Regular 4.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 11/13/2012
- TITLE
- Public Hearing and First Reading Ordinance Disbanding the Emergency Services Board
- PRESENTED BY:
- Tina Volek
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
Presentation:
Information
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
At its September 17, 2012, work session, the City Council by consensus directed staff to place the disbanding of the Emergency Services (EMS) Board on a future Council agenda. The attached ordinance responds to that direction.
Earlier in 2012, the Council approved an initiative to investigate converting the EMS Board to a Yellowstone County function. The EMS Board was created at a time when the parent organization of the ambulance company that provides primary services in the City declared bankruptcy, and City officials and residents wanted a body to step in if the ambulance service disappeared. Since the stabilization of the private service, the EMS Board's objectives primarily have been to review existing City ordinances and policies and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council to provide the appropriate level of EMS. It has been increasingly difficult to recruit EMS Board members, and attendance at the EMS Board meetings has dwindled. EMS concerns now center primarily around provision of service in unincorporated areas more than the City.
At a joint meeting that Yellowstone County held with with rural and city fire departments, it was determined that several public and private groups already exist to address most of the issues of concern, and there was no need to create a County committee. Therefore, it is proposed that the Fire Chief continue to work with the Yellowstone County Emergency Services Director on issues of mutual interest, but that the Emergency Services Board be disbanded.
Earlier in 2012, the Council approved an initiative to investigate converting the EMS Board to a Yellowstone County function. The EMS Board was created at a time when the parent organization of the ambulance company that provides primary services in the City declared bankruptcy, and City officials and residents wanted a body to step in if the ambulance service disappeared. Since the stabilization of the private service, the EMS Board's objectives primarily have been to review existing City ordinances and policies and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council to provide the appropriate level of EMS. It has been increasingly difficult to recruit EMS Board members, and attendance at the EMS Board meetings has dwindled. EMS concerns now center primarily around provision of service in unincorporated areas more than the City.
At a joint meeting that Yellowstone County held with with rural and city fire departments, it was determined that several public and private groups already exist to address most of the issues of concern, and there was no need to create a County committee. Therefore, it is proposed that the Fire Chief continue to work with the Yellowstone County Emergency Services Director on issues of mutual interest, but that the Emergency Services Board be disbanded.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The Council must hold a public hearing, as advertised, and then may:
- Vote to approve the ordinance disbanding the Emergency Services Board;
- Vote to continue the Emergency Services Board; or
- Identify some other issues for the Emergency Services Board to undertake.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Aside from saving staff time in attending and preparing agendas and minutes for the meetings, there will be no impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends holding the public hearing and then disbanding the Emergency Services Board. If approved at readings at the November 13 and 26, 2012, Council meetings, the ordinance would become effective before the end of 2012, when new appointments would need to be made.