Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Committee of the Whole met February 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

The Committee of the Whole met on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 6:00p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Present: Mayor White Clerk Hurd

Alderman Braun Alderman Colwell

Alderman Connor

Alderman Hughes Alderman Jenkins

Alderman Sharp Alderman Thornton

Fire Chief Benisch

Absent: Alderman Gould

Chairman called the meeting to order.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.

Alderman Sharp introduced Tracy Hedden, Nick Hedden and Ron Hedden of Ambulance Rescue 33. He then asked Ms. Hedden to address the committee.

Ms. Hedden gave handouts to all committee members (handouts attached). Ms. Hedden gave a presentation to propose a joint venture between Rescue 33, Chillicothe City Fire Department and the Chillicothe Community Fire District to expand the current medical emergency response system and eventually include Advanced Life Support.

Ms. Hedden told the committee that over the past 5 years the Rescue 33 committee has researched ways to bring emergency medical systems back into the community. She stated that they have meet with consultants and experts in the field and have also worked with former Chief Denzer and the current Fire Chiefs of the City and District.

Ms. Hedden proposed a joint venture with Ambulance Rescue 33, the Chillicothe Fire Department and the Chillicothe Community Fire District to expand the services currently provided.

She told the committee that Rescue 33 has assets that the community has helped raise funds to acquire and feels that the assets should be utilized for the community. She included a copy of the assets in her handouts.

The proposal to the City was to gift the 3 ambulances to the fire department, stating that the fire department could strategically place the ambulances throughout the community including the district. She stated that this had been discussed with former Fire Chief Denzer.

She stated that the overall goal was to provide the citizens of Chillicothe with the most comprehensive, efficient and full-service out-of-hospital emergency medical care system that improves upon their services currently available.

She told the committee that the vision of the program is one of growth and adaptation necessary to maintain and enhance the quality of services.

She gave an overview of how Ambulance Rescue 33 will be a fully integrated part of the two fire departments. She pointed out that currently the two fire departments provide fire suppression, hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, trench rescue, vehicle extrication, water and ice rescue however and the addition of the ambulance service is a logical step to the two departments.

She gave an overview of the 3 ambulance.

She stated that their reason for proposing the joint effort was because they feel that the citizens of Chillicothe deserve the quickest response time and feel that having advanced life support within the fire department would provide that.

She then reviewed the Eisenberg Model. Document attached.

She asked that the city’s approval for Ambulance Rescue 33 to continue discussions with the two fire departments to work toward a joint venture. She also asked that funds be allocated in the next fiscal budget to allow the joint venture.

She explained that the fire department currently has first responders and that with a joint venture EMT and Paramedics could be added.

She suggested that the council consider ending the contract with Advanced Medical Transport (AMT). She gave examples of communities that have no contract and are not charged for the services of AMT.

She opened it up for discussion.

A short question and answer period followed.

Ms. Hedden explained that Rescue 33 would continue with fundraising to help offset cost to the two fire departments.

Pat O’Neil from the Woodland Heights subdivision appeared before the committee. Mr. O’Neil voiced concerns with the current response time of AMT.

Mr. Ron Hedden addressed the committee. He explained the possibility of the fire departments receiving grants if Ambulance Rescue 33 and the two fire departments join together.

Alderman Sharp summarized the presentation as Rescue 33 joining forces with the Fire departments responding to medical calls as EMT’s. AMT would then make the transport if necessary. The future goal of the fire department would be to have paramedics and be able to transport.

Alderman Sharp read a statement in support of the joint venture.

Representatives from Ambulance Rescue 33 left the room at 6:38pm.

At 6:40pm Mayor White reviewed the City Council Self-Evaluation.

Copies of the evaluation were passed out to the members. Mayor White explained that the red highlighted areas on the evaluations were the areas that the members of the committee (council) felt needed improvement. The yellow highlighted items were “average” and the green highlighted were areas that they felt they excelled at.

Mayor White asked that each member look at the red and yellow highlighted items and to rank in the highest importance.

Discussion ensued and five areas were noted as most important:

1. Understanding the budget and finances of the City: Mayor White noted that the budget is somewhat complicated to understand and that he has put some funds in a graft form in order to better understand the budget. Discussion was held on having more budget meetings and presenting the grafts and budget comparison report at each committee for monthly review.

2. Find and use ways to be familiar with the activities of all committees. Mayor White reminded everyone that he committee minutes are posted to the website and that he asks for each committee chairman to give an update at the two monthly council meetings. Alderman Hughes suggested that more 1st readings of ordinances be done. Discussion was held on having each committee member contact other Aldermen to bring them up to date on items before council meetings.

3. Need to better utilize paid resources; the City Attorney and The City Engineer. Alderman Thornton brought up discussion on other communities hiring a new attorney after five years. Discussion was held on areas (such as attendance to committee meetings) that the City Attorney and City Engineer could be utilized less and areas that the two could be better utilized.

4. Responsibilities of the council and committees should be better defined. Mayor White told the committee that he would write something for review. 5. Need to be more familiar with Roberts Rules of Order. Mayor White told the committee that he has some documents that he can distribute to help.

In closing, Mayor White asked all the Aldermen to ask themselves what they can do to make improvements.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:28 pm.

http://www.cityofchillicotheil.com/02.19.18.pdf