Washoe County District Board of Health Meeting - October 23, 2025
Washoe County District Board of Health Meeting - October 23, 2025
The Washoe County District Board of Health met on October 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The meeting included recognitions, approvals of consent items, staff reports, and public comments. Notably, Item 10 regarding the REMSA Health franchise agreement was removed from the agenda before approval. The board recognized first responders, awarded an Excellence in Food Safety award, and accepted the REMSA monthly report.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the September 25, 2025 draft minutes.
- Approved updates to the Northern Nevada Public Health Employee Policy Manual for FY2026, including changes to 13 policies, addition of 5 policies, and combination of 2 policies.
- Approved a $127,598 EPA grant agreement for Air Quality Management (retroactive to April 1, 2025).
- Approved a $376,124 subaward from the State of Nevada for the HIV Prevention Program (retroactive to June 1, 2025).
- Adopted the rescission of certain EPA-approved Air District Regulations in the Nevada State Implementation Plan.
- Upheld two uncontested citations (Renn Transportation, Inc. and Maverick, Inc.) each with a $500.00 administrative penalty for vapor control system violations.
- Acknowledged the Health Fund Financial Review for September FY2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Aaron Abbott (CEO, Technical Medical EMS Services) expressed concern over proposed language in Item 10 (subsequently removed), arguing that Section 2.1 would grant exclusive rights for air ambulance ground transport, reducing competition and imposing unnecessary regulation. He noted that multiple providers are currently necessary for such services.
- William Baker (Intermountain Health) expressed strong opposition to Section 2.1, stating it likely violates the federal Airline Deregulation Act, undermines free market principles, and patient choice. He urged the board to remove or amend the exclusivity language.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of Reaccreditation: Dr. Kingsley announced NNPH received reaccreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board, affirming rigorous standards.
- Special Recognitions: Andrea Esp received the Nevada Emergency Management Certification. Scott Strickler (20 years) and Jessi Salim (10 years) were honored for service.
- Health Heroes: Mike Escobar (ODHO), Gloriana Alvarez (AHS), and Elizabet Munoz (CCHS) were recognized for demonstrating core values.
- Crash Responder Safety Week Proclamation: The board recognized November 17–21, 2025 as Crash Responder Safety Week, noting 45 first responders lost nationally in 2024.
- Excellence in Food Safety Award: Peg's Glorified Ham N Eggs on Lemmon Drive received the award for maintaining three consecutive passing scores, certifying 70% of staff, and demonstrating active managerial control. Owner Fred Lee accepted.
- REMSA Health Monthly Report (September 2025): CEO Barry Duplantis reported 91% compliance in Zone A and 96% in zones BCD, 8,471 priority-one calls, 5,539 transports, and a customer survey score of 93.71. Caitlin Roberts was recognized as a Star of Life. The board accepted the report.
- Item 10 – REMSA Amendment: Removed from the agenda as announced by the Chair at the start of the meeting.
- 2026 Meeting Calendar: Approved unanimously.
- Staff Reports:
- Air Quality Management (Francisco Vega): Discussed the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act, no exceedances in September, 100% plan review completion, and challenges with stationary source permit renewals (only 7 of 12 applications submitted).
- Community and Clinical Health Services (Christina Sheppard): COVID vaccines available, prioritizing children and uninsured; WIC funding uncertain beyond October 31; contingency plans in place.
- Environmental Health Services (Robert Fyda): Reported on food safety mentoring for other counties, staff presentations at UNR, high demand for plan review office hours, vector season wrap-up, septic regulation workshops with ~100 attendees, and a consultant (Dr. Wrangler) evaluating EHS operations.
- Population Health (Nancy Diao): XDRO database now live with two hospitals on board; respiratory viruses circulating at low levels (Flu A H3); new interactive respiratory dashboard launched.
- Office of the District Health Officer (Chad Kingsley): Community health assessment ongoing; staff training on system processes conducted; state funds approved for infrastructure.
Key Outcomes
- Consent items approved unanimously.
- REMSA Health monthly franchise report accepted unanimously.
- 2026 Board of Health meeting calendar approved unanimously.
- Item 10 (REMSA franchise amendment) was removed from the agenda and not discussed.
- The board acknowledged the ongoing federal government shutdown impact on data comparisons and WIC funding.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Madam Clerk, are we ready to begin? Yes. Thank you so much. Good morning, members of the public. I'm going to call to order this Thursday, October 23rd meeting of the District Board of Health and ask Madam Clerk for a roll call and determination of a quorum. Chair Reese. Here. Vice Chair Andreola. Present. Board Member Anderson. Here. Board Member Brown. Here. Dr. Denko. She's not here yet. Board Member Driscoll. Here. And Dr. Eduarte. Here. Okay. We have a quorum, Chair. Thank you so much. And Madam Clerk, when Miss or when Dr. Danko arrives, just note that for the record. My understanding is she will be with us in person, but was running a little late from an earlier meeting. Yes. Can we now uh move to the Pledge of Allegiance? And uh Mr. Driscoll, would you be kind enough to lead us in that please join me? My pledge of allegiance is to fly of the United States of America and republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all Madam Clerk. Item three is public comment. I'll note for the um people who are here before you read the public comment statement that one of the items is coming off the agenda, and that's item 10. If you were here to give comment on item 10, it's going to be removed from the agenda when we get to the approval of the agenda, and so you'll want to make sure you sign up with the clerk for public comment on that item. Madam Clerk, the public comment statement, please. Comments heard under this item will be limited to three minutes per person and may pertain to matters both on and off the board agenda. Unused time may not be allocated to other speakers. Comments are to be made to the board as a whole, and virtual public comment may be taken when facilities are available. A speaker's viewpoint will not be restricted, however, reasonable restrictions may be imposed upon the time, place, and manner of speech. Irrelevant statements, unduly repetitious statements, and personal attacks that would objectively antagonize or incite others are examples of speech that may be reasonably limited. This board carries out the business of Northern Nevada public health and its citizens during its meetings. The presiding officer may order a person removed. If the person's conduct or statements disrupt the orderly order or safety of the meeting, warnings about disruptive conduct or comments may or may not be given prior to removal. Furthermore, certain disruptions of public meeting are criminal access defined under NRS, which may result in prosecution inappropriate cases. Okay, Madam Clerk, I have received Mr. Brown's October 21st email, and we'll make sure you've lodged that for the record. Is anyone in person for public comment?
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