MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Monday, January 14, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Morrison called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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ATTENDANCE Councilors Hardesty, Silbiger, Chapman, Jackson, Navickas, and Hartzell were present. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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1. | Look Ahead Review. City Administrator Martha Bennett reviewed the items on the Council Look Ahead. She noted the training session prior to the February 5, 2008 Council Meeting. She also clarified the Council could utilize the second half of the February 4, 2008 Study Session to hold a Special Meeting if they are unable to complete the Ashland Land Use Ordinance amendments tomorrow night. Councilor Chapman spoke regarding the Imperitrice Property and recommended the Council decide what they are going to do with the land before they give the water rights away. Councilor Hartzell offered the following suggestions: 1) for the minutes of the Community Library Advisory Committee to be posted on the City's website, 2) for the members of the Planning Commission to be invited to the Council's deliberation of the Land Use Ordinance amendments, and 3) for the Fiscal Stability Council Goal item to come before the Council sooner than currently listed on the Look Ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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2. | Review of Regular Meeting Agenda for January 15, 2008.
Public Contract for the Purchase of a Street Sweeper Talent Ashland Phoenix (TAP) Intertie Pipeline Willow Wind Sewer Service Request Measure 49 Order of Agenda Items | ||||||||||||||||||||
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3. | How will the Council address funding requirements for the ambulance services program in light of the diminishing stream associated with the provision of ambulance services? Fire Chief Keith Woodley and Division Chief Greg Case provided a presentation to the Council. Mr. Woodley explained that under the "old" Medicare rules, the City was able to bill the patient (or their insurance) for the balance not covered by Medicare. However, under the new requirements, the City can no longer do this and they are being forced to write off the balance. He indicated the shortfall is currently 1.4 million dollars. Mr. Woodley listed the following short term options available to the City:
Mr. Woodley stated the City's long term options are:
The service delivery options are:
Mr. Woodley commented on the advantages and disadvantages of each option and stated staff's recommendation is to increase the FireMed membership fee, charge an EMS response fee when patient treatment services are provided and no ambulance transport occurs, and petition Jackson County Commissioners to approve a single ambulance transport rate. Staff also recommends they investigate long term revenue stabilization options beyond the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Ms. Bennett clarified there is no option that will recover the entire deficit. She added that the Budget Committee will need to have a discussion during the budget process on taxes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. |
Respectfully submitted,
April Lucas, Assistant to City Recorder