MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF
THE WALKER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
December 21, 2016
STATE OF TEXAS X
COUNTY OF WALKER X
The Board of Managers of the Walker County Hospital District, Walker County, Texas met in a regular session, open to the public, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Huntsville, Texas.
Members of the Board present included:
Chairman, Anne Karr
Vice Chairman, Dr. Curtis E. Montgomery
Secretary, Jerry Larrison
Manager, Robert Hardy
Manager, Judy Emmett
Also in attendance were: Keli Molina, WCHD Administrative Assistant; Joe Henderson, attorney for WCHD and Shannon Brown, CEO, HMH.
Agenda Item #1: Call meeting to order.
Chairman Karr called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda Item #2: Consider approving the minutes for the regular meeting held on November 30, 2016.
Dr. Montgomery made a motion to approve the minutes for both meetings. Mrs. Emmett made a second to the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #3: Comments from the public. If you wish to address the Board of Managers, please register prior to the meeting being called to order.
None were made.
Agenda Item#4: Consider approving payment of indigent care bills.
Keli Molina gave the Indigent care report. The indigent Care Bills total for this month was $14,882.77. Mr. Larrison made a motion to pay the indigent care bills as presented. The motion was seconded by Dr. Montgomery. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item#5: Review and consider approving the monthly financial report.
The Statement of Revenues Expenditures for the month ending November 2016 was presented by Keli Molina. The Revenue for the month was $666,711.59 and expenditures were $639,745.75. Mr. Hardy and Keli Molina answered and clarified some of the questions and discussion from the managers concerning specific items on the financial report. Anne Karr asked Mr. Hardy about the 2017 budget. Mr. Hardy explained the 2017 budget was done in August 2016 when the new tax rate with the Appraisal District was made. Mrs. Emmett made a motion to approve the financial report as presented. The motion was seconded by Dr. Montgomery. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #6: Consider approving payment of monthly bills.
Monthly bills in the amount of $31,590.19 were presented by Keli Molina. Anne Karr suggested that we meet with the County Auditor for clarification on the Jail bills. Mr. Hardy made a motion to pay the monthly bills as presented. Mr. Larrison made a second to the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #7: Approve the recording of December 2016 budgeted indigent care expense in the amount of $576,664.00.
Dr. Montgomery made a motion to approve recording the monthly indigent care expense. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Emmett. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #8: Consider giving approval to Walker County Appraisal District to accept the bids received on the properties in trust owned by the taxing jurisdictions.
None at this time.
Agenda Item # 9. Consider changing the time and day of the week of the WCHD Board Meetings for 2017.
Anne Karr suggested moving the WCHD Monthly Regular Board meetings up to 6:00p.m. starting January 25, 2017 and forward. Dr. Montgomery made a motion to accept this change. Mrs. Emmett made a second to the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #10: Discuss asbestos study report and future demolition of Ella Smither Building.
Anne Karr gave a brief report on the Asbestos findings in Ella Smither that was provided by SERVPRO. The report show asbestos was found throughout Ella Smither. The Invoice for the cost has not been provided as of yet. Anne Karr also asked Mr. Hardy and Dr. Montgomery if they would work together getting bids for the demolition of the Ella Smither Building. Shannon Brown spoke up and stated he had a name or a list that might help with the demolition. Dr. Montgomery asked what the plan would be after the demo. Mr. Hardy stated that the board of managers had gone to the City, University and TDCJ and none were interested in purchasing. Mr. Larrison said the Mayor Andy Brauninger had come by his shop to apologize for the city manager and said the City is now interested in purchasing Ella Smither. The board agreed to get bids on the demo and the removal of the asbestos regarding the Ella Smither building.
Agenda Item #11: Consider approving office employee’s benefit package for 2017.
Anne Karr made a motion to approve the office employee’s benefit package for 2017.
Mr. Hardy made a second to the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Consider giving approval to Walker County Appraisal District to accept the bids received on the properties in trust owned by the taxing jurisdictions.
None were made.
Agenda Item #12: EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Board of Managers will convene in closed session pursuant to Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.072 to consider the continuation of the professional employment agreement date January 14, 2009 (as amended on February 4, 2016) by and between the Walker County Hospital District and Brenda T. Strama, of the firm of Beatty Bangle Strama P.C. for services as special legal counsel in connection with the District’s Hospital Operating Agreement and Lease Agreement with Walker County Hospital Corporation d/b/a Huntsville Memorial Hospital and further for services relating to operations and transactional matters involving the District, including but not limited to proposed sale of the Huntsville Memorial Hospital facilities, potential real estate transactions, public information requests, and such other legal matters involving the Walker County Hospital District requiring her expertise.
No Action was taken for Executive Session today.
Agenda Item #13: RECONVENE: Open session for action following Executive Session, if necessary.
Open Session for Regular Agenda items.
Agenda Item #14: Comments and reports from managers and HMH administration.
Shannon Brown, HMH CEO stated that Chris Janning told him that Quorum would be doing site visits at HMH the 2nd week into January 2017. Shannon also mentioned that he had read MD Anderson had lost millions of dollars in the last 2 months.
Agenda Item #15: Adjourn meeting.
There being no further business Chairman Karr made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Dr. Montgomery. Chairman Karr adjourned the meeting at 8:30 PM.
__________________________________
Chairman Anne Karr
Walker County Hospital District
{Seal}
Attest: _______________________________
Jerry Larrison, Secretary
Walker County Hospital District