02-22-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 22, 2010 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. #10 -3442 THE EMILYPROGR", 2180 NORTHSHORE DRIVE, Continued) Bremer stated the point is that it is not known whether property values will decrease if The Emily Program is located in this neighborhood. Marfield commented that they do not want to take the chance of that happening to their valuations. Marfield stated they could go to Billy's Lighthouse or go to the VFW in Mound that is currently in foreclosure. There are also two Snyder Drug Stores that are going to be vacant that could be used for this program. Marfield commented that there are a number of failed real estate ventures around the area that could be considered. Dr. Miller noted that this building has the appropriate zoning and that the owner is willing to sell the property. Sandra Dess, 1260 French Creek Drive, asked if it is also irrational to assume that there will be an increase in traffic and emergency vehicles. Dr. Miller stated it is not irrational. Dess stated to have those types of issues in a residential area is disruptive to the neighborhood and is not irrational. Dr. Croll stated Dr. Miller is attempting to put some perspective to the issues. In the past four years, there • have been 38 calls to their facilities. Some of them have been minor and some have been emergencies. That amounts to less than once a month that an emergency vehicle will need to come to the building. Dess stated to her that is a lot of activity in a quiet residential area and is an overwhelming concern for the neighbors. Shari Danielson, 1250 French Creek Drive, stated everything she has read about anorexia and bulimia is that it is a mental issue and not a physical issue. Dr. Croll indicated it is both. Danielson stated she did call one of The Emily Program's clinics and asked what the screening process would be for a patient. Danielson indicated she was told there would be a psychiatric evaluation and a drug and alcohol evaluation in that first initial screening. She was told that is normal because a lot of these people have drug and alcohol issues in addition to the mental health issue of the eating disorder. Danielson asked if that is their standard protocol. Dr. Miller indicated it is. Dr. Croll stated the alcohol and drug screening is a three question questionnaire similar to a questionnaire that you would fill out at the office of your family practitioner. Danielson stated in a -mails she exchanged with Lindsay Brown she asked for basic financial information on how viable the program is and was refused that information. Danielson indicated she also asked if they were • planning to develop any other clinics and was refused that information as well. In addition, Lindsay Brown was asked if The Emily Program had ever been sued or whether The Emily Program has been forced to close a clinic, and she refused to provide that information as well. Page 13 of 19