HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 6634 RESOLUTION NO. 6 6 3 4
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF RANCHO LOS AMIGOS
NATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER WITH ITS CURRENT MISSION
AND SERVICES.
WHEREAS, the first buildings were built and the first indigent residents were transferred from
the County hospital to the Poor Farm in 1888; and
WHEREAS, Rancho Los Amigos was designated as a respiratory center for poliomyelitis
patients — the beginning of rehabilitation at Rancho which led to more than 50 years of
experience in providing quality care for persons with physical disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Rancho Los Amigos is internationally renowned in the field of medical
rehabilitation, consistently ranked in the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the United States by
U.S. News and World Report and is one of the largest, comprehensive rehabilitation centers in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles, facing a major budget deficit voted 4 -1 in October 2002
to eliminate public funding to the county- operated Rancho Los Amigos by June 2003; and
WHEREAS, Rancho Los Amigos is the largest employer in the City of Downey with a medical
staff composed of physicians and dentists representing the major medical, surgical and dental
specialties required to care for the disabled; and
WHEREAS, the California Community Foundation has commissioned a study on the viability of
of alternative forms of governance and has found that an independent health authority and a
nonprofit model are viable alternatives to county governance; and
WHEREAS, the City of Downey believes that persons with disabling injuries will not receive the
type and level of treatment required for rehabilitation at another county facility if Rancho Los
Amigos is shut down.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Downey urges the County Board of Supervisors to continue
operation of Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center as a County hospital or under
an alternative form of governance to maintain Rancho's mission and high level of rehabilitative
services.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 6 6 34
PAGE 2
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2 8th day of January , 2003.
RICK TREJO, Mayor
ATTEST:
\ /4dde-enl)P\ 4 7 , k-te:aleed
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of
the City of Downey at a regular meeting held on the 2 8th day of January
2003, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: 5 Council Members: McCarthy, Cartoz ian , Perkins, Bayer, Tre j o
NOES: 0 Council Members: None
ABSENT: 0 Council Members: None
ABSTAIN: 0 Council Members: None
/�_Af‘__ IA- ∎g
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
\ \DOWNEY_FS \SYS \CPQDATA \DEPT \CMANAGER \CVogel \AGENDA 02 -03 \Save Rancho Reso.doc