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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
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