Minutes of the Island County Board of Health

Special Session Monday, January 12, 2004

 

Members Present:  Commissioners:  William J. Byrd; Mac McDowell, Mike Shelton and Barbara Saugen, WGH Commissioner; Roger S. Case, M.D., Executive Secretary to the Board

 

Absent:  Mayor Patty Cohen, Oak Harbor and Captain Susan B. Herrold, NC USN (Naval Hospital Oak Harbor)

 

Call to Order:  Commissioner William J. Byrd called this advertised special session of the Island County Board of Health to order at 1:18 p.m.

 

This being a special meeting no changes or additions were made to the agenda.

 

Appeal:    Tim Mc Donald, Health Services Director informed the BOH that both Mr. Andersen and Mr. Hill were present.  Environmental Health Director Keith Higman presented the Island County Health Department’s determination of disapproval based on the requirement

for sanitary control of pollution control radius as specified in Island County Code 8.09.070D1.

 

The Appellant:  Curt Andersen who resides at 20722 23rd Avenue W, Lynnwood, Washington presented his appeal to the BOH. Mr. Andersen’s well radius falls onto the wetlands area of Mr. Hill’s property. Mr. Andersen said that he thought he was doing everything in a proper manner: he had hired a well-driller (Well-Done Well Drillers) to drill the well; he did not purposely avoid fees; he did not know that a neighbor’s garage extended on to his property by 8”, thereby causing his (Mr. Andersen’s) well radius to fall 30’ onto Mr. Hill’s property.  Mr. Andersen stated that he tried to get another well site but was denied.

 

Neighbor:  Mr. Wayne G. Hill, who resides at 2442 NW Market St., Seattle, Washington handed out a letter to the BOH that he had written. He read that letter to the BOH regarding Mr. Andersen’s encroachment onto his property, and stated his reasons for the disapproval of the granting of Mr. Andersen’s requested easement. (See attachment)

 

After a few brief comments were made by the Assistant Planning Director, Jeff Tate, relating the impacts imposed by critical areas, and questions by the BOH to Jeff Tate, Mr. Andersen and Mr. Hill, Commissioner Mac McDowell concluded that Mr. Andersen’s appeal was premature. He then moved to continue the appeal until Mr. Andersen obtains the required permits from Planning. Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded the motion.  After further questioning Mr. Hill, Commissioner Mike Shelton stipulated that the appeal may not even be needed, were those involved to come to an agreement concerning the well and its use. Motion to continue the appeal passed.

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Minutes:  Commissioner Barbara Saugen moved that the minutes for the December 15, 2003 meeting be approved as written.  Commissioner Mike Shelton seconded.  The motion passed and the Chair will sign on behalf of the Board.

 

Contracts:

Commissioner Mac McDowell moved that DSHS-Public Health Nurse, Contract No.: 20958 Amendment 7, Contract Amount: $109,648, Amendment Amount: $10,716 be approved.  Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded; the motion passed and the Chair will sign on behalf of the Board.

Commissioner Mac McDowell moved that DSHS-Alternative Response System Services, Contract No.: 0463-41671, Contract Amount: $6,916 be approved.  Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded; the motion passed and the Chair will sign on behalf of the Board.

 

Commissioner Mac McDowell moved that Department of Ecology- (CPG) Coordinated Prevention Grant, Contract No.: G04 (effective date 1/1/04-12/31/05), Contract Amount: $99,000 be approved.  Commissioner Barbara Saugen seconded; the motion passed and the Chair will sign on behalf of the Board.

 

Presentation:            Island County Health Services Director Tim McDonald distributed a binder and CD concerning the Health of Island County.  He emphasized that this documentation is science based.  “If we understand what is happening in Island County then we know what needs to be done.”  Commissioner Mike Shelton said that since so much effort had gone into this report, it would be good to have a full presentation at the February meeting.  Commissioner Mac McDowell said that he would rather it be broken down into smaller segments because everyone would probably get more out of the information presented in that manner.  Mr. McDonald said that he was more than willing to schedule the presentation at later BOH meetings.

           

Health Department Report:

Health Services Director Tim McDonald gave a brief report on the following:

 

Exemplary Service Award 2003 - Systems Integration - Island County Community Treatment Team     Mr. McDonald recognized Jackie Henderson as being instrumental in Island County’s having received 3 of the 5 Northwest Region Awards for Outstanding Service in the integration of services for those in need of mental health support.

 

Meningococcemia:   Mr. McDonald reviewed the death of the Island County woman who had died of a strain of meningoccus that is very communicable. The woman had attended several Christmas parties, and on December 26, 2003 had suddenly become quite ill, was seen in the Island Hospital ER just before noon, and was air-lifted to a Seattle area hospital where she died later that day. He related that this disease is spread by droplet and/or contact, that 10% of the population carry it, and that there is no vaccine for this particular strain of the bacteria. Responding to this tragic event, Mr. McDonald noted that our health department staff contacted 181 people, 101 of whom were treated with an antibiotic (Cipro).

 

Adjourn:  There being no further business, Commissioner Byrd adjourned the meeting at 2:27 p.m. The next meeting will be a Special Session February 9, 2004 at the same time in the Commissioner’s Hearing room. Being a Special Session, there will be no changes or additions to the agenda, once set.

 

 

Submitted:     Roger S. Case, MD, Executive Secretary to the Board

 

Minutes approved this 9th day of February 2004.

ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

William J. Byrd, Chairman