Agenda - 03-02-2010 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 2, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. ~- q SUBJECT: First Reading: South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. Emergency Services Franchise Ordinance DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services ATTACHMENT(S): • South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. Franchise Ordinance • Letter from South Orange Rescue Squad to Board of Commissioners, January 19, 2010 • Letter from South Orange Rescue Squad to Orange County - February 22, 2010 PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No INFORMATION CONTACT: F.R. Montes de Oca, Jr., Emergency Services Director, 245-6100 Annette Moore, Staff Attorney, 245-2317 PURPOSE: To approve the First Reading of a Franchise Ordinance to grant a permit to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. for Emergency Medical and Rescue Services. BACKGROUND: On February 2, 2010, the Board held a Public Hearing to determine the need for ambulance services in accordance with NC Gen. Stat. § 153A-250(a). After taking comments from the public, the Board found that it was necessary to franchise ambulance services to assure the provision of adequate and continuing services and to preserve, protect, promote the public health, safety, and welfare. Once the Board determines that ambulance services are necessary, by ordinance it may franchise said services. However, "no ordinance making a grant, renewal, extension, or amendment of any franchise may be finally adopted until it has been passed at two regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners. No such grant, renewal, extension, or amendment may be made except by ordinance."' The Board directed staff to enter into discussion with the applicant and to bring back a proposed Franchise Agreement. South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. ("SORB"), a current BLS and rescue services franchisee, sent a letter to the Board on January 19, 2010 indicating its desire to apply for a Franchise. With the Board's directive, staff entered into discussions with SORB about a proposed franchise agreement and the procedure by which the submissions are processed. Staff has been in discussions with SORB since 2009 exploring ways to improve services to the community and improve communications between agencies. ' N.C. Gen. Stat. 153A-46.