12-02-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Safety Director Swenson attended the EMSRB Executive Board Meeting on October 22, 2019 and the EMSRB Board Meeting on November 21, 2019. At these meetings the state law and process for ambulance transfer of license (name change) or ownership change were discussed as part of the impending changes in our ambulance PSA (Primary Service Area). At this time the EMSRB Board has not rendered a decision as to whether the ambulance service change in the PSA that covers Lino Lakes is change of ownership or simply a transfer of license (change of name). This distinction will determine what path the EMSRB conducts to evaluate with the impending change in ambulance providers in our PSA. The statutory language that outlines the Transfer of License process is contained in Minnesota Statute 144E.14. This statute also provides details that would require EMSRB Board to determine the change is not a transfer of license but rather a change in ownership requiring a new application process. Details on the new application process is outlined in Minnesota Statute 144E.11. It should be noted that no public input would be accepted if the EMSRB Board determines the change is simply a transfer of license. As cited in MN 144E.14, if the EMSRB Board determines that “the proposed transfer would result in an addition of a new base of operations, expansion of the service’s primary service area, or provision of a new type or types ambulance service, the board shall require the prospective licensee or owner to comply with section 144E.11.” The process would require public hearings on the proposed changes if more than five (5) written comments opposing the application are received by the EMSRB Board. Staff from the Anoka County Dispatch Center (ACDC) has contacted Public Safety Director Swenson to express their concerns of the impending change to ambulance service in our PSA. Staff hopes to meet with ACDC staff prior to the December 2nd Council Work Session to gain a better understanding of their concerns and the potential impacts on emergency services dispatching in our community. Staff is seeking Council input and direction on how to proceed. Some potential pathways to address this matter are: 1. Take no action and wait to see what the EMSRB Board decision is. At this time staff has received no information from MHealth Fairview Ambulance regarding their plan to provide ambulance service in Lino Lakes; therefore, we have no way to determine what, if any, positive or negative impacts this change may have within our community. 2. Strongly advocate that the EMSRB Board find the impending changes within our PSA does meet the requirement set out in MN 144E.14 to trigger the new application process outlined in MN 144E.11. This would provide Lino Lakes an opportunity to provide comment and input on this impending change. Absence of the process outlined in MN 144E.11 there is no mechanism in current Minnesota law allowing for local input on matters related to ambulance services. 3. Make application with the EMSRB Board to become owner of the ambulance PSA that would cover the current geographical area of the City of Lino Lakes.