REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HOSPITALS

 

March 22, 2007

 

The Honorable,

The Board of Commissioners of Cook County

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Present:

Chairman Butler, Commissioners Collins, Daley, Maldonado, Peraica, Quigley, Silvestri, Sims and Steele (9)

 

Absent:

Vice Chairman Goslin, Commissioners Beavers, Claypool, Gorman, Moreno, Murphy, Schneider and Suffredin (8)

 

Also Present:

 

Patrick Driscoll Deputy State’s Attorney, Chief, Civil Actions Bureau; Stephen A. Martin, Jr., Ph.D., M.P.H., - Chief Operating Officer, Department of Public Health; Michael O. Vernon, DrPH – Director, Communicable Disease Control; Raymond J. McDonald, M.D., - President of the Board of Directors & Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

        Your Committee on Health and Hospitals of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County met pursuant to notice on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the hour of 10:00 AM in the Board Room, Room 569, County Building, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois.

 

        Your Committee has considered the following items and upon adoption of this report, the recommendations are as follows:

 

283388

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, by Stephen A. Martin, Jr., Ph.D., M.P.H., Chief Operating Officer, transmitting a Communication, dated November 16, 2006:

 

requesting to receive and file the following reports for the Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District:

 

1.         Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District 2005 Annual Report; and

 

2.         Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District 2005 Annual Financial Report year ended May 31, 2005 and  2005 Independent Auditor’s Report; and

 

3.          Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District 2006 Annual Financial Report year ended May 31, 2006 and 2006 Independent Auditor’s Report.

 

*Referred to the Committee on Health & Hospitals on 12/06/06.

 

Chairman Butler called on Dr. Stephen A. Martin, Jr., Chief Operating Officer, Department of Public Health, to address the Commissioners on the reports for the Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District.

 

Dr. Martin addressed the Commissioners regarding the reports for the Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District.  (See Attachment #1)

 

Dr. Martin asked Dr. Michael O. Vernon, Director, Communicable Disease Control, to address the Commissioner about the facts of tuberculosis.  (See Attachment #2)

 

Commissioner Collins asked if the transfer that was ordered by the legislation included the transfer of the taxing authority as well; so that the County would be able to levy special taxes.

 

Dr. Martin stated that the language was not put into the bill; however as a Home Rule County the Board has the authority to reinstate the levy or raise its current property taxes to address that issue.

 

In response to Commissioner Collins’s question regarding the staffing issue, Dr. Martin stated that currently in the department there is no staff available to take on the additional prevention and control activities.  Further, Dr. Martin stated that the current Communicable Disease Control staff is responsible for eighty diseases at the present time.  According to the State Law the employees of the district would come over as well.  In conclusion Dr. Martin stated that he has not notified the districts employees, he is waiting to first come before the County Board and present the issue and then go back to them and share with them that he has spoken to the County Board and that they are aware of the issue and the transition.

 

Commissioner Collins asked how many of the facilities now have long term leases.

 

Dr. Martin stated that there is only one facility which is the old Sanitarium Facility or the old hospital in West Suburban Hinsdale that has a lease with a specialty hospital that runs until the year 2012.

 

Commissioner Collins asked how much does the lease generate.

 

Dr. Martin responded that it generates less than a $1 million per year.

 

Commissioner Collins asked if the County was planning on selling the other sites.

 

Dr. Martin stated that the County needs to keep using the current sites until the program is set.

 

Commissioner Daley asked when the plan will be completed.

 

Dr. Martin responded tentatively May 2007.

 

Dr. Martin stated that when the tax levy does dissolve, the County may not be able to go back and receive the funds for the second installment of FY 2006.

 

Commissioner Daley asked if the levy is in the legislation, would Dr. Martin have to go back and correct it.


 

Dr. Martin stated that he will definitely investigate it and will notify the Commissioners in writing to let the Commissioner know what the State’s Attorney, the State of Illinois and the General Assembly say in regards to the levy issue.

 

Commissioner Daley asked Dr. Martin whether he would need to go back to Springfield.

 

Dr. Martin stated that he will go back and check, but because Cook County is a Home Rule County, the County does not believe the General Assembly needs to act.

 

In response to Commissioner Sims’s question regarding the empty buildings at Oak Forest Hospital, Dr. Martin responded that he has approached Dr. Simon in regards to the lease for the Department of Public Health which runs out in 2008; and not only looking at the department but also the Tuberculosis (TB) Program in any other way that it can be consolidate into any open facility on the county grounds.

 

Commissioner Sims asked how individuals are being notified to let them know that there will no longer be a Tuberculosis Sanitarium District, and that it will be folded in with the Cook County Department of Public Health.

 

Dr. Martin stated that the Department of Public Health has not done anything at this time, but as time draws near they will use the normal communication channels because he wants the residents to feel confident.

 

Commissioner Sims asked where the funds will come from.

 

Dr. Martin stated that currently the district uses some resources to get the word out, but also it is included in the district’s community awareness budget.

 

Commissioner Sims inquired whether the Tuberculosis Sanitarium District has any staff that writes grants.

 

Dr. Martin stated that TB is not in the traditional categories where you would write grants for it.  It is one that is funded.

 

Commissioner Peraica stated that he has a concern about the financial obligation that is placed on the Suburban Cook County taxpayers and all of Cook County taxpayers as a whole.

 

In response to Commissioner Peraica’s comments regarding the overall cost of treatment, Forest Park site and the professional fees and legal services, Dr. Martin stated that the fees that the Commissioner Peraica saw were identified in the “Timebomb book” and throughout the nation in the 80’s there was a switch from doing inpatient treatment and moving towards direct observed therapy which brought down the cost and what the Commissioner is seeing now is actually the true cost of direct observe theory which is the global way to treat, prevent and care for TB.  In regards to the Forest Park site, Dr. Martin stated that he will be looking at all options and it will be the will of the Board in terms of how they want to direct him at that site.  Further, Dr. Martin stated that President Stroger’s office has spoken to him in reference to the Forest Park site and to come up with a plan; but what he is concerned about at this time is to insure that he is providing the program at its cheapest cost and to continue a smooth transition.  In regards to the professional fees, the District has no financial individuals hired, the District is paying an accounting firm to provide the financial services; there will be issues in terms of putting all of the accounts together with the CFO who has a $3 billion dollar budget to look after and now they will also have to focus their attention on a $6 million dollar program.  Finally, in terms of the legal costs, the $100,000 has been budgeted but has not been spent and there is no intent of spending the $100,000.

 

Commissioner Peraica asked what is the liability for the employees to contribute into the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

 

Dr. Martin stated that preliminary the County understands that if you are an employee of the District and you’re in IMRF you would conclude your time in that program at the dissolution, and going forward those employees would contribute to the County’s pension plan and if the employee chooses they will have retirement from both of the plans.  In conclusion Dr. Martin stated that this is one of the issues that he is addressing with the attorneys as well as the IMRF and as well as the County pension board to really solidify that and those issues will be addressed in the transitional plan.

 

Commissioner Peraica asked the time frame line that the Commissioners will receive the evaluated report.

 

Dr. Martin stated that he will be before the Board hopefully in May with the report and others items for the Board to discuss

 

Chairman Butler asked how the City of Chicago fits into the Tuberculosis Sanitarium District.

 

Dr. Martin responded that they are the County’s partner and continue to be at the table with the County as we plan because the City of Chicago has concerns that disease knows no boundary.

 

Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Sims, moved to Receive and File of Communication No. 283388. The motion carried.

 

283403

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY AS SURPLUS, OBSOLETE OR UNUSABLE TO THE COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING DONATION (PROPOSED RESOLUTION).  Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by Earlean Collins, County Commissioner; Co-Sponsored by President Todd H. Stroger, William M. Beavers, Jerry Butler, Forrest Claypool, John P. Daley, Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman, Gregg Goslin, Roberto Maldonado, Joseph Mario Moreno, Joan Patricia Murphy, Anthony J. Peraica, Mike Quigley, Timothy O. Schneider, Peter N. Silvestri, Deborah Sims, Robert Steele and Larry Suffredin, County Commissioners.

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY AS SURPLUS, OBSOLETE OR UNUSABLE TO THE COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING DONATION

 

WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners (the Board”) has enacted Ordinance 03-O-31 [Sec 34-153(f)], an amendment to Cook County Contracting and Purchasing Ordinance (the “Ordinance”), that sets forth the procedure by which the Board may designate certain surplus, obsolete and/or unusable personal property, equipment or other property of the County as Assets for distribution as charitable donations; and

 

WHEREAS, certain personal property that is surplus, obsolete or unusable to the County has been inventoried following the opening of Stroger Hospital of Cook County, which personal property is set forth on Exhibit A submitted herewith and incorporated therein (the “Assets”); and

 

WHEREAS, the County desires to donate some or all of the Assets to legitimate nonprofit organizations, or local or foreign governmental entities for the public purpose of treating and controlling diseases that may be spread worldwide, thereby affecting the United States including the County of Cook and its residents; and

WHEREAS, the Office of the President of the Board has the responsibility, pursuant to the guidelines set forth in the Ordinance, for determining the recipient(s) of the Assets, with approval by the Board; and

 

WHEREAS, the Office of the President of the Board has determined that the government of Nairobi, Kenya is a foreign governmental entities that has expressed an interest in receiving some or all of the Assets for use in the promotion of health through enhancement of medical or educational services in their respective countries.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of the Ordinance, the Board determines that the Assets are surplus, obsolete and/or unusable personal property and that: (1) the Assets are not needed by any department or division of the County; (2) the Assets are of a type that would provide a beneficial service in either the medical or education fields to another entity; and (3) the Intended Recipient, as hereinafter defined, is a foreign legitimate nonprofit organization; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board approves the designation of Nairobi, Kenya as the intended recipient (the “Intended Recipient”) of some or all of the Assets to the Intended Recipients; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that subject to the satisfaction by the Intended Recipient of all requirements imposed by the Office of the President or by applicable law as appropriate to accomplish the transfer of the Assets, the President of the Board is hereby authorized to transfer title to some or all of the Assets to the Intended Recipient for the purposes described in this Resolution.  Pursuant thereto, the President of the Board is authorized to execute any and all documents incidental to the transfer of the Assets including, but not limited to, the following:  a) one or more agreements with the Intended Recipient providing for the transfer of title to any or all of the Assets, which agreements shall provide:  i) that the Intended Recipient use the personal property in a manner that primarily promotes the implementation or improvement of medical or educational services available to the public; and ii ) that the ownership of the Assets automatically reverts to the County if the entity at any time fails to use the personal property in that manner; and b) applications for export licenses with respect to any or all of the Assets, to the extent the County is required to make such applications, provided that such applications shall be made at the expense of the Intended Recipients; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Office of the President of the Board shall have full discretion to decline to proceed with the donation of any or all or the Assets to the Intended Recipient for any reason including, but not limited to, a belief that the Intended Recipient have been or will be unable to: a) remove the Assets, within a reasonable period of time, form a location or locations designated by the Cook County Director of Capital Planning and Policy (the “Director”); or b) obtain the financing required to ship, any or all of the Assets to their intended destinations in a reasonably appropriate and timely manner as determined by the Office of the President.  The Office of the President shall further be authorized to make arrangements for the temporary storage of the Assets in connection with the removal and salvage of other equipment from the former Cook County Hospital.

 

If any of the Assets are not transferred to the Intended Recipient as provided herein, the Director has the authority to dispose of such Assets, as salvage or as refuse.

 

*Referred to the Committee on Health & Hospitals on 12/06/06.

 

Commissioner Collins stated that she has not yet received the Intergovernmental Agreement from Nairobi officials.

 

Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Steele, moved to Receive and File Communication No. 283403.  The motion carried.

 

Chairman Butler asked the Secretary to the Board to call upon the registered public speaker.

 

1.         George Blakemore - Concerned Citizen

 

Commissioner Daley moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Steele.  The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Committee on Health and Hospitals

 

 

 

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Jerry Butler, Chairman

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

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Matthew B. DeLeon, Secretary

 

 

(The complete audio recording of this meeting is available from the office of the Secretary to the Board.)