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<br />e <br /> <br />Ms. Schue joined in commending staff for a job well done. She wished to correct <br />the impression which may have been given in press reports on the past week's <br />activities that the City Council wanted to be in the ambulance business and <br />viewed it as a municipal service. Ms. Schue said that the council had concurred <br />that this was a necessary step in view of the crisis situation, but she wanted <br />to go on record as believing that the council needed, at some point in the <br />future, to spend time studying various theories of the best way to provide <br />ambulance service. Ms. Schue personally felt very open-minded in considering <br />more permanent solutions to provision of this service. <br /> <br />Ms. Wooten thanked staff for the smooth transition during this crlS1S. She also <br />thanked Councilor Obie for his work on the Emergency Medical Services Task <br />Force. She asked what effect would be made on Eugene's provision of ambulance <br />services if the City of Springfield decides to return more quickly to private <br />service. Mr. Gleason responded that whatever happens, the City of Eugene will <br />try to coordinate decisions with Springfield. He really could not predict <br />exactly what the impact would be without knowing the level of service which a <br />private firm might offer in Springfield'. Mr. Gleason indicated that there are <br />four or five different levels of emergency service, and that without knowing who <br />would be providing each of these, it is not possible to predict what effect they <br />could have. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Mr. Obie said that while he had learned to be wary of quoting local newspapers, <br />he felt it necessary to comment on the Saturday headline in the Eugene Register- <br />Guard, which indicated that there was a lack of harmony between City officials <br />relative to the ambulance service. Mr. Obie criticized the Guard for this <br />headline which indicated erroneously that officials in both cities were in <br />disagreement over decisions which had been made. Mr. O~indicated that the <br />Eugene City Council had not experienced any such disagreement over the handling <br />of the situation. Mr. Obie offered Mr. Gleason whatever assistance and support <br />he needs from the council in this controversial situation. <br /> <br />Mr. Hamel congratulated Mr. Obie, the Emergency Medical Services Task Force, and <br />Mr. Gleason and his staff on a job well done. Mr. Hamel said that he had had <br />much concern during the crisis for the public's sake and was gratified by the <br />smooth transition. Looking to the future, Mr. Hamel said that he would look <br />favorably on a return to private provision of ambulance service and to getting <br />the City out of this industry. <br /> <br />Ms. Miller felt that this was a good opportunity to point out that when services <br />are needed on a metropolitan-wide basis, such as emergency services, metro-wide <br />cooperation through task forces such as this can be very effective. She also <br />noted that the task force has received numerous position papers on the best way <br />to provide emergency services and that these would be useful in making decisions <br />when the situation is reviewed in the future. <br /> <br />Mayor Keller joined in commending Mr. Gleason in his handling of this difficult <br />situation. He said that it is the duty of the council and of the City to take <br />care of Eugene's citizens and that this had been well done. He agreed that <br />taking some time to experience and evaluate the emergency services provided <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />May 11, 1981 <br /> <br />Page 3 <br />