2001-01-31 Special CC CS MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY - - - JANUARY 31, 2001 - - - 5:45 P.M.
Mayor Appezzato convened the Special Meeting at 5:50 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, DeWitt, Johnson,
Kerr and Mayor Appezzato - 5.
Absent: None.
Public Comment
Kathleen Valerio, Alameda, stated there is no apparent recourse
when it comes to stopping a private entity [Alameda Hospital] from
taking away a public resource [maternity ward]; hopefully,
legislation will be passed to require more notice; pregnant women
with Blue Cross [health insurance] cannot deliver at Alta Bates or
Summit [Hospitals]; Assemblywoman Barbara Lee's representatives are
trying to get David O'Neill [CEO, Alameda Hospital] to extend the
[Maternity Ward] closure date to allow time for the Blue Cross
matter to be resolved.
In response to Councilmember Johnson's inquiry regarding Mr.
O'Neill's response to Assemblywoman Lee's representatives, Ms.
Valerio stated the response given was: "The decision has been made.
The Hospital is a private entity and can do whatever it wants."
Lucy Gigli, Alameda, stated Alameda Hospital only delivers 250
babies per year; Alta Bates delivers 7,000 per year; if there are
not enough rooms [at Alta Bates Hospital], women have to stay in
the hallway; Summit delivers 3,500 babies per year; Alameda is an
island; doctors in Alameda expect that Alameda Hospital will become
a long -term care geriatric facility, without an emergency room.
Harriette Roberts, Alameda, stated that she delivered all five of
her children at Alameda Hospital; the Coast Guard negotiated with
its insurance provider to allow women to deliver at Alameda
Hospital; now, women who live in Coast Guard housing will have to
go to Travis [Air Base] which is 60 miles away.
Mayor Appezzato stated that he would go to the Hospital and request
a delay tomorrow.
Councilmember Johnson inquired whether a letter, on behalf of
Council, could be sent, to which the City Manager responded in the
negative.
The Special Meeting was adjourned to Closed Session to consider:
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council
January 31, 2001
(01 -048) Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation;
Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section
54956.9; Number of Cases: One.
Following the Closed Session, the Special Meeting was reconvened
and Mayor Appezzato announced that initiation of litigation was
discussed but not authorized.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor
Appezzato adjourned the Special Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane B. Felsch, CMC
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council
January 31, 2001