Article 8. Hospitals Managed By City Legislative Body of California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 4. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 8.

This article applies only to cities where a municipal hospital has not been established.

Except as provided in this article, any hospital managed by a city legislative body and organized under this article shall have and may exercise any of the powers granted to hospitals managed by a board of hospital trustees and organized under Article 7 (commencing with Section 37600) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section that any powers granted to a hospital board of trustees under Article 7 (commencing with Section 37600) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code, including, but not limited to, (1) the power to collect compensation pursuant to Section 37604.1, and (2) the power to meet in closed session pursuant to Section 37624.3, shall also be granted to a city legislative body.

(a) A city legislative body which operates a municipal hospital pursuant to this article shall meet as the hospital governing body at least once a month at the time and place it fixes by resolution.
  (b) A city legislative body which operates a municipal hospital pursuant to this article shall have and may exercise the following powers in addition to those powers described in this article and Article 7 (commencing with Section 37600) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code:
  (1) To have and use a corporate seal and alter it at its pleasure.
  (2) To sue and be sued in all courts and places and in all actions and proceedings whatever.
  (3) To exercise the right of eminent domain for the purposes of acquiring real or personal property of every kind necessary to the exercise of any of the powers of the municipal hospital.

Upon receiving a petition signed by 15 percent of the city electors, the legislative body may submit to the electors at a general or special election the question whether a municipal hospital shall be established in the city.

If a majority of the votes cast at the election is for the proposition, the municipal hospital is established.

The legislative body may acquire real or personal property and construct and equip such buildings as it deems necessary and suitable for the conduct of the hospital.

The legislative body may maintain the hospital or provide for its operation and maintenance by tenants. The legislative body may enter into leases of all or any part of the hospital for such purpose. Such lease shall not run for a term in excess of ten years.

The legislative body may prescribe rules for the administration of the hospital and the terms upon which patients may be admitted to it.

(a) The legislative body may appoint and fix the compensation of physicians, surgeons, and necessary officers and employees of the hospital. Officers and employees hold office at the pleasure of the legislative body.
  (b) The legislative body may prescribe the duties and powers of the hospital administrator, secretary, and other officers and employees of the hospital. The officers and employees shall hold their offices at the pleasure of the legislative body.

In receiving a money donation, the city may agree to pay the donors interest not exceeding 7 percent a year upon the principal during the lifetime of the donors or the survivor. Such a payment shall not be made for more than 40 years. The principal of such a donation shall not be repaid.

The indebtedness shall be incurred and interest paid pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 43600) of Chapter 4 of Division 4. The ordinance calling the bond election shall not contain any statement as to bonds to be issued. In general terms the ordinance shall describe the proposed donation, the purpose for which it is to be used, and the terms upon which it is to be made and accepted.

The city may incur a bonded indebtedness pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 43600) of Chapter 4 of Division 4, for the acquisition of real or personal property for the hospital and its construction and equipment. The question of incurring such an indebtedness may be submitted at the election determining whether a hospital is to be established.

Annually the legislative body shall levy and collect a property tax for:
  (a) The maintenance of the hospital.
  (b) The payment of interest upon any indebtedness created pursuant to this article.
  (c) A sinking fund for the payment of bonds.