ORD-2010-024 EMS Second Reading: Amendments to the EMS Franchise Agreement

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There was also a concern that members of the Medical Advisory Committee did not include a citizen. The second amendment is as follows for the citizen member of the Medical Advisory Committee: "A resident of Orange County who is credentialed as an Emergency Medical Service instructor and has demonstrated to the Medical Director they have knowledge of Orange County's Emergency Services practice, procedures, and protocols, as well as the Health Department Director." Another concern was regarding due process. Staff brought back some language that the public would know that there would be a public hearing. This is Section 16.5 and would be amended to read: "The hearing shall be scheduled within two days of receiving notice of appeal and shall be commenced within 10 days. The Franchisee may present evidence and give oral testimony at the hearing." Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to `c', and said that it should say "as defined by this ordinance" rather than "as provided." Commissioner Jacobs asked if anyone on a rescue squad would be able to serve on this Medical Advisory Committee. Annette Moore said that they would, but there is a potential for conflict because if a case is being heard about a specific rescue squad, then the citizen /rescue squad member would have to remove themselves. Commissioner Jacobs said that the pool of people that would be qualified is very small. A motion was made by Commissioner Yuhasz, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to approve the amendments, with the change by Commissioner Yuhasz, to the EMS Franchise Ordinance entitled, "An Ordinance Regulating Ambulance and Emergency Medical, First Responder and Rescue Services and Granting of Franchise and Contracts to the Operators in the County of Orange and authorize the Chair to sign. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Reorganization of Human Rights and Relations Functions Into the Housing and Community Development Department The Board considered approving the County Manager's recommendation to integrate the Office of Human Rights and Relation functions into the Housing and Community Development Department. Frank Clifton said that the County is facing challenges on the organizational structure of County government, and they need to insure that all of the important functions have a sustainable future. The Human Rights and Relations Department has been a separate entity and last year it was placed under the direction of the County Manager. There are two functions — human rights and relations and women's rights. He said that he has tried to find similarities throughout the County in order to merge some departments and he found similarities in these two departments. He said that this department has had little or no oversight. This reorganization would put four Human Rights and Relations employees under Tara Fikes and one position focused on women's rights issues under the County Manager. He said that his preferred process is to make sure to take advantage of all of the talents, expand opportunities to provide partners, and make use of the resources to the best of the County's ability. Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes said that there would be no proposal to change any of the functions of the two departments. Frank Clifton reviewed the recommendations. He said that there are a couple of amendments to the by -laws of the advisory boards as it relates to personnel. PUBLIC COMMENT: Carolina Asurla is the current Vice -Chair for the Commission for Women (CfW) and she said that the Commission for Women did not have much information coming forth tonight. She