The struggle to fix water leaks that have persisted since Allen County Regional Hospital was constructed in 2013 will enter into a legal mediation phase.
ACRH Board of Trustees members discussed the ongoing problems with an attorney during executive session at their regular meeting Tuesday night. The hope is to resolve problems with leaking showers that have plagued the hospital since its construction. Mediation proceedings were scheduled for March 29.
Leaks in at least six showers in different areas of the hospital resulted in water seeping into patient rooms. The first incident was discovered almost immediately after building construction wrapped up; the most recent leak was just a couple weeks ago.
Extensive examinations of the leaking showers revealed problems with construction and incorrect building specs, such as the wrong type of grout between tiles.
Several other problems were found during a final “punch list” of construction issues, but every problem except the leaking showers was resolved within the first year of the hospital’s operation, Sean McReynolds, board trustee, said.
Hospital officials have been unable to resolve the issue with the architect, HFG of Wichita, or the builder, Murray Company of Overland Park. Board of Trustees chairman Patti Boyd said the parties involved have attempted to resolve the matter without going to court, but recently agreed to enter into mediation. Boyd is expected to represent the Board of Trustees during the mediation and will have the ability to make decisions for the board.
“This is not going to be an easy fix for anyone,” she said.
NEW OFFICERS were elected by the board as two new trustees took their seats for the first time.
Boyd was elected as board chairman, Loren Korte as vice chairman, Jeff Johnson as treasurer and Jim Gilpin as secretary.
New trustees Ryan Coffield and Terry Sparks took their seats. The terms of Henry Lee Jr. and Debra Roe expired.
KORTE told his fellow trustees and hospital administrators he would like the hospital to ask for bids for its benefits consulting service, even though everyone seemed pleased with the services provided by its current consulting firm, DPI Benefits.
Korte said he was concerned because some institutions have faced legal scrutiny for lack of oversight on retirement consultants. He said it’s good to seek bids from firms about every five years; ACRH started working with DPI Benefits in 2013. Trustees said they would ask their finance committee to look into the matter.
TRUSTEES reviewed the 2018 hospital budget and monthly financial report. The 2018 budget calls for a 4 percent rate increase in all areas and reduces capital outlay equipment purchases for 2018, while providing salary increases for some positions in order to make the hospital more competitive. See Thursday’s Register for more details.
