointed to the vacant position. This recommendation will be taken to the Board of County
Commissioners next week for approval.
Request approval for upcoming BOH vacancy recruitment
Chelsey Loeffers notified the board that the health department would be posting the vacant Board of
Health position. This position is the consumers of public health services position. The department
posting will be from October 19, 2023, to November 3, 2023. The board approved a 30-day extension so
IaL 11CU: t= UIC UcFJdi unenL can re -post for quannea appncants.
Motion 10.02: Motion to approve posting extension 30 days from November 3, 2023, if needed to allow
qualified applicants to apply for Board of Health vacant position. Brett Wachsmith moved to approve
posting extension 30 days from November 3, 2023, if needed to allow qualified applicants to apply for
Board of Health vacant position. James Donaldson second. All approved. Motion 10.02 carried to
approve posting extension 30 days from November 3, 2023, if needed to allow qualified applicants to
apply for Board of Health vacant position.
Request Board direction regarding 2024 fees update
Cheley Loeffers reviewed the 2024 fee codes and noted that these fees do not include any type of wage
survey results. Ms. Loeffers noted that she was looking for direction from the board as to how to
proceed with the 2024 Kittitas County Public Health Fee schedule since the timeline for our public
hearing is quickly approaching. The board recommended moving fees forward including wage survey
results. It was also suggested to post updated fees to stakeholders with the caveat that this would be
the maximum amount of increase and that there is potential for it to be less.
2
Core Services Report presentation
Chelsey Loeffers reviewed the department's Core Services report that was generated initially in
response to a request from the board. The Kittitas County's Core Services report breaks out the primary
services and programs, and outlines whether they are mandated by law, considered a foundational
public health service, total cost of service, how they are funded, the department division, and staff
positions supported through the program and associated funding. The board noted that the information
was helpful and appreciated this information.
COVID Update
Kate Johnson informed the board that the department is seeing COVID in the community. There are
currently outbreaks in our care facilities and jail. Ms. Johnson reviewed that 1 positive employee/client
is considered an outbreak and that the recommendation from the health department is to test all
staff/clients 2 times a week for 2 weeks and must have negative tests for 2 weeks to get out of an
outbreak status. The COVID that we are seeing now is more contagious, but not as severe as when
COVID first presented.
Board of Health Membership Update
Dede Utley noted that the hospital is working on expansion and hoping to be complete this time next
year. The hospital hosted a round table with staff and Representative Alex Ybarra and Senator Judy
Warnick. This was a productive conversation and hopeful that they will bring recommendations for
change back to Olympia.
Cory Wright updated the group on the proposal to close the limited landfill in Kittitas County. Mr.
Wright noted that public health and the city should be included in future discussions on how to resolve
the issue of where to put and what to do with septic system disposal.
Cory Wright also thanked James Donaldson for serving on the board and for his help with mental health
awareness.
Meeting concluded at 10:51 am
Cory Wright, Commissioner, Chair
Chelsey Lo s, Virector
Kittitas County Public Health
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Candi Blackford, Clerk of the Board of Health