HOSPITAL ISSUE HEATS UP.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

WESTLAKE VILLAGE - The City Council has given its hospital ad hoc committee two weeks to come up with a plan to attract an acute-care facility.

The council made the decision Wednesday night, during a two-hour discussion of goals for the city.

The city stepped into the hospital issue in 1994, when Westlake Medical Center was purchased by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. The center closed in 1996, and the city and community groups independently worked to establish a local acute-care hospital with emergency room.

The center reopened in 1998 as an outpatient hospital offering urgent care.

City officials and residents cite the need for a full-service facility as Westlake's 8,000 population and those of surrounding communities grow. The nearest hospital is Columbia/HCA-owned Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, 13 miles away.

Some of the city's attempts included trying to solicit interest from 12 hospital corporations, each one declining because of economic factors.

Councilwoman Kris Carraway-Bowman, who is also Los Robles' spokeswoman, questioned whether the city was using resources that could be better utilized elsewhere by continuing to search for a site or a group to build the facility.

Councilman Chris Mann, who during his election campaign touted the goal of returning a hospital to the city, said a group he refused to identify is serious about taking over and operating the Westlake Medical Center.

He said the group has agreed to renovate the building and purchased $25 million worth of equipment but the city would need to buy the building, perhaps with certificates of participation.

``It's something we should look into,'' he said.

Councilman Mark Rutherford said he doubted eminent domain would work in this case and asked who would bear the financial risks if the management company could not. Rutherford and Mayor Iraj Broomand are on the hospital ad hoc committee.

``Well, the city has to take the risk,'' Mann said. ``This is the No. 1 priority of people who put us in office.''

Rutherford and Councilwoman Betty De Santis did not care for the idea of the city running a hospital or assuming the financial responsibility.

``The city of Westlake Village by itself cannot go into the hospital business unless other cities join forces with us,'' Broomand said. ``The city can't put a dime into the purchase of land or build it. I doubt the finances would allow us to do it.''

Rutherford said they've approached neighboring cities, which did not view it as a top priority or want the financial involvement. He suggested creating a nonprofit organization that would solicit funds for the hospital. The city would fill out the paperwork for nonprofit status but officials would not be on the board, he said.

DeSantis and Carraway-Bowman opposed the idea.

Broomand suggested letting the ad hoc committee come up with a plan in the next six months, when the members' appointment is scheduled to expire. If the solution is viable, the council can continue the committee beyond the six months.

WESTLAKE SETS GOALS FOR YEAR

During its Wednesday night meeting, the Westlake Village City Council set the following goals for 2000:

--Continue work on the City Hall/library project.

--Give its ad hoc hospital committee two weeks to clarify and formulate an action plan on the hospital and emergency room search.

--Look for ways to publicize public safety awareness programs.

--Continue dealing with the Westlake Lake management over maintenance of the lake.

--Enhance recreation programs for youths and senior citizens.

--Continue developing park sites and purchase Lot 79, a 41-acre site near Lindero Canyon Road and Hedgewall Drive. Mayor Iraj Broomand and Councilman Mark Rutherford were tapped to negotiate with the landowner on a purchase price. If no agreement is reached by April 1, the council will set a public hearing to consider condemnation.

--Encourage partnerships with businesses to adopt city programs and projects. Currently the city has a draft proposal for Dole to sponsor a young adult room in the planned library.

--Increase citizen participation.

--Continue work on a master streetscape project, including freeway beautification. The city has received nine bids, ranging from $70,000 to $20,000, to conduct the master plan.

--Continue work on transportation needs, including the 101 Freeway corridor improvements and the Lindero Canyon Road northbound on-ramp.

--Enhance city newsletter design and improve programming on WVTV (Channel 10).

--Continue municipal code review and revision process.

--Assess long-range staffing.

--Forge partnerships with school districts and the Las Virgenes Malibu Council of Government member agencies.

--Complete negotiations with the Los Angeles County Public Library on a service agreement for the new library.

--Study feasibility of forming an advisory recreation and parks commission.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box: Westlake Sets Goals for Year (see text)