Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance authorizing negotiation and execution of a license agreement with Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. for a limited term and waiving City Code Chapter 14-11 (Use of Right of Way) and Section 10-2-60 of Chapter 10-2 (Medical Transfer Services) for Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. to allow time to negotiate and execute the agreement; and declaring an emergency.
De
Lead Department
Emergency Medical Services.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
December 7, 2017 - City Council approved Ordinance No. 20171207-063 granting Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. a five-year renewal of a franchise to operate a medical transfer service.
For More Information:
Robert Luckritz, EMS Chief, 512-972-7201.
Additional Backup Information:
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. (Acadian) has held a non-emergency medical transfer franchise with the City since October 2007. On June 1, 2022, in accordance with the terms of the franchise in place at the time, the City received an application from Acadian requesting a renewal of the franchise for another five-year term. Acadian fully complied with the requirements for submitting the application and paid the required fee.
On February 6, 2023, the current franchise under Ordinance No. 20171207-063 will expire, and the renewal of the franchise agreement is not expected to commence for approximately six months.
The current language in Chapter 10-2 requires all non-emergency franchise applications be brought to the Austin Travis County EMS advisory board that is no longer in existence. The Emergency Medical Services Department, through the ACM and Travis County, through their county executives, and all parties agreed to dissolve the board through negotiations of the last interlocal with Travis County. The board was disbanded and members were notified on April 11, 2022 as the result of the Travis County Interlocal approval by City of Austin on March 11, 2022 and the County on March 29, 2022. The current process needs to be updated to reflect this change and other obsolete portions of the ordinance. Until the renewal of the franchise agreement is finalized, the extension is needed to allow Acadian to continue transport services.
Acadian transports approximately 700 patients each month. Thus, a public convenience will be served by granting Acadian a short term license agreement for 180 days to operate a non-emergency medical transfer service within the City limits.
Strategic Outcome(s)
Strategic Outcome(s):
Safety.