[5:05] Welcome to the Custer County Board of
Health.
[5:08] Today is Wednesday, August 26, 2026. It
is 1 p.m.
[5:14] We're at Allboard, Westcliffe. I'm Lucas
Epp, chair of the Board of Health.
[5:19] I'll call this meeting to order.
Uh please silence all your cell phones.
[5:24] Um
[5:28] and we'll stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
[5:31] Right hand on your right.
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[5:35] United States of America, and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
[5:40] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
[5:48] Roll call.
[5:51] » For the health administrator, I am
>> Present.
[5:54] » For the health administrator, I am
>> Here.
[5:56] » For the health and environmental health
director,
[5:57] » Here.
>> For the environmental health director, I
[6:00] am Crawford.
>> Here.
[6:01] » For the environmental health director, I
am Burleson.
[6:03] » Present.
>> And for the health secretary, Jeff the
[6:05] North Press.
>> Present.
[6:09] » All right. Any amendments to the agenda?
I want to introduce Elliot.
[6:15] » I want to check the executive director.
>> Welcome again. You are a favored guest
[6:22] here
and usually our only guest.
[6:25] » Thank you, Lord. So much for the
wonderful meetings, people people should
[6:29] know.
>> And that's why she's here. All right.
[6:32] Any other amendments?
>> I have none.
[6:34] » Okay.
Uh approval of the minutes from May 27,
[6:38] 2026.
[6:44] » I make a motion that we accept.
>> Thank you.
[6:48] » Okay. Is there a second?
>> I will second.
[6:53] » All right.
Uh
[6:56] Any additional comments on those?
>> I didn't see any.
[7:01] » Okay.
>> All right, John.
[7:02] » I'll call for the vote. Paul.
>> I.
[7:06] » Bill.
>> And I.
[7:09] » Yep.
>> I.
[7:14] » The minutes have passed.
Okay, reports.
[7:20] Sanitary and report.
Elena on this.
[7:24] » Okay.
>> Elena.
[7:27] » I'm seeing
[7:35] » For our sanitation report,
we have done 42 septic inspections this
[7:41] last quarter,
And we had 32 septic permits including
[7:45] eight repairs and three modifications.
We had one vault variance.
[7:50] Um we're down 38 septic permits compared
with the second quarter of last year.
[7:56] That's that's a lot.
>> Yeah.
[7:58] » Um
>> Huge.
[8:00] » We've uh
finalized and updated the outs
[8:03] regulation.
Um we actually got our complete approval
[8:07] letter from the state, so now we are
issuing and using those regulations in
[8:12] the county.
Um
[8:16] One of the things uh
that I
[8:19] have on here is uh
our septic contractor tests will also be
[8:24] um updated because it is very outdated
to align with regulation 43. So, we need
[8:31] them to be able to answer questions that
are in the new regulation.
[8:34] » You guys have any uh change pages so
people can see what have been changed
[8:39] after that? I mean, you think of that
doing be a good thing to compare it to?
[8:43] » So, we have been asked um
whether Custer County would be
[8:47] interested in becoming a hub for the
state septic contractor testing.
[8:52] So,
um this this is an option that I was
[8:57] currently considering because they they
give you the test that you issue. So, it
[9:02] would align completely with the
regulation 43. And if there's ever any
[9:07] updates, then the test would be updated
by them and given to us.
[9:10] » What's the hub mean then you
>> It means that you can give it to anybody
[9:14] in the area.
>> So, it would be the same as a contractor
[9:17] or somebody coming in and saying, "How
do I get licensed in your county?"
[9:21] Um at this point, if we were a hub, then
I would say, "Are you Do you already
[9:26] have um
the part A exam certificate?"
[9:31] Which means they're already state
certified. So, if they were, then and
[9:35] would just register with us. They would
pay the $50 registration fee and just
[9:39] renew everything every year in our
office as a licensed contractor.
[9:44] » Yes.
>> Um if they're not, then they would pay
[9:47] the $75 for the test,
um which gives them the books, the state
[9:51] books, our book, and then um if they
pass the test, which would be the state
[9:56] test, then the certificate wouldn't say
Custer County certified septic
[10:03] contractor. It would then say part A and
Custer County.
[10:07] » So you could do it in Fremont County.
>> And so then I would uh me or Cheyenne
[10:11] would just put them in the state
website. We'd have access to that. And
[10:14] then that's how it would be kept held
out. So that's something that we're
[10:18] considering. I know that we probably
have to vote on that, so we'll do that
[10:22] in another meeting, but I wanted to let
you guys know that.
[10:24] » Good.
>> Um
[10:26] as far as the Aspen Acres fires, um
Custer County Sanitation continues to
[10:30] provide the water testing kits to
properties affected to the Aspen Acres.
[10:35] Um I will continue assessing septic
systems within the Aspen Acres fire area
[10:40] as the need arises. At first we were
thinking that we needed to just jump in
[10:45] and get out there and inspect all these
systems, um but after talking um
[10:50] with Ed Lyons from Mountain Valley
Excavating, um who had offered
[10:53] volunteered to help me um in that um
he made mention that
[11:01] the issue with doing that is one, all
the flooding that's going on, um
[11:06] and two, once we get down there and we
tell them, "Okay, your septic system is
[11:10] good." then the floods continue or with
all of the debris removal, you've got
[11:16] big trucks, you've got all these things
driving over the leach fields and and
[11:20] everything, then we've already told them
everything was good. So um
[11:24] his recommendation um to me was to think
about um
[11:29] just doing it on a case-by-case. If
they're ready to build, then we go out.
[11:32] It's cleaned up, the property is cleaned
out, and then it's safe to actually
[11:36] enter in anyways.
Um
[11:39] with it
>> before they get their CE
[11:42] or their CO or whatever you want to call
it.
[11:44] » Yes, I would go out there and and
inspect um actually before we even give
[11:48] them a building permit because we need
to know that they even have a septic
[11:51] system. Um but in that aspect, the
property would be safe for me or whoever
[11:56] the inspector is to go out onto the
property.
[11:59] Um
So, as far as the fire debris removal,
[12:04] um
we've been working with CDPHE um as far
[12:08] as like um
their permit requirements, the removal,
[12:12] and all of that. So, people have been
sending in permits, but they've been
[12:15] sending me the state permits, and so I
just been forwarding them to the right
[12:20] person over there.
Um
[12:23] We're also going to be interviewing um
next week for a joint field inspector to
[12:28] both assist the um
assessors and the sanitation portion of
[12:33] our office. So, um
I will be training and testing someone
[12:38] on getting qualified to inspect septic
systems to help our office.
[12:45] Um
and then just looking ahead for the next
[12:49] quarter,
um
[12:51] we just
plan on continuing implementing the
[12:55] updated OWTS regulations
um
[12:58] and then updating the septic contractor
re-examination,
[13:01] um evaluating the possibility of
becoming the state hub, and responding
[13:05] to Aspen Acres fire recovery needs,
and then just preparing for the new
[13:09] joint field inspector to assist with
septic septic construction inspections.
[13:14] » Do you have many applicants?
>> Um we had five.
[13:18] » Really?
[13:23] Good.
[13:25] » Does anyone have
[13:40] » How are things looking already for
septic
[13:44] going into third quarter?
>> Um, we've been busier this month.
[13:47] » Okay.
>> So,
[13:49] that's a good sign. We're not only
septic, we're building permits.
[13:52] » Okay.
Good.
[13:58] Good.
Good. Thanks. Thank you.
[14:00] » That's actually very good.
>> No, thank you very much.
[14:05] » Public health.
>> Sarah Bertelson.
[14:08] » Welcome. Welcome.
>> Oh, she's bringing brought ice cubes.
[14:12] » She's got another picnic basket.
>> You just like that.
[14:19] » Should I put them in the freezer in your
office?
[14:30] » Thank you, Jean.
[14:34] So, I brought back the pictures. Um,
figured that might be a little more
[14:38] helpful, but
>> A picture's worth 1,000
[14:41] » Exactly. Yes. Uh,
tried to keep those condensed, too. So,
[14:45] uh, I figured we'd start off with our
mission statement cuz I don't know if
[14:48] it's been presented in a while, so I
just wanted to revisit that and say
[14:53] that, you know, Custer County Public
Health Agency promotes healthy
[14:56] lifestyles, prevents disease, protects
our health and environment. So, um,
[15:01] that is what we do.
In case people didn't know that that is
[15:05] our mission.
So, we'll start off with, um,
[15:09] epidemiology and communicable disease.
So, if you haven't heard, this will be
[15:14] news to you. Uh, positive rabies, um,
was found in a bat by Valley View Road
[15:20] on 7 27 26, and a PSA was put out in the
newspaper on the radio station and other
[15:26] various social media platforms. And
since then we have tested eight bats
[15:30] this entire season. Still coming in. So
>> No other positives?
[15:35] » No other positives, thankfully. So,
what I thought I would review today and
[15:41] why this bat is sitting in front of me
and I will
[15:43] » There's a bat in there.
>> I'll be very quick, right? Exactly.
[15:46] There is actually. So, this is the
testing kits that we keep at public
[15:51] health.
I kind of just wanted to since we've had
[15:53] the opportunity to kind of review in
case people didn't know what to do with
[15:57] that. This is much larger to scale. So
What is he thinking?
[16:01] It's very similar to the species.
[16:06] Yeah, no, no.
>> Bats in our belfry.
[16:10] That would be an Australian bamboo.
That's our bat.
[16:15] » Okay. All right, so
when an individual finds a bat, if it's
[16:21] alive and people do not feel
comfortable, they can try to call Justin
[16:25] Crowl Wildlife, but he's been very busy
with the bears. So we have encouraged
[16:29] people to either you know, shoo the bat
away unless it's been found in a livable
[16:35] space or has had contact with a person
or a pet. So
[16:40] we're going to pretend that my bat is
dead. We find him, he's just in again,
[16:44] we test what's in a livable space again
or if it's had contact with domestical
[16:48] domestic animals. Oops. Oh. So, before I
touch the bat, I want to put on
[16:54] protective equipment. So, gloves, work
gloves work great. Again, anything to
[16:59] keep you from physically touching the
bat. Then
[17:03] we're going to take our handy-dandy
container or where's the ziplock bag?
[17:08] Whatever people prefer, dealer's choice.
And then I like to say collect the
[17:13] specimen with tongs, tweezers, anything.
I would not recommend any you know, any
[17:19] eating utensils. Please dispose of them
after you have contact with the
[17:23] bat. So, when you pick up the bat
and you shove them in the bag.
[17:29] Then you create a seal and you call us
at public health. So, our main line
[17:33] number is 719-783-3369.
Or you can call my cell phone if it's on
[17:39] an off hour and we will come into the
office and collect the bat. So, my cell
[17:44] phone is 719-371-7515.
So, when you bring it to public health,
[17:49] we also glove up.
We collect the bat, we collect general
[17:53] information, you know, where the bat was
found, who it had contact with, pet or
[17:58] person,
and what day you collected it. We
[18:02] inspect it. We really try to encourage
people if, you know, they can't deposit
[18:06] the pet or the bat to us,
put it in the fridge, not the freezer.
[18:10] The freezer will damage the brain tissue
which will then alter the test results.
[18:14] So, put the bat in the fridge if you
can't get it to us immediately.
[18:18] Um
then when we collect the information,
[18:21] we'll let you know and give you a call
when we get test results.
[18:24] We
then take our little friend and we
[18:27] double bag it in bio hazard labeled
baggies.
[18:31] And then we put a lot of these lovely
little rabies stickers.
[18:37] It goes into the cooler and we ship it
off to Denver. And then we usually get
[18:41] test results within, depending on how
everything times out, about a day or
[18:46] two. So, and then we can give you
advisement from there. So, any
[18:50] questions, we are the bat people. Please
call us.
[18:53] Any questions on obtaining
>> If there's time between when you mail it
[18:56] and you get it back,
it react probably with a person who
[19:01] dreading the shots.
Yeah, it would be a animal that
[19:07] » So,
That's a really great. So, if the pet is
[19:11] vaccinated, we usually recommend um and
in this case with the positive bat it
[19:16] had contact with a pet. And so, we got
that pet a booster. So, that is the
[19:21] um the advice, you know, if if they
don't want to wait, they can boost. It's
[19:24] not going to hurt the animal. It's
actually a better protective measure.
[19:27] So, um and then with people, we have a a
chart that kind of guides us through
[19:32] like, okay,
do you know if it had contact or not?
[19:35] Because they may not know and it can
carry a it fun fact, bats lick
[19:40] themselves and the rabies can be
transmitted through saliva.
[19:44] So, again, anytime there is contact, we
just want to test. So, don't touch it.
[19:50] No petting, no touching.
>> Who brought you the first bat? Who
[19:54] brought the bat? I'm not who, but how
did they bring it to you?
[19:57] » So, they they give us a call. We say,
"Okay, here's our office. Do you know
[20:01] where it's at?" You know, "Have you
collected it? Do they need further
[20:03] instructions?"
>> Told not to touch it, probably.
[20:05] » Yeah, we we guide them through it if
they if they haven't
[20:09] you know, collected a bat before. And
most people that do bring us bats, it's
[20:12] not their first bat. So, but we do give
step-by-step instructions if needed. So,
[20:17] happy to
>> first for real.
[20:18] » Correct.
>> Do the bats like one
[20:21] um
just putting one on the other?
[20:25] Paul.
>> Um they are attracted to insects. So, if
[20:28] you
>> They're all down on your dish.
[20:32] » anywhere. Um they like the trees, they
like the water, they follow bugs. So,
[20:36] any heavy concentration of insects,
you're going to find more bats. Um you
[20:39] can spray for bats. There are a couple
pest control companies that will do if
[20:44] you know your regular again, seal up any
cracks, crevices in your homes cuz they
[20:48] like to crawl into small, tiny places
where it's warm.
[20:51] Um and
call us if you have any additional
[20:54] questions. We have probably answered
most of them.
[20:58] So, thank you for my bat demonstration.
Thought that would be kind of fun. So.
[21:04] So.
[21:08] All right. Uh Um we did have a
salmonella case here in June, just one.
[21:13] Um but statewide there has been quite a
salmonella outbreak. Uh the state
[21:18] performs these investigations. We are
not sure of what the cause is yet.
[21:21] They're It's pretty extensive cuz
salmonella can live in many, many places
[21:25] though.
Um when we hear back, I will let you
[21:28] guys know. And then of course our
measles are still prominent and um
[21:32] you know, with back to school we're a
little keeping an eye on things to make
[21:35] sure nothing happens.
>> mean 15, 14?
[21:39] » Nationwide you're still over a thousand
cases. So it's just it's here. It's
[21:44] going to be here for a while.
>> How many rather you do?
[21:46] » Um I haven't
>> I'm not putting you on the spot.
[21:49] » No, you're good. I would have to check.
>> enough to say we got a terrible thing
[21:53] going?
>> Um
[21:56] I haven't heard of any recent outbreaks
in our counties. The last outbreak was
[22:00] in Lake County. And that one was before
the fire. So
[22:04] » Yeah, I haven't heard anything. I just
want to make sure I wasn't missing
[22:06] something.
>> Correct. And if anything happens, you
[22:08] will be some of the first to know.
>> I'm sure.
[22:11] » Hopefully not. We're working on getting
our back to school vaccinations
[22:14] completed for our kiddos. So Oh,
hopefully not. Um
[22:19] » Did you get it narrowed down to the
shots or normally three or four instead
[22:23] of 15 or whatever the deal is?
>> So
[22:25] » What kind of dance is it?
>> That's that's a good question. So we we
[22:29] still have the combined shots. Um but
what we do for our citizens that you
[22:33] know, may not want all of those
previously recommended vaccines is you
[22:38] can do them one at a time at public
health. Whatever you feel safe and
[22:41] comfortable is what we want to do for
you and your family. So and we actually
[22:45] see quite a bit more of vaccines because
people like that approach um here in our
[22:50] community. Uh you know, they get to talk
with us and we get to you know, talk
[22:54] about our other services and things like
that. Uh because we're not a doctor's
[22:58] office, we usually have a little bit
more time to dedicate on that
[23:01] one-on-one. Um
and people come back and continue to do
[23:04] their series just a little little less
at a time. And truly too, especially if
[23:10] it's a child's like first vaccine, if
they haven't had one, we like to do them
[23:13] one at a time in case they have a
reaction because we're so far from
[23:16] health care.
You know, it's it's not a bad approach
[23:19] and people seem to to like our
customization.
[23:22] » Is there a rule on shingles? Shingles be
a good thing to get into.
[23:26] » Uh yes, we have shingles. So we have
Shingrix is the brand that we use. It's
[23:30] a two-step vaccine process. So anybody
that has had the chickenpox, please come
[23:35] and see us.
It's usually recommended over the age of
[23:38] 55 unless you're immunocompromised, then
talk to your doctor.
[23:41] And then it's a two-step shots. You get
one and then another booster dose
[23:45] between I believe it's 4 and 6 months.
So and then you're good.
[23:49] So please come and see us. That is that
is a very prominent especially in times
[23:52] of high stress whenever your
immunization, you know, your immune
[23:56] system is compromised, shingles can rear
its ugly head and it is
[24:00] not fun.
No.
[24:02] So
I've got some horror stories if anybody
[24:04] wants to send me those. So
Awesome. Which great topic, way to roll
[24:10] in to our vaccination. So every year we
have a VFC audit. So that's our vaccines
[24:15] for children.
That's what that abbreviation stands for
[24:19] program and we passed with no additional
follow-up. So we were perfect, which was
[24:24] pretty excellent. So I think that is one
of the first time since I've been there
[24:28] that, you know, that is it has been so
well polished. We have it down to such a
[24:32] science that we they had no remarks.
Everything is great. So
[24:36] we vaccinated 107 total clients with 138
total vaccines since May.
[24:43] 46 Tdaps were given free to the As
Needed Fire Evacuees, which is really
[24:48] impressive. And we still have a few
additional in stock in case we have some
[24:52] remainders that need. So please send
them to public health and we can get
[24:56] them all done.
And then we've started with our back to
[25:00] school vaccination efforts. We've seen
quite a few children recently.
[25:04] And then of course we're preparing for
our annual flu clinic coming up. We have
[25:08] several.
Which I will tell more
[25:12] about later on.
[25:15] All right.
[25:18] Okay. And then I did this little chart
because we're still in this. But our
[25:24] emergency preparedness and readiness is
what EPR stands for.
[25:28] And our participation in the Aspen Acres
fire. So I broke it down to response,
[25:32] recovery, and future preparedness. So
you know, in first responding we've been
[25:36] present and assisted in the shelter and
the disaster assistance center.
[25:40] We provided Tdap vaccinations, water
testing kits, personal protective
[25:45] equipment, and air purifiers. I believe
we gave away over 695
[25:50] masks.
We gave over We gave 60 air purifiers
[25:55] away. And I did not count the water test
kits cuz we still had a few left over,
[25:59] but it was quite a few. So very, very
wonderful distribution on that. And then
[26:04] I wanted to brag about my staff because
every one of my staff participated in
[26:09] response efforts as well as kept
everyday operations going. And we are a
[26:13] very small team. So it's myself, Deb,
and Patrick who are full-time. And then
[26:18] Barb is part-time. But she went above
and beyond and volunteered on top of her
[26:22] work hours. So I just wanted to give
really good kudos that our team at such
[26:28] limited capacity could function at such
a high quality of care. So
[26:34] » Good.
>> Great team.
[26:36] And then we are still assisting, you
know, OEM and planning and zoning and
[26:39] whatever, you know, they need in the
recovery plans and efforts. And we
[26:43] attended a county and state after action
report on the 19th, which was good. We
[26:48] could strategize in a the forum. And
then of course we're here to help
[26:52] residents if there's still questions.
I've gotten a couple calls about, you
[26:56] know, repeated water testing and and
things of that nature. Air quality is
[27:01] much better now.
Happy to report on that. Um and then, of
[27:05] course, you know, during this recovery
period, we were trying to attend, you
[27:07] know, different disaster trainings and
educations to improve our team. I went
[27:11] to one from the Purdue University. It
was a school for engineers, but they
[27:16] covered uh disaster topics. It was
learning about different recovery
[27:19] efforts, what works, what doesn't work.
So, that was a pretty good one. I think
[27:23] Elena went to that one as well. I
thought it was a really nice free
[27:26] training. So, virtual.
And then, we of course created this
[27:30] lovely re-entry guide. I brought a copy
in case anybody has not seen this lovely
[27:35] document, but it was very thorough and
we had really good response from the
[27:39] evacuees that they were very
appreciative to have it both in printed
[27:43] copy as well as a digital QR code if
they wanted it in a digital format.
[27:48] All right.
And then, um of course, we're trying to
[27:51] grow our team in this area. Um you know,
we're we're looking to, you know, always
[27:55] look for further resources. Uh I do have
to give us a shout-out to the CCKC
[28:00] director, Stacy Terrell, who coordinated
a lot of like the air purifiers were
[28:05] obtained through a state resource of
hers. Um you know, she's coordinated and
[28:08] continues to coordinate a lot of
resources. So, she's been very integral
[28:12] and I wanted to give her a special
shout-out as well.
[28:15] So.
Awesome. Thank you.
[28:19] Um as for our substance abuse prevention
block grant, it has ended officially.
[28:23] So, uh we did place equipment at uh
Hermit Park Field. So, there are uh free
[28:29] tennis and soccer equipment, very well
used. Um I can definitely speak to the
[28:33] latter uh because we play a pickup game
every Thursday evening and um all our
[28:39] kids like to use it. But, outside of
that, I see kids playing in the park all
[28:42] the time. So, it's there, um available.
There's um
[28:46] information about our Positive Pathways
program and you know, it has a good
[28:49] count and inventory of all our supplies
and of course we still have free rental
[28:54] equipment at our office and the library
so hiking bird watching things like
[28:58] that. Please come and see us. We can
rent that out to you at no cost
[29:03] and then even though this grant has
concluded we are still continuing with
[29:06] these programs
with our regional funding so I thought
[29:10] that was pretty cool.
>> Stuff get walked away with lose
[29:14] anything?
>> Surprisingly not some damage just
[29:16] because like uh
pickleball rackets we're going to have
[29:20] to order a couple more of those but
they're pretty they're pretty
[29:23] not as expensive of
so but surprise
[29:28] I think it says it really speaks to our
community because it it doesn't walk
[29:32] away.
So and it does get used. I I couldn't
[29:37] ask for better so if anybody has any
questions just let us know. Um
[29:42] so been a great program.
Helped a lot of youth which and still
[29:46] helps youth is really wonderful happy to
be part of that.
[29:53] Okay.
>> It's not hot.
[29:56] » That's okay.
The other side isn't as fun cuz it
[30:00] doesn't have a partner.
I can I can just read it. So in our step
[30:04] efforts that's our tobacco
grant from the tobacco fund so
[30:09] we are working on new strategic planning
for 2027. We have received our increased
[30:14] funding so it about doubled from last
year which is wonderful so it's about 20
[30:18] a little over $23,000 this year which is
excellent
[30:22] and then we are implementing the second
chance policy
[30:26] for the school this fall so that is if a
um
[30:30] a child gets caught with any tobacco or
vaping related progress they get put
[30:34] through an educational program
um instead of punitive punishment. If it
[30:39] becomes a habit then it's so there's
there's a hierarchy to this policy, but
[30:43] that it's really trying to focus on why
smoking is so dangerous. So,
[30:48] uh that will go in this fall, which is
really exciting. And then at least two
[30:52] community members are going to be
trained in Strong Start program. So,
[30:55] this is a program for pregnant women and
their families. So, it's focused on
[30:59] tobacco and marijuana. So, we are trying
to educate folks that there's this
[31:04] program. They have incentives to really
try to get them, you know, off to a
[31:08] healthier start when they're growing
their families. So,
[31:11] very exciting.
Okay. Oh, look at that. Perfect.
[31:17] Okay.
[31:22] Mhm.
>> This is a gram. And my guess it came
[31:25] from Louisiana due to federal
prohibition down there.
[31:30] » Thank you.
Okay. And then CPR remains one of our
[31:34] most popular programs. So, we have an
upcoming course, which I believe is
[31:39] already full on the 12th, which is a
Saturday. Uh that's one of our heart
[31:44] savers, so for the community members at
large.
[31:48] Uh I believe there's nine or 10 signed
up. So, um EMS is on standby in case we
[31:53] get more folks. Um they have two or
three instructors that are going to
[31:57] co-teach with us if we need it. So,
that is really exciting. We've had 20
[32:02] people certified since May.
Um and a few of us were recertified as
[32:06] instructors, so that was exciting. Um we
have since uh our last meeting written a
[32:12] letter of support for AEDs in the county
in collaboration with EMS. So, there is
[32:17] 56 requested
uh units, 30 of which we requested for
[32:23] uh some county buildings. So, that's
really exciting.
[32:26] Um and then we've loaned out our loaner
AED to two of the bigger festivals
[32:32] and events, which was the High Mountain
Hay Fever Festival and Airfest. So, in
[32:37] case a, you know, that we're happy to do
so. So, if anybody knows of any upcoming
[32:41] events and they would like to use our
loaner AED, please call us and we can
[32:44] coordinate that. So, that that was
really cool to see that getting used in
[32:48] the community.
All right.
[32:53] Right. Yeah, and I have a flyer if
anybody's interested in the CPR course.
[32:58] It is very pretty.
[33:02] Right.
>> Oh, sorry. Was that a question?
[33:04] » Yes.
>> So, if the course is already full,
[33:07] should we keep running it?
>> We do that.
[33:10] » The flyer?
>> Yes, cuz then we call and email us and
[33:13] see if we can get another so yeah.
Patrick Fury is our coordinator for that
[33:17] program. So, we we just call Patrick.
Patrick tells us, "Okay, too full." And
[33:22] then we work on scheduling another date.
So, we've really been trying to stick to
[33:25] a monthly schedule to really provide the
opportunities for our community. With
[33:29] the fires, it's become a little more
challenging, but I have solution down
[33:33] the road that I will ask for at the end
of this presentation.
[33:36] » Honestly, there's no money involved.
[33:40] » Maybe minimal. But cost-benefit, you'll
know.
[33:43] » Okay.
>> Um as for our Maternal Child Health
[33:47] Program, we attended Family Fun Day. Um
we gave a presentation of all things uh
[33:53] vector-borne illness. So, ticks, we had
kids pick off uh
[33:56] or learn to pick out a tick with big
tweezers and a plush tick. It was really
[34:01] fun. And then, of course, collecting the
bats and then um dog bites. So, those
[34:06] are our three equally most affected that
had affected children in the previous
[34:10] year. So, we did some education and it
went over very well. We had some great
[34:13] goodies and giveaways that were much
appreciated. Um we have completed 82
[34:18] sports physicals. So, that's pretty
awesome. And this was all during and
[34:22] after the fires. So,
I think that's a pretty impressive
[34:26] number.
Uh thank you to Amelioration Health for
[34:29] being our provider for those. Uh we have
started our Impact BH grant work. So,
[34:34] for those that don't know, that is our
perinatal mental health grant work. Uh
[34:38] we have started getting together with
our home birthing um providers to try to
[34:43] set goals in how we're going to approach
uh screening for depression and anxiety.
[34:49] So, we're trying to get everybody using
the same tool so that um anybody can go
[34:55] almost anywhere to get screened in real
time with the most accurate screen tool.
[35:00] So, very exciting work. Um and then we
are preparing for our Traveling Smiles
[35:05] event in November. So, that's where
kiddos can get uh free cleanings and
[35:09] screenings from our dental hygienist
from Traveling Smiles. Uh that will be
[35:13] at the school and we're choosing dates.
So, I will keep you guys updated. And
[35:17] then we are offering our free birth and
breastfeeding classes taught by myself
[35:22] and Brittany Burke um from Root and Flow
Doula Services. Uh we had an August date
[35:28] picked, but we didn't have many moms
that signed up. So, we moved it to
[35:32] October to try to catch some more of
those fall winter moms. Um
[35:36] and that will be hosted at the
Lighthouse Pregnancy Center. They're
[35:39] going to let us host our whole classes
there, which is great. Um really
[35:42] collaborating and exploring other
services and making sure folks know
[35:47] where they are and what they do.
Um so, we're excited to be partnered
[35:51] with them. And they're not charging us
for their facilities. It's really nice.
[35:56] And then
onward and upward to our lovely
[36:00] community outreach and upcoming events,
which we have a very full calendar
[36:04] coming up. Uh so, Silver Cliff Family
Fun Day, I will be in attendance with my
[36:09] little tiny human. Uh we will be giving
away first aid kits. I have some really
[36:14] cute ones um that have my business card
inside. So, uh hopefully that will
[36:18] promote all of our services including,
you know, getting youth exposed to the
[36:22] idea of CPR training. So, comes with
like Band-Aids and basic things in the
[36:28] in the little kit. Um we are working on
our animal flu clinic, which will be at
[36:33] the school. So, we just secured our date
at 9:25. So, I will be making a pretty
[36:37] flyer for that and sending that out. Um
we are participating in the senior fair,
[36:42] which we will be doing flu vaccines
on-site. Um that'll be the 2nd at Length
[36:47] Hall. Very excited to be a part of that.
Um I'm on the Aging Consortium that
[36:51] organizes that event, and they're going
to have a specific focus focus on
[36:55] disaster preparedness for seniors. So,
very very exciting. Hope you guys can
[37:00] make it. It's going to be wonderful. Uh
then we're also doing a separate
[37:04] off-site flu clinic for the senior
center, which will be on 10:15. And then
[37:07] of course our birth and breastfeeding
classes that I mentioned on the previous
[37:10] slide. And then as uh public health
staff, we are going to So, myself and
[37:15] Patrick are going to Public Health in
the Rockies. So, this is the first time
[37:18] that we've been able to go in the past
5 6 years. So, this will be wonderful to
[37:24] go gain insight on new programs and um
all things statewide public health and
[37:31] bring it back to here um for Custer
County. And then Patrick is going to be
[37:37] a panelist at the CEO the So, the
Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference in
[37:42] October. So, that was really exciting.
All right.
[37:47] » Is it that Is it the 30th the fun day?
I thought it was
[37:51] » Oh, it's the 28th. Sorry.
>> Or the 29th?
[37:53] » 29th.
>> Okay.
[37:54] » Yeah. No, I filled this out.
>> Nope. Nope, you're right. Discard that.
[37:59] » Okay. 29th.
>> Okay. It's the 29th, day before.
[38:03] » Okay.
>> We'll we'll change that.
[38:05] » That's fine.
>> Thank you for catching that.
[38:07] » Yeah.
[38:09] » See all the fun stuff? It just gets
thrown out.
[38:11] » time keeping up with dates the way it is
without somebody changing them on me.
[38:14] » Right. Hey, just checking to make sure
everybody's paying attention. This is
[38:18] good.
>> There's a test.
[38:20] » There is.
There is passed. I should
[38:22] » started that at the end.
>> Should have.
[38:24] » There's a test. Question and
>> eggs in there. That maybe come November
[38:28] Sarah's going to keep that in mind. I
like that. So, we completed our portion
[38:32] of the county audit in July. So,
everything looks really really good. Um
[38:36] the big exciting news is that we have
officially applied for the rural
[38:41] transformation health funding um with
the hospital district. So, we submitted
[38:46] um our portion of the application is for
$42,000 for a part-time nurse case
[38:51] management position. So, something that
we really want to focus on and this is
[38:55] not age specific. This nurse would be
for everybody. So,
[39:01] the cool part is that EMS will do some
case management. What we're here is more
[39:05] of a supportive role so that the um
community paramedics do not get too
[39:09] bogged down cuz there's only going to be
two of them and they're going to be busy
[39:13] enough. So, we're we're here in a
supportive capacity to really try to,
[39:17] you know, bring more, you know, those
higher needs clients that really need
[39:22] focused education, chronic disease
management, and things of that nature is
[39:25] is where public health is going to come
in. So, we're really really hoping we're
[39:29] supposed to hear, I believe, at the end
of September. I do have
[39:36] a highlight of the grant's
uh entirety. It's a 5-year grant. Um
[39:41] they applied for over a million dollars
from the hospital district. Again, very
[39:45] small portion from us
um and they're going to be managing
[39:48] those funds. So,
um if you guys wanted to see the
[39:51] highlights because I believe the
actual grant application was over 40
[39:54] pages. So, it's a It was a very heavy
lift, a lot of collaboration, but this
[40:01] is a pretty robust program that um has
elements of sustainability in it so that
[40:07] when the grant money goes away that this
um can remain. So, I'm personally very
[40:13] excited. So.
>> Okay. you.
[40:15] » All right. And it will provide a lot
more a stronger approach to our health
[40:20] care infrastructure here in Custer
County. So,
[40:23] glad we got to be a part of it. Thank
you guys for granting the permission to
[40:25] help pursue those dollars. So,
uh we are preparing for our county
[40:29] budget hearing um and we've started to
include fringe benefits in all allowable
[40:33] grants to increase our county savings.
So, we're giving back.
[40:38] We're doing all the things.
Um and then
[40:43] my current age
Let this last deposit up.
[40:50] So,
we've had this part-time nursing
[40:53] position out for quite some time now.
I've had one applicant, they were
[40:58] overqualified.
So, what we're hoping to do is to ask
[41:04] the board to
off be able to offer a full-time
[41:09] position if we find the correct
candidate. So, to offset costs, I have
[41:15] additional grant funding and on the
previous slide, more grant funding to
[41:19] come to support the transition from a
part-time to a full-time. So, we're just
[41:26] we're trying to cast a wider net. We're
also proposing that So, the part-time
[41:31] request was for a maternal child health
nurse. We're wondering if it's too
[41:36] specialized and we need to go for a
general public health nurse to broaden
[41:41] our scope for um a greater amount of
applicants because we can train that
[41:46] specialization. We we don't deal with
like premature NICU. So, we're not
[41:49] dealing with like sick sick babies.
Um and if we do have sick sick babies,
[41:53] my background is in maternal child
health. So, they have me. Um so, we're
[41:58] really just again, we want to bring that
overall service to our citizens and
[42:03] you know, right now it's myself and Deb.
We have not replaced um our previous
[42:08] nurses for 2 years
um and we've unfortunately lost a few
[42:13] along the way.
Beth Green and of course Peggy Martin.
[42:16] And so I think it is now time with all
the grant money that we have and have
[42:21] rearranged
that we obtain a full-time nurse. So I
[42:25] have also kept our previous applicant.
So we have the EPR coordinator. I've
[42:31] kept that in an admin and a part-time
capacity. We thought about maybe going
[42:36] to full-time for that, but we're going
to get better use out of a nurse.
[42:40] Um and we have found a potential
applicant. So
[42:45] that's my request. And again, it's grant
funded
[42:49] and we're giving back fringe which is
increasing the savings to the county.
[42:53] And with the season coming up and all
that we've been through,
[42:57] you know, I know one one of the concerns
was not having Tdap vaccinations on
[43:01] site. With another nurse I can do that.
So
[43:05] that is my proposal. I will await your
answer.
[43:09] Um and let me know if you have any
additional questions.
[43:14] I've got money.
I have money.
[43:18] » A lot of businesses are saying they're
tired of smoking around their buildings
[43:23] and they don't know
what the law is.
[43:26] And all of Main Street, based upon what
I have seen, all of Main Street should
[43:31] be smoke free. That also means vape. You
can't vape.
[43:35] But I think it's it's starting to
I'm getting more complaints about it. Um
[43:42] and I don't know if they just don't know
what the law is, they don't you know,
[43:45] business owners are struggling just to
keep businesses open much less know what
[43:50] everything. So
I don't know if we can do our own sort
[43:55] of campaign and and maybe find some
money for some signs that we need to
[43:59] post uh
especially downtown, maybe along the
[44:03] country store, places where people
congregate more so.
[44:07] » We actually printed off some updated
signs. We're waiting to
[44:11] There's a place
shop like an online shop that you can
[44:14] purchase signs from.
And that goes with our staff program.
[44:18] And Fremont County is also working on
improving theirs as well. So, they're
[44:21] our partner in that. And so, we are
working with them to kind of
[44:25] universalize hey, very clear signage,
people understand what that means, how
[44:31] do we enforce it and things like that.
So, yes. And
[44:35] bringing back to the nurse question, I
would like So, Patrick really heads the
[44:39] staff program right now.
But I would like to pay with some staff
[44:43] dollars for that nurse because then she
can focus on or he can focus on
[44:48] going into the schools and educating our
youth from a health care standpoint with
[44:53] that backing.
You know, helping with some chronic
[44:55] disease management at the blood pressure
clinic, tying all of that into
[45:00] one health care bundle. So, just
thoughts and using again differential
[45:06] funding that that staff funding has been
there every year. So, something that
[45:11] will sustain throughout time.
But yes,
[45:15] we do I've I've received I've worked
with
[45:18] Buck the mayor of Silver Cliff on one
complaint. We followed up on it. And we
[45:22] are getting that business additional
signage. So, absolutely. Please and if
[45:28] anybody has those complaints, have them
call our office so we can navigate them
[45:31] to resources and help educate and and
things like that. So.
[45:39] » Awesome. And then I wanted to ask you in
addition. So, let me know if you want to
[45:44] like come back to the request for
staffing and we proceed with this second
[45:49] question or
So, I just wanted to ask the Board of
[45:55] Health if there was any other sites that
you guys would like us to do an offsite
[45:58] flu clinic for that we missed. So, we're
doing the senior center, the school,
[46:03] senior fair, we do one in Wetmore, and
then we do uh Valley. So, those are our
[46:07] five. So, if you guys think of any
additional ones, please let us know so
[46:11] we can plan those out appropriately.
And then let me know if there's anything
[46:16] I can do to
improve our presentation format besides
[46:20] getting the day right on one thing.
>> The air quality monitor, we have that
[46:24] from Wetmore, it's in the annex. I think
that's the one that goes
[46:28] That's the one that's been
>> Oh, yeah, it needed
[46:31] » Okay, yeah.
>> And we still have the one internal, it's
[46:33] in our office, that indoor air monitor.
We haven't sent it back yet. We still
[46:38] have it. So, when they do, we'll send it
back. Um
[46:42] and that's another one too that that's a
project I know we had visited as a Board
[46:46] of Health to purchase those, but with
budget being tight, we'll have to
[46:51] see where priorities end up lying and um
if there's any additional grants that we
[46:55] can apply for that
we can we can do things of that nature,
[46:59] so.
>> And then the airport does need a new
[47:02] AED. Theirs is out of date. So, do you
want to send me the information
[47:08] and
uh JC and Kim
[47:11] the information so they can put that in
their budget and what that cost is.
[47:15] » Sounds good. If they want to go with the
AED unit
[47:17] » Um it's just as well. We just as well
keep it the same throughout the years.
[47:23] » Good. Yeah, I believe those are up to
$1,000, but I'll get you an exact quote.
[47:27] I think Patrick has been
talking with
[47:30] somebody here, but I'll make sure.
>> Okay, perfect.
[47:35] » Awesome.
[47:39] » Okay.
>> If they have
[47:43] One thing I'll mention cuz you mentioned
uh
[47:46] the the environment and what that's
doing with rabies and all that, bears
[47:50] are a problem.
>> Yes, they are.
[47:52] » And um
and I can tell you firsthand that
[47:55] we were massacred, all our chickens got
it yesterday the day before.
[48:00] And then I talked to Justin Kroll, so
you know, and you can pass this along to
[48:03] you.
Uh the ants the reason it is is because
[48:07] of the drought.
They're coming for water, but more
[48:09] importantly, the drought caused and
remember how hot it got in February and
[48:13] January? So the scrub oak didn't make
any acorns this year
[48:19] and other berries. And the bear needs
200,000
[48:23] calories a day in order to get ready for
hibernation.
[48:28] And so their answer is that they can't
control them. They've had 1,100 calls.
[48:32] They know all about the bear.
And this was a
[48:35] I call it a baby bear, but it was big
enough to go rip the door off chicken
[48:39] coop, meat everything inside, and just
leave a few feathers.
[48:42] Um and the answer he's got right now is
he's issuing hunting tickets. Who I'm
[48:47] going to shoot them.
And control populations a hell of a
[48:50] little bit too much anyway. So they're
going to give uh
[48:54] the land owner people that are having
problems that where it is an issue and
[48:58] we have we have to shoot them.
>> That's good to know. We actually had our
[49:01] first bear in the entire time I've lived
in our neighborhood, just like 6 7
[49:05] years. Um um which was quite surprising.
And luckily I I live next to a wonderful
[49:09] dedicated posse member who's
>> Okay. Took care.
[49:12] » Very good. So
>> They'll They'll give you a They'll you
[49:15] have We still have to buy it just like
anything else, but we're not going to
[49:18] have to wait in the pool for a hunting
license to go hunting.
[49:21] » Good to know.
>> So pass that on.
[49:24] » Well, thank you, Commissioner. Oh, and
then one last thing. Um
[49:28] I was asked by the Aging Consortium to
give you guys They are moving forward
[49:32] with the launching of the Neighbors
Helping Neighbors program. And so this
[49:37] is for seniors and for anybody who wants
to volunteer to help seniors. Uh Yukon
[49:41] is heading this up. It's going to be a
very very cool system which then in turn
[49:46] will help us with our next disaster
because they will know if folks are in
[49:50] need and what their needs are because
they will be connected with the
[49:54] neighbor. So, um these pamphlets are
great. I have lots more if you know of
[49:59] places to
you know to distribute and we'll get you
[50:03] going. But this is very exciting and
they did a really really good job on
[50:06] this pamphlet.
>> Is Is Cheryl's going to repeat this?
[50:11] » Yes.
>> From your copy of it?
[50:12] » Yes.
>> Okay. Okay.
[50:15] Oh, thank you Sarah. Good job.
>> Thank you very much.
[50:22] » All right. Any unfinished business? None
here.
[50:26] And
I don't think there's any new business.
[50:33] I don't know. Public comment?
[50:37] Is anybody online?
[50:40] » There was an incident in Pennsylvania
recently where a mom shot her husband in
[50:44] the backyard or something.
That's what Justin News responded to cuz
[50:49] the deputy was investigating.
This might be an attempt Sounds like
[50:53] it's an attempt to get ahead of
problems.
[50:56] » Oh, bears in there. That is a problem.
>> Yeah.
[50:59] » Yeah, they That's what they decided to
do to like
[51:03] Like this this guy is
like I said 1,100 things.
[51:07] » Shrink the population.
>> He can't trap him quick enough to do
[51:09] anything with him if he did. It didn't
do him any good cuz they're going to
[51:12] come right back. They're hungry. Yeah,
they got to eat.
[51:15] » Well, there's no berry I mean it's not
just the It's not just the acorn that's
[51:19] in the berries.
>> Oh, yeah, there's lots more than that.
[51:22] » I don't know. I mean there's nothing.
>> Mhm.
[51:25] » For anything.
>> Mhm.
[51:29] » Yeah, what more they eat? The choke
cherries.
[51:32] I haven't seen those.
[51:36] » All right. Anybody online for public
comment?
[51:39] Okay.
All
[51:44] All for adjournment.
Thanks, gents. Thanks,