07-08-02 Personnel & Finance and Health & Public Safety

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Committee art: Jaiut likeetiug of the Valk:anti anb finante Committee alnb the 1taztb aub nWt fete Cammitae The July 8, 2002 joint meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee and the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by Personnel and Finance Committee Chairperson Council Member James Aranowski at 5:10 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members White, Kirsits, King, Coleman, Aranowski, Pfeifer, and Kelly; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Rick Switalski, Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez, Terry Bland of the 'OUth Vent( ribune and Kathy Cekanski Fan-and,Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski called for a presentation on Bill No. 47-02 which would amend Chapter 9, Article 3 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "Ambulance/Medical User Fees". Fire Chief Taylor noted that the ambulance and medical user fees were last amended in 1997. The proposed user fees will conform to the new Medicare guidelines which became effective on April 1, 2002. He noted that seniors have 80% of their ambulance and medical user fees paid by Medicare. Assistant Chief Switalski stated that the new law requires the city to accept assignment electronically, and that there will be five (5) levels of reimbursement. He highlighted information set forth in the handout entitled"South Bend Fire Department Emergency Medical Services 2002" (copy attached). The proposed rates would establish a new fee for emergency responses, mileage for rural areas, and ALS-2 services. The nonresident fee would be eliminated since it is not recognized by Medicare or insurance carriers. Chief Switalski noted that"hot runs" are those with red lights and sirens and that "cold runs" are those without red lights and sirens. The ALS II would have at least three (3) services or "full code"with a base rate of$170.54. A survey was conducted prior to filing the proposed rates. He also noted that since 1998, the EMS budget has gone up$604,000. Council Member Kirsits noted for the record that he is a member of the South Bend Fire Department. He noted that he consulted the Council Attorney who has advised him that he does not have a conflict of interest and therefore may participate in the discussion on this Bill and may vote on this Bill so long as he notes this matter officially of record. Following discussion, Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member Gonzalez that Bill No. 47-02 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the joint committee meeting, Council Member Aranowski adjourned the meeting at 5:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee KCF:kmf Attachments