THE DALLES — On June 26, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce held a round-robin discussion during their weekly Community Affairs meeting, where attendees shared updates on the local organizations they represent.
Wasco County Commissioner Phil Brady gave multiple updates, including the announcement that the anticipated Columbia Gorge Resolution Center has “run into a brick wall.” As previously reported by Columbia Gorge News, the objective was to build “a regional facility for individuals, both adults and juveniles, experiencing mental and behavioral crisis or drug and alcohol addiction,” Brady said.
Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill, who served as co-chair to the advisory Columbia Gorge Resolution Center Advisory Council, received a letter from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) stating that it could not approve the site due to a rule that requires mental health facilities to have no more than 16 beds, Brady said.
According to Congress.gov, Institutes for Menal Disease (IMD) Exclusion “is a long-standing policy under Medicaid that prohibits the federal government from providing federal Medicaid funds to states for services rendered to certain Medicaid-eligible individuals who are patients in IMDs.” According to the website, “the exclusion applies to facilities with more than 16 beds ‘primarily engaged in providing diagnosis, treatment, or care of persons with mental diseases, including medical attention, nursing care, and related services.’”
Brady explained the center would consist of four parts: a crisis stabilization center, a substance use disorder residential treatment facility, a mental health residential treatment facility, and a secure mental health treatment facility.
“Then the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) looked at that and had a series of rules that they applied and said no, this isn’t going to pass muster, because [the facilities] are too close together, and they are all going to be operated by the same governing body. So that has shot this down.”
Other updates Brady shared included that the local food bank income is currently down 18% due to federal cuts. He also noted that local hospitals are potentially facing financial hardship due to members of the local immigrant communities showing reluctance to go hospitals, show up for appointments or apply for Medicaid coverage.
“It’s serious enough that it’s going to become a financial burden for the hospital to not have that Medicare and Medicaid income coming in,” Brady said. “Our hospitals are on very tight margins. It’s a business that requires a lot of high … priced workers, and the hospital as an institution does well if it breaks even. So … it’s hard on them.”
Bill Lennox, Wasco County board member for North Wasco County Public Health (NWCPH) and board member to the Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center, provided an update on Old St. Peter’s Landmark. He is part of a committee established to support and maintain the church, which has seen lessening membership over the last few years.
“It’s a chance to sort of reacquaint the community with an incredibly historic church,” Lennox said.
Other updates included City of The Dalles Economic Development Officer Jacob Anderson, who discussed the Urban Renewal Incentive Program, the relaunching of the city’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) project with the brownfield revitalization coalition, the Federal Street Plaza Project and the First Street Reconstruction project, as well the potential for future projects on the west side of town.
Scott McKay, the community liaison for Circles of Care, discussed stepping down from the organization, which is “a volunteer care network by connecting older Oregonians with local volunteers,” according to its website. McKay noted the organization is looking for both volunteers as well as seeking a community partner in The Dalles to take over the program.
McKay also provided updates on the Dementia Friendly Wasco County Partnership, noting they had applied for and received a $100,000 grant from the Center of Dementia Respite Innovation to establish a local respite program for caregivers of dementia patients in The Dalles, which he said is hoping to do a soft launch in September.
Final updates came from Liz Lance, executive director for QualityLife Intergovernmental Agency, (QLife), and Chamber President Lisa Farquarson, who discussed being re-awarded the local city tourism contract, the recent influx of visitors due to local sporting events, and launching the new fiscal year. She also talked about possible future locations of next year’s Cherry Festival, as anticipated construction from the Federal Street Plaza and First Street Reconstruction projects would require the festival to move locations.
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Community Affairs Meetings take place via Zoom every Thursday from 7–8 a.m. Meeting recordings are also uploaded to The Dalles Area Chamber YouTube Channel.
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