Orange County NC Website
original scheduled time of 7:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. —4:30 p.m. The daytime meeting will be <br /> held at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, in Chapel Hill. <br /> m. Adoption of Bond Order Authorizing General Obligation Refunding Bonds in the <br /> Maximum Amount of$47,000 to Refund Public Improvement Bonds Issued in 2004 <br /> and 2005 and Approve a Resolution Regarding Publication of Bond Order <br /> The Board adopted the Bond Order for the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds in <br /> the maximum amount of$47,000,000 to refund Public Improvement Bonds issued in 2004 and <br /> 2005; and adopted the Resolution Regarding Publication of Bond Order, which is incorporated <br /> by reference. <br /> VOTE ON CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS <br /> 6. Items Removed From Consent Agenda <br /> h. Purchase of Three Ambulances and Approval of Budget Amendment# 2-C <br /> The Board considered purchasing three (3) ambulances from Excellence Incorporated <br /> of Madison, Alabama to add to the existing fleet of four (4) Excellence ambulances, which <br /> were purchased in 2010. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that he is concerned that this much money is being spent on <br /> ambulances. He made reference to the decision points in the purchases of the prior <br /> ambulances where it mentions medium duty chassis and it also mentions heavy duty chassis <br /> on page 6. He said that there is a big difference in structure as well as cost. <br /> Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca explained the differences between <br /> the chassis. He said that these chassis that they will be purchasing have a better braking <br /> ability and are much better. The current chassis are breaking down at a terrible rate. <br /> Basically, extra heavy duty means medium duty. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if there could be a greater discount for multiple units. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that he would ask about additional discounts. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT <br /> Bonnie Hauser from Orange County Voice thanked the County for acting so quickly in <br /> replacing the ambulances. She asked that the Board not approve the purchases until it has <br /> had a chance to really examine whether these are the right vehicles for Orange County. She <br /> said that many are questioning whether this is a good service fit for the County. These <br /> vehicles are large and cumbersome on the narrow roads and driveways that are found <br /> throughout Orange County. The real issue is that there are instances where the ambulances <br /> cannot reach the patient. <br /> Frank Clifton said that these ambulances are being purchased on a piggy back <br /> process. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about the plan — how many ambulances the County has, <br /> how many it is buying, what is the strategy, etc. He is hesitant to do things piece meal. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that the County started with eight ambulances and two were <br /> destroyed. Nine are needed in the fleet. The overall plan is to stabilize the fleet. He said that <br /> reboxing is cheaper because a full vehicle does not have to be purchased, so other vehicles <br /> will be reboxed. <br /> Commissioner Foushee asked about the lack of ability of newer units to access narrow <br /> driveways. Frank Montes de Oca said that there are some places that cannot be accessed, <br /> which is why the first responders and firefighters are accessed. Sometimes the crews will <br /> have to walk. This is the nature of rural areas. <br />