2014-09-08 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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N. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (continued if needed) Gregory Pace, 7171 Westmoreland, University City, MO Mr. Pace stated that he would like to address some of the issues brought up in Council’s Study Session regarding outsourcing of the City’s EMT/EMS services. In response to Dr. Carr and Mr. Crow stating that the RFP would lower the City’s standards:  There is no proposal to change what is currently being done.  24/7 is necessary in order to facilitate the City’s 24 hour shifts.  The call records of an ambulance company shows that their calls drop off significantly at night. A reasonable thing to consider is one 24/7 ambulance; one 12/7 ambulance during heavy demand times, and the use of an ambulance from another municipality as-needed. None of the City’s parameters will be changed by utilizing this process.  Ms. Carr said a private firm would not offer more than what the RFP requested. That is not the case. They have done so.  Private firms are competing against each other and they want the business, i.e., one service offered two ambulances 24/7, while another offered two paramedics in each ambulance.  With University City maintaining its current protocol for life-threatening events which is that an engine company is dispatched in addition to an EMT. Currently engine companies are staffed with three to four individuals and by implementing the City’s procedure there will be four additional University City paramedics at the scene. The idea is to have the vendor on- site with at least one paramedic.  Dispatchers for University City’s Police Department are currently being trained in emergency medical dispatch which should be completed by the end of the year.  The City outsourced its fire and ambulance dispatch to North Central County for three years previously and no concerns were ever expressed about a delay.  One vendor has offered to put in a dispatch terminal to eliminate bouncing.  Outsourcing will not change the City’s response times. The City’s 7 minute/36 second response time as reflected in the 2009 Fire Study will not change and some responded a better time than the City’s. Mr. Pace stated that the idea behind the RFP is to test the water, see what kind of responses are received, and then if there is anything we like, the City can sharpen the pencils and go from there. O. COUNCIL REPORTS/BUSINESS 1. Boards and Commission appointments needed Mayor Welsch read the appointments that were needed. 2. Council liaison reports on Boards and Commissions 3. Boards, Commissions and Task Force minutes Mayor Welsch stated that the minutes from various Board and Commission meetings had been distributed to Council. 4. Other Discussions/Business st On October 21 staff will be sponsoring a recognition dinner for volunteers who serve on the City’s boards and commissions. More details to follow. P. COUNCIL COMMENTS Dr. Carr expressed her disappointment with the vote on the broadband contract without seeing the contract. She asked Ms. Pumm if she had been provided with a copy of the broadband contract. Ms. Pumm stated that she would have to go back and look, because her assumption is that each packet is complete when they are placed in the drive for her to retrieve for the agenda packet. Dr. Carr stated that she found it astounding that the Council would vote to approve a contract they had not seen and an abdication of the Council’s responsibility to make sure the Council knows how the money is being spent. Dr. Carr stated that she appreciated the authority by which Mr. Pace spoke tonight regarding EMS outsourcing during Citizen Comments. She stated she had heard that Mr. Pace claims that he was responsible for writing the RFP. She said her hope is that Mr. Pace could better explain what his credentials and experience are with this matter and why she is not hearing from the Fire Chie, but