Pike Township Trustees Special

Monday, August 23^rd 06

Special Meeting

President Ron Morrow(Tri-Division Ambulance Board) called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Board Members Larry Woods and Joel Black were present as well as Charlie Hall, Leland Simford(Trustee Sandy Township), Jeremy Broadwater(Trustee Sandy Township), Nancy Black, Louis and Violet Grooms, David Ross, Chris Freitag(East Sparta Village Council), Charlene Stelluto(East Sparta Village Council), Jackie Truax(East Sparta Mayor), Karen Mundy, Ron Katt, Paula Johnsen, Darla Adams, Arnie Adams, Paul Hanhood, Bill Snyder, and Nancy Snyder.

President Lee Strad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. for the Pike Township Trustees as well. Trustees Bob Anstine and Doug Baum were present as well as Clerk Steve Knox.

Ron Morrow reviewed the history of Tri-Division Ambulance from the handout. He went over the two levies in detail and how much they produce/cost the residents per one hundred thousand.

Morrow then went over the staffing hours and how they have changed from the original 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to the current 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. which was effective Sept 1, 2004. This allows them to cover the majority of calls that come in.

He then went over the calls by District for 2005 and 2006.

In early 2006 the board passed a resolution to start billing non-residents for ambulance service.

So far since implementing this program, they have received approximately $8,000 in billing revenue, with $18,000 still outstanding.

Morrow continued discussing the history by going over the grants that they have received in the past and what they have used them for such as a mannequin, stairchair, CPAP machines, etc.

Morrow also discussed their current activities such as offering CPR classes to the public at no cost, and also working with the community pool staff in getting their lifeguards trained in CPR.

During the bad weather incident in June, Tri-Division employees assisted the Fire Department with well-being checks on residents and water distribution.

Morrow then asked the community and its leaders for their input on how they may be able to improve on their services, or any other area.

Strad explained that because Tri-Division is now manned during the day, a friend of his is alive today. He thanked them for their great service.

Vi Grooms thanked the fire department/Tri-Division Ambulance District for helping her when she had her fall. She had a very bad fall when Louis was in the hospital. The only person that

Pike Township Trustees Special

Monday, August 23rd 06

was there called the ambulance and Tri-Division responded quickly and treated her so well. She ended up with a broken femur and she had to be operated on. She is doing well, and is in therapy.

Bill stated that he felt they are doing a great job. Jeremiah said that they haven’t had any complaints, so everyone must be doing a good job.

Baum congratulated them, and said all involved are doing a great job.

Baum was a proponent of non-resident billing, and is glad to see that there is income being brought in from those calls.

Baum added that he would like to possibly see the Board bill resident’s insurance companies. Not the residents themselves, but their insurance companies.

Nancy Snyder asked if there is any billing for residents. Morrow said no.

They have not considered that angle at all.

Arnie Adams, found that older people would be reluctant to call if they were paying the bill, even if they needed help, so he would be against it at this time. Anstine agreed.

Paul Hanhood stated that if they start billing residents, he would make sure that the levy didn’t pass.

Ron Morrow stated that if the levy failed, then billing residents may be considered, but at this time there is no reason to consider billing the residents.

Mayor Jackie Truax stated that they are lucky to have the ambulance district.

Ron Katt asked if there is any way that the Fire Dept and Tri-Division could get more people to put addresses out in front of their houses. If more house numbers are by the road, it would help a lot.

Nancy Snyder asked how many are on duty during a shift and what their hourly rate is. Morrow stated that they legally they have to have 2 at all times and their rates are as follows:

Paramedics are 11.50 an hour, and EMT’s are 9.50 an hour.

Paul Hanhood. How often do you staff three? Morrow stated that some days they have three on for 16 hours. He said that may be a benefit/savings if they staff two instead of three. Some times a double call happens, or mutual aid. This allows them to wait on one to show up and the response is quicker.

Pike Township Trustees Special

Monday, August 23rd 06

Hanhood asked why they dumped the drivers? Larry Woods stated that all of the drivers were offered paid medical training but not one of them took it.

Hanhhod then asked how many times have you used mutual aid?

Morrow said approximately 18 times in 2006. Half that time we canceled or only used a medic.

If they can use one of our people, it is $100 a call, if they use the whole squad, it is $400.

Who keeps track of who’s on duty, work schedules, etc. Darla is the manager and keeps track of it. A few people said she has done a great job since taking over as the manager.

Their was a question on who does the billing, and the answer was Ohio Billing.

Mr. Snyder asked if they had a time clock. Morrow said no.

Paul Hanhood congratulated Darla for doing a great job. Attitudes have changed for the employees and things seem to be running very well.

Morrow wanted to discuss the future levies that will be coming due. He stated that as of right now, they are considering just doing renewal.

Baum supports them both without question.

Baum stated without the paying for the man hours and hiring out the ambulance service, this was eating up the funds.

Ron Katt asked about new equipment. Morrow stated that they replace the squads on a plan, with one being replaced this year.

Hanhood asked about the property they purchased. The Board as of right now is happy where they are so they have no plans to build and move to that property.

The property was $25,000.

Hanhood would like to see the bigger levy on first.

The District holds their meeting the first and third Wednesday of every month.

A motion was made by Woods to adjourn the Tri-Division meeting. Seconded by Black.

Pike Township Trustees Special

Monday, August 23rd 06

Strad reminded everyone that Pike Township is still in session.

Strad talked with Chief Arnie about how the Fire Dept. was doing. Strad would like to see what the stats are on how many times they needed help from an outside service.

Anstine said that everyone is facing a shortage of volunteers for Fire and Ambulance.

It was also noted that Dale Freitag has left the fire dept. and the area. He is currently our Fire Inspector and will probably need replaced.

Adams stated that the only concern they have is occasionally having a slow response. Mutual aid must come if they have people on staff, so the residents would never be without some coverage. The only other option would be to have a full time staff like the Ambulance District.

Nancy Snyder asked where the money would come from? Strad stated the tax payers would have to decide whether they would want it at that time..

A motion was made by Anstine to go into executive session for pending and threatening litigation. Seconded by Baum.

Roll Call Vote: Baum – Yes

Strad – Yes

Anstine - Yes

A motion was made by Anstine to adjourn executive session. Seconded by Baum.

A motion was made by Anstine to rescind the bid that was awarded to J&D Mining. Seconded by Baum.

A motion was made by Anstine to accept the bid from Central Allied after conferring our attorney and public defender due to them being the low bid. Seconded by Baum.

A motion was made by Anstine to adjourn at 9:25p.m. Seconded by Baum.