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WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
May 21, 2012
WELD COUNTY
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with theinadlltiptilffiRS
Home Rule Charter, Monday, May 21, 2012, 6:30 p.m. at the Weld County
Administration Building, Greeley, CO. 2Q11 JUN 22 A 10: 32
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by President Charles Tuclilr6JEeD
call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of members thereof:
Councilman Charles Tucker, President
Councilwoman Ginny Buczek, Vice President
Councilman Don Mueller
Councilwoman Perry Buck
Councilwoman Marge Klein
Also present: Weld County Commissioners Sean Conway, Barbara Kirkmeyer, Douglas
Rademacher, William Garcia, David Long, Council Secretary Karla Ford and several
community residents.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilwoman Buck made a motion to approve the May 21,
2012 agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to approve the April
16, 2012 minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buck and carried.
APPROVAL OF REPORT TO THE PEOPLE: Councilman Mueller made a motion to
approve the 2012 1st Quarter Report to the People. The motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Buck and carried.
PROGRAM REVIEW: Weld County Commissioners Sean Conway, Barbara Kirkmeyer,
Douglas Rademacher, William Garcia and David Long attended the meeting to answer
questions the council had regarding the ambulance service transactions.
Commissioner Conway gave some history of the Weld County Paramedic Services and
the costs to operate this department. He stated that over the last three years, $11
million dollars in collectables had to be written off. It became apparent the current
model was unsustainable and at the federal level, changes are coming down to force
the county to affiliate with a hospital by January 2014 to be reimbursed for Medicaid or
Medicare payments.
Over the last year, the commissioners reached out to many medical health care entities
to discuss changing the current model. During this time the City of Greeley had put out
an RFP (request for proposal) to find a transport group for City of Greeley and
Commissioner Conway understood that the City of Greeley received no response to the
RFP.
The Weld County Commissioners had two main goals going forward —to maintain a
county wide service and to maintain the paramedic team. In February, NCMC Inc.
came to the county with an interest in acquiring the Paramedic Services. This was not
2012-1622
Weld County Council Minutes
May 21,2012
Page 2 of 5
solicited by the county in any way. Banner sent a formal proposal and it was
announced in a presentation in April. There were two hearings and the final approval
was on April 23rd the transfer was made on May 7th.All work sessions held with health
care experts, PVH, NCMC, Inc.and Banner were on the public schedule. Anyone could
attend and they were not closed. These sessions are posted on-line and on the
Commissioner Bulletin Board at the Administration Building. Residents can see what
the commissioners are meeting about at any time.
Commissioner Long, who currently oversees the Department of Health—which the
Paramedic Services falls under,wanted to make the distinction between the stopping a
service of a department versus the transition of a department. With the transition of a
department,which was done with the Paramedic Services,the county was trying to
recoup the costs,not make a profit. Making a profit would be the stopping of a
department and selling it off. The commissioners wanted the services to continue with
the area within Weld County and also keep the employees intact with seniority,pay,
vacation, retirement,benefits. He wanted to make the distinction between the two.
They reviewed the parameters carefully before making the decision.
Commissioner Garcia discussed the concern regarding a sub set in the county code
and the bidding process. This was not a surplus auction. He requested everyone to
read the code in its entirety and not subsections.
Commissioner Rademacher stated he agreed with all of his fellow commissioners.
Barbara Kirkmeyer stated the commissioners followed a process within state statutes
and within the county code. The two major goals were accomplished and the process
has been seamless. The transition has not changed the care of residents.
Commissioner Conway noted that with Banner owning the Paramedic Services now,
patients still have a choice of what hospital they will be transported to. Unless it is a life
threatening situation,patient choice is protected by state statute.
Commissioner Rademacher stated he agrees with Commissioner Garcia that the
commissioner pride themselves in staying within the county code and the Home Rule
Charter and the county attorney makes sure they do that and also stated he feels they
are well within their rights.
Commissioner Conway stated this board was proactive and acted in the best interest of
the 270,000 Weld County citizens that they are elected to represent. They are
extremely proud of what they have done with this transition.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Joy Breuer—Greeley resident,stated her concern with the patient care and costs with
the transition of the Ambulance Service to Banner.
John Norenberg—Greeley resident,stated his objection to the cost of the ambulance
services.
Keith Olson—Greeley resident,requested the Weld County Council to look at Banner
Health and its history and how they work in other communities. He expressed his
Weld County Council Minutes
May 21,2012
Page 3 of 5
concern about how Banner has not taken care of citizens and doctors. He asked the
council to look out for the citizens for Weld County.
Ken Schultz— Contract Employee for NCMC, Inc. (the corporation that owns the assets
and leases them to Banner Health) would like to contest everything Mr. Olson stated
with facts and figures if more time was allowed. NCMC, Inc does not agree with Mr.
Olson about Banner's performance, NCMC, Inc.'s performance or the performance of
the county commissioners.
John Hurst— Past NCMC Emergency Room Physician, stated he does not believe this
transaction is in the best interest of Weld County residents.
Christy Rodriguez— Greeley resident, encouraged the Weld County Council to look into
the transfer of Paramedic Services. The history of Banner needs to be reviewed. She
also requested the council to review why the sale occurred and no other entity was
allowed to bid and to ask questions.
Grace Taylor— Chief Strategy Officer for Poudre Valley Health System, stated she
attended a work session with the commissioners on the topic of Greeley Fire
Department RFP and not the issue of transferring the assets of the Paramedic
Services to another organization. However PVH did provide in detail the ability and
desire to work closer with Weld Paramedic Services. There was not any indication that
a sale, transfer or bid was to occur. The work session was positive and the take away
items resulted in PVH Emergency Medical Services and Weld Paramedic Services to
collaborate on services, joint call center, protocols to work across county lines. PVH
was taken aback when they heard the Paramedic Services was transferred.
Dr. Daniel Zenk — Greeley Internal Medicine Physician, stated he questions the
difference between a transfer of ownership in exchange for money and a sale. He
stated the Weld County Paramedics Service is an excellent service but thinks the
commissioners should have done a RFP that included the jobs, pay and seniority.
Russ Branzell - CEO for Poudre Valley Medical Group for Weld and Larimer County —
stated that he does not agree it is a transfer of service. Public records show only one
document states transfer of service, the rest state bills of sale or agreement of sale. He
asked the Weld County Council to review the code, ensure the code is being strictly
enforced and that an opportunity be given on a fair and level playing field with a true
evaluation of the entire service. There is more value than book value.
Ed Jordan — Briggsdale resident, stated he believes the ambulance service was a sale
and it would have been appropriate to have an RFP to level the playing field. He
requested the Weld County Council to take action such as an audit. The county needs
to get as much out of the assets as possible.
Jim Campain —Windsor resident , ER Physician and previous Director of Weld County
Paramedic Services, stated his concern with the important role of a medical director.
He questions how much due diligence was done utilizing Dr. Kitagawa with input before
this transition.
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May 21,2012
Page 4 of5
Weld County Attorney Bruce Barker distributed Colorado Revised Statutes and the
Weld County Home Rule Charter information. Mr. Barker went over the difference
between a sale and transfer. The words are synonymous. The best way to describe
what happed is a transfer of assets,people and operations.
The Colorado Revised Statues 30-11-107 Power of the board -allows the board of
county commissioners make such orders concerning the property to the county as it
deems expedient and also to organize,own,control direct,manage contract for,or
furnish ambulance service.
The Home Rule Charter section 3-8 allows the board of county commissioners to
purchase or otherwise acquire,hold,own,sell,trade,transfer,divide,lease,encumber
or reserve interest in real and personal property,and received gifts and grants,in the
name of the County.. In section 4-3 under the Hospital Division it states except as
provided herein,the administration of Weld County General Hospital shall remain as
provided by law and the rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees,and they shall
be directly responsible to the Board of County Commissioners.
The Weld County Code Section 5-4-160 contains a provision regarding disposal of
surplus property. This entire section needs to be read in whole.
The transfer was written to include the employment of 97 staff members and also that
services are provided throughout all of Weld County. This contract is for five years and
the standards must be met.
In response to Councilwoman Buck,Mr.Barker stated the county has previously
transferred assets and operations and gave the examples of ACS, Headstart and Island
Grove. Commissioner Kirkmeyer added Weld County Food Bank,Alternate Home for
Youth,JAC and the United Way building.
Commissioner Kirkmeyer addressed several of the questions and comments that
residents had brought up during public comment. She stated the board of
commissioners thought about this transfer long and hard and acted in the best interest
of the residents in Weld County.
Public comment was closed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Audio Minutes on Intranet: After discussion,the council decided not to put the audio
minutes on the intranet. Audio recordings will be distributed as recorded.
2012 Weld County Council Budget: Councilman Mueller requested the 2012 Weld
County Council Budget be moved to the June 18th meeting.The motion was seconded
by Councilwoman Klein and carried.
2012 Weld County Picnic: The Council will not utilize any county funds for a department
picnic.
Weld County Council Minutes
- May 21,2012
Page 5 of 5
Coordinator Reports: Councilman Mueller stated he and several other Weld County
Council members attended the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization
meeting on April 12th
PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to pay bills as listed
below:
Mileage for Councilman Charles Tucker $ 74.90
Mileage for Councilwoman Ginny Buczek $ 43.34
Mileage for Councilman Don Mueller $ 69.55
Mileage for Councilwoman Perry Buck $ 23.54
Mileage for Councilwoman Marge Klein $128.40
WC Printshop—Business Cards $ 33.67
The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Klein and passed.
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation,the meeting was jo rned 8:40 . .
June 18,2012 C uncil resi ent Charles arda kYd
Council Sebretary Karla Ford
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