Antioch Council approves sale of Bedford Center to non-profit for $1.00
By John Crowder
At the March 10, 2015 meeting of the Antioch City Council, a resolution was approved authorizing City Manager Steve Duran to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Rehabilitation Services of Northern California (RSNC), transferring the Bedford Center property located at 1811 C Street for one dollar.
The resolution to sell the Bedford Center property was part of the regular agenda which was undertaken during a relatively short (the entire meeting was concluded in under an hour) and otherwise uneventful meeting that was led, for the first time, by Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock due to the absence of Mayor Wade Harper.
According to the staff report submitted to the council by Duran, “This recommended action will eliminate the need for the City to manage and maintain the property, which is not a core service.” He also said that the transfer of the property will, “allow the nonprofit to not only continue but expand their services of providing adult day care to disabled seniors, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.”
Duran also noted in his report that the facility had been deeded to the City of Antioch in 1989 for one dollar. He went on to say that the transfer would allow RSNC to raise the capital necessary to undertake a needed remodeling of a currently unoccupied part of the building, thus allowing the nonprofit agency to increase capacity.
During his comments to the council prior to their discussion of the matter, Duran said that, included in the Agreement, was a ten-year restriction on RSNC requiring them to utilize the facility for the same purpose as it is being used today, an adult day care.
Only two people spoke about the transfer of the property during public comments. Antioch resident Jaime Ray said she had, “great confidence” in those running the Bedford Center.
“I think it’s a wise investment,” she said, “They can deliver what they say they can deliver.”
Debbie Toth, Chief Executive Officer of RSNC, also addressed the council.
“We can respect our elders, and treat them with dignity,” she said and then thanked the council members for their support.
Following public comments, members of the City Council spoke positively about the Bedford Center program. Council Member Mary Rocha said that she looked forward to the building being well-used. Council Member Tony Tiscareno spoke about how pleased he was with their operation when he toured the facility. Council Member Wilson, also referring to a tour of the facility, said, “I was very impressed with what I saw. It’s going to be a benefit to our community.”
Following council comments, Rocha made the motion to approve the resolution, Wilson seconded, and it was passed on a vote of 4-0.
Toth, following the vote, had additional comments. She explained that the program undertaken by her organization is designated as Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), and that they are licensed health providers through the California Department of Public Health.
“ADHC was created to provide an alternative to nursing home placement,” she said. “It provides respite to caregivers while providing a safe and therapeutic environment for frail people with multiple chronic conditions to socialize and receive much-needed services. All possible barriers to independence are examined when we serve someone. We go into their homes to assess their fall risks, care systems, medication management routine, nutrition access, and more. So, while services are provided at the Bedford Center, our reach goes far beyond to ensure we talk to their physicians, caregivers, get meals delivered, arrange for transportation, and so much more.”
Expressing her gratitude to city staff, interested residents, and the council, Toth added, “East Contra Costa has a huge unmet need for services for the rapidly growing aging population and the City has now made it possible for us to begin our expansion to work on meeting the needs of our community.”
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council will take place on March 24. Meetings are held at the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 200 H Street, and typically begin at 7:00 p.m.
