Island County Board of Health
Monday March 17, 2003
Members Present: Commissioners: Mike Shelton, Mac McDowell, William J. Byrd; Barbara Saugen, WGH Commissioner; Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board.
Absent: Mayor Patty Cohen, Oak Harbor, Captain Donald Jensen, MC, USN (Ex-Officio Member)
Call to Order: Commissioner Mac McDowell called this regular scheduled meeting of the Island County Board of Health to order at 1:20 p.m.
Agenda: There were no additions to the agenda.
Minutes: Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that the minutes for the February 10, 2003 meeting be approved as written. Commissioner Bill Byrd seconded. The motion passed for the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.
Presentation:
1. Island County Health Department Director Tim McDonald introduced Mr. Don Sloma, Executive Director of the State Board of Health (BOH) and Tom Locke, MD, vice chair of the State BOH. Mr. Sloma distributed the Annual Report 2002 for the Washington State Board of Health. Dr. Locke noted that the State Board of Health was established in the late 80’s, and is composed of 10 selectees appointed by the Governor. He commented that this year the State BOH wishes to be more pro-active and is committed to partnering with the citizens of Washington and with local public health agencies in meeting the challenges we face such as:
· Access to critical health services
· Defining what are critical health services
· Assuring healthy environments and promoting healthy behaviors
· Rule Making
· Policy Development
· Public Engagement
· Emergency Response and Public Health Capacity
· Environmental Health
After expanding comments on the above topics, Dr. Locke fielded comments from the Island County Board of Health concerning:
· Concern for the ability of counties to provide support for services previously provided by the state in a time of severely constrained resources,
· Effects of the rise of terrorism. One of our Commissioners said that the BOH is skating on a very fine edge concerning capacity and funding. There is a need for a dedicated funding source.
· Mental Health Care and impacts on law enforcement resources,
· Implementation of the new USEPA regulations on arsenic in Class B Water Systems. Whidbey is the hardest hit of counties because of our geology. Can implementation be spread to 10 years --- by which time technology will have devised a cheaper way of treating the problem.
Dr. Locke stipulated that the State BOH is looking at such issues. All codes are being revised after a multi-year process that involved hundreds of the stakeholders raising issues. The board holds a series of public meetings to get input on current issues. On April 9, 2003 from 9:30-noon- BOH has asked Governor’s Budget Director to attend their meeting regarding the agenda item of securing Health Care Funding. Some of the BOH have been invited and an invitation was extended to Island County’s BOH. Mr. Sloma said that on the back of the Annual Report 2002 is the Washington State Board of Health’s e-mail address and Website address. He encourages our participation by testifying by e-mail.
2. WHIM (Whidbey Physical
Activity Coalition) presentation (a CHAB-Community Project): Kären Grossman
briefed the BOH on the Physical Activity Coalition and its projects, noting
that physical inactivity is considered to be the number 2 preventable cause of
premature mortality (exceeded only by tobacco use). As stipulated in the
attachment, while both genetic and environmental factors contribute to obesity
the primary cause is excess caloric intake in comparison to energy expenditure.
Regence Blue Shield has indicated its interest in making a generous investment
to Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties for the purpose of “creating
healthy active communities” via opportunities that “support physical activity
for health”. WHIM’s objective:
Oak Harbor:
· Produce a comprehensive Whidbey Island trailhead map, along with highway and trailhead signage.
· Enlist 4th grade classroom participation, for all Island County School Districts, in a pedometer program. The goal is to increase physical activity and instill positive health habits in the 4th grade children.
Camano:
· Provide a safe, guided neighborhood-walking program in 30 distinct neighborhoods. (goal is to increase physical activity among senior citizens)
Kären then presented each of the BOH a pedometer and advised them that they could keep a record of their steps taken (10,000 steps / day recommended), and could learn more by logging on www.peclogit.org.
Waivers:
1. LINT WAIVER-- After a discussion with divergent opinions, Tim McDonald
asked for a continuance of the waiver until Doug Kelly, Island County Hydro
geologist, had a chance to determine which discussed scenario would be the best
solution for the waiver request. Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that the Lint
Waiver be continued until the next BOH meeting April 21, 2003. Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded. The motion passed.
2. WIGHT WAIVER, (continued) -- Environmental Health Department Keith Higman presented the Hearing Examiner’s decision on the Wight’s request for a continuance of their shortplat application. Mr. Wight stated that he wished to speak with the Commissioners regarding his treatment during the Short Plat process. Commissioner Mac McDowell stipulated that this was not the proper venue for this issue, and that the Commissioners’ door was always open to their constituents to discuss issues one-on-one, or that he could appear at the next BICC meeting and speak at the time set aside for Public input. Mr. Wight then stated that he appreciated Mr. Higman’s candor and forthrightness in this waiver process.
Sheila Pera, who resides at 358 N Sunrise Blvd. Camano Island, stated that she wanted it in the record that this well will be only for one family and not a public well, and referred to ICC 8.09.110 (Potable Water Source and Supply - Waivers). Commissioner Mike Shelton then moved approval of option 1-Prohibit the use of the well as a public water system source, but permit the use of the well to serve as a single-party well to support residential water use on one parcel. Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded. The motion passed.
Contracts: Commissioner Mike Shelton moved for approval for Contract No. HD-15-02 Amendment No. 1, (Contract Amount $4,150) to be terminated as recommended (because of State funds having been rescinded). Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded, and the motion passed for the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.
Health Department Report: Health Services Director Tim McDonald presented the report from the Health Department.
· Island County presently has a high percentage with absenteeism in schools caused by influenza. Statewide the statistics of influenza are going down.
· Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) illness, an emerging infection of concern, apparently is not an airborne disease. Family members and caretakers are at risk. The symptoms are quite severe and some deaths have resulted. CDC has not determined the cause (agent) for this disease. Worldwide, approximately 150 cases have been diagnosed and 9 deaths have been recorded. SARS does not respond to antibiotics. Mr. McDonald commented that the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19 killed hundreds of thousands of Americans, with between 20-40 million deaths worldwide, affecting one-fifth of the world’s population.
· The 2002 Public Health Improvement Plan is now available. Secretary of Health Mary Selecky is responsible to provide an update every two years. The plan outlines Health issues, finance, and information technology.
Adjourn: There being no further business, Commissioner Mac McDowell adjourned the meeting at 3:08 p.m. The scheduled Board of Health will reconvene Monday, April 21, 2003 at 1:15 p.m.
Submitted: Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board
Minutes approved this 21st day of April 2003.
Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman