Another step forward in determining the future of the Cedarbrook nursing homes was taken by Lehigh County commissioners Wednesday night.
They also moved closer to approving Joseph Shadid of Bethlehem as Cedarbrook’s new administrator.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to have an architectural/engineering study done that will analyze four different options for renovating Cedarbrook or building a new nursing home.
Those options are:
* Renovate Cedarbrook in South Whitehall Township, which could reduce the number of beds to about 368. The total bed count would be about 565, including 197 beds in Cedarbrook in Fountain Hill.
* Construct a new Cedarbrook in South Whitehall, also with a bed count of about 368. That option also would have a total bed count of 565, if the county continues to operate its 197-bed nursing home in Fountain Hill.
* Renovate Cedarbrook in South Whitehall to accommodate 670 beds.
* Build a new Cedarbrook in South Whitehall, also to accommodate about 670 beds.
The last two options apparently would eliminate any future need for the Fountain Hill Cedarbrook.
“It’s a pretty wide parameter of study, but we’re hoping to get some numbers to help us make some decisions on the future of our nursing home,” said Commissioner Dan Hartzell.
“The option of doing nothing is no longer a valid option,” said Commissioner Geoff Brace.
The two nursing homes now have a total of 670 beds.The resolution passed by commissioners shoots for a range of 565 to 670.
Their resolution states the first two options contain 368 beds at Cedarbrook in South Whitehall not because that necessarily would be the final bed count, but only to do a comparison of renovation and new construction costs between the two.
Last month, county Executive Thomas Muller projected Cedarbrook will need 670-750 beds by the year 2030. He said that was a conservative projection, based on the expected growth in the county’s senior population in the next 15 years.
The resolution passed Wednesday stipulates that “the comparison of all options shall include an analysis of operating costs and the inclusion of any warranted disposition of existing facilities.”
Explained Hartzell:“If we build new in South Whitehall, demolition will be required.”
Hartzell said the resolution asks the administration to advertise for, and recommend to commissioners, an architectural/engineering firm to study the four different options.
“The county executive is for this request; he’ll honor the request,” said Dan McCarthy, the county’s director of administration.
After the meeting, Muller explained the commissioners’ vote means the administration can prepare a request for proposals so it can hire a consultant to do the long-proposed architectural/engineering study.
“We could be in a position to approve a firm in June,” said Muller. “I really don't know how long their work will take.”
“We’ve been very reticent when making decisions on Cedarbrook and I think it is definitely time to move forward,” said Commissioner Percy Dougherty during the meeting.
Commissioner Michael Schware disagreed, saying he supports the resolution, but adding: “I’m glad the administration’s on board, but I don’t feel we’ve been the holdup here.”
Said Schware: “This looks an awful lot like what we’ve been asking for for 18 months. In fact, it looks an awful lot like what we passed in September or October of last year.
On Oct. 14, commissioners voted 7-2 to designate $300,000 in the county’s five-year capital plan to have architectural and engineering planning documents prepared that compare costs of rebuilding or replacing the nursing home.
By the time Wednesday’s resolution was up for a vote, five of the nine commissioners had their names on it as sponsors: Hartzell, Brad Osborne, Geoff Brace, Dougherty and Amanda Holt.
Although commissioners won’t act on Shadid’s appointment until April 27, he has been working as interim administrator of Cedarbrook since April 4.
Commissioners already met Shadid on March 23, but the formal approval process began Wednesday evening.
“We should be proud of Cedarbrook because we have big heart over there,” Shadid told commissioners. “That’s what counts.”
He praised the dedication of the staff and said “the place is amazingly clean.” He also said the management team is working well together.
Brace told Shadid he’s been impressed by his enthusiasm and is looking forward to “what I hope will be a successful vote in a couple of weeks.”
Brace chairs the commissioners’ governance committee. On Wednesday, all four committee members approved a positive recommendation on Shadid’s recommendation to the full nine-member board.