Island County Board of Health
Special Session Monday, February 10, 2003
Members Present: Commissioners: Mike Shelton, Mac McDowell, William J. Byrd; Barbara Saugen, WGH Commissioner; Mayor Patty Cohen, Oak Harbor, Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board.
Absent: Captain Donald Jensen, MC, USN (Ex-Officio Member)
Call to Order: Commissioner Mike Shelton called this special session of the Island County Board of Health to order at 1:15 p.m.
Agenda: Being a Special Session, there were no
additions to the agenda.
Commissioner Mac McDowell called this special session of the Island County Board of Health to order at 1:15 pm. This being a Special Board of Health, the agenda was set and public comments not pertaining to the published agenda were taken.
Minutes: Mayor Patty Cohen moved that the minutes for the January 13th, 2003 meeting be approved as written. Commissioner Mike Shelton seconded. The motion passed for the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. .
Issues:
CHAB Appointments: Commissioner Barbara Saugen moved that the following new members be appointed to the Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB):
Krista
Voigt, Position #8, Term Expiration March 8, 2005
Mary Long, Position #16, Term
Expiration March 8, 2006
Charles Scurlock, Position #7, Term
Expiration March 8, 2004
Mayor Patty Cohen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
CHAB Reappointments: Commissioner Barbara Saugen recommended that
the following current members be
reappointed to the Community Health
Advisory Board (CHAB):
Robin
Hertlein Position #15, Term Expiration March 8, 2006
Pat Whitcomb, Position #18,
Term Expiration March 8, 2006
Rachel Taber-Hamilton,
Position #19, Term Expiration March 8, 2006
Jolene DeVos, Position #20,
Term Expiration March 8, 2006
Celine Servatius, Position
#21, Term Expiration March 8, 2006
Advisory Reports:
1. Lisa Clark presented the advisory report for the Opportunity Council. She stipulated that the needs are constantly increasing but the funding is decreasing. She made brief statements concerning the Lead Paint Hazard Control and Childcare Resources issues, briefed the Board on the Energy Assistance program for 2002-2003, and handed out the annual summary of the Opportunity Council of Island County’s year 2002 accomplishments. (see attachment)
2. No report was given for the IC-SPH&S Network. Health Services Director Tim McDonald stated that very likely by June 30, 2003 all funding for the program will be terminated state-wide.
3. Bill Attwater presented the advisory report for the Water Conservancy Board, and that Ecology had upheld the Board’s recommended approval for 2 cases, including the pending Silverlake water right. He announced that there are 124 new applications pending.
4.
David Macys presented the advisory report for the Community Health Advisory Board. (see attachment) He stated that CHAB is
actively working on the four priority health issues identified through our
strategic planning process, and that Health Action Teams (HATs) have been
formed to address the following:
• Mental Health
• Early childhood Intervention and
Parent education/support
• Health Screenings and Prevention
• Chronic Disease/Physical Activity
5.
Jim Patton and Laurie Mosolino were appointed by EHAT to be the BOH Liaisons, and to
provide updates to the BOH on a quarterly basis concerning their progress and
issues. (see attachment). They briefly stated how the Environmental Health Advisory Team came into being and how the
selection process led to the appointment of a 26-member board. They then presented
the work done to date in developing their Goals and Objectives, which are:
•
To Increase Public Awareness & Community Involvement in
Environmental Health Issues in Island
County
•
To Identify Environmental Health Issues Important to Island County
•
To Develop Solutions that are Supported by the Community and Elected
Officials which Address
High Priority Environmental
Health Issues
•
To Increase Open Effective Communication Among Stakeholders
Contracts:
Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that DSHS-Medicaid Administrative Match Contract No. 0063-42385, Amendment 4 (Amendment amount -0-) Contract amount $140,000 be approved. Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded. The motion passed for the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.
Report from the Health Department:
Health Services Director Tim McDonald briefly discussed the West Nile Virus issue and a Health Department proposal. He distributed the West Nile Virus/Mosquito Abatement District Recommendation from the Island County Health Department to the Board of County Commissioners. (see attachment) He said that West Nile Virus has spread more rapidly than anyone imagined; that the West Nile Virus has arrived in Island County; that while mosquitoes have been a local nuisance in the past, they are now a menace to the public’s health. While Island County Public Works is developing an Integrated Pest Management Plan to combat the mosquito, the plan can only be effected for county property. Mr. McDonald noted that the Board of County Commissioners does not have the authority to abate mosquitoes on private property; Mosquito Control Districts do have that authority. He then proposed that the BOH place a resolution before the voters to form a countywide Mosquito Control District. Given the time required for an election, the need for analysis, planning, and permit application, the unknown lead time for fund collection, that if a Mosquito Control District is going to become active in 2003 the Board of County Commissioners will have to take action by February 24th, the deadline date to get the issue on a May 20 ballot, else there will be no opportunity to form such a program this year. The voters would vote 2 issues: (1) formation of a Mosquito Control District (requires a 50.1% voting majority), and (2) approving a proposed levy amount, the maximum of which may be a 25-cent millage, although a lesser millage may be determined to be more appropriate (this levy would require a 60% voting majority). The MSD board members would determine program activities and levies to sustain those programs annually. This activity would not be a function of county government.
A discussion evolved with many from the community voicing their concerns about forming a Mosquito Abatement District, such as:
· They stressed that the holding ponds on the island are a natural breeding place for the mosquitoes. Shouldn’t the state be involved with the eradication of the mosquitoes, since some of these holding ponds are being required by the state?
· “Spraying doesn’t get all mosquitoes, you still have them, no matter what you do to be rid of them” (anecdotal comments referencing the effectiveness of programs elsewhere).
· Another series of comments: Mosquitoes live in grass, water, leaves; too much to check out prior to going to voters; need more data. Does Navy Base have money that they can kick in.? Are property rights going to be an issue? Can Mosquito Control District personnel come onto private property?
· Need to remove the emotional term ‘West Nile Virus’ from any resolution – just have ‘Mosquito Abatement’
· “Wetlands are moving water… mosquitoes need stagnant water… protect our wetlands”. Concern was raised about personal health and for others with sensitive health concerns; “there is need for many public forums on this issue”.
· “A Mosquito Control District is not needed”; fear creates a stress response which itself causes health problems…are we causing more problems by raising fear? “Under no circumstance should we spray.”
Don Meehan, from the County Agriculture Extension Office, commented on the activities of the Camano Island Mosquito Control District, and of their support for the recommendation.
Bill Oakes briefly discussed the Road Department’s plans to address the county’s responsibility for controlling mosquitoes on county property (which constitutes about 3% of Island County land), and of their intention to cooperate in support of any Mosquito Control Program that may evolve in Island County.
Mr. Mc Donald said that the Health Department has made no recommendations regarding mosquito control measures except for advising the public to “look around your property to remove any standing water to reduce mosquito habitat”. The Health Department has not recommended use of chemicals. He commented that natural methods such as putting goldfish into ponds are one way to reduce mosquito larvae. He further commented that Mosquito Control Districts might not choose to use chemicals but rather bacteria that specifically kill mosquito larvae, and which poses no environmental dangers. He went on to explain that in forming a Mosquito Control Board, the Board of County Commissioners would each appoint a board member, and the mayor of each municipality would each appoint a board member (6 in all). The Mosquito Control Board would be a municipal entity unto itself, not an activity of county government.
Commissioner Mike Shelton suggested that the subject of the West Nile Virus/Mosquito Abatement District be again brought before the Board of County Commissioners on February 24th with a recommended levy amount to be placed on a ballot, and with more information as to how the proposed Mosquito Control District might use the funding raised by the levy.
Island County Stage 1 Smallpox Vaccination Policy was tabled for discussion at the next staff session.
There being no further business, Commissioner Mac McDowell adjourned the meeting at 2:25 p.m. The scheduled Board of Health will reconvene Monday, March 17, 2003 at 1:15 p.m.
Submitted: Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board
Minutes approved this 17th day of March 2003.
[signed Wm. L. McDowell]
Mac McDowell, Chairman