Orange County NC Website
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: September 2, 2010 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~Q- <br />SUBJECT: Second Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance; AAA <br />Transport, Inc. <br />DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />• AAA Transport, Inc. Franchise <br />Ordinance <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Frank Montes de Oca, Emergency <br />Services Director, 245-6100 <br />Annette Moore, Staff Attorney, <br />245-2317 <br />PURPOSE: To approve on Second Reading the granting of a franchise by ordinance to AAA <br />Transport, Inc. (AAA) the Franchise Agreement under which they will operate. <br />BACKGROUND: On August 17, 2010, the Board held a Public Hearing to determine the need <br />for ambulance services in accordance with NC Gen. Stat. § 153A-250(a). After taking <br />comments from the public the Board found that it was necessary to franchise ambulance <br />services to assure the provision of adequate and continuing services and to preserve, protect, <br />and promote the public health, safety, and welfare. Once the Board determined that ambulance <br />services are necessary, it may by ordinance franchise ambulance services. However, "no <br />ordinance making a grant, renewal, extension, or amendment of any franchise may be finally <br />adopted until it has been passed at two regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners. No <br />such grant, renewal, extension, or amendment may be made except by ordinance."' The <br />Board directed staff to enter into discussion with potential franchisee and to bring back a <br />proposed Franchise Agreement. The Board approved on first reading the granting of a <br />franchise by Ordinance to AAA Transport, Inc. on August 17, 2010. <br />In order to appropriately manage the process as directed by Ordinance, the applicant must <br />submit an "application for franchise" (section 6.3). The Emergency Services Department is then <br />tasked with conducting an investigation of the information submitted by the applicant, and within <br />30 days of the receipt of the completed application and supportive documents. Following the <br />30-day investigative period Emergency Services shall schedule a hearing before the Board to <br />report the Departments findings and submit a recommendation. <br />' N.C. Gen. Stat. 153A-46. <br />