| City Commission Work Session | Mayor Joan Bennett presiding |
CALL TO ORDER: 5:45 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Bennett, Commissioners Beecher, Downer, Gray, and Rosenbaum. Also present were City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Park & Recreation, Library, Public Works, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and City Clerk.
Dan and Leslie Brady, owners of the property located at 421 25th Avenue NE, requested a variance to OCCGF 17.45.030. The variance sought would reduce the required side yard setback from 6' to 2'. The Brady's wanted to build an attached garage. The Board of Adjustment heard the request on Thursday, July 23, 1998 and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request.
After a brief discussion, the City Commission concurred with the recommendation of the Board of Adjustment. The Commission, however, requested that their dissatisfaction with the property owners going ahead with the construction prior to the final approval from the City Commission.
Deputy Chief Young, reported to the City Commission on the Physical Conditioning Program in the Fire Department. Mr. Young explained that the program has been in effect for two years and that the Fire Department is experiencing few work related accidents resulting in fewer days off for workers comp reasons. Mr. Young thanked the City Commission and the City Manager for their support of the program and stated that the Firefighters were looking forward to continuing the program.
Chief Hirose over viewed the proposed Ordinance for the City Commission. He stated that he researched what other towns/cities have done and used the Billings and Missoula ordinances as models. He added that it was important to create standards for the ambulance companies in order to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of Great Falls. Additionally, Chief Hirose stated that the proposed ordinance also establishes a certificate of need process in order to limit the number of ambulance companies in Great Falls. He stated that by doing this, it will keep ambulance costs down and the skill levels of ambulance workers up.
Mayor Bennett inquired if there was any way Staff or the Commission could verify that there were not any hidden monopolies in the ambulance industry in Great Falls. She suggested that this should be a consideration point for the Commission.
City Attorney, Dave Gliko, stated that the ordinance should stay focused on the health, welfare and safety of the public and not be concerned about the corporate structure of the ambulance companies.
Commissioner Downer asked if the proposed ordinance would address the problem of only some ambulance companies taking Medicare assignment. Chief Hirose indicated it did not.
City Manager, John Lawton, stated that the proposed ordinance does not proport to solve all the ambulance related issues. He added that many cities do much more, up to and including, bidding out ambulance service for the City or for the City to run the ambulance service.
Commissioner Rosenbaum stated that the proposed ordinance was a good start.
Terry Mullans, GF Emergency Services, asked if this ordinance would regulate non-911 ambulance transports. He also asked if it prevents the Fire Department from getting into the ambulance business. Mr. Mullans encouraged Staff to consider changing the standards for training in the ordinance and suggested that the standards should be county wide. Finally, Mr. Mullans suggested that the remedy for violations be more clearly defined.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular work session on August 4, 1998 adjourned at 6:35 p.m.