TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Mike Niblock, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
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Ratification of the Marion County Ambulance Service Area Franchise Agreement Renewal
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council ratify the City Manager’s execution of the Ambulance Service Area Franchise Agreement between the City of Salem and Marion County renewing the City’s exclusive right and responsibility to provide ambulance services in Marion County from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2023?
RECOMMENDATION:
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Ratify the City Manager’s execution of the Ambulance Service Area Franchise Agreement between the City of Salem and Marion County renewing the City’s exclusive right and responsibility to provide ambulance services in Marion County from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023.
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The Marion County Board of Commissioners has the authority to assign Ambulance Service Areas (ASA) within Marion County, complying with ORS Chapter 682. Under the Marion County ASA plan, the County has designated eleven ASA’s. The City of Salem has been granted an exclusive franchise to ASA No. 1 for a five year term ending December 31, 2023.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Marion County Code requires that all persons providing emergency and non-emergency ambulance services in Marion County have a franchise agreement with the County. The City of Salem’s current franchise agreement is set to expire on December 31, 2017.
The City and County have negotiated the terms of the new ASA Franchise Agreement (Agreement), however, the Agreement was not reached until after the Council’s last meeting of 2017. It was necessary for the City Manager to sign the Agreement (Attachment 1) prior to the expiration of the current franchise agreement to allow the City to remain in compliance with county code, and ensure the uninterrupted provision of ambulance services by the City.
The Agreement grants an exclusive franchise and right to the City of Salem, through the Fire Department, to provide emergency and non-emergency ambulance services in ASA No.1. ASA No.1 includes the City of Salem and surrounding areas. The Agreement is substantially similar to the current franchise agreement. The most substantive changes are in the insurance provisions, which the City will be able to meet through its self-insurance program. The Agreement also includes additional provisions requested by the City for terminating the agreement if there are insufficient funding or staffing levels for the City to meet its obligations. The agreement is effective from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2023. Two additional terms of five years shall be granted, provided that the City is compliant with the terms and requests to receive the extension.
The City provides ambulance services through a public/private partnership contract with Falck Northwest Corporation, in conjunction with Salem Fire Department resources. Ratifying the Agreement will ensure that the City maintains oversight and leadership over the provision of emergency medical services to its citizens and surrounding areas.
The Agreement allows for modification by mutual agreement of the parties. The City Manager may execute amendments to the Agreement if the following requirements are met:
a. The amendments do not substantially expand the City’s obligations;
b. The amendments do not broaden the scope of the Agreement to other subject matters.
c. The amendments do not increase the City’s financial obligations; and,
d. The amendments may extend the term or renew the Agreement so long as any other changes to the Agreement do not substantially expand the City’s obligations.
Ratification of the Agreement is in the best interest of the City and the citizens of Salem.
GABRIEL BENMOUSSA
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
Attachments:
1. Marion County ASA Franchise Agreement #HE-1915-17