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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <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 many 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typical nursing home being inefficient and outdated.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 Home accepts this insurance. <br />Blesener asked what prevents the Comforts of Home 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 a for 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 />