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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-06 Municipal Operations Committee MinutesMUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 6, 1998 Councilors Attending: Michael Aube, Nidtl Farnham, James Tyler, Michael Crowley Staff Attending: Edward Barrett, Jeff Cammack,Erik Stumpfel, Dale Therlault, Frank Comeau, Randy Harriman, Bob Farrar, Officer Keith Mercier Others Attending: Roxanne Saucler Meeting convened at 5:02 p.m. I. Inter -Facility Transport - Fire Department Chief Cammack explained that this proposal came forward from the EMS Committee and Management. The reason is because of the changing health rare field. The first people managed are will affect are Medicaid and Medicare. This will affect EMS because managed rare orgmbations will be looking to contact with someone that an provide all the services. Because of that, EMMC Is positioning themselves to deal with the managed care issue. Part of this is the ambulance service. Staff feels the City needs w be full service by being in the Inter -Facility Transport business. In Bangor, there are approximately 3,794 EMS calls a year. That generates between $400,000 - $425,000 in revenue. Out of that, Medicare is 25% currently on EMS, which is 950 calls, but it generates 42.7% of the revenue. Medicaid is 23% of the business, 873 calls and only pays 16% of the revenue, or $64,000 because Medicaid only pays half and Medicare paw 80%. The total between the two Populations in the Ory of Bangor is approximately 41% of the EMS business or 1823 calls and $232,000 or 58% of the revenue. Other private insurance companies account for 22% of total business (834 calls, $88,000+/-). The others that are not reflected are private paw, workers' comp, etc. Medicaid has been voluntary up until this point as far as managed care trying to pick their doctor and decide who will rare for them and Medicare is expected to soon follow that. Blue Gass/Blue Shield b now getting I= call centers, having a nurse or someone doing a Page over the telephone, so they will be calling another entity besides 9-1-1 w get an understanding of whether an ambulance is needed or not. This deviates some from the 9.1.1 call. This could cause the City to be circumvented from the 9-1-1 all and not be aware of It or be the service of choice beam we are not able w bid and provide all the services they require. Chief Cammack shared some articles with the Committee. One dealt with high-tech triage which included an organization in Bangor. This private enterprise duplicates what the 9-1-1 communication centers are going to do and currently do. They are going m venture out and take the service on. The former Sum of Maine EMS Director, Kevin McGinnis, is quoted as saying "the caller can automatically be connected to the appropriate ambulance service". "Appropriate" means the one they have the contract with. This means that the ails and revenues will go down for the City. If you are selected m the provider of choice, you respond tu the calls and will in fact be making a decision whether or not they go to the hospital, heause you will be Interconnected with the hospital. There will be an expanded scope of services, Including paramedics doing an x-ray In the field and services such as that. It is felt that it is time to move forward and be pro -active. In the Ian 1.5 - 2 years there have been tremendous strides made at the. Fire Department. There is now a rescue at every nation in the City so every taxpayer has an ambulance at there residence in 4 minutes or less. In meeting with the EMS Committee, a working agreement was made as tu how this could work. Chief Cammack explained the cost projections. There are 30 inter -facility transports a day that take place around the City of Bangor. Chief Cammack explained that this would enable me City to advertise that we do have a product ro sell and it is a good product. He took the average pay of a firefighter and took the top step, firefighter/paramedic with an Assocbtes Degree, which. is the top end of the level, and computed those numbers using that number to figure wages and benefits and came up with a total yearly wages and benefits for the year. Benefits were figured at 35%. Other associated expenditures were listed using the currem history with the ambulances that are in service (EMS supplies, fuels, mechanical work, etc). There is an organization that has a couple of rescues that with a little work could be brought forward and put Into service and a deal could be worked on to lease and put these Into service so It wouldn't require the purchase of two new rescues to gm into the business. Jeff also worked up inter -facility transport revenues. In looking at the Department doing 12 inter -facility transport each day, the net revenue would be approximately $730,000. This would bring the ambulance revenue to approximately $1.141.2 million. Councllor Aube asked if there were an increased liability with respect to providing contractual work for managed care. The City Solicitor explained that if the City were providing ambulance service as a discretionary function of the City and someone has an accident, you are protected against claims. If you are under contract to provide that service to someone else, then there Is the potential that you could be liable. There are ways to address this Issue. If the extent that an individual is doing something like a triage function that h under the supervision of a health care provider, there are things that an be negotiated to cover the individual. Councilor Aube asked if there are any local units of government who have set up this service, such as a nonprofit organization, who have had to deal with the liability issue? No one is aware of any such organization. Erik explained If you are providing a service to hospitals, it would be in the best imerest of the City's to negotiate the Issue with them. Ed Barrett explained that as the City has Increased the scope of operations of the ambulance service, there have been periodic discussions between the Fire Department and Capital Ambulance. The approach that Capital Ambulance has taken is that a contract be entered into between the City and Capital under which the City would provide first responder only. When this proposal was priced out, it B a lower revenue amount that is currently being received. The ongoing discussions between the Fire Department and the private ambulance provider that have not reached a conclusion that was felt to be workable from the point of New of the City recognizing that even at the level the City currently provides service, that the $900,000 is very helpful in offsetting costs because ambulance service, to this point generally, has been always used by the City as a marginal con Item because those firefighters are on duty and available and respond to fires and do other dudes when they are not responding to calls. Councilor Farnham asked If there were any other examples of contractual services that the City provides? Ed Barrett explained that most of the time these kinds of contractual services relare to other municipalities. Edward Barrett explained that a[ this point this issue Is being brought forward as a preliminary review at Committee level to see If It Is something that should be pursued. If it is, something would be Wt together to authorize staff to move in this direction and appropriate money and revenue to cover the expense. The Committee instructed staff to proceed then come back with a formal proposal of recommendation. 2. Request for Use of City Animal Shelter - Dirigo Search and Rescue Ed Barrett explained that Dirigo Search and Rescue had been using the Essex Street Recreation Complex as a headquarters for 2-3 years. During last summer It was discussed that there was a possibility of loon use of that facility between Police Athletic League (PAL) and Dirigo. This has created some difficulties given the nature of the operations and the kinds of Individuals Involved in the operation and the scheduling and use of the facility. Dale Therlauh has been working with Dirigo' Search and Rescue and they have suggested the possibility of moving into the old animal control building on the airport. To do this, modifications would need to be done to the building. The Idea B to be there through 1999, while they undertake an effort to mise money for their two building. Originally, when the City went Into the contract with the Humane Society, the theory was to try to keep that building as is, where is, without doing anything with it, for at least a year because the contact with the Humane Society is a three year comma under which they provide animal shelter services for the City, but there is an original one year term and prior to the end of that term, either parry could withdraw from the contract. This is one of the Issues that needs to be considered. Staff did meet in December with reps from the Humane Society. Roger Huber, the Chairman of the Board at the time the City entered Into the agreement, and Jeuell Clark, the Executive Director, did not indicate that at the present time there would be any significant Problem going forward with the agreement as itis currently written, however that was only five months Into the agreement. Dirigo Search and Rescue was already using the recreation facility when PAL asked if they could also use It. The original concept of the facility sults the PAL, but there were difficulties with the two co. existing. Dale Theriault explained that originally it was felt that the sharing of the facility between the two groups was a good concept. PAL wanted to operate a community center there and they are already operating a mountain bike program, which will be expanded. There have also been discussions about building a skateboard area. Dingo has serviced the canoe races for several years and the value of their services on one days canoe race, with the number of people Involved, Is probably between $10,000$20,000. Staff is looking to work with bah organizations. By trying to coexist in the recreation buildin& it would be difficult for either group to schedule time. Dirigo would like to build a new building and they are currently In the process of trying to find a fundraising person. Dingo Is hoping that within a couple of years, the money could be raised. Minimum material costs is approximately $80,000. Dingo feels a lot of that could be donated. Ed explained that the contract with the Humane Society went Into effect July 1. There Is a notice provision with the current contract The agreemem reads that the "term is for three years beginning July 1, 1997 except that during the Initial year the Humane Society shall assess its capability to handle the care of additional animals generated by the agreement and shall notify municipality at least 30 days prior to expiration of the initial year of the agreement." Part of Dirlgn's concern is that April is a busy month for them with the Canoe races. They are looking at before or after April, but not during. If his eminent, they need m get things going so they are ready for April. Committee suggested that staff come up with a proposal for Dirigo using the building and present their recommendation m the next meeting. 3. Council Ordinance 98-58 Juvenile Curfew Ordinance This ordinance is for an extension on the sumet provision. Police Chief Randy Harriman explained that the police officers feel the curfew ordinance is helping a lot out on the street and Parents have not complained about It. This has already been to Council and should be going back to Council for action. Recommendation approved. 4. Proposed Amendment to Targeted Residential Picketing Ordinance This purpose of this amendment is to bring Bangor's ordinance into compliance with ]ustice Kravchuk's November 14th decision In the recetn targeted picketing appeals. City Solicitor, Erik Stumpfel, explained the changes to the ordinance. At this time, the Committee needs to give staff direction. This could go for Brst reading with the amendments as they are, adjustments could be made or Committee on make the decision to get rid of all of It. Councilor Tyler explained that he was approached by a business owner and recognizing that it Isn't targeted residential picketing, the problem h access and egress W a place of business that was being picketed. Where does the City stand on this Issue? Also, does an ordinance that targets targeted residential picketing is the best approach or are there alternative legislative approaches to addressing the same problem, either through the parade ordinance or similar ordinance. Erik explained that there are using laws in Maine against obstructing public ways. If picketers are on the sidewalk and decide to stand In the driveway so all vehicles coming In have to stop, potentially they are obstructing a public way. The other issue Is prohibiting pickets because they target a place of business. Councilor Crowley feels that if the issues were addressed that were struck down by the ]udge, then staff should continue forward. Ed Barrett explained there is no guarantee in going through this that it will be upheld. The judgment needs to be made, at this point, whether by trying to come In as close as the ruling 6 understood whether it will be good enough or not. There Is the likelihood that the City will be back in court. Given the history of this case, if the City wins, It will most likely be appealed. Councilor Aube feels the three options before the Committee would be sending this before the Council for referral back, make a recommendation to discontinue any further amendments and seek to remove the ordinance provision, or table the Issue until more thought can be given to it. Chief Harriman explained that from the Police Department's standpoint, the complaints are down primarily because people realize there is not much that an be done about It. The Committee recommends S. Recreation Programs Dale Theriault Introduced Frank Comeau, the new Recreation Superintendent at Parks and Recreation. Frank has started new rec programs in the armory and others outsice. Some of the programs are pre-existing and have been made better. Some of them are new programs. Frank explained that there are approximately 480 children in the soccer program. Ed Barrett explained that a survey was mailed to all the coaches and some parents. Feedback Is still coming In from participants. Dale explained that compared to a year ago, programming has tripled. An Introduction to Photography program has been started and Is very popular. Flyers for Sawyer Arena have gone out and the arena Is doing very well. One of the new programs Introduced was a Learn to Skate program and this has been well received. Thirty-seven people registered for the first class and there will be a second program offered In February. Open gym has been moved to one night a Garland Street and a second night at the Armory. The facility is also fire mornings a week for anyone who wants W talk. The North Pole Calling Program which 6 done in conjunction with the Noon Time Klwams club made approximately 170 calls to Bangor children. The Holiday Window Painting Contest held at the Airport Mall had about 76 children involved. The new Cheerleading program has about 45 gids signed up and 6 extremely popular. The Youth Basketball program has been growing and this year mere are approximately 70 children in the youth grades (K- 2). In the program for older children (3,4,8[5), Mere are six girls and six boys teams this year with approximately 130 children Involved. There Is a By -tying class being Introduced in conjunction with the By -tying fishers In the area. They are providing free By -tying classes and will be making a donation to the Armory and Parks and Recreation Is providing the room. It Is anticipated there will be approximately 60 participants. A free Pre-school playtime will begin soon. Games and toys are provided to the parents and it Is an open playtime where the parents supervise their children. Ski lessons are also being offered this year two evenings per week. There are 28 children involved in this program held at Henson Mountain. Staff Is looking at ways to increase this number in the future. A co-ed adult volleyball league will be starting on the 20th of January. There are currently six teams registered and paid and there can be up to twelve teams. A drawing class will begin on the 21st and will run for six weeks (ages 14 and up). In February, a maintenance Institute will be offered and opened up to all Parks and Recreation Departments in the state. This is mainly for the maintenance people. Dale, Frank and the Directors from Brewer and Orono have been working on putting this together. Flyers will be mailed Soon. There is a survey going out the schools (grades K-4) to get some Input about an afterrchool program being considered for the fall. Itis felt there is a need and 6 something that would be se fauppordng and revenue producing. This Information is based on 40 dilldren In the program. Dale explained that there is currently $347,000 in the Golf Course reserve. The automatic watering system should be completed this fall. Dale would like the Council consider, in the future, setting aside $50,000 and utilizing the rest of the money back into Parks and Recreation to offset monies that would be appropriated from the general fund for the ax revenues Ed Barrett explained that the City used to have a 50/50 split on net profits for the golf course (50% reserve/50% general fund). This was the policy at the time that the Golf Course was not a separate Pond and it carried over for a while. Dale explained that the amouru of programming going on in the department and the amount anticipated In the future, the Department 6 in need of another full-time Recreation Supervisor's position. The position on be filled within the confines of the budget now utilizing some part-time salaries that the full time person would be able to oversee in those areas The suggestion is to eliminate some part time positions and filling a full-time Program Supervisor position, which would ease things up for Frank and the new direction of programming. This proposal will be made in the budget. The City Manager explained that the Parks and Recreation and Health and Welfare Department will be presenting program budgets prior to beginning next year's budget process. b. Appointment of City Council Member to Bangor Target Area Industrial Corporation Board of Directors Tlm Woodcock, Council Chair has recommended that Councilor Aube, the Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee be given this assignment. Councilor Aube accepted. Committee approved recommendation.