(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members spent more than 30 minutes discussing whether or not to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southeast District Health Department that would give the health department control over the protection of the citizens against the spread of communicable disease, illness, and poisoning.

Tabled earlier this month because Council members expressed concern about giving up control,  SEDHD Director Grant Brueggemann explained it was not the intent of the organization to seize control from the City, but rather to aid the City in enforcing those regulations with any action being done in concert with elected City officials. 

Brueggemann noted he had not prepared the MOU,  noting it had been written a number of years ago by a group of Health District Directors .

City Attorney Mike Dunn was asked to prepare an ordinance to be considered in place of the MOU.   Dunn said he feels the ordinance is give the city more flexibility and more control.  If approved, the ordinance would adopt the SEDHD regulations and allow them to be enforced within the city limits with the Falls City Police Department being mainly responsible for enforcement. 

Dunn also said he feels the City Board of Health could likely take needed action quicker than if the authority was turned over the the Southeast District Health District. 
 
During the lengthy discussion, Falls City physician Dr. Justin Westengaard was asked for his opinion on the matter. He said Falls City has really good doctors in Falls City  and support staff at Community Medical Center that are capable of making these types of decisions.  

Westengaard said he did not see an advantage to the MOU and called some of the wording included in the document kind of scary.

The proposal to adopt the Memorandum of Understanding died due to the lack of a motion. Dunn will draft an ordinance that will be discussed during the next Council meeting.