Integris application denied again

The visitor seating at the Alva City Council meeting Monday was inadequate for the number of people attending. Half a dozen extra folding chairs were brought in and quickly filled as around 35 people gathered to observe the proceedings. Nearly all were there to learn the final outcome of a second Integris Healthcare permit application.

There were no verbal fireworks, unlike earlier meetings. After some quiet consideration, the council voted 6-2 to deny the application.

Some History

Nov. 3, 2014, the city council passed Ordinance No. 2014-046 setting forth an application process for any new hospital or healthcare facility wishing to open in Alva. In 2015 Integris filed an application for a permit for a healthcare clinic. Following a feasibility study and a comment period, the Alva Planning Commission met and, in a split vote, recommended the permit be denied. About a year ago, a majority of the city council voted to deny the application.

In April of this year, Integris submitted an amended permit application for an Alva medical clinic. Integris Vice President Kevin Seely cited “recent physician departures from Alva and anticipated impact to the patients of the community” in a letter accompanying the application.

Again there was a legal publication, a written comment period (only one received this time), and a feasibility study by Eide Baily. As outlined in the ordinance, the Alva Planning Commission again met to make a recommendation. With four of six members present, the commission vote was tied.

The planning commission was given another chance. This time instead of a wide-open meeting with both sides giving very strong and opposing opinions, the commission members submitted written questions to Integris and Share Medical Center. Both submitted written answers.

The full planning commission met Sept. 8 with no public comments allowed. At that time, they voted unanimously to recommend denying the application.

Monday Council Meeting

The final step in the process set by the ordinance is a vote by the Alva City Council. Monday, Sept. 19, was the deadline date for making a decision. With a full contingent of council members, Mayor Kelly Parker introduced the agenda item and outlined how he expected the council to proceed.

Parker said City Attorney Rick Cunningham told him the application was “similar to consideration we would give a bid. Our ordinance would be comparable to what we would consider our spec sheet in a bid project.”

He said that like the spec sheet, the city ordinance set conditions “to protect the healthcare interests of the City of Alva while seeking to expand access to healthcare services.”

Parker continued, “Our options are to either approve the application as is, deny the application as is, or the other option that is out there that hasn’t been taken, for the applicant to withdraw their application.”

The mayor said that representatives from Integris and Share Medical Center were in the room but any information from either would be biased.

He did encourage council members to ask questions of Richard Wagner of Eide Baily who was in the audience. He said Eide Baily was one of two firms recommended to the city by the Oklahoma Office of Rural Health. Parker said Eide Baily was unbiased: “they do not have a dog in this fight.”

After the mayor opened the floor for discussion, about three minutes of silence ensued. Councilmember Steve Valencia asked attorney Cunningham what would happen if there were no motion. He replied, “It dies for lack of a motion.”

At that, Councilmember Bryce Benson said, “I’ll make a motion to deny the Integris healthcare facility application.” Dr. Bo Hannaford seconded. Voting in favor were Benson, Hannaford, Randy Stelling, Wes Miller, Chris Eckhardt and Chad Fisher. Valencia and Joey Melton voted no.