Nursing home personnel issues prompt citizen concerns

LAUREL— About 40 people attended the Laurel City Council meeting last week to share their concerns about recent happenings at Hillcrest Care Center.

Mayor Keith Knudsen said Hillcrest Care Center is an important part of the community and even though the center was not included as an agenda item, public comment would still be allowed due to the high number of people who wished to be heard.

Six people spoke about their concerns over personnel issues and policies, stemming from the termination of a high-level caregiver at the facility. Several people have since resigned because of these issues.

Even a resident’s family member spoke on behalf of the terminated employee.

“The care my father received there was top of the line,” he said.

On Thursday, the Hillcrest Care Center Board of Directors held an open meeting to further discuss the personnel and policy issues. No action was taken after that meeting, however.

Nebraska is an “at-will” state meaning employees and employers have equal rights to terminate employment for any reason and at any time.

The nursing home currently cares for 24 residents. The assisted living facility cares for five residents.

Several upgrades and repairs have been made to the facility recently including the replacement of a water heater and installation of a security system. Those two items totaled nearly $23,000. An HVAC unit for the laundry room will soon be replaced.

Last month, the city council agreed to help with some repairs, co-signing a $100,000 line of credit.

The city is also looking into a possible bond to be able to help with most if not all of the repairs.

In other news, the city council approved a resolution to borrow $1.5 million from

The council also authorized an ordinance for the issuance of permanent financing for the downtown revitalization project.

Contractors will finish the drainage and concrete at the intersection of Second and Cedar streets this spring along with the sidewalk on Second Street and curb drainage between Third and Spruce and Third and Pine streets to insure adequate drainage.

JEO is evaluating the project’s street lighting.

At its meeting, the city council also: - Approved an employee wage adjustment for Kyle Knudsen for $35 per hour. He will now serve as Utilities Supt.

- Approved a 16-by-16 foot residential addition for Richard Carlson.

- Entered into executive session to discuss additional legal council and a lease agreement for the Lion’s Club Park.

- Heard an update on the mapping of the city’s electric system and testing of new water wells.

- Heard an update on the new 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 ton pickup delivered to Sioux City. The Boss V plow is being installed on it next.

- Jordynn Urwiler will be the Pool Manager for the 2022 Season. Eight guards have signed on, pending certifications.

- Heard a report from the Laurel police department including three fixit tickets, five warnings, two animal complaints, three motorist assists, three outside assists, seven school traffic stops, three citizen complaints, one funeral traffic assist, four welfare checks, 140 building checks, one nuisance vehicle and two traffic complaints. Ron Lundahl said he recently lost an officer who left to become a conservation officer.