Agenda - 11-16-2004-8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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In the Spring of 2004, because of internal disagreement among the membership of Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, a mediation process was started that has resulted in the spin-off of a new corporation, Technical Rescue Services, Incorporated, which conducts business as South Orange Rescue Squad. Through the mediation process, the assets of Orange EMS & Rescue Squad have been divided between the surviving corporation and the new corporation, and some volunteers from the surviving corporation have transferred their membership into the new corporation. The result of this process is effectively a return to the pre-merger status of the two separate rescue squads, both of which are valuable partners with Orange County in the provision of Emergency Medical and Rescue services. County staff have been working to draft new franchise documents for these agencies. The Board scheduled the statutorily required public hearing far both franchise agreements by ordinance to take place at this November 16 regular meeting of the BOCC. State statutes also provide that notice of public hearing be published once a week for two successive weeks before the hearing.. Staff arranged for newspaper publication of this notice during the weeks ending November 5 and November 12. The accompanying franchise agreement by ordinance represents substantially the form and content of the franchise agreement ordinance that the Board will be asked to approve far each of the twc squads. The specific services for which each squad is being franchised (to be incorporated into the respective franchise ordinance agreements) are as follows: Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, Incorporated, in Hillsborough, will continue to provide volunteer EMS primarily for special events throughout the County and will continue to provide light and heavy vehicle extrication, land search, and collapse rescue throughout Orange County. Technical Rescue Services (dba South Orange Rescue Squad) will begin providing volunteer EMS primarily for special events in Chapel Hill and at the University of North Carolina, and will continue to provide technical rescue including swift water, confined space, and high and low angle rescue services throughout Orange County. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with holding the public hearing or subsequently, with the awarding of these franchises by ordinance. Funding to provide monthly stipends to both squads has already been appropriated in the FY 2004-05 budget for the Emergency Management Department, in keeping with the County's agreement for FY 2004-05 with Orange EMS & Rescue Services. Both squads have agreed in writing to share the monthly stipend from the County on a 50-50 basis for the remainder of the current fiscal year. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board conduct the public hearing on the franchise agreements by ordinance and approve them on first reading for each prospective franchisee.