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Home My WebLink About20022150.tiff RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO AUGUST 7, 2002 TAPE #2002-24 The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, met in regular session in full conformity with the laws of the State of Colorado at the regular place of meeting in the Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley, Colorado, August 7, 2002, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by the Chair and on roll call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof: Commissioner Glenn Vaad, Chair Commissioner David E. Long, Pro-Tem Commissioner M. J. Geile Commissioner William H. Jerke Commissioner Robert D. Masden - EXCUSED Also present: County Attorney, Bruce T. Barker Acting Clerk to the Board, Esther E. Gesick Director of Finance and Administration, Donald D. Warden MINUTES: Commissioner Long moved to approve the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners meeting of August 5, 2002, as printed. Commissioner Geile seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: There were no additions to the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Long moved to approve the consent agenda as printed. Commissioner Jerke seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. COMMISSIONER COORDINATOR REPORTS: There were no Commissioner Coordinator Reports. PUBLIC INPUT: There was no public input. WARRANTS: Donald Warden, Director of Finance and Administration, presented the following warrants for approval by the Board: All Funds $1,167,049.46 Commissioner Long moved to approve the warrants as presented by Mr. Warden. Commissioner Jerke seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 2002-2150 BC0016 BIDS: PRESENT BIDS: Pat Persichino, Director of General Services, stated there are no bids to present. NEW BUSINESS: CONSIDER CONTRACT FOR RAISED FLOORING AND SYSTEM WALLS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - SMED INTERNATIONAL: Mr. Persichino stated this contract is a price proposal for raised flooring at the Law Enforcement Administration Building. He stated this technique will save space, the floor base will be recessed so the raised panels are flush with the remaining floor levels, and the surface will be carpeted. He further stated SMED will provide the County with a wiring map, and the total project cost is $58,934. Commissioner Geile moved to approve said contract and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Long, the motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER 2002 REVISED WELD COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICES FEES: Gary McCabe, Director of the Weld County Paramedic Services, requested the service fees be increased. He stated the proposed rates are comparable with other service providers, and the additional funds will help them generate the necessary cash flow. Commissioner Jerke requested a review of the existing fees. Mr. Warden stated the Weld County Paramedic Services is experiencing difficulties due to financial cuts made by the Federal Government. He further stated the State has cut Medicaid fees by five percent, making it more difficult for citizens to pay the remaining balance for paramedic services. Mr. Warden stated some of the costs have been reduced, without compromising the services provided. Chair Vaad commented the Board did discuss the proposed increases, as well as the decrease in some other areas. He stated the general consensus of the Board was to keep the Paramedic Services as an enterprise, rather than relying on subsidies from the County. He stated the public has expressed its concern regarding the existing expense; however, he feels this fee change is necessary. Commissioner Jerke commented he does not support the increase. He stated that although he appreciates the efforts to reduce some of the costs, he feels upon further review, there may be some other alternatives. He further stated raising the fees penalizes those who are able to pay and does not effect those who do not pay. Dr. James Campaign, Physician Advisor for nine years, stated he is impressed that this paramedic service covers such a large area with a limited number of ambulances. Dr. Campaign stated Weld County does a comparable job to other surrounding and national service providers when comparing the response times for first response and basic life support. He stated this is partially due to the system where the ambulances rotate regions and cover large areas to maintain their response times. He stated he does not see any other way to manage the financial problem without creating a tax base or a subscription program. Commissioner Geile commented he supports the increase; however, he still has concerns regarding the large sum which is written off each year, resulting in a major loss of revenue. He stated the Board did discuss other options, and at this time he feels this will be the most beneficial to the residents of Weld County. He further stated that although there have been complaints regarding the cost, he has never received complaints regarding the service provided, and this rate increase will allow for the continuance of quality service levels. Chair Vaad suggested advertising the new fees on the website and providing an explanation of the situation, as well as soliciting input from the public. Mr. McCabe stated the demographics of Weld County are difficult because there is a larger number of patients without insurance and a large amount who receive Medicare benefits. He further stated Project Hope discovered the cost to provide services to a rural area is twice that of urban areas due to transportation costs; however, their primary purpose continues to be the provision of a quick response with high quality care. In response to Chair Vaad, Dr. Campaign stated the response time does not necessarily decrease the long-term recovery time; however, the faster care is provided in trauma cases the more likely the patient will recover. Mr. McCabe added some areas have found it is cost effective to have paramedics help determine what type of care is needed up front. Commissioner Long moved to approve said revised Paramedic Services fees. Commissioner Geile seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried, with Commissioner Jerke opposed. Minutes, August 7, 2002 2002-2150 Page 2 BC0016 RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES: The resolutions were presented and signed as listed on the consent agenda. No Ordinances were approved. Let the minutes reflect that the above and foregoing actions were attested to and respectfully submitted by the Acting Clerk to the Board. There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD, COUNTY/COLORADO les ATTEST: Lh/4d t Ira/La Audi C �6 T/ GI= aad, Gnaw Weld County Clerk to the Bid salsa ` - i 1861 "rer—�1 I ` �� , David E. Lo,r.'fPro-Tem ✓ ✓ V BY: 6. N%,r._„ , Deputy Clerk to the Board (ir M. J. eile William H. Jerke EXCUSED Robert D. Masden Minutes, August 7, 2002 2002-2150 Page 3 BC0016 Hello