02-22-1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

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AMBULANCE SERVICE Mr. 3ohn Morrill, representing Morgan Arrlbulance, 1322 N. Sycamore, stated that approximately two weeks ago two additional ambulance companies--Wind Ambulance and Mission Ambulance-- were added to the Police Department rotation list; that this makes a total of five ambulance companies on rotation; that this matter was not brought before the City Council; and that at the time Mission Ambulance was given permits to operate in Santa Aha they stated they did not want to be on rotation. The Assistant to the City Manager stated that two weeks before there were eight ambulances available for rotation ~- one for Southland, three for Schaefer, and four for Morgan; that a week ago two of Morgan's ambulances were repossessed, leaving a total of six vehicles for the entire City; that he had contacted the Fire Chief and asked if there was any objection to the addition of Wind and Mission, inasmuch as they hadbeengranted'~ertificates of Convenience and Necessity by the City Council and had paic~ a business license tax; that the two Morgan vehicles had been repossessed because payments were in arrears; and that Morgan Ambulance presented a check to the City of Santa Aha about a week ago for a business license tax for which there was not sufficient funds to cover the amount of the check as of h00 P.M. today. He further stated that during the past year the City has received 18 complaints against Morgan Ambulance, four against Schaefer, and none against Southland; that Police Department rotation calls were considered an administrative determination rather than legislative; that he is not recommending that the Morgan Ambulance certificate be revoked, only that they be taken off rotation. Councilman Herrin stated that the matter of rotation rights is the jurisdiction of the staff and is not properly before the Council. The City Attorney concurred. Coundilman Patterson stated that public conx, eni~nce and necessity and the matter of rotation must be considered together; that when the Council approves issuance of permits it should automatically include rotation rights; that a stronger ordinance is needed to cover problems arising from both ambulance and taxicab service. He requested further information on the complaints against Morgan Ambulance. The Assistant to the City Manager stated that complaints against Morgan were responding to a call that was dispatched to a different ambulance company; failure to respond after accepting a call; responding to calls without resuscitatbr and other functioning first aid equipment; failure to take patients to the hospital they requested; faulty brakes; inoperable siren; inoperable radio; ambulance crews who do not know how to operate equipment; crews unfamiliar with street addresses; crews unfamiliar with hospitals. Councilman Villa stated that even one failure to respond to a call could mean a person's life; that in his opinion Morgan Ambulance should be removed from the rotation list, but that lit is an administrative problem and should be referred to staff. Councilman Villa's motion to receive and file the letter from Morgan Ambulance Service and refer it to staff was seconded by Councilman Yamamoto and carried on a $ - 1 vote, Councilman Patterson dissenting. CITY COUNCIL -83- February gZ, 197Z