Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Christine M. Erickson, Alex Jensen, Rick Kiley, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: Janet Brekke, Greg Neitzert Council Chair Curt Soehl called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. IM 26 Task Force: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 (Council Member Neitzert) Soehl said the item would be skipped since Council Member Greg Neitzert is absent. 3. Councilor Remarks There was none. 4. Presentations A. EMS Annual Update and Rate Increase by Alicia Collura, Assistant Director of Public Health; Mark Bukovich, Fire Division Chief; Damian Gonzales, COO PCEMS Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion Collura began the presentation by providing an overview of the annual ambulance contract performance report. She said the Health Department's role is to monitor performance requirements and to ensure that they have all been met. The monitored areas are: Response Time Performance; Clinical Performance; System Improvements; Workforce Stability; Pricing Compliance; and Reporting Compliance. Collura reported on the findings. Response Time requirements were met each month. Clinical Performance remained strong throughout the Pandemic and achieved high benchmarks. System Improvements included stream lining workflow. Workforce Stability was an area that PatientCare EMS worked to make recruitment and retention of employees a high priority. Pricing Compliance included audits and were found to be compliant. Reporting Compliance was done monthly as required. Collura said PCEMS met all of the contract requirements for the preceding year. The annual report was shared with the REMSA Board at their June meeting and it  was approved. Collura mentioned that along with the report the annual ordinance is brought forward for their rate increase. A request will be made for a 5% increase, which was approved by the REMSA Board. Gonzales began by speaking about their accreditation and how they will begin the reaccreditation process for next year. In regards to COVID, he said that they had more than 3,500 contacts with known positive or suspected positive patients; they maintained a stock of PPE; and were able to lease two ambulances to Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. Gonzales spoke about their Clinical Key Performance Indicators. They had an average of 13 minutes on scene time for trauma patients and stroke patients; and a 14 minute average for critical cardiac patients. PCEMS exceeded the national rates for cardiac and shock rates. They also exceeded the monthly benchmarks for patient satisfaction. He also spoke about the following trends: calls for service; response priority mix; transport; compliance; priority; and exemption count. Employee engagement is something that they survey annually and it continues to exceed the previous year in satisfaction. In regards to improvements:10 ambulances were replaced with new ones, for a $1.2M capital investment; upgraded mobile access points; new mobile data terminals have been ordered; bought and added FirstWatch Clinical and Operational data analysis; and purchased the FirstPass Quality Assurance module. Discussion followed regarding: if PCEMS has every been late for a priority 1 call; and arrival times. B. Senior/Disabled Municipal Property Tax Refund by Curt Soehl, Council Member Presentation: Approximately 5 minutes followed by discussion Soehl said this proposed program came about from listening to the concerns of senior citizens and not feeling like he is doing enough for them. This would be for seniors who qualify for the state's freeze on assessments program, which would qualify them for a refund of city property taxes. The state's rules are based on the following criteria: single member household (only one person in household), income less than $29,565.46; multiple member household (includes all members' incomes), income less than $36,956.82; must be 65 years old or older or disabled (as defined by the Social Security Act); and have ownership of the property. Soehl said the refund would be 100% of municipal taxes, up to $500. The program budget would be an estimated $250,000 with a state program enrollment of 443 households, in 2021. Soehl said the rules haven't been defined for the program and a supplemental appropriation and ordinance, would be needed. Discussion followed regarding: kudos to Soehl for bringing the proposal forward; expressions of support; looking forward to the final product and seeing the program through; being the same as the County program and utilizing the same forms; the possibility of a rebate; not taxing seniors out of their homes; income requirements; the timing of a rebate; resident must be up-to-date on taxes; not placing the burden on the County; and an application deadline of April 21st. C. Public Safety Home Buying Assistance Program by Curt Soehl, Council Member Presentation: Approximately 5 minutes followed by discussion  Soehl spoke about a pilot program that would provide down payment assistance of up to $20,000 or 20%, whichever is less, for a home up to $300,000, for law enforcement and fire fighters. The public safety personnel would have to be employed for at least one year to qualify. The funds would come from a $500,000 supplemental appropriation from ARPA Funds. A lien would be placed on the home for five years. Soehl said this is not a program for flipping houses. Also, homes must be located in neighborhoods based on qualified census tracts. A qualifying neighborhood would have a poverty rate of 25% or more. Soehl said this program is being done in a lot of other cities and leads to safer neighborhoods. He said he spoke to Police Chief Matt Burns and he viewed the program as an incentive, for new hires. Soehl said they are still working with the Administration on final details. He said that this will be presented at a Council Meeting. Discussion followed regarding: if this would impact labor contracts; that this shows support to public safety personnel; it would make a impact in the community; the program is occurring in other communities; if this is a taxable program; the program would be administered through the Housing Department; and the need to promote it. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Executive Session A. Consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters pursuant to SDCL 1-25- 2(3) A motion was made by Council Member Kiley and seconded by Council Member Jensen to enter Executive Session at 4:36 p.m. for consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(3). Roll call vote to enter Executive Session. 6 Yes: Erickson, Jensen, Kiley, Selberg, Soehl, Starr; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. A motion was made by Council Member Kiley and seconded by Council Member Jensen to exit Executive Session at 4:59 p.m. Roll call vote to exit Executive Session. 6 Yes: Erickson, Jensen, Kiley, Selberg, Soehl, Starr; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 7. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Kiley and seconded by Council Member Jensen to adjourn at 4:59 p.m. Roll call vote to adjourn. 6 Yes: Erickson, Jensen, Kiley, Selberg, Soehl, Starr; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Denise D. Tucker, MMC, Assistant City Clerk