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https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2015/06/05/conflict-of-interest-of-sequoia-healthcare-district-board-members

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Conflict of interest of Sequoia Healthcare District Board Members

Original post made by Jack Hickey, Woodside: Emerald Hills, on Jun 5, 2015

Recent meetings of the Sequoia Healthcare District Board of Directors have provided examples of Directors recusing themselves from participation in action items in which they have an outside interest.
On April 1, 2015 Director Shefren recused himself from discussion and action on Samaritan House Grants. See: Web Link
At the June 3, 2015 meeting, in which 34 Community Grants were recommended for support by the district's committee, I asked Vice President Kane(who was presiding in the absence of Director Faro) to establish any conflicts of interest which might suggest that conflicted Directors recuse themselves from specific Grant discussions and votes. Director Shefren asked if his position with 2020 created a conflict. District counsel Mark Hudak opined that it did not. I asked Director Shefren if he was comfortable with that. Shefren did not recuse himself. After some research,it is my opinion that he should have done so. I offer this statement from the minutes of the April 15, 2015 meeting of the Redwood City 2020 Leadership Council Meeting:
"Gerald Shefren encouraged Redwood City 2020 to rethink whether $25,000 is an appropriate membership contribution, especially as many partner organizations are doing better financially." Had he recused himself, the 2020 Grant request would have been tabled to a later meeting. That is what happened to the Grant request of St. Vincent de Paul when Director Kane recused herself for a conflict of interest.
NOTE: Both Director Shefren and Director Kane serve voluntarily on the 2020 Leadership Council, as representatives of the District.

Director Art Faro, is Chair of the Sequoia Hospital Board of Directors. Katie Kane is a Member of that Board. I have suggested that their votes as Members of the Sequoia Healthcare District Board of Directors on Grants to the Sequoia Hospital Foundation constituted a conflict of interest. They have yet to recuse themselves from such votes. See: Web Link

The Sequoia Healthcare District has a 5 member Board, for which a quorum is 3. It has a policy which allows only 2 directors to pass a measure when a quorum of 3 are present. I am committed to not allow such a vote to take place. By vacating my seat at the table when such situations arise, I have disallowed such votes to be taken by denying them a quorum.

Comments

Posted by Jack Hickey
a resident of Woodside: Emerald Hills
on Jun 5, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Jack Hickey is a registered user.

Excerpt from Minutes of May 13, 2015 Special Board Meeting:

4.d. Consider Censoring Or Similar Action Pertaining To Board Member Hickey’s Conduct At April 1, 2015 Board Meeting
Director Shefren offered the following motion:
"The Sequoia Healthcare District Board advises Director Hickey that his interference with the voting process on April 1, 2015 violated the clear intent and spirit of the District’s mission. His conduct was insulting to
the potential grantee and to all of the underserved members of our community. His decision to leave the meeting room to prevent a quorum after the presentation by the proposed grantee wasted the time of the presenter, staff and members of the public.
While the Board recognizes Director Hickey’s right to oppose grants, even though they are consistent with the mission of the public agency he was elected to serve, the proper course is to vote against the motions, not leave the room in a cowardly procedural antic. His actions reflect poorly on the District, the other Board members and staff. He is admonished not to repeat this behavior."
Seconded by: Director Kane
Vote: 4-0-1 with Director Hickey abstaining.
Motion Passed

Director Hickey defended his action stating that the policy allowing two board members out of three to approve the grant left him no other option than to leave the room and he will do the same thing in the future until the policy is changed.

The Board is now on notice that if any conflicts on action items of future meetings would create similar situations, those conflicts should be identified at the beginning of the meeting, so that adjustments in the agenda can be made.

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