Health Board Minutes & Recording – September 2025

Board of Health Meeting Minutes

Date: September 10, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM

Location: FMC dining room

Attendees:

Voting Members Present: Kevin Braun, Commissioner/Chair; Trent Harbaugh Sheriff’s Office and Justin LaCroix

Voting Members Absent: Aaron Skogen, Des Thielen DES

Non-Voting Members Present: Darcy Wassmann, Kim Bryan, Steve Zachmann, Rosy Rost, Mindi Murnion, Mandi Varner, Michelle Moser.

No Public comment

Approval of Minutes 7/7/2025

Trent made a motion to approve meeting minutes with correction. Justin Lacroix seconded the motion. Chairman Bruan asked for any further discussion: being none. All for and none apposed. Motion carried.

1. Smoke-Free Policy Discussion

• Emphasis on being supportive and non-confrontational when engaging with businesses.

• Many businesses already prohibit indoor smoking, but some still allow it.

• Proposal to:

• Conduct a community readiness survey regarding smoke-free policies.

• Share educational materials and model policy language.

• Encourage inclusion of smoke-free distance provisions in local business policies.

• A sign-up sheet was circulated for those interested in receiving updates or contributing ideas via email.

2. COVID-19 Update

• Increase in local COVID cases over the past month.

• Most individuals do not report positive results unless they seek testing.

• Common symptoms include:

• Severe sore throat

• Headache

• Nasal congestion

• Duration of illness is reportedly around two weeks.

3. Environmental Health & Licensing

• Rich reported that the Department of Environmental Health and Food Safety has:

• Significantly increased license fees across all categories.

• Expanded the number of categories to better address small community needs.

• Current license completion rate is approximately 87%.

• Notable increase in persistence and volume of licensing activity this year.

4. Wastewater Systems Update

• Rich noted a sharp rise in new wastewater systems:

• 14 systems currently active.

• One more expected to be installed imminently.

• This year’s installations exceed the total of all previous years combined.

5. Weed Control – City of Baker

• A property north of Highway 12 and west of Bacmental Recycling Yard has significant hemlock growth.

• Due to warm weather, spraying was ineffective; mowing is planned for fall.

• Health risks associated with wind conditions during treatment.

• County weed crew typically sprays in spring, but workload limits coverage.

• City may need to take more proactive control measures.

6. Next Meeting

• Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

• Time: 12:00 PM

• Location: [Insert location]

7. Closing Remarks

• No additional comments or old business raised.

• Meeting adjourned.

s/ Kevin J Braun, Chairman

ATTEST:

s/ Kim Bryan, Minute Taker