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<br /> MINUTES <br /> <br /> CITY COUNCIL <br /> <br /> AUGUST 26, 2009 <br /> Blesener asked about the proposed retaining wall between the Comforts of <br /> Home drive and the City's lift station. Frisbee reported that retaining wall <br /> will offset these two drives. <br /> Blesener noted that the Park & Recreation Director raised the issue of <br /> taking a park charge in land rather than cash given the possibility of a <br /> walking bridge over Highway 36 connecting a future trail through the St. <br /> Jude property and along the railroad tracks. The land dedication would be <br /> for trail purposes along the railroad tracks. The City Administrator <br /> indicated that in looking at the Code, it appears that requiring a land <br /> dedication is only an option in the case of subdivisions or plats. He would <br /> verify this with the City Attorney. The Administrator indicated that if that <br /> is the case, the City may have other options. Blesener asked if <br /> development of a trail on the railroad right-of--way would be a possibility. <br /> The City Administrator felt it unlikely that the railroad would agree to a <br /> trail on an active line with only a 100 foot right-of-way width. <br /> Blesener noted a recent article in the newspaper relative to an <br /> overabundance of nursing home beds and the fact that marry nursing <br /> homes are closing. Brian Winges, Comforts of Home, reported on the <br /> distinctions in charges for service between a typical nursing home and the <br /> Comforts of Home model noting that a typical nursing home cost is <br /> $8,000 to $9,000 per month for a resident, while the Comforts of Home <br /> cost is $3,800 to $4,300. He indicated that the State has not issued any <br /> nursing home licenses for the past 15 years and attributed this to the <br /> typical nursing home being inefficient and outdated. Winges stated that <br /> the Comforts of Home model is usurping the industry. <br /> Keis asked if Comforts of Home continues to house patients when their <br /> savings are gone. Winges reported that they take Medicaid residents, <br /> noting that Medicaid will pay $4,100 to $4,200 per month for this housing. <br /> Keis asked about the difference in cost between a standard nursing home <br /> and Comforts of Home. Winges reported that a lot depends on wage <br /> scales, union, how a home is licensed and the requirements that go along <br /> with different licensing levels. Winges reported that Comforts of Home <br /> can provide 90% of the care that is afforded at a typical nursing home. <br /> Blesener asked about long-term care insurance. Winges reported that <br /> Comforts of I-lome accepts this insurance. <br /> Blesener asked what prevents the Comforts of Rome business from being <br /> taken over by a non-profit resulting in the City losing tax revenue for this <br /> property. Winges reported that they are afor-profit company and they <br /> intend to remain that way. Winges felt that Comforts of Home ran a very <br /> good business model, and any other type of ownership would not do as <br /> 5 <br /> <br />