HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-0214 REG MIN MEETING ~iINUTES
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL and the HOSPITAL BOARD
FEBRUARY 14, 1972
An informal meeting of the Ashland City Council and the Hospital Board
was called to order on Monday, February 14, 1972 at 11:00 a.m. Those
in attendance included:
The Mayor and members of the Ashland City Council.
Hospital Administrator Philip Huntley, and Trustees Gerald
Wennet, Oscar Silver and Mike Biegel.
City Administrator Almquist, Director of Finance Nelson
and City Recorder Butler.
City Administrator gave background information on the item under dis- ,
cussion. He noted that, at the last meeting of the Council's Finance
and Property Committee, the matter of street improvement assessments
for the Hospital had been reviewed. The assessments which had not been
paid amounted to $S,332.62 (with interest for the 10-year bonding
amounting to $3,199.57). Almquist also noted that these bonds were
originally'purchased by the Cemetery Trust Fund and had since been
retired, and there would be a probable deficit in the assessment improve-
ment fund within tile next five years.
He read minutes of the Council meeting of October 3, 1961, wherein the
Hospital Board had been instructed to make arrangements in subsequent
budgets to pay these assessments. The Finance & Property Committee had
suggested that the Hospital Board be allowed to budget monies over the
next three years to satisfy these assessments (with the first payment
to be no later than June 30, 1973). The Hospital Board has requested
that the assessments be applied against the $22,000 appropriated for
general expenses in 1970. The City Administrator stated that the item
was open to discussion and an agreement should be reached in order to
make provision in the budget of either the City of Hospital Board.
Willstatter referred to Ordinances No. 1279 and 1282, regarding operation
of the Hospital Board, and pointed out that the Council was never
thoroughly appraised of the financial situation of the Hospital, and
that the Council could never delegate away its fiscal or legal responsi-
bility on policy matters. Conklin felt the assessment was a just'debt
and some provision for payment should be made.
Some discussion ensued regar~ng the 1970 appropriation of $22,000 from
the Hospital Fund, this action being taken at a time when no budget had
been passed for the fiscal year (after several tax override issues were
turned down by the voters).
Bibgel felt that the Hospital Board should have been given proper
notification over the period of years concerning the assessments. 6ome
question was raised regarding the effect that the appropriation of the
$22,000 would have on the Hill-Burton agreement. Mr. Huntley indicated
that the agreement was in no way jeopardized by this action.
-1-
~eting Minutes Ashland City Council anal
>ruary 14, 1972 the Hospital Boar~~
Some discussion ensued regarding matters to be reported to the Council
and responsibility for same in the future (minutes, etc.).
Conklin reminded those in attendance about the issue of assessments for
street improvements. It was noted that, since the Council must adopt
the Hospital budget, appropriations for these assessments could be made
with or without their consent.
Bitgel agreed both parties had been lax on this matter of the bond
assessments, and pointed out some requirements imposed for accreditation
for the Hospital which were not budgeted. At the time of bonding in
1961, the hospital was running clearly in the black, but just doing so
at this t~me with additional expenses. Wenner felt the issue could
simply be handled as an inter~departmental bookkeeping transfer.
After further discussion,
subject to the call of the ~ayor.
the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.,
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph M. Butler
City Recorder
/nck