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a. Amendments to the EMS Franchise Agreement entitled "An Ordinance <br /> Regulating Emergency Medical, First Responder and Rescue Service and Granting of <br /> Franchise and Contracts to the Operators In the County of Orange" <br /> The Board considered amendments to the EMS Franchise Ordinance entitled, "An <br /> Ordinance Regulating Ambulance and Emergency Medical, First Responder and Rescue <br /> Services and Granting of Franchise and Contracts to the Operators in the County of Orange", <br /> and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br /> Staff Attorney Annette Moore said that when they were last here on February 2nd, the <br /> Board passed amendments to this ordinance, but there were things that were of concern. <br /> There was a concern from the fire chiefs about the amendments and the ordinance, so now <br /> there is an amendment that specifically excludes the fire departments. The first amendment is <br /> to Section 2.4c, which would read: "A fire department in Orange County that by contract with <br /> the County provides rescue and emergency services as provided by this ordinance." This sets <br /> apart fire departments that the County contracts with from the EMS Franchise Ordinance. <br /> There was also a concern that members of the Medical Advisory Committee did not <br /> include a citizen. The second amendment is as follows for the citizen member of the Medical <br /> Advisory Committee: "A resident of Orange County who is credentialed as an Emergency <br /> Medical Service instructor and has demonstrated to the Medical Director they have knowledge <br /> of Orange County's Emergency Services practice, procedures, and protocols, as well as the <br /> Health Department Director." <br /> Another concern was regarding due process. Staff brought back some language that <br /> the public would know that there would be a public hearing. This is Section 16.5 and would be <br /> amended to read: "The hearing shall be scheduled within two days of receiving notice of <br /> appeal and shall be commenced within 10 days. The Franchisee may present evidence and <br /> give oral testimony at the hearing." <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to `c', and said that it should say "as defined by <br /> this ordinance" rather than "as provided." <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if anyone on a rescue squad would be able to serve on <br /> this Medical Advisory Committee. Annette Moore said that they would, but there is a potential <br /> for conflict because if a case is being heard about a specific rescue squad, then the <br /> citizen/rescue squad member would have to remove themselves. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the pool of people that would be qualified is very small. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Yuhasz, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger <br /> to approve the amendments, with the change by Commissioner Yuhasz, to the EMS Franchise <br /> Ordinance entitled, "An Ordinance Regulating Ambulance and Emergency Medical, First <br /> Responder and Rescue Services and Granting of Franchise and Contracts to the Operators in <br /> the County of Orange and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. Reorganization of Human Rights and Relations Functions Into the Housing <br /> and Community Development Department <br /> The Board considered approving the County Manager's recommendation to integrate <br /> the Office of Human Rights and Relation functions into the Housing and Community <br /> Development Department. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the County is facing challenges on the organizational structure of <br /> County government, and they need to insure that all of the important functions have a <br /> sustainable future. The Human Rights and Relations Department has been a separate entity <br /> and last year it was placed under the direction of the County Manager. There are two <br />