Flagg wants to buy former Woodhaven property

Feb. 17—ELLINWOOD — The Ellinwood City Council tabled for further study a proposal to establish a pilot program utilizing the former Woodhaven senior care center building in the community. Royal Flagg said he wants to buy the building to house people who have entered the country through Mexico and are seeking permanent residency in the United States.

Council consensus at the Tuesday meeting was to table the measure to answer questions raised during a 45-minute discussion with the proposal's presenter at the beginning of the council's new business agenda.

Introducing himself as director of operations, Flagg maintained his proposal hinged upon the council's support in the purchase of the building, currently owned by Azria Health. The City has no ownership in the property.

The building at 510 W. 7th St. has remained vacant since the Nebraska-based health agency closed the facility last year.

"Our hope is to purchase this property which is currently under the contingency with the seller that we get the green light from the city," Flagg told the council.

"We want to take the facility to help aid and assist the situation going across the border in California with all the refugees and immigrants. In my view, the individuals we hope to aid and assist are individuals who have taken the initial steps to file with INS to be legal citizens in the United States. We want to give to the people who have shown the initiative to start the procedure.

"Our idea is to bring them to this location, house them, feed them, provide them with education, vocational training and employment services, mental health counseling to prepare them for their entry into this country."

Flagg said that the program would house between 20-100 individuals in a controlled facility in compliance with local, state and federal codes and regulations.

"We're not trying to bring these individuals here to integrate Ellinwood; we will work with other organizations that specialize in housing and employment once they get their green light," he noted. "Once we get them prepared, we would then hand them over to our sister agencies to get them set up, but not here in Ellinwood."

The council questioned Flagg on the structure and funding for the program as well as issues of security and staffing. Concerns about government agency involvement as well as medical care were also voiced.

Noting that the council would unlikely be making a decision at the meeting, City Administrator Chris Komarek asked whether there were other programs like this already in place.

"No, this would be considered a pilot. We would be offering programs here for entry into the United States," Flagg said. "We will be acting off of government contracts, private contracts and state contracts."

Mayor Irlan Fullbright asked whether there was a timetable in place for the program.

"The first obstacle is here, to be blunt," Flagg said. "The contingency for the property sale is that the city is behind the program. We have to get into the building, do the renovations that are needed to bring it up to code."

Councilman Ken Lebbin, who was attending the meeting by telephone, expressed his concerns with the proposal.

"I've got some big red flags to this," Lebbin said. "Number one, it's a pilot program. So, you have no experience operating this type of business, or offered any past history, or any resume that you have built upon this type business.

"Number two, before we look at anything, in my opinion, we need to have a detailed, written business plan covering all these areas.

"Number three, I don't care what California's problems are. They are a sanctuary state; they created problems that they can figure out themselves.

"I just don't see us doing anything without extensive study of the business plan, background check and make sure we know the supposed contracts are available, how they are available and there is just too much up in the air for us to consider."

Mayor Fullbright asked the council if it wished to table the proposal for further study.

"I agree with Kenny; we've just got too many questions and we need to make some inquiries," Fullbright said.

The council then agreed to table the proposal until the March meeting.