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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 11.27.2000Emergency Services Committee 11-27-00 Committee Members: William Standinger Jack t rabrian Lauren VanRoekel Dan Dart Staff: others: Police Chief Rick Musson Fire Chef Jim Stevens Jay Martin Bill Brennan William Staudinger called the meeting to order. Ambulance: lay Marlin reported that he would give the Ambulance report since Ambulance Director, Jan Faught would be out until Thursday. He stated that they would like to propose a rate change for non- residents, (people outside the city limits but yet in the county) as suggested by the City Attorney. A copy of tlris rate change is enclosed with these mimttes. Jay also stated that copies of the ride-along program and mutual aid agreements were given to the City Attorney and they are waiting for his approval of these. A meeting has been set up later with Cluef Rick Musson to discuss dispatching for ambulance service. Jay stated that he would like to see a committee set up to study how to handle the problem of the ice and snow build-up around the complex. William Staudinger stated that he wuld mention this to Lang McCaffi in order to see if there is something that could be put on the ice to melt it. Jim Stevens stated that the problem area is located on the north side of the building around the walk-through door. This problem has been dealt with in the past in a number of ways. At one time a loader was used to chip the ice and ended up chipping the concrete in the process. A running drain spout was installed, but tlris did not work. Two years ago, a contractor redid the gutter work. It was also discussed to extend the ambulance bay out, and they are waiting ro see what the budget and finance committee has to say about this. Even if the bay were extended, it wouhi end up moving the problem to another spot Jim stated that the ice build-up is definitely a hazard. One of the most feasible solutions is to heat the pad in order to keep the area around the door clear of ice. this would require replacement of the pads and new heating elements installed in the new concrete. Tins could be heated by hot water heat. William suggested using Prestone instead of hot water. lack Gabrian asked what would be done for this winter. Tim stated that they would do the same thing this year as they have done in the past Rick Musson said that quick snowfall removal would be helpful to keep the ice from forming. It was stated that the volureeers would not go out and shovel the driveway area It was also stated that this should be brought to Lang McCann's attemion since the City would be liable if someone falls. William said that barrels of sand could be set in the area in order to allow people to throw the sand on the ice. He also stated that he would rather see a little expense of having ice melt instead of having to deal with a lawsuit. He also stated that the City has a tractor with a broom that could be used in this area. It was suggested that the snow removal should be prioritized in order to allow quicker removal since the complex gets the last sweeping. Lauren VanRcekel asked if there were adequate snow shovels located in the complex area in order to allow the people to get out there to remove the snow. Jim Stevens stated that there are things that can be done fast in order to alleviate the problem. The cleaning of the gutters was not properly done and the insulation has become unstable and is falling down. The Laurel Volunteer Fire Depar[mem is trying to repair the insulation in house in order to save money. He further stated that there would still be a problem even aRer the maintenance is done. William stated that people would complain if they thought their tax dollars were going to the Police officers to push snow instead of having the city maintenance people doing this. Rick Musson stated that he had thought about using community service people for this, but found that it would not be practical since the snow removal camrot be done when these people get off work and fit it into their schedules. Dan Dart asked about the availability of de-icer. Jim stated that they usually buy de-icer in 5, 10, or 25 pound bags and it is kept on- hand to be used between the Fire and Ambulance Departments. Police: Chief Musson reported that an animal control building is needed although it is not budgeted for. He stated that they have a cage at the shop but this is not a good situation for the animals since something has to be done to keep a roof over the dogs' heads. The old Search and Rescue building has been vacant for a few years. This building has been looked at for training for firearms. There is also a garage with the building. He stated that the garage could be used for storage for things of little value like targets, etc. The house could be used for the animal shelter since there would be a need for water and heat. He said that the building used to have water. He said that this house and garage could be used until something else could be built. Larry McCann would like to see the buildings demolished. Rick further stated that there are two issues to deal with - (1) the house that would be used for animal control would have to have heat and air conditioning (2) the garage stays cool in the summer. Rick said that when a dog is picked up, they try to take it into Billings. This takes one hour to complete the round trip and only one dog can be transported at a time. The goal has been to get a building where the dogs ran be kenneled. The Laurel City Ordinance states that a dog has to be housed for five days. He would like to see this ordinance changed to three days. It is done this way by the Billings Animal Shelter. If Laurel had its own building a trip to Billings would be just for euthanasia In Billings, if a dog is adoptable, they put it into a cage for the adoptees. If a dog is not adoptable, then the dog is euthinized right away. Rick stated that they do not want to get into this since veterinarians will only euthinize a dog as a last resort. Since Laurel has an ordinance that does not allow dogs to run loose, it has to be dealt with. They have not been serious about animal control since there is not a building w keep the dogs in. If there were a shelter, more dogs would be picked up especially in the wiener since they have a problem with picking up dogs that are keeping warm by nuuring to just put them into a cage with no means of keeping warm. If there were a shelter, cages would have to be built in order to house six to eight dogs at a time. Food and water would also have to be provided. Lauren asked if there were anything on the books about cats. Rick asked how to catch a cat since dogs can be coaxed. Cats are an issue but it is not wise to pursue. He also asked if there were something on the books, would cats have to be licensed? Dan asked who is paid when a dog is taken to Billings. Rick said that the fine is paid in Laurel. Billings won't release a dog until the fine is paid. A fee of $15.00 is charged per day. Laurel pays for euthanasia. Both Jim and Rick have talked to Larry about the building. William asked what kind of expense it would take to get a shelter. Rick said that if a building was built to measure 24 x 24, i[ would cost about $8,000.00 without heat. A location would also have to be found to put this building Rick stated that he would like this committee to understand the need and to think of a remedy for this problem. If there is an issue of liability incase of a death of a dog then this will come back to the council since the city has the ordinance. Rick said that he would welcome a~ feedback on this issue. Bill Brennan made a motion to recommend havinv the Police Deoartment use the Search and Rescue house and gamee Dan Dart seconded this motion. The motion was unanimously carried Rick said that be would like to touch base on the recent survey. Over 1,200 surveys were sent out and about 600 came back. There was not a space in the survey for comments, although 374 comtnented. There were about 69 things mentioned about the Police Departmem. The Fire Department received many positive comments. The overall city rated a B-, which is a high rating. The Police Department rated a C. Rick said that he was happy with this rating since it is a law enforcement agency and is criticised more than arty other department because they write tickets and handle domestic abuse issues. The Police Department is sensitive to what was said in the surveys. Rick asked the committee to take into wnsidemtion the comments and not all of the negatives as these surveys are read Rick suggested that the committee members should ride along once in awhile to get a better view of what the Police Department deals with. Ride-alongs are allowed four times a year. Rick fiu-ther stated that a person's perspective changes drastically when they sit inside a police car. Larry Tanglen of the Laurel Outlook will be writing an article in the paper about the cemmems in the surveys. Rick asked the committee to not think ill of the Police Department as they read these comments. William stated that he read the whole book and found that it is a tough situation He stated that it would take too much money to address all of the issues. He stated that people want things done, but do not want to pay for it through taxes. Rick said that people want more law enforcement since ttris is very important to any community, but they do not want to pay for it. William stated that in the last forty years, Laurel has come along way from the way it was before. Lauren said that he would like to encourage the Police to look at the perception issues and discuss what can be done differently -haw to be firut on an issue but soft on people. Rick said that the department has received only eleven written complaints in the form of letters in a little over cone-yeaz period. T7ris is a small amount. Bill Brennan asked if there is an ordinance on diagonal pazldng. He stated that he has seen where vehicles are backing in and this cannot be done. William stated that there is not any ordinance since this is a six- month trial resolution. He further stated that there is nothing in the books about backing in and agrced that this is not safe. Rick said that this is a good point and suggested that if diagonal pazking is accepted, then a Wile should be made about backing in. i'1re: Chief Tim Stevens reported that the Lam~el Volunteer Fire Department is at an all-time Irigh for nms. So far this year, they have made 202 nms and expect to go to 220 nnus before the end of the year. The previous lilgh was 179. The mason for this high is for a number of reasons. One of these is the dry weather during the spring aad summer. With the colder weather, there are added fire dangers. There aze more carbon monoxide responses and with the high heating costs, alternative heating methods cause more chimney fires. William stated that the next meeting night would fall on December 25ih. He asked if the committee would like to skip the meeting or to reschedule it for another date. He stated that if one were rescheduled, it would be set for December 21~`. Jack Gabrian suggested not having a meeting unless an important issue comes up. Jim Stevens said that the only important issue that might come up would be the ice build-up issue and ma;rNenansP is needed fast Lauren suggested not meeting in December and asked if there is anything butt needs to be done for New Yeaz's Eve. hick said that the Police Department gears up for this by getting reserves and they have never had to go for overtime or bring in extra troops. Jim stated that the Police, Fire and Ambulance Departments all gear up for that night and if needed, they will put extra crews on. The next scheduled meeting will be January 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m The meeting was adjourned Respectfully submitted, ~m (~f~~ ICim Wombolt C'A ~ - . S ~ ~ . CTTY OF LAUREL Qf ° y ~lU(`°J ~s LI51'IlVG OF CHARGE FILE ~~ c ~~ o3-zooo 0 ~,S _s ( ~~~ • MEDICARE MEDICAID ITEM' 1 DESCRIPTION Ai~tOUNT PROGCODE PROC. CODE 2 BASE RATE 325.00 A0362 350.0 z~ • 3 '/_ RASE RATE I62S0 A0999 1-lS • ~ o (Irldicaze "mufIIple patieat C•ansgcrt" -111fgdifier SZ) - 0 TRE4TONLY/BASERATE 50.00 A0362 .: ~-Ot) ' I PER LOADED MILE k 1"1 6S0 A0380 ~ h ~-O~ - • 4 DOA BASE RATE 40.00 A036Z • 5 STAND-BYPER130UR. 25.00 A0420 • 7 --- -- __ DOA TRANSPORT - , - - -----150.00 --- A0999 - 8 OXYGEN & 124SK 40.00 A0422 9 DISPOSABLE SUPPLIES 40.00 A0382 10 DEFTB.DISP. SUPPLIES 35.00 A0384 MEDICAID ONLY 20 Pz~.7' 3 LOADED MILE ~ 6.50 A0020 2I BASE RATE 325.00 AOOIO Z? '/•_ BASE R.~TE 162.50 AOOIO 19 TREAT ONLY BASE 50.00 AOOIO 23 OXYGEN 23.00 AOOFO 24 OXYGEN 12ASi{ 17.00 WS i 88. ZS ESOPHAGEAL TUBES 10.00 W5781 '_ _ 26 OBSTETRICS KIT 50.00 W5787 27 $.4PIDAGES/DRI:SSINGS 15.00 W578Z 28 I~OT & COLD PACKS (EACI~ 7.00 W5784 29 KERLLY 3.00 W5782 _ 30 DISP. C-COLLAR 30.00 LOI?0 3I IRRIGATING SALINE 10.00 W5786 • _ 32 TRAUMA PACKS 30.00 . W5783