Submitted by the League of Women Voters.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.

SJC Public Hospital District regular meeting of Aug, 2023

EMS/PHD Superintendent Nathan Butler reported August was the busiest month this year so far for EMS. He noted concerns about San Juan County’s decision to move to a 32-hour work week.

Lainey Volk, Director of Outreach and Community Paramedicine, is retiring at the end of the year.

PHD got a grant for a feasibility study for solar systems for EMS and Village at the Harbor.

Peace Island Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer Jack Estrada presented the biennial report. Available services include pharmacy, physical therapy, cancer treatment, and outpatient surgery. There is now a behavioral health specialist on site at PIMC. For Jan-June 2023, there were 8,072 clinic visits and 2,775 ER visits. Ninety percent of patients are from San Juan Island, 6% elsewhere in the county, and 4% out of county. The ER has University of Washington Medical School ER residents on staff this summer, doing a rural medicine rotation. There is a security officer on duty Thursday through Monday, 24 hours. Due to a rise of COVID infections, last week PIMC restored a mask mandate.

The Commissioners approved the PIMC biennial subsidy of $572,510.63. Regarding the Faber Construction feasibility studies for Village expansion and healthcare workers’ housing, Evan Perrollaz touched base with the Port and Town of Friday Harbor. The Port indicated it is amenable to Franklin Avenue as access to the proposed housing. The biggest obstacle to The Village expansion is the need for additional parking and another exit. The Commissioners approved resolutions to create new bank accounts at Heritage Bank for the transition to direct financial control and revisions to the 2023 EMS budget and the 2023 PHD and Village at the Harbor budget. The Commissioners noted challenges in making needed improvements at the Village. Butler briefed the Commissioners on proposed new policies and procedures: revised and organized EMT stipends and hiring bonuses for Village employees to aid recruitment. After discussion, the Commissioners approved the changes. The Commissioners approved Village at Home as the name for the home care program currently in development.