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stated that while some of their suggestions may have a daunting price tag; it is an <br />aspirational way to think of Heman Park in the future. <br /> The Commission has also been talking about native plantings on grass and the use of <br />solar panels. Mr. Kraft stated that there is a group out of Wisconsin called the “Wild Ones,” <br />which has been working with city officials to establish model ordinances that will allow the <br />use of native plantings in front yards. This concept is important from an aesthetic and <br />conservation point of view since the plantings do not need as much water or maintenance. <br /> Mr. Kraft stated that there are some buildings within University City where solar panels <br />may be a good investment and he has encouraged the Commission to assist staff with the <br />financial analysis. He stated that the Commission has worked really hard on these projects. <br /> Mr. Kraft stated that he has asked the Commission to think about creative ways to save <br />the City money as it relates to the operation of streetlights. His initial suggestion was to <br />install low powered bulbs, but Ameren’s attitude is that it would still be their light and pole <br />therefore they maintained the right to regulate the fees. The Commission established that <br />there could be a potential savings of a half a million dollars if the City started installing their <br />own streetlights. Mr. Kraft stated that the Commission has completed some interesting <br />analytical work on this project and his belief is that their proposal will be just as exciting. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch stated that she sent Mr. Walker a link for an organization that certifies <br />landscapes similar to the way buildings are certified with LEED standards for environmental <br />quality. Her hope is that the City can work towards getting Lewis Park and other parks <br />certified as environmentally- friendly landscapes. <br /> Mayor Welsch stated that a resident has suggested that members of Urban Forestry, the <br />Parks Commission, the Green Practices Commission and the Park Foundation set up a <br />communication system to create greater awareness of what each group is doing and when <br />appropriate, combine their efforts by working together. <br /> <br />4. <br />Other Discussions/Business <br /> <br /> Cost estimates for ambulance services added by Councilmembers Crow and Carr. <br /> <br />rd <br />Mr. Crow stated that he had several questions regarding the City Manager’s September 23 <br />email to Council regarding the outsourcing of the EMS services. Copies of the email were <br />made available to members of Council and that a copy is attached to the minutes. <br />1. In 2013 the City made 2,595 EMS transports. The basic fee for each transport was <br />$660.00, plus $8.40 per mile. Most transports are approximately 5 miles which would <br />make the total cost per transport to be approximately $700. Multiplying the per transport <br />cost times the number of actual transports equals $1,816.500, but the memo stated the <br />City only generated $791,000 in revenue. <br />2. Mr. Crow requested information on the procedures the City utilizes to collect transport <br />fees; if the City had plans to make any changes to those procedures, and if the City does <br />not collect all of its fees based on the fact that citizens are unable to pay, whether the <br />company selected to perform the outsourcing would provide the same type of <br />consideration? <br />3. The memo stated that the cost for equipment is $856,270, and out of that amount, <br />$612,000 has been allocated for ambulances. Mr. Crow asked if the cost for <br />ambulances was calculated on an annual basis. Mr. Walker stated that it was not. <br />4. Mr. Crow asked to be provided with an annual cost for the utilization of this equipment in <br />order to better understand the estimated one million dollar cost savings. <br />5. The memo also stated that the City would be eliminating twelve pieces of SCBA gear. <br />Mr. Crow stated this number seemed to correlate to the number of ambulances and fire <br />trucks owned by the City rather than the number of people that would be laid off if these <br />services were outsourced. <br />6. How does the fact that the City would still be responsible for making advanced life <br />support calls impact the total estimated cost-savings of outsourcing? <br />7. If EMS services were outsourced how the City would proceed with the lay-offs. <br />5 <br /> <br /> <br />