Iola City Council approves EMS merger
“Let’s lay this thing to rest,” said Steve French of what will be the beginning of combined EMS services between Iola and Allen County crews. SOME KEY POINTS IN THE PROPOSAL: An updated version of the full EMS agreement is on our website, at www.iolaregister.com. IN OTHER NEWS:
In a unanimous vote, the Iola City Council approved Councilman French’s proposal at their meeting Monday night.
All that remains is a signature from county commissioners, expected this morning. If they follow through, the City of Iola will take over all EMS services for Allen County starting at midnight Dec. 31.
After years of discussion from both entities, countless meetings and mediated gatherings, all it took was a 30-minute executive session regarding attorney-client privilege before a motion to accept the proposal was made.
“Exciting times ahead,” Mayor Joel Wicoff said as he signed the agreement.
The merger comes after the Allen County EMS and Iola EMS entities split in 2008.
— The county will pay the city $750,000 per year for the services, any excess will go back to the county to be placed in an “EMS Capital Outlay Fund” to be used for the county’s billing agent.
— The services will be labeled Allen County Emergency Medical Services and will cover the entire county.
— Allen County will be in charge of all billing for ambulance services.
— Iola will also operate the rescue vehicles and HAZMAT vehicle.
— Both parties “anticipate that the service should have a staff of approximately 33 full-time employees.”
— The city will have the staff required to maintain a type-I ambulance service at all times.
— Employees will be encouraged to live within Allen County, and within 15 minutes of Iola; they will not be required to do so, however, and this policy will be “grandfathered in.”
— At least one type-I ambulance will be stationed in Iola, Humboldt and Moran 24 hours per day.
— The agreement will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2019 and year-to-year thereafter. Parties must give six months notice for termination after Dec. 31, 2019.
— The City of Iola will work to construct a sidewalk along State Street from Cofachique Park to Walmart’s entrance. It is estimated that material cost for the project will be approximately $65,000 and will be paid from sales taxes.
— Council members gave approval to the Community Involvement Task Force to move forward with efforts to plan a disc golf course.
— A motion was passed to allow street blockage for Farm-City Days events.
— Council members agreed to change wording in the personnel policy regarding deferred compensation, to match current practices. The city will match $500 per year if city employees contribute $10 per pay period to a deferred savings fund.
— The city will enter into an interim energy management agreement with Westar Energy between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013. The city is leaving the Kansas Power Pool Sept. 30 and entering into an agreement with Westar on Jan. 1, 2014.
— Council members approved a 15-year mortgage agreement with River Valley Homes II — the 29 remaining lots in the Cedarbrook addition — totaling $196,625 to be paid at the end of the 15 years.
— Construction of the Missouri-Pacific Trail will continue along Benton Street. City crews will install a 5-foot sidewalk along the street for pedestrians and will paint symbols on the roadway for bicycle traffic.
— Following a 13 percent decrease in premiums for health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield, the council voted to retain additional funds until 2014 to await any changes that may come with the signed EMS merger.
