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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780118~ •. `1 L._ ~ ..~ MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 1$, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met jointly with the Orange County Rescue Squad an Wednesday, January 7.8,.1978, at 7:30 p.m., at the Orange County Rescue Squad Building in Hillsborough, N. C. Commissicners present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Norman Gustaveson, and Jan Pinney. Absent were Commissioners Walker and Willhoit. Staff personnel present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, County Finance Director, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk to the Board. Gordon Liner, Rescue Squad Chief, opened the meeting and welcomed the County Commissioners to the Rescue Squad meeting. He then turned the dis- cussion over to Chairman Richard Whitted. Mr. Whitted stated that the Commissioners were happy for the opportu- nity to meet with the various Rescue Squads other than at budget time. He stated that it was important to meet with the Rescue Squads particularly at this time in light of the new communication system which should become operational March of 1978. Another reason it is important to meet is the financial commitment the County has with the Squads, which has become suite sizable and a major appropriation in the County budget. He spoke of the EMS Council which had been established to help the Commissioners to have a total picture of the delivery of services and to recommend ways of coordin- ating rescue services in Orange County. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that the Commissicners were here tonight to listen to concerns and to find out how the Berard can assist the various Rescue Squads. Bill Lessig, a Rescue Squad member, spoke of a problem which he felt was a concern of the Rescue Squad. He stated that N, C. Memorial Hospital had not lived up to their commitment to sponsoz the Squad. That N. C. Memorial basically governed the EMS Council and is the political force on the Council. He stated that he felt the Orange County Squad would get lost in the deliberations of the Council. Mr. Lessig stated that N, C. Memorial had withheld the certifications of various members of the Orange unit in training programs for reasons which Mr. Lessig continued to recite. He stated that he felt N, C. Memorial was attempting to make demands on the Squad as to the procedure they were following. Dr. Dent informed the Board of problems she had encountered with the EMS Council and N. C. Memorial Hospital. She stated that the Squad was not informed until the middle of the summer that they had a place on the EM5 Council. The decision to change the location of the communication equipment was made without any input from the Orange County Rescue Squad, as well as the decision as to whether or not have microwave system or a cable system. Dr. bent stated that the squad had received criticism from the EMS Council in regards to the change of forms when the Squad sought to change their sponsor to Duke Medical Center. She further informed the Board of a letter she received from the State FJ'4S Council in Raleigh, dated September 6, 1977, and stating that certain members of the Squad could not start TV's in the field without certification from a sponsor hospital. The Doctor concluded by stating that she felt the Orange County Rescue Squad had been discriminated against by N. C. Memorial Hospital and had not been informed of meetings of the ED4S Council. Chairman Whitted reminded those present that because. o£ the financial commitment of the County to the various Rescue Squads, it was difficult for the Commissioners to evaluate the programs, needs, and problems af.the Squads. Therefore, it is necessary for the Board to look to the EMS to advise them on Rescue Squad matters. Dr. Dent stated that she had received some help from the Council and had no objections to working with the Council as long as the Squad received fair representation. Chief Liner stated the Orange County Squad would be represented on the EM5 Council. LP. i. J , Chief Liner asked the County Manager to speak of the communication system as to when it will become operational. Mr. Gattis stated the law enforcement package would change very little, however, the medical package is quite complicated. Tt is expected that the law enforcement package will begin operations in February, then resources will be turned toward operating the medical package. Fie added that the 911 communication system would be operational before the public would actually be aware. This is to be sure the system is functional. Mr. Gattis added that the medical package would require additional training by rescue squad members and that the Motorola Company would pro- vide personnel to train individuals. Chairman Whitted expressed the Board's appreciation to the Rescue Squads for their service to the community and the meetring~taas adjourned. _ Richard Whitted, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk ORANGE COUNTX BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 23, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 23, 1978, at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Persons present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioner Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Staff personnel present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, County Finance Officer, Geoffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Chairman Whitted asked if there were any persons present who were not listed on the printed agenda, and who did have business to transact with the Board of Commissioners. No one came forth. Mr. Whitted asked if members of the Board wished to add any item to the printed agenda. Dr. William Mayes, Chairman of the Orange County Health Board asked that he be permitted to bring a health financial matter to the Board's attention. The County Manager asked that the Board review a resolution request- ing the Governor to name Orange County a disaster area due to the recent ice storms. Item 2: Continuation of a public hearing dealing with confirma- tion of the Assessment Roll far the Morgan Creek Hills Participating Paving Project. Chairman Whitted announced that it was time for the scheduled continuation of the pubic hearing. He asked if there were any persons present who wished to speak for ort against the paving pro- ject in the Morgan Creek Hills area. No one came forth. The County Attorney reminded the Board that at the December 5, 1977 public hearing, questions were raised by Mr. Francisco, a resident of Azalea Drive in the Morgan Creek Hills area, regarding•the State's decision to not pave Azalea Place. Mr. Gledhill stated that the State had since reversed that decision and has decided to pave Azalea Place. He suggested that the public hearing be concluded and that the Board adopt the Preliminary Assessment Resolution, which will assess each property owner $491.00 for paving of their portion of the road. The Chairman asked again if there were persons present who wished to speak for or against the paving project. No one came forth, and the Chairman declared the public hearing concluded.