Health-care district to discuss lease agreement

<p>The Petaluma Health Care District has announced that it will regularly discuss the upcoming expiration of Petaluma Valley Hospital's lease in order to prepare for the hospital's future.</p><p>The hospital is owned by the health-care district but operated by St. Joseph Health System. Under the current 20-year lease agreement, St. Joseph will remain in charge of the hospital until 2017.</p><p>Health-care district officials voted last week to add a standing agenda item at every forthcoming board meeting to discuss the upcoming expiration and whether any changes should be made in the agreement with St. Joseph.</p><p>“We're starting now so that the public can have sensitivity to fact that this lease is coming to an end,” said Daymon Doss, the district's executive director.</p><p>Doss added that no decisions have been made, and the ongoing agenda item is an indication of the plans for an open dialogue.</p><p>“We're sending a signal to the community that board is beginning process of review,” he said. “We believe there will be high public interest.”</p><p> — Argus-Courier Staff</p>