October 24, 2024

Minutes | October 24, 2024 at 8:30 AM

El Centro City Council Chambers | 1275 Main St, El Centro, CA 92243

Commissioners

City
Robert Amparano
Javier Moreno, Chair
Alternate
Ramon Castro
County
Michael Kelly
Jesus E. Escobar, Vice-Chair
Alternate
John Hawk
Public
David Salgado
Alternate
Jose Landeros

Staff

Executive Officer
Tyler Salcido
Accountant
Julie Carter
Clerk / Analyst
Lori Zinn

SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, October 24, 2024

8:30 am

El Centro City Council Chambers

1275 W. Main Street, El Centro, CA 92243

 

VOTING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Javier Moreno - Chair, Jesus Escober - ViceChair, John Hawk, Robert Amparano, David Salgado

ALTERNATE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Ramon Castro

ABSENT:  Michael Kelley

STAFF PRESENT:  Steve Walker - Legal Counsel, Tyler Salcido - Executive Officer, Lori Zinn - Clerk/Analyst

 

1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comments were made.

5. CONSENT ITEMS

5a. July 17, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes

5b. July 19, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes

5c. July 25, 2024, Meeting Minutes

5d. July 30, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes

5e. August 28, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes

The Commission approved the consent items.

Motion by Commissioner Amparano to approve the Consent Items

      AYES:  MORENO, HAWK, AMPARANO, SALGADO

      NAYES:  NONE

      ABSTAINED:  NONE

      ABSENT:  KELLEY, ESCOBAR

6. COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS

No announcements were made.

7. EXECUTIVE OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENTS

7a. Project Status Report

The Executive Officer presented the current Project Status Report to the Commission. He informed them that the staff is contacting all the agencies, setting up and attending meetings.

8. CLOSED SESSION

8a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation

(Gov. Code § 54956.9) Name of Case: Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District v. Imperial Valley Healthcare District case #ECU003473

Legal Counsel Steve Walker reported that there was no reportable action.

9. PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:00 A.M.

9a. Dissolution of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District pursuant to AB 918

Legal Counsel Steve Walker reminded the Commission of the following:

  • Under AB 918 PMHD must be dissolved by January 1, 2025.
  • The Imperial Valley Healthcare District has requested that LAFCO dissolve the district no later than December 1, 2024.
  • The Commission may select another date for dissolution.
  • Concerning the petition filed by PMHD, Judge Anderholt ordered a stay of the effect of any vote by this Commission to dissolve. Transfer of assets, licenses, etc. cannot be implemented until the court has ruled.

Legal Counsel Steve Walker noted that Mr. Grass on behalf of the Imperial Valley Coalition for Sustainable Healthcare Facilities submitted a letter to the Commission dated October 22, 2024, asking to be made part of the record for this public hearing.

A total of twenty-three attendees made comments regarding the dissolution of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District.

The speakers asked the following of the Commission:

  • Do not vote to dissolve until the court ruling.
  • Follow the dissolution procedures in the CKH Act.
  • Take no action today.
  • Do not dissolve.
  • Place this back into the hands of the voters and keep the decision local.
  • Suspend the property tax levied on the PMHD residents if dissolving.

Ian Weeks, a candidate for California’s 25th Congressional District, and Jeff Gonzalez, a candidate for CA State Assembly District 36, were present to stand on the side of the people for local control and to have a say via vote.

A nursing student in the Imperial Valley stated a dissolution would cause nursing students to seek work outside of the Imperial Valley.

The Commission was presented with a box containing a petition signed by three thousand Brawley residents protesting the dissolution of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District.

The CEO of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District, who is a Brawley resident and former CEO of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District, made comments ensuring everyone that with the dissolution, nothing changes. The only difference is that there would be a new board. IVHD is ready to receive the transfer of the licenses, and they have worked with the state and agencies to ensure a seamless transition.

Two speakers disagreed with comments made by the IVHD CEO, stating that there would be billing issues and that IVHD had said in a public meeting that the hospital would be repurposed.

Each Commissioner made comments regarding the dissolution of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District.

Commissioner Hawk made the first motion, to delay the vote until the court has ruled. The motion died due to lack of a second.

The Commission voted 4-1 to dissolve PMHD, emphasizing the need to uphold the law and ensure long-term healthcare sustainability in Imperial County.

Motion by Commissioner Escobar and second by Commissioner Amparano to dissolve the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District effective October 24, 2024, pursuant to AB 918

        AYES:  MORENO, ESCOBAR, AMPARANO, SALGADO

        NAYES:  HAWK

        ABSTAINED:  NONE

        ABSENT:  KELLEY

10. ADJOURNMENT