Health Care Center Committee Meeting Minutes

DATE: July 8, 2004

PRESENT: Arthur Carlson, Larry Volz, Paul Endres, Tom Bychinski, Linda Borleske; and Jeanne Leeck, Administrator. George Osipoff of the DNR was present for a portion of the meeting.

  1. Called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Art Carlson. The open meeting law requirements were met.
  2. Motion by Borleske, second by Volz to adopt the agenda.
    Motion carried.
  3. George Osipoff, DNR Wastewater Engineer, spoke to the group regarding the future wastewater effluent requirements for our waste water treatment plant. Mr. Osipoff has been working with our Maintenance Department for many years so is familiar with our facility. He indicated that our plant has been working very well and no problems are foreseen with its continued use. Our next permit will be issued in 2009 and no upgrading is needed now. At the end of our permit (in 2009) we will be required to do some testing which will be used to calculate future ammonia limits. For lagoon systems a one permit term variance is allowed for all surface water discharge in the State to determine if the limits can be met. For the SCHCC this variance would apply during the next permit reissuance which is April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2014. During that time the HCC would evaluate if the existing aerated lagoons could be operated to meet the limits. If it can, a new operating scheme could be used. If it is determined that the limits cannot be met with the existing plant, a Schedule of Compliance would be included in the following Permit term (April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2019) requiring WWTP upgrading. These schedules are typically 3 years in length, so new limits would not have to be met until April 2017. Mr. Osipoff also suggested that measures can be taken to lengthen the life of a lagoon system or help to meet the limits. Such things as dredging, discharging during warmer months, discharging more often, upgrading of faucets/sinks/toilets which may use less water, building a smaller more efficient facility and generally smart operation can have a positive effect.
  4. General discussion of Keefe Study. Question of whether or not there are other areas of the county that would be able to use this facility in the event that a new HCC is built. No other county facility has expressed any serious interest. The Keefe study concluded that whomever would assume control of this building would need to make some of the same improvements and repair and that these capital improvement costs would be significant. Other county hospitals/agencies are very supportive of the county building a new facility. With the Snyder Home downsizing, there will be an added need for this facility to take their "overflow". If we down size also, we would have to place our people elsewhere, or try to get another county to take them. The hard to care for/behavioral residents would be very hard to place, and most likely not accepted by out of county facilities without significant cost to Sauk County. Also, questioned how the Reedsburg Utility came up with the 25% decrease in utilities if we would move to town. This is just the cost of Alliant vs. Reedsburg Utility costs for gas and electricity and does not include water/sewer costs. Reedsburg's average per unit price is 25% less than Alliant charges is a more accurate statement.

General Conclusions:

  1. Survey indicated that 90% of the participants want the county to stay in the nursing home business.
  2. We have a mission to serve all of the residents of Sauk County.
  3. The overall county population is increasing and Snyder's is in the process of downsizing .
  4. Survey participants were willing to pay to support the Health Care Center .
  5. Committee feels it is not in the best interest of the county to down size considering trends seen in this area.
  6. It would cost the county more to place residents in other facilities/counties.
  7. Survey indicated that the public has a very positive opinion of building on the current site.
  8. This area is central to the county.
  9. We already own the land here, why take more land off of the tax rolls?
  10. The Reedsburg Fire Department is a Class III Department which means facilities within their area have rates which are 20 - 25% lower.
  11. e are considered a "city fire" which means that the whole department responds here.
  12. Our Rehabilitation Unit is excellent and used by many in the community. It is a very good source of revenue which will continue into the future as more "baby boomers" reach the age of 65.
  13. The FDD Unit could eventually be turned into nursing home beds as downsizing in that area continues.
  14. The market for Dementia Specific units is increasing.
  15. The FDD Unit would remain however be down sized to 16 beds. The Committee felt it needed to contact Mr. Keefe and Gene W. regarding what they would be recommending to the board. Any recommendations to the County Board should come from this committee.

    Motion by Bychinski, second by Borleske to recommend to the full Board that a new 126 bed Nursing Home/16 bed ICF/MR be constructed on the current Health Care Center site. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.

Next meeting August 5 at 8:30 a.m.

Motion by Borleske, second by Volz to adjourn.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:00

Respectfully Submitted: Linda Borleske, Secretary