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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-05 MINUTES OF THE DOWNEY CITY HOSPITAL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 3, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The Downey City Hospital Commission Regular Meeting was called to order at 5:08 p.m., August 2, 2005, in the 2nd Floor Training Room of Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California. II. ROLL CALL Present: Jerry Silby, Chairperson Sharisse Molyneux, Vice-Chairperson Diane Boggs Dianne Lumsdaine Harold Tseklenis Absent: Chuck Hutchinson (excused) Dwight Simpson Julie Simpson Rachel Villalobos Also Present: Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 2, 2005 It was moved by Commissioner Boggs, seconded by Commissioner Lumsdaine and unanimously carried (5/0), to approve the Minutes of February 2, 2005. IV. DOCUMENTS SUBJECT TO REVIEW Audited Financial Statements – Downey Regional Medical Center. Consolidated Financial Statements & Supplementary Financial Information June 30, 2004. The Commission reviewed the above referenced documents. Commissioner Boggs reported that she had lunch with the Chairman of the Hospital Board of Directors, at the Chairman’s invitation, last week. She was advised that they were very sorry about the tardiness of the Financial Statements which were partly due to retaining a new auditor. Chairperson Silby noted that the Statements indicate that the expected loss is between $15 Million and $16 Million with an average yearly loss of $3 Million to $3.5 Million. He noted that the history of the hospital is summarized on page fifteen (15). Commissioner Boggs pointed out that the hospital is continuing to lose a substantial amount of money. Commissioner Lumsdaine expressed that it would be interesting to know how other hospitals in the State are doing. Commissioner Tseklenis responded that it appears that many others hospitals are also in trouble as indicated in the press coverage. Chairperson Silby noted that the Financial Statement indicates uncollectible amounts to be City Hospital Comm. Minutes 08-03-05 1 higher than the receivable amounts. It was moved by Commissioner Lumsdaine, seconded by Commissioner Boggs and receive and file unanimously carried (5/0) to . Assistant City Manager Powell reported that the hospital tax returns have not been received. Vice-Chairperson Molyneux inquired if the Commission/City had ever received an updated list of voting Board members confirming the 51% requirement of Downey residents. Assistant City Manager Powell responded that no new information has been received showing the composition of the Board. Chairperson Silby requested that this information be provided to the Commission. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Boggs reported that she had been invited to lunch by Marylou Schmidt, current Chairperson of the Hospital Board. Chairperson Schmidt indicated that she is anxious to have a good working relationship with the City. Commissioner Boggs explained to her the rather limited functions of the Commission such as reviewing documents as per the 1983 Lease. Chairperson Schmidt indicated that a lot of the hospital’s losses are due to the uninsured patients. She invited the Commission to have dinner with the Board and discuss various issues of concern. Commissioner Boggs referenced a letter from Allen Korneff, President & Chief Executive Officer of Downey Regional Medical Center dated August 2, 2005, which was distributed to the Commissioners. The letter requests an evening dinner meeting at the hospital to provide an update on numerous hospital operational items, community services and financial matters. Commissioner Boggs inquired whether the entire Commission or less than a quorum of the Commission could legally meet with the Hospital Board and would like to accept the invitation. Commissioner Tseklenis indicated that he would like to see the request passed by the City Council and that the City Attorney could give an opinion. He does not support a dinner, but only an evening meeting. Chairperson Silby noted that the Commission meets four (4) times a year and not once in five and one-half (5 ½) years has the hospital used this venue to come and discuss matters. He indicated that he does want to accept their invitation and meet with them. Commissioner Lumsdaine expressed that she concurs with what has been said and indicated that this would be an opportunity to increase communication by meeting them half way. She is sensitive to the Brown Act concern and would like an opinion from the City Attorney. Assistant City Manager Powell explained that if the Commission wants to bring up the subject with the City Council then it could be put on a Council agenda and the Council could indicate whether or not they have any objection to a minority number of Commissioners, four (4) or fewer, whatever would not be a Brown Act violation, meeting with the Hospital Board. Commissioner Tseklenis mentioned a survey that was commissioned by the hospital, prepared by Harvey Englander Group, which Mayor Pro Tem Perkins referenced at a recent City Council meeting and he has distributed. He indicated that the group survey was three hundred (300) people with no way of knowing how they were selected and that this report has received no press coverage. City Hospital Comm. Minutes 08-03-05 2 Chairperson Sibly noted that the City had done a thorough job in reviewing the progress of the Downey Regional medical office building at a recent City Council meeting. Commissioner Lumsdaine noted that she will absent from the next regular meeting in November due to business and requested to be excused. VI. ADJOURNMENT: 5:45 p.m. adjourned There being no further business, the meeting was to 5:00 p.m., November 2, 2005, in the 2nd Floor Training Room of Downey City Hall. ___________________________ Kathleen L. Midstokke, Secretary City Hospital Comm. Minutes 08-03-05 3