HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 10.25.2010 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 25, 2010 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Members Present: Doug Poehls Chuck Dickerson
Dick Fritzler Norm Stamper
Clete Knaub Pat Kimmet
Others Present: Mark Guy Jan Faught
Brent Peters
Medical Director
Jan reported that she has been trying to contact Sara Nyquist who is still interested. She is an
emergency room doctor. She was the site medical director for all the refineries, but lost that
position because the refineries went with corporate directors. She is hard to get a hold of by
working night shifts. Jan stated ER doctors never have any free time and are never available.
Dr. Hager from St. Vincent's in Laurel told Jan that he is not interested and he is not an ER
doctor.
Brent Peters commented that he had never met Sara Nyquist, but he knows she was very hard to
get a hold of by the refineries when they needed a sign off on certifications. She wasn't very
reliable and that is why the refineries went corporate. Brent suggested that the city needed to be
careful if she was so hard to contact.
Jan said Sara isn't any different than any of the other ER doctors. Sara is coming for the EMT
classes next month, but Jan hopes to contact her before that time.
Doug asked Jan if there was any progress on a statewide director. Jan said there has been
progress and interviews were being done, but there has been no notice of one being hired. Doug
asked her to check into it and bring back a report.
Fireworks
Doug stated that it had been talked about making a period of time that fireworks would be legal
in the City of Laurel. He handed out the current fireworks ordinance, which states that fireworks
are prohibited in the city limits except for approval by the mayor under conditions as he may
prescribe. Doug suggested a change to the ordinance so it reads: prohibited within the city limits
except for the dates of July 3` and 4th between the hours of 9 a.m. and midnight and December
31 from 6 p.m. until January 1 at 1 a.m. He also suggested adding "Fireworks that are
allowed" to read: Fireworks allowed during those periods of time that fireworks may be used in
Laurel City limits would be those fireworks allowed by state regulations.
Mark Guy stated the use of fireworks not be allowed in the streets at any time. This causes a
problem for emergency vehicles to get through the streets on July 3` and 4th. The streets need
to be open for emergency vehicles to pass through without delay. It was suggested this also be
included in the ordinance.
Clete agreed with Doug's comments about changes to the ordinance. He would like the citizens
to be able to set off fireworks to celebrate the 4 of July. On the internet he found description of
fireworks and thought that the ordinance should state that no fireworks display tubes are allowed.
Clete asked if the curfew alarm could be set off at midnight as a reminder that fireworks are
prohibited after midnight.
It was stated that the fireworks issue is also on the agenda for the next meeting with the County
Commissioners. Doug stated that allowing fireworks in the city limits would prevent most people
from going out in the county and causing fires where there is dry grass. Discussion continued as
to what the fines would be. The fines are not identified in the ordinance. It was suggested that
fines for fireworks be set at $100.00, $250.00 and $500.00. Doug said he would do more
research on this.
Animal Ordinances
Doug handed out the ordinance for animal regulations. At the last meeting, there was a request
to allow chickens in the city limits. The current ordinance prohibits chickens within the city
limits. In the ordinance, pigeons and rabbits are allowed in the city because they are not a
livestock animal. Any animal prohibited is a livestock animal.
Norm stated he is aware of other cities that do allow chickens in the city limits. The Laurel city
limits are broken up in different areas, and some areas outside the city are just across the fence
from an area that is in the city. He was asked to bring this to the committee and said he isn't in
favor of allowing chickens in the city limits.
It was determined that having chickens in the city limits would not be attractive to the city.
Norm stated when discussion was open to the public last month it was brought up that they
would not like to have chickens in the city limits. Norm said the ordinance should continue to
read as it does.
Other Business
Chuck Dickerson bought up again that he has to leave the meeting early on this particular
Monday of the month because he has another obligation. He asked if maybe the committee
could meet another night or even a half hour earlier. He realizes he has a responsibility with the
committee and doesn't like to leave while discussion is still going on. It was mentioned that
Wednesday nights wouldn't work. Doug said he would look into when other meetings are
scheduled and see what may work for a Thursday night.
Respectfully submitted,
. 7 6 , / ezik_
Neva Hall
Secretary