Washington Adventist Hospital relocation update, library redesign, and more, September 15

Of note on the city council’s September 15, 2014 agenda: An update on Washington Adventist Hospital’s relocation plans, and a number of more-routine items including award of a contract for library space planning and interior redesign, the outcome of a community visioning process that has taken place over the past year.

Robert Jepson, Vice President of Business Development for Adventist HealthCare, will present the hospital update. This will be the first appearance by an Adventist HealthCare official since the departure of former Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) President Joyce Newmyer, who recently took over Adventist hospital management in the Pacific Northwest. Ms Newmyer’s replacement at WAH is Erik Wangsness, whose start date is the week after this next.

WAH has filed a Certificate of Need application with the Maryland Healthcare Commission, whose approval of plans to relocate the hospital to White Oak, some distance from Takoma Park, is required. WAH has previously stated the intention to maintain certain healthcare facilities here in Takoma Park post-move, while leasing parts of the current WAH campus to Washington Adventist University. I do expect that Jepson may announce significant changes to the CON application and plans.

Other items on the September 15 council agenda include an ordinance approving large-grant awards. The agenda item is online, although I am concerned that the draft doesn’t closely match direction provided by the council at last Monday evening’s meeting.

Also there has been no council discussion of the idea of allocating $10,565 from the city’s Emergency Assistance Fund to one of the large-grant applicants, which the draft ordinance would have us do. From the city’s Web site: “The Emergency Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to income eligible residents experiencing a health crisis, a pending eviction notice, or notice of a sheduled utility cut off, often the result of the loss of employment or financial circumstances beyond their control. Established in 2001 by the Takoma Park City Council, the program is funded in part by tax-deductible donations from the community and managed by Ministries United Silver Spring Takoma Park.” I have asked Mayor Williams that there be open-session council discussion that involves Ministries United, in a meeting prior to any action to reallocate significant EAF money to any other program or purpose.

Finally, the council will hear about development plans for 6450 New Hampshire Avenue, a parcel that’s currently vacant, whose owner is planning a laundromat, a permitted use according to the site’s zoning.

Please let me know if you have views on any of these topics or any other city matter. I’m at sethg@takomaparkmd.gov and 301-873-8225.

Posted in WAH

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