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serve the same communities to some extent and provide the same services which means that they <br /> sometimes compete with the same resources. She stated that there is a trend in decreasing <br /> hospital volume and surgical volume and therefore the role of the hospitals is changing and there <br /> is a reform focus to move the industry towards wellness and health rather than just illness and <br /> injury. She stated that more investments are being made in primary care while specialty <br /> programs improve outcomes for the sickest and most injured. She stated that on January 1St, <br /> Mercy and Unity hospital were merged into one hospital license, as Mercy hospital, with two <br /> campuses. She stated that no matter which facility people enter, they will be provided with the <br /> right services. She noted that each campus will continue to provide the busiest programs, such as <br /> emergency services and surgical services. She stated that the communities rely on the <br /> emergency services as the combined campuses rank as the 12th busiest emergency service in the <br /> country. She stated that they are evolving the location of specialty services to one campus which <br /> will help to build stronger programs as they are better able to address strategic investments, <br /> advance high quality specialists, access to more services locally and improve mental health <br /> services. She noted that in August 2015, the OB departments were merged into the Mother Baby <br /> Center with Children's Hospital at the Mercy location, which has been successful. She noted <br /> that additional services and improved care was provided, all employees kept their jobs and they <br /> were able to recruit more employees. She stated that the mental health services will be <br /> consolidated in the next 45 days. She explained that the Mercy campus does not have sufficient <br /> space to provide that treatment while the Unity campus has adequate space and can better <br /> provide both mental health and addiction treatment so that service will be provided on the Unity <br /> campus. She stated that this change will allow better treatment options and care and better <br /> recruitment of staff. She reviewed some of the facility investments that have been made on both <br /> locations. She stated that there will be an open house at the Unity campus on February 27th and <br /> invited the public to attend. <br /> Mayor Strommen thanked Ms. Criger for attending tonight. She believed that this information is <br /> helpful for not only the Council but also the residents to provide a snapshot of the changes <br /> occurring to provide better care and better service. <br /> 3. CITIZEN INPUT <br /> None. <br /> 4. CONSENT AGENDA <br /> Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma,to approve the following <br /> items on the Consent Agenda, as revised, by removing Item 4.10 and making it 7.08A on the <br /> regular agenda: <br /> 4.01: Approve the following Meeting Minutes: <br /> 1) City Council Work Session dated January 10, 2017 <br /> 2) City Council Regular dated January 10, 2017 <br /> 4.02: Approve Licenses: <br /> Peddler/Solicitor <br /> Matthew Finn dba Edward Jones/331 Main Street, Elk River <br /> City Council/January 24,2017 <br /> Page 3 of 17 <br />