Florence ambulance will become county entity
Agreement finalized Monday
Florence City Council Monday night accepted a contract from Marion County to end the existence of Florence Ambulance Service as a locally owned and operated ambulance service. Beginning with the county's next pay period, Florence ambulance will operate under the auspices of the county.
Marion County Commissioner Randy Dallke and Marion County Ambulance Director Darryl Thiesen were at Florence City Council meeting to answer questions and finalize the agreement which had been drawn up and approved by city attorney Marilyn Wilder and county attorney Susan Robson.
A minor glitch with the contract was mentioned regarding Florence rescue truck. Wording about "on call" wages for rescue truck personnel had not been included in the contract. Because Thiesen's budget would not cover those wages, individuals who are scheduled to be on call will not be paid until the wages are budgeted for the next fiscal year. (Rescue truck personnel will be paid for any actual runs they make.)
While the plan for rescue truck workers had been agreed to by all parties, it had been inadvertently left out of the contract.
On a motion by councilman Randy Mills, council approved the contract for the city dependent on the attorneys inserting the correct wording. The motion passed unanimously.
Marion County Commission will accept the contract at the next meeting.
In a related matter councilmen reviewed a city resolution to allow the ambulance crew to continue to use the ambulance building with the city absorbing utility costs. Other groups may use the building with permission of the ambulance crew chief.
Council will vote on the resolution at the next council meeting.
Council members also approved ordinances 773 and 774 regarding animal regulations and city housing authority agreement.
An effort also is under way by council members to clean out the fenced city lot adjacent to the fire station and former city building. Council members and city employees will inventory supplies and equipment stored in the lot and make a decision about keeping or selling it.
In other business the council:
— went into executive session with acting police chief Erik King to discuss personnel. Upon return to open session council members approved a police reserve program made up of four officers. The program will require King adding two officers to his staff. Funds for the program will come from the police budget.
— approved payment of warrants totaling $26,926.85.
— tabled a decision on approving the city's agreement with Spur Ridge Veterinarian Clinic to care for stray animals, selection of a cell phone plan, and a visit from Mid-Kap representative Les Littlejohn about building homes in Florence.
— heard from Sue Klassen that Spring Fling will be May 1. The event will include Tour de Florence bicycle race through the Flint Hills.
— reviewed new community brochures funded by Florence Chamber of Commerce.
— heard the fire department had a community service worker help test hoses, wash trucks, and work in the fire station.
— heard that Sarah Cope had contacted USD 408 for approval to use the gym and basement of the building in Florence for emergency shelters. No decision had been made by the district, but Cope thought an agreement could be reached.
— told city clerk Darla Gore to seek applicants for cleaning the city building.
— heard from Ken Hoffman that U.S. Filter had been back in February to make some additional repairs and the water plant has since been functioning at capacity with no problems.
— heard Hoffman has scheduled cleanup work for the cemetery, city streets, sewer ponds, and at City Springs. The dike will be burned, weather permitting, and gravel put on roads to the cemetery and burn pit.
— approved purchase of four stop signs at a cost of $29.97 each from Economy Signs.
— tabled indefinitely discussion on installing a driveway on the Rhodes property.
— approved a plan to repair the Grasshopper mower and build funding for a new mower into future budget plans.
— heard from Gore that Florence will qualify for Federal Emergency Management Assistance funds. Gore had no information on the amount.
— discussed the city's web site with Rick Burcky. After discussion, council voted to stand by its Feb. 21 decision to non-renew the site. Council approved providing written notice.
