10/04/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. commented that, if the time commitment is too great, could an alternate e Council member attend. Ms. Benjamin said there might be some practical prcblems in bringing alternates up to speed. Mr. Haws expressed some ccncern with staff and Ccuncilers voting together. Mr. Williams expressed some discomfort with using alternates at all. It removes the pressure fcr an individual to attend the meeting, he said. Mr. Baumgartner, Civic Center Director, ccmmented that continuity is important, as some decisions of the Committee will be extremely technical. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to create the project working committee as staff described in its memo in accordance with Revised Section 3 of Article II of the bylaws. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to appreve the rules of procedure and internal organizaticn as amended. Mction carried unanimously. VIII. AMBULANCE RATE INCREASE REQUEST--Memc from Shirley Swenson, Finance Department, letter to her from Medical Services, Inc., and rate charts, have been distributed to Council Members. Ms. Swenson said that, following the last discussicn with Council, she m~t with Medical Services, Inc. on the matter. She neted that the letter she has received from them identifies the reasons why they feel their service is not cemparable to Salem and Medford services. Medical Services, Inc. has more highly-trained people and work to maintain a e short respcnse time. They have varicus forms of training, as well. Ms. Swenson said it would not be cost effective to audit the firm's books every time rates are reassessed. She presented an alternative suggestion from her previous recommendation, the base fee be increased frem $59.50 to $65.00, mileage from $2.70 to $3.00, but not increase other charges fcr ambulance services. On the Mobile Chair, she recommends that the Mobile Chair rate be increased from $5 to $6 for the first trip, and that a return trip fee be increased form $2.50 to $3.00. Mr. Leonard, Medical Services, Inc., passed out an article reprinted from Physical Watchdcg in Santa Barbara, California, which says that paramedic service is far more costly than ordinary ambulance service, that municipally-run programs are very expensive to the taxpayers, since only a few persons use it, and that Medical Services, Inc., .of Eugene, is .one of the largest private firms .of its kind in the country, and it demonstrates that governments need nct be involved. He also passed out ccpies of Medical Services, Inc. pclicy statement. He says they have initiated a Gray Panther disccunt system through Eugene Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Campbell Senior Center. They alsc have initiated a transfer service for seniors, cutting their bills in half. They are alsc helping elderly tc understand what Medicare is all about. e 10/4/78--5 ~51