It’s official. The involvement by Cirrus Health Group in Sonoma Valley is over. The decision was made by John Thomas, President of Cirrus Health Group, following the vote by two members of the hospital board, Mike Nugent and Arnie Riebli, against entering negotiations with Cirrus to develop a “hybrid” option.
That option was discussed at the public meeting Monday of the Sonoma Valley Health Care Coalition and would have involved both Cirrus and the Sonoma Valley Hospital in a public-private partnership. Thomas said later, “Despite Cirrus’ good faith efforts in proposing at least seven different possible structures for a public-private partnership to provide a 21st century hospital and medical campus, the Board has concluded Cirrus is neither welcome nor necessary.”
Following the defeat of Measure C last year, a $148 million bond measure to build a new community hospital on farmland owned by the Leveroni family, Cirrus, based in Dallas, Tex., had acquired an option on 22 acres on Eighth Street East from developer Henry Grause. Grause had planned to build a new medical spa at that site, and Cirrus proposed to build a new hospital there, as well.
Since no taxpayer funding would have been involved, the Cirrus proposal never quite fit with the several options that the Sonoma Valley Health Care Coalition was reviewing, and there was friction between the two groups concerning exchange of information. The coalition’s ultimate finding, presented at a number of community meetings during the winter, was that the Cirrus proposal for a private hospital, while incomplete, could be a viable solution to the Valley’s needs.
Cirrus proceeded to submit a ballot initiative proposal to extend the City of Sonoma’s Urban Growth Boundary to include its proposed site. A negotiating committee was established about that time, as well, with representatives of the Coalition and the Sonoma Valley Hospital, in order to address with Cirrus some of the issues that would arise if its project moved forward. Concerns about the content and timing of disclosure arose again, and those concerns were central to the hospital board’s decision not to continue discussions.
Cirrus is reportedly looking now to build a surgical center in the Petaluma area, instead of Sonoma. Michael Ross, the local architect who represented Cirrus, said that he was not privy to Cirrus’ plans beyond Sonoma, but he noted, “that change of events could possibly place Cirrus in competition with Sonoma for physicians and patients.”
The withdrawal of the Cirrus option clarifies the decision anticipated soon from the coalition’s steering committee. As there are few advocates for the “Small Hospital” option, that leaves two remaining options under active consideration: the Broadway site or the “In-Town” site. Either one costs about $130 million, so the principal question is simply where.
According to CEO Carl Gerlach, two of the six parcels making up the Broadway site are not under option yet. Those negotiations may not need to be completed if the coalition recommends the In-Town option. Either way, voters can look to another bond measure on the ballot as early as the next regularly scheduled election, on August 28.
Data & Errata
Out, damn spot! Out, I say!
By Kate Williams
In the Wine Country, the proverbial lipstick on the collar is likely not lipstick at all but the ruby claret of a wayward slurp of pinot or cab. What to do when that Valley vintage ends up staining your vintage Christian Dior?
1. Panic. It’s Dior, after all.
2. Immediately strip to your unmentionables and begin sucking at the stain like a breastfed baby after an all night fast.
3. Scotch and soda: scotch for you, darling, soda for the stain.
4. Douse it with wine’s archenemy: beer.
5. Can’t beat em? Gather all your various reds, fill a vat, and tie-dye.
