Minutes
of the Island County Board of Health
Monday, November 17, 2003
Members Present: Commissioners: Mac McDowell, Mike Shelton and William J. Byrd; Barbara Saugen, WGH Commissioner; Roger S. Case, M.D., Executive Secretary to the Board
Absent: Mayor Patty Cohen, Oak Harbor; Captain Susan B. Herrold, NC USN (Naval Hospital Oak Harbor)
Call to Order: Commissioner Mac McDowell called this regular scheduled meeting of the Island County Board of Health to order at 1:17 p.m.
Additions or Changes to the Agenda: Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, asked that rescheduling of the dates of the BOH for the months of January and February be added to the agenda and discussed at the time the Nomination/Election of BOH Chair, 2004. This was approved by the Chair.
Minutes: Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that the minutes for the October 20, 2003 meeting be approved as written. Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded. The motion passed and the Chair will sign on behalf of the Board.
Public Input/Comment: None
Advisory Board/
Community Agency Reports:
CHAB (Community Health Advisory Board) Mr. David Macys presented a Review of Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) Activities for September-November 2003 (see attachment). He gave an update on the following
Priority Health Issues:
- Early
Childhood Support and Education
- Mental Health
- Physical Activity and Health Promotion coalitions
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Health Department Budget - commented on the task force’s recent report on this issue.
Membership-There are five vacant positions on CHAB… and 6 open student positions.
Public Awareness, Education and Outreach
Efforts
- Representative Sehlin will be attending their December meeting.
- Representative Bailey’s office is due to respond shortly on her availability.
- Senator Haugen’s office sounded hopeful but had not yet confirmed.
-
Congressman Rick Larsen’s staff thought he might also attend but were not
certain
that he would be able to return
from Washington DC in time for the December
meeting.
Opportunity Council: Lisa Clark gave a brief presentation on the progress of their agency. She says that there is always a need. They have scheduled 262 appointments for energy assistance already and there could be more. Sixty-nine people requested shelter in September… and that 45 % of the homeless are children. As an agency, the Opportunity Council is now on a more stable financial footing. She wanted to recognize Tim McDonald for the positive influence and leadership he has given to the Opportunity Council as the Commissioner’s representative on the Opportuntiy Council Board.
Substance Abuse Advisory Board, Mental Health, Developmental Disability Advisory Board : Jackie Henderson stated that it appears a lot of the agencies are not experiencing Budget cuts at this time, but services are not always available to those that apply. She believes the number of the homeless is more than what has been stated. Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and DD--- If a person is already enrolled in a certain program they are getting good service. Agencies are tweaking criteria for showing eligibility for service.
Substance Abuse - Negotiating for rest of biennium – especially hard to provide service in rural areas. Criminal Adult Drug Court is not going well, since none of the money can be spent in co-ordination of the program. It is not looking positive now.
Advertising concerning Not Drinking and Driving is one of the Board’s priorities.
Outreach to Seniors: Growing depression and alcoholism
is a real concern. They have
received funding from DSHS to reach the
elderly
Mental Health - Compass Health is doing an excellent job.
Birth to 3: They are reaching an agreement with Sherwood Learning Center (on Camano)
DDD - There is a policy change that affects many. There is no funding available if mentally ill and have a substance abuse problem-no funding available for two programs.
Water Conservancy Board had no report.
Environmental Health Advisory
Team The quarterly report was
presented by Jim Patton
and Dr. Laurie Mosolino (see
attachment).
Dr. Mosolino gave an update on EHAT Progress and the four Environmental Health issues of concern in our community. (West Nile Virus, Walkable Island County, Dumping, Drinking Water: Arsenic)
Mr. Patton advised the Board of a discussion with an invited guest, Ms. Southerland of Delaware County, Ohio — one of the 15 fastest growing counties in the U.S. Her community advisory team has completed the assessment processes and determined their needs to be county development; recycling; surface water; and environmental education. She discussed the obstacles encountered and the experiences of their team in addressing these issues, and related that their Health Department was also instrumental in assisting with the process. Mr. Patton also stated that there is little attrition on EHAT, and that they do not plan to replace the vacancy left by Duke LeBaron’s recent resignation.
Contracts:
Nomination/Election of Board of Health Chair, 2004.
Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that Commissioner Bill Byrd be elected BOH Chair for 2004. Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Board of Health Meeting Schedule, January and February 2004:
Because of the January and February holiday schedule, the regularly scheduled BOH meeting dates were changed. Commissioner Mike Shelton moved that January 12, 2004 and February 9, 2004 replace the regularly scheduled dates during those months. These will be listed as Special Sessions. Commissioner Bill Byrd seconded; the motion passed.
Report from the Health Department:
Health Services Director Tim McDonald informed the Board that Celine Servatius and Patricia Whitcomb have resigned from CHAB. Both will receive a letter from the BOH thanking each for their efforts: Celine with Data Task Force/Pace Steering Committee, and Patricia Whitcomb, Chair of Data Task Force.
Tim McDonald distributed a list of Proposed Presentations for 2004 Board of Health to the Board. (see attachment)
Tim McDonald handed out information regarding Whidbey Island Volunteer Dental Clinic (WIVDC). The target date to open is Wednesday, January 7, 2004.
(see attachment)
Adjourn: There being no further business, Commissioner McDowell adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m. The next regularly scheduled Board of Health is December 15, 2003 at the same time in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room
Submitted: Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board
Minutes approved this 15th day of December 2003.
ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
Mac McDowell, Chairman