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<br />City Administrator Hagen reviewed the Staff report concerning the updates to the 2024 legislative <br />priorities which has been updated based on past success. He introduced Mario Nozzarella from <br />IDTS Medical, Inc. who does research in the medical industry. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella from IDTS Medical, Inc. came forward and reviewed his professional background <br />and the background of IDTS Medical. He shared he is requesting State funding to expand their <br />operation of providing respiratory care to people whether they can afford it or not. He noted the <br />long term goal of this is to build a hospital for respiratory care. He shared he believes Ramsey is <br />the perfect place to have this facility and to improve the viability of what they can do within the <br />community as this will create a lot of jobs and drive revenue to the community. <br /> <br />City Administartor Hagen asked Mr. Nozzarella to explain what he will be asking the legislature <br />for and how this connects to Ramsey. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella shared there are a few grant opportunities that they have available. He added they <br />are working with Senators to try to pass a bill for respiratory advancements and COVID relief. He <br />noted this would be a one-time grant that they would look to bring to the community. He shared <br />they would be looking to Ramsey for a pass through of opportunities so that the State would fund <br />this to the City and the City would fund the project. He added that having the City involved will <br />be paramount to the success of this project. <br /> <br />Economic Development manager Sullivan asked why all of these steps are important for the end <br />goal of building a hospital. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella shared that when he started RespirTech in 2000, he created a program to have <br />cystic fibrosis vests be able to be reimbursable through the insurance industry. He noted that the <br />steps in his current process is to have these other respiratory aid devices to be reimbursable through <br />insurance as well. He stated the first step is to get these services working in their facility to build <br />accreditation with the insurance companies so these items can be reimbursed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell asked if the current wellness and medical center is in St. Paul. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella shared they are proposing at the end of January to use this center as a stepping <br />stone as he recently purchased this facility. He shared that doctors do not want to work in St. Paul <br />due to traffic and patients also do not want to be treated in St. Paul due to the traffic as well. He <br />noted they offered many free services at this facility and they could not get people to come. He <br />shared they would be moving all the operations of the current facility, with the exception of the <br />chiropractic care, to Ramsey. He noted that they do not want to bring anything into town that <br />already exists, but rather support existing businesses to have the same end goal. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell asked if the goal is to bring the hospital to Ramsey. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella stated that where the VA building is, he has spoken to the property owners next to <br />him and he would like it on that lot next to the VA. He added that they will be offering services <br />that are not currently offered by the VA. <br />City Council Work Session / January 9, 2024 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br /> <br />