HomeMy WebLinkAboutHealth Board - Minutes - 12/13/2022Bayfield County Health Department
117 East Sixth Street - P.O. Box 403 - Washburn, WI 54891 Phone: 715/373-6109
Fax: 715/373-6307
Sara Wartman, BSN, RN, CLS
Director / Health Officer
BAYFIELD COUNTY
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – 5:00 PM
Present: Jeremy Oswald, Madelaine Rekemeyer, Jeffrey Silbert, Terri Kramolis, Fred Strand, Mary
Dougherty, Elaine Kopp, Dr. Deb Dryer (left at 5:47 p.m.)
Staff: Amy Jarecki, Sara Wartman, Kim Damrow (virtual only/off at 5:30)
1.Call the Meeting to Order : The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairman
Oswald.
2.Approval October 11 , 2022, Meeting Minutes : A motion to approve the October
11, 2022 meeting minutes was made by Kopp; motion seconded by Silbert.
Motion carried.
3.Public Comment : Brandon Lende, Town of Barksdale resident, had given public
comment at the last Board of Health meeting regarding his concern over the
placement of a condom dispenser in the Washburn Library. He was looking for an
update from the Board of Health regarding his concern.
4.Presentation Regarding Bay Area WIC Program with Kim Damrow: Kim
Damrow, Bay Area WIC Nutritionist, gave a presentation on what services the WIC
(Women, Infant, Children) program provides to area residents, which includes
breastfeeding services, Fit Families program, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program in
the summer months.
5.Update from the WIC Nutritionist Regarding 2022 WIC Year and
Membership in the Wisconsin WIC Association : Damrow gave a presentation on
some of the updates being made to the Wisconsin WIC program. Monthly food package
cash value increased in 2022. The WIC program will be staying with virtual
appointments going forward as that seems to be the method the clients prefer at this
time.
6.Review and Possible Action Regarding Fourth Quarter – YTD Budget :
Wartman shared the Health Department budget report as of November 30, 2022.
7.Update on Health Department Staffing: The full time RN position will be filled
internally in January 2023. There will then be a .60 FTE (full time position) available.
Wartman would like to fill the position with the Family Planning program in mind.
Bayfield County Health Department
117 East Sixth Street - P.O. Box 403 - Washburn, WI 54891 Phone: 715/373-6109
Fax: 715/373-6307
Sara Wartman, BSN, RN, CLS
Director / Health Officer
8.Update on Health Department Programs and
Services : The Health Department is continuing with the
Family Planning outreach. Staff outreached during the annual Christmas parade in
Ashland with a float that highlighted some of the services the department provides.
The well water testing program has wrapped up for the year. Childhood immunization
rates have been down the last few years so Wartman has applied for a new grant to
provide on-the-road services to county residents. The Washburn Library was suggested
as a place to install a dispenser from members of the LGBTQ population, who feel that
the library is their safe place. The Washburn Library Board voted to allow the dispenser
to be installed. The dispenser is in a discreet area away from the childrens section of the
library. There have been more requests for dispensers to be installed around the county.
Since we have installed the dispensers, the STD (sexually transmitted diseases) rates
have decreased in the county. Mary Dougherty, Board of Health member, inquired
about the current influenza and Covid-19 infection rates. Wartman shared that it is an
earlier flu season this year for our region. There has been more Covid-19 positive
patients that are now getting infected for the first time. Our nurses are still following up
on those patients over the age of 65 (sixty-five); many residents are self-testing at
home. Dr. Deb Dryer shared information regarding the efficacy of the current influenza
vaccine. Our region started seeing influenza infections around the same time as
residents were receiving vaccinations, which is earlier than normal. The Health
Department is still offering both influenza and Covid-19 booster immunizations by
appointment.
9.Discussion and Possible Action Regarding 2023 Board of Health Meeting
Schedule: The dates for the upcoming Board of Health meetings for 2023 was shared
and discussed. Wartman will create calendar invites so that all members will have
reminders of the upcoming dates. A motion to adopt the 2023 Board of Health
meeting schedule was made by Dougherty; motion seconded by Kramolis.
Motion carried.
10.Committee Input : Dougherty commented that the use of the CORE building in
Bayfield worked very well for a recent vaccination clinic and offered the use of the
building in the future. Kopp shared that she will be resigning her position as community
member in April when her latest term has expired. Community member Braddock’s
term has expired and she has chosen not to continue on the Board of Health. This will
leave two (2) community member positions open for the Board of Health.
11. Next Meeting Date : Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 5:00 pm, in the Bayfield
County EOC and remotely via Teams.
12.Adjourn : The meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bayfield County Health Department
117 East Sixth Street - P.O. Box 403 - Washburn, WI 54891 Phone: 715/373-6109
Fax: 715/373-6307
Sara Wartman, BSN, RN, CLS
Director / Health Officer
Amy Jarecki
Amy Jarecki, Office Manager