Dear CHOICES Subscribers, On Friday, Lane County filed to intervene on the side of the Jaqua family in their appeal of Springfield's approval of PeaceHealth's plans for a hospital in the Gateway area. Although not yet reported, we understand that 1000 Friends of Oregon also filed to intervene on the side of the Jaqua family and on the side of CHOICES in their separate appeals. Previously, PeaceHealth had filed to intervene on the side of Springfield in both appeals. Indeed, PeaceHealth has an agreement with Springfield to pay all of Springfield's legal expenses in any such appeals. On the other hand, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development opted to not appeal Springfield's approval of PeaceHealth's plans. Thus the Jaqua family, CHOICES, Lane County and 1000 Friends of Oregon are pitted against Springfield and PeaceHealth. Of these filings, the one by Lane County is perhaps the most surprising. It is unclear what Lane County's intentions are. It may want to merely observe the legal actions. It may want to preserve its ability to assert its legal interests. Or it may have specific legal issues which it wants to argue before the appeals board. As the decision to intervene was made in executive session, we may not know the county's intentions until it files a legal brief, if at all. Roads are again a hot topic. On Monday, the Springfield City Council will discuss replacing its recently-approved Transportation System Maintenance Fee with some kind of funding agreement with Lane County. On Tuesday, there will be a public hearing on waiving protections of the Willamette River Greenway to allow construction of a temporary Interstate-5 "detour" bridge over the Willamette River. The same public hearing will also consider amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Metro Plan related to agricultural lands, forest lands and natural resources. Last week, two bills for state highway funding were presented to the House Transportation and Revenue committees. If approved, these bills would provide $2.5 billion over 10 years to repair or replace aging and cracked highway bridges and provide money for state, county and city highway and street repairs. A new PeaceHealth hospital in the Gateway area will require over $100 million in transportation improvements to handle the traffic a new hospital will generate. What happens if there isn't enough money tomake those improvements? In other news, the economics of health care may force both patients and doctors out of the system. Lane County Commissioner Tom Lininger formally announced his resignation, effective August 15. We agree with a recent Register-Guard editorial: "[Tom Lininger] will be missed. In his brief tenure, he has proven himself to be a capable, intelligent public servant who has been a strong yet moderating influence on the board." As Lane County is responsible for public health, we will miss Lininger's leadership on how to best provide for the health care needs of all citizens in Lane County. Rob Zako, Editor 343-5201 rzako@efn.org ================================================================================ Health Options Digest June 1, 2003 Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALENDAR Monday, 6/2 - Panel at UO to discuss health care for uninsured "Health Care Reform, Possible Solutions" will be discussed at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Fir Room at Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave., on the University of Oregon campus. The panel discussion will be the first in a series of community education meetings on health care for the uninsured. For more information call 343-5132 or e-mail mahols@efn.org. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/06/01/c2.cr.rg.briefs0601.html Monday, 6/2 - Springfield City Council Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3700. 6:00 p.m. -- Work session, Jesse Maine Room. Reallocation of County Highway Trust Fund Receipt. [Len Goodwin] (60 min.) 7:00 p.m. -- Regular meeting, Council Meeting Room. Recognition of Michael Kelly, City Manager's Office, for 35 Years of Service to the City of Springfield. [Mayor Leiken] (5 min.) Supplemental Budget Resolution. [Bob Duey] (10 Minutes) Adoption of the Report of the City Engineer for Project P20322, Sewer and Drainage Improvements in Laura Street From 300 Feet North of Lindale Drive to the South 1170 Feet and Vicinity and Declaring an Emergency. [Al Peroutka] (10 min.) Proposed Resolution Setting Local and Regional Sewer User Fees. [Gary Colwell] (10 min.) Annexation of Territory to the City of Springfield and Extraterritorial Sanitary Sewer Extension (Journal Number LRP2003-00010) [Sarah Summers] (15 min.) Planning Commission Appointments. [Mel Oberst] (5 min.) Ballot Title - Initiative Petition Election on the Question of Whether Springfield Ordinance No. 6036 Which Authorizes the City to Impose a Transportation System Maintenance Fee Shall Be Repealed. [Joe Leahy] (10 min.) http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/CMO/2003Council/060203%20agenda.pdf See stories below: Council must weigh putting road fee to vote Road toward stable funding full of potholes Kelly has served city well for 35 years Planning Commission [sic] to vote on new members Monday, 6/2 - [Springfield] City Council meets Monday A supplemental budget resolution is one of many items on the agenda at Monday night's City Council meeting. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room of City Hall. Other agenda items are recognition of City Manager Mike Kelly for 35 years of service to the city and annexation and extraterritorial sanitary sewer extension. City Attorney Joe Leahy will report on an initiative petition election concerning the Transportation System Maintenance fee. A work session begins at 6 p.m. in the Jesse Maine Room. A discussion of reallocation of county road funds is on the agenda. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/30/local/news9.txt Tuesday, 6/3 - Eugene, Springfield, Lane County Planning Commissions Council Meeting Room, City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3700. 5:30 p.m. -- Public hearing. 1) Amendments to Text of Metro Plan Chapter III-D. Willamette River Greenway, River Corridors, and Waterways and Adopting an Exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15, ODOT I-5 Detour Bridge. Lead Staff: Greg Mott. 726-3774. 2) Metro Plan Periodic Review Text Amendments Periodic Review Overview. Lead Staff: Carol Heinkel, 682-4107. Goal 5 (Natural Resources) Metro Plan Text Amendments, Lead Staff: Kathi Wiederhold, 682-4430. Goal 3 (Agricultural Lands) and Goal 4 (Forest Lands) Text Amendments, Lead Staff: Kent Howe, 682-3734. Metro Plan Housekeeping Text Amendments, Lead Staff: Carol Heinkel, 682-4107. 3) Lane Code Amendments for Goal 5 Metro Plan Policies. Lead Staff: Kent Howe, 682-3734. http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/dsd/Planning/PC%20Agenda%20&%20Minutes/2003/Joint%20PC%20Agenda/June%203,%202003.pdf -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PEACEHEALTH County vs. PeaceHealth Lane County has thrown its hat into the ring in the fight against PeaceHealth's RiverBend complex. Commissioner Pete Sorenson said Friday that the county has filed a motion to join the side of petitioner Robin Jaqua, a property owner who has appealed the city's approval of PeaceHealth's $350 million hospital project planned in the Gateway area. If the state Land Use Board of Appeals grants the commissioners' motion, Lane County will file a brief of its concerns, said Teresa Wilson, county counsel. In a 3-2 vote earlier this year, Commissioners Pete Sorenson, Bill Dwyer and Tom Lininger challenged the city of Springfield's review of PeaceHealth's RiverBend complex, calling for the formation of a multijurisdictional commission to evaluate the impact of the project. Oral arguments could be presented to LUBA in July, although a decision isn't expected until the fall. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/31/b1.cr.spcitybeat.0531.html Agency won't appeal hospital SPRINGFIELD - The state was once one of the loudest critics of the PeaceHealth hospital project, but now it's taking a wait-and-see approach. Mark Radabaugh, local representative to the Department of Land Conservation and Development, said this week that his agency will not appeal the $350 million hospital project planned on 160 acres between Game Farm Road and the McKenzie River. The city's approval of the project last month sparked two citizen appeals that the state Land Use Board of Appeals is expected to review this fall. Although PeaceHealth and the city didn't change the hospital project to address his concerns, Radabaugh said this week that his agency chose not to appeal because of limited money and manpower, and because he expects the city to resolve his concerns through the upcoming review of the hospital's development plan or "master plan." "We have limited resources," Radabaugh said. "We go to court very judiciously. There are still legal tools to resolve core issues, and that's the master plan process." Last fall, Radabaugh issued a stinging 19-page criticism of the hospital project. At the time, Radabaugh said PeaceHealth's plan to build the regional medical center could violate state goals by failing to meet the area's housing needs and by overwhelming roads, creating gridlock. In February, Radabaugh offered three ways to meet the state goals: Make the hospital the core of an area filled with housing, stores and businesses; add medium- and high-density housing; and designate the development as commercial in Eugene-Springfield's regional growth plan. None of his issues has been resolved, Radabaugh said, so he's relying on the city to force PeaceHealth to cooperate before approving the health organization's master plan. But the city and the hospital organization have repeatedly rebutted Radabaugh's arguments, and Philip Farrington, PeaceHealth planning director, restated the hospital's position this week. There is no need to change the master plan because it already complies with the state goals in question, Farrington said. City planner Colin Stephens said the city has already responded to Radabaugh's concerns. He added, however, that Radabaugh - like anyone - can comment on the master plan once it's been completed in the next few weeks. "If he would like to comment specifically on the master plan he's more than welcome to," Stephens said, "and I'll analyze his comments with this application." Jan Wilson, coordinator for CHOICES, one of the groups that has appealed the city's approval of the project, said it isn't vital that the state also file an appeal. Radabaugh's earlier comments provided more than enough fodder for the group's argument, Wilson said. "I don't think they could say any more than they've already said, even if they were a party" to the appeal, Wilson said. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/30/d1.cr.peacehealth.0530.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCKENZIE-WILLAMETTE HOSPITAL/TRIAD Triad creates division to run small hospitals Texas-based Triad Hospitals Inc., which is finalizing a partnership with McKenzie-Willamette Hospital, has created a sixth division to manage small, rural hospitals that are owned by Triad. The division will become effective July 1 to focus on specific needs of the hospitals. Kevin Andrews will be the division president, and Sandra Albrecht will be chief financial officer of the new division. Triad has 49 hospitals and 14 ambulatory surgery centers in 17 states with about 8,700 licensed beds. Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers will be in Springfield on June 24 to hold a public hearing on McKenzie-Willamette's request to partner with Triad. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Willamalane Adult Activity Center. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/28/business/news3.txt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COST OF HEALTH CARE Committee considers health cuts SALEM - Members of a Senate committee on the Oregon Health Plan agreed in principal Saturday that nobody should be dropped from the state's medical insurance plan for low income residents. But the committee stopped short of addressing the thornier issue of what medical services the state would have to deny patients in order to afford continued coverage. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/06/01/c8.cr.healthplan.0601.html Stressed state may ration health care SALEM -- When the Oregon Health Plan was launched, its centerpiece was a ranked list of more than 700 medical treatments, and the slogan was: Ration dollars, not people. >From Our Advertiser A decade later, with the state budget in crisis, the Legislature faces a task that comes close to rationing people. It must decide who gets coverage and what benefits they get when there's not enough money to go around. (more...) http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1054296195267860.xml?oregonian?lch Doctor sues insurer; hospital supports action STAYTON - A Stayton doctor has sued his former insurance company for canceling his medical malpractice insurance after a state board cited him for keeping inadequate charts. The Santiam Memorial Hospital, where Dr. Dean Yeager has medical privileges, says it supports his lawsuit against Northwest Mutual Insurance. The suit claims breach of contract and seeks $15 million for economic losses and emotional distress. Chris Bouneff, spokesman for the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, said doctors rarely take action against insurers because their livelihood depends upon them. Doctors say high premiums for malpractice insurance are driving many in high-risk fields to retire, leave the state, switch specialties or change careers. That has left patients, particularly pregnant women in rural areas, without easy access to care. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/30/d2.cr.insure.0530.html Lack of insurance leads to surgeon crisis SEATTLE - A group of 10 neurosurgeons has been dropped by a medical malpractice insurer, creating a potential shortage of brain and spine surgeons around the Puget Sound region. The doctors, members of Neurosurgical Consultants of Washington, include four from Swedish Medical Center, two at Northwest Hospital and others in nearby communities. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/31/b5.cr.neurosurgeons.0531.html Doctors' monthly 'retainers' draw regulators' attention SEATTLE - Doctors and clinics charging patients "retainer'' fees may be violating state law designed to protect consumers from paying for services already covered by insurance. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/06/01/c7.cr.retainerfees.0601.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEARBY DEVELOPMENTS New medical clinic will be a gateway to proposed hospital Work has begun on a three-story medical facility tucked behind Pacific Continental Bank and AAA Oregon on Harlow Road. W&G Properties of Eugene is building the 26,000-square-foot Gateway Medical Clinic for Oregon Medical Group and Cascade Endoscopy at 1007 Harlow Road, according to Wally Graff, managing partner of W&G. W&G purchased 1.5 acres from McKenzie-Willamette Hospital more than a year ago to build a "state-of-the-art" clinic for OMG, which was searching for a site to locate an additional clinic. The Harlow Road parcel is just minutes from the proposed Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, making it an ideal site for a clinic, Graff said. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/28/business/news1.txt Weyerhaeuser files for permit The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating an application for a five-year permit from Weyerhaeuser Co. requesting annual dredging in the McKenzie Slough in Lane County. The proposed dredging would take place in an existing diversion channel to provide reliable water supply to the Springfield mill for plant operation and fire protection. About 3,000 cubic yards of material would be removed annually, affecting 2.9 acres. The dredged materials would be placed in an adjacent upland location behind a berm, separated from the slough. Weyerhaeuser would implement appropriate sediment and erosion measures to reduce silts from moving back into the waterway, according to a press release from the Corps. As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project before making its permit decision. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/23/local/news7.txt City, planners grapple with future growth Imagine your life and the lives of your children in 2050. Where will you live? Where will you work? These are questions regional planners are asking as they predict future population growth and development in Lane County. At the City Council meeting last Tuesday, planners from Lane Council of Governments and the city presented several growth scenarios that are part of the Region 2050 study and asked councilors to consider what they want their community to look like in 50 years. Estimates show Springfield's population growing by about 70 percent by 2050 to reach 95,000 to 105,000 people. The predictions mean Springfield will need to expand its fringe territory -- or urban growth boundary -- to accommodate future growth. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/30/local/news3.txt Hispanic businesses driving revitalization in Springfield SPRINGFIELD - You know your restaurant is generating buzz when the customers start coming in before you've opened. That was the case for Ofelia Amparo, owner of Mi Pueblo - My Village - a restaurant that opened Saturday just west of Eighth and Main streets. While Amparo was organizing tablecloths earlier in the week, a businessman in his 30s came in and announced that he'd heard this was "the place to be." (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/27/d1.cr.latinobusiness.0527.html Guest Viewpoint: Convention center needed By Bob Zagorin and Gary Feldman The visitor Industry can help lead Lane County out of its recession, but not without a new level of public and private cooperation and investment. We need leaders who can work together for the benefit of our entire region. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/29/a11.ed.col.zagorin.0529.html Guest Viewpoint: Site-specific nodal plans the way to go By Donald Driscoll and Paul Conte Eugene is currently pursuing nodal development plans for 10 sites in the city. Proponents describe nodal development as a high-density, pedestrian-oriented mix of single- and multifamily residences and neighborhood-scale businesses located near a public transit station. Nodal development is said to foster "livability," "human-scaled design," "neighborhood cohesiveness and convenience" and so on. (snip) Efforts to create successful nodes in developed areas without public involvement (and with no financial incentives) are doomed to fail. What's more, this heavy-handed approach has begun to turn businesses and residents against the whole concept of nodal development. Rightfully so. If Eugene can't pursue nodal development sensibly, the city shouldn't do it at all. The City Council should direct the Planning Division to collaborate with businesses and residents to develop a site-specific plan for each potential node, as was originally intended. Successful plans will no doubt include an appropriate blend of site-specific design guidelines and incentives, as well as zoning regulations. Over time, more Eugene neighborhoods may then begin to enjoy the advantages that older, close-in neighborhoods already experience. Donald Driscoll is an architect and planner. Paul Conte lives in the area being considered for the Chambers node. http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/27/ed.col.contedriscoll.0527.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Council must weigh putting road fee to vote It's crunch time for the City Council. The city wants to charge businesses and residents for the upkeep of roads, but Bill Dwyer, a Lane County commissioner and a resident, has gathered enough signatures to put the issue up to a vote. On Monday, the City Council will decide whether to adopt Dwyer's initiative measure outright - that is, to scrap the road fee. Another option would be to put Dwyer's measure on the ballot, perhaps with a competing measure for voters to consider. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/31/b1.cr.spcitybeat.0531.html Road toward stable funding full of potholes Sid Leiken never thought he would learn so much about road maintenance and funding when he became mayor. Those tasks are usually left up to public works directors and finance managers. But Leiken is now sitting in meetings with political leaders to learn about slurry seals and asphalt overlays that prolong the life of streets, and he is advocating for road maintenance funding he believes Lane County commissioners should share with the county's 12 incorporated cities, including Springfield. Earlier this month, Leiken's council nearly threatened a legal war with the county if its leaders didn't give Springfield "its fair share" of funding. Since then, councilors have eased off their threat and are sitting down with county commissioners in "good faith" to find ways of sharing gas tax revenues and federal allocations. (snip) On Monday night, city councilors will discuss several options of working with the county to boost local street fund revenue. They may also discuss whether to repeal the transportation fee. (snip) Monday's meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the Jesse Maine Room at City Hall. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/30/local/news1.txt Franklin Boulevard bridge repairs begin SPRINGFIELD - Work is under way on a $2 million repair of the Willamette River bridges that connect Franklin Boulevard to Main and South A streets. The eastbound bridge will be closed June 4, and two-way traffic will be detoured to the westbound bridge. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/29/d2.cr.spbridge.0529.html Road repair deal would help fund state bridge fixes SALEM - Oregonians would pay an extra $12 a year to register cars and would fork out more for a handful of other vehicle fees as part of a plan unveiled Wednesday to raise $2.5 billion for bridge and road work. The proposal, contained in two bills presented to the House Transportation and Revenue committees, would generate $114 million a year through an array of vehicle, driver and trucker fees - money that would be used to pay back $1.6 billion in bonds for bridge work and about $900 million for road and highway projects - with contracts going out to bid as early as next spring. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/29/a1.transportation.0529.html Bridge fix, auto fee bills get first House hearings SALEM -- After months of negotiations, a House panel launched a hearing Wednesday on two bills that would fix hundreds of cracked highway bridges and pump thousands of jobs into the state's lackluster economy. Three state legislators who brokered the package and a representative for Gov. Ted Kulongoski trumpeted the deal as hard-fought and sorely needed. The bills would boost registration, title and other driving-related fees to yield $2.5 billion during 10 years, including $1.6 billion for bridges. (more...) http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1054209362265790.xml?oregonian?fpfp Editorial: Pass bridge-road bills - Fixing Oregon's bridges and roads a top priority A Register-Guard Editorial It took five months of intense negotiations between Gov. Ted Kulongoski, state legislators, the trucking industry and the motorists' lobby, but those talks have produced the most aggressive response to Oregon's transportation problems in more than a decade. A consensus has emerged on a two-bill package that would provide $2.5 billion over 10 years to repair or replace aging and cracked highway bridges and provide money for state, county and city highway and street repairs. The package - House Bill 2041 and HB 2367 - isn't perfect, but it's badly needed. The House and Senate should pass it and send it to the governor for his signature. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/30/ed.edit.bridges.0530.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER NEWS Commissioner Lininger resigns from county board In a three-line letter of resignation, Lane County Commissioner Tom Lininger gave notice Tuesday that he will leave the board on Aug. 15. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/28/d1.cr.lininger.0528.html Application process for open seat awaits commissioners' vote Would-be politicians who want to succeed Lane County Commissioner Tom Lininger in the East Lane seat take note: You'll have until July 7 to turn in applications if commissioners vote Wednesday to accept a scenario prepared by County Counsel Teresa Wilson. Interviews could be held from the end of July to the middle of August, and the board could select a replacement as early as Aug. 19, four days after Lininger leaves the post. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/30/d1.cr.countybeat.0530.html Editorial: The long goodbye - Board faces challenge of replacing Lininger A Register-Guard Editorial No offense to Lane County Commissioner Tom Lininger, but his farewell from public life has to be one of the longest on record. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/06/01/ed.edit.linegar.0601.html Kelly has served city well for 35 years Trained as a civil engineer and a land surveyor, Mike Kelly said he never planned to spend the latter years of his career as a city manager -- and he never imagined he would stay 35 years with the city of Springfield. Kelly graduated from Oregon State University and was hired by the city of Springfield as a field engineer in June 1967, but within a year, he was working for a consulting firm in southern California. (snip) On Monday, the City Council will recognize him for his 35 years of city service in which he has worked as an engineer, assistant public works director, public works director and development services director. He's been city manager for 14 years. Community members, elected officials and city employees praise Kelly for his service to the city, his leadership skills and his dedication to accomplish the tasks before him. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/30/local/news2.txt Planning Commission [sic] to vote on new members The City Council will vote Monday on whether to select a veteran public servant and a newcomer to serve on the city's Planning Commission. During a work session Tuesday evening, the council considered four applicants for the seven-member board. A vote will follow next week to appoint Gayle Decker, who previously served on the commission and the City Council, and David Cole, who is new to Springfield politics. (snip) The City Council meeting Monday will be at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 225 Fifth St. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/05/30/local/news4.txt