An ordinance has been introduced that will allow the City of Alexander to enter into, "[A]n exclusive franchise agreement with Pafford Medical Services, Inc." to provide ambulance services in both the Saline and Pulaski county areas of Alexander. The ordinance received only its first reading, instead of being passed in one meeting, when Council Member Juanita Wilson wanted to know, "What is the value" (of the franchise)?
Pafford has an ambulance stationed in the Alexander Central Firehouse on South Alexander Road. Fire Chief Ryan McCormick told council members, at the February 20 council meeting, that Alexander residents in Pulaski County can also benefit from the situation, "[S]ince we have an ambulance already in our city at our fire station." Currently, Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) out of Little Rock is the primary ambulance and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider for the Pulaski County area of Alexander.
In July, 2021 the recently established Saline County EMS Board selected Pafford Medical Services to provide ambulance and emergency medical services in both the rural areas and its municipalities. The contract went into effect January 1, 2022. The proposed ordinance will establish a separate contract to provide EMS and ambulance services in both the Saline County and Pulaski County portions of the city.
"There's franchises where we have franchise tax, utility bills, things like that," City Attorney Chris Madison explained. "And then there's a franchise where we allow someone to be within our city. That's what this is. I'm not aware of the monetary requirement, but I'm happy to look into that."
Questioned after the meeting, McCormick explained how not much will change behind the scenes. Aside from MEMS taking on the mutual aid role instead of being the primary responder in North Alexander, everything else remains essentially the same. McCormick said the Pulaski County area of Alexander is already part of the Saline County 911 system. Once the ordinance is approved Pafford will be dispatched to North Alexander first, if available.
Also at the February 20 council meeting:
Amended version of 2023 budget approved
Summary - 2023 Budget Versus Actual Comparisons
GENERAL FUND REVENUE
STREET FUND REVENUE
PARKS FUND REVENUE
POLICE FUND REVENUE
PAYROLL FUND REVENUE
Department Reports:
Same-O, Same-O
Durham did give council members a heads-up on a future expenditure. The tractor is in need of a new engine.
"But that's something we're going to have to address pretty soon," Durham said. "We're going to have to probably get you the figures on that. We're looking at about 13 to 14 thousand dollars for the new motor for it."
As Durham is also the superintendent for the Parks and Recreation Department, Mayor Crystal Herrmann interjected a report on the FUN Park grant application. According to Herrmann there were too many applicants.
"We just received the letter that we did miss that opportunity," Herrmann said. "Not that we didn't qualify. They opened it up to cities with 7,000 in population, which made more people applying. We actually scored 37 out of 37. We just wasn't picked."
"Now we're basically scrounging and looking for the stuff to do it ourselves," Durham said. "But we'll get it done."
The FUN Park grant is provided by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The grant funds 100-percent of a project with no matching funds provided by the city. The grant was to fund replacing the playground equipment in the City Park.
They're not our fire hydrants
"We did for the first time in several years fire hydrant testing," McCormick reminded council members. "We came up with at least a dozen fire hydrants that do not work."
"I met with the water department, Saline County Water Works this past Saturday (February 17)," McCormick said. "And so I spent the Saturday and went to visit with them. They had a board meeting. And I brought it to their attention and it was met with resistance and quite a bit of resistance of saying that it's a city responsibility not their responsibility to take care of the hydrants."
"As far as we can come and find out any information and documentation, there is no type of documentation that says the city owns or operates or is responsible for the fire hydrants."
A legal battle could be the next step.
"I'm going to get with the city attorney, Mr. (Chris) Madison," McCormick said. "He's aware of it, and we're going to start bringing in some documentation. And something's going to have to change in order to get those things fixed."
Belated Happy Birthday, Summer Reading Program, grants and more
"So, I hate I missed Alexander's birthday," Herrmann said. "Apparently it's January 13th. The city's 145 years old. So, hopefully maybe next year we can catch it and have a birthday cake at City Hall or something fun."
The Saline County Public Library will have a sign-up event at the City Park in May.
"May 18th, Saline County Library is going to host a sign up event for their summer reading program," Herrmann said. "They're going to have a bounce house, a petting zoo, snacks, music, yard games, and a cross field. And we'll host that over at the city park. So, that's exciting."
While Herrmann had already mentioned the city's loss of the FUN Park grant earlier in the meeting, she did take this opportunity to provide a little more detail.
"Only five cities received the FUN Park (grant)," Herrmann said. "So, now we will try to come up with an aggressive plan as far as the playground equipment and see what we can do for our playground."
Mayor Herrmann has been speaking to representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about grants to abate flooding problems in Alexander. While she's spoken about flooding in the Evergreen area in the past, this study appears to be concentrating on North Alexander.
"We are in the process of applying for a FEMA drainage study for this portion in town over here," she said. "That comes along how I want (Hwy.) 111 and then some spots in Kelly (Place). We've been all over this portion of town. With that drainage study, it will give us a good, educated, hey, this is the issues we have."
Another grant Herrmann is looking at would fund a graphic design showing what the former Human Development Center (HDC) could look like when fully developed.
"This would be working with the University of Arkansas for the Community and Design Center," Herrmann said. "There are assistance to give us a visual design of the 63 acres (HDC) and what can be done ... and see how that would be developed with public input."
Herrmann says an engineering study will be done, at the former HDC property, concerning the condition of the various buildings and their demolition. The biggest concern is the removal of the former tuberculosis hospital, the largest building on the property.
"We have Kansas State University actually coming in, Herrmann said. "They do an engineer portion or that as far as the structures and the property and tearing things down."
Next Meeting
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ReplyDeleteAlex N Der we need to see that "Franchise Contract with Pafford. Mayor didn't say what the income to the city.
ReplyDeleteshE HAWS THE COUNCIL APPROVED RIGHT TO SIGN,; COUNCIL HAS THE RIGHT TO APPROVE INCOME AS WELL, AS EXPENSE; AND PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO READ.
There is no exchange of money required/mentioned in the contract.
Delete