HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2020-102RESOLUTION NO. 2020-102
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA APPROVING A PROGRAM FOR THE CHULA
VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE EXCLUSIVE
EMERGENCY AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES
WITHIN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, THE CITY OF
IMPERIAL BEACH AND THE BONITA SUNNYSIDE FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT COMMENCING ON OR ABOUT
APRIL 21, 2021 APPROVING TERMS FOR A THREE PARTY
AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTING SAME, AND AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH
AGREEMENT IN A FINAL FORM APPROVED BY THE CITY
ATTORNEY
WHEREAS, within the City of Chula Vista (“Chula Vista”), Bonita/Sunnyside Fire
Protection District (“Bonita/Sunnyside”), and the City of Imperial Beach (“Imperial Beach”) (each
an “Agency” and collectively, the “Agencies”), there is a public health and safety need for effective
and efficient basic and advanced life support pre-hospital emergency medical care and ambulance
transport services (“Emergency Ambulance Services”); and
WHEREAS, various studies and actual practical experience have clearly demonstrated that
communities of the approximate size and population of the Agencies are best assured of receiving
the highest level of Emergency Ambulance Services at the lowest cost to the consumer where
service calls are originated through the 911 system if said services are delivered by a single,
competent provider on an exclusive basis; and
WHEREAS, under state and local law, each Agency is authorized to provide or contract
for exclusive Emergency Ambulance Services as public convenience requires and has been doing
so since prior to June 1, 1980; and
WHEREAS, the County of San Diego Local Emergency Medical Services (“LEMSA”) has
adopted a plan, in which it has designated an exclusive operating area (“EOA”) defined as that part
of San Diego County generally known as Chula Vista, Bonita/Sunnyside Fire Protection District,
and Imperial Beach, for which Chula Vista has the authority to contract for Emergency Ambulance
Services on behalf of the EOA; and
WHEREAS, the Agencies participate in the EOA’s first responder system responding to
all emergencies originated in the 911 system; and
WHEREAS, since prior to June 1, 1980, the Agencies have contracted with American
Medical Response Ambulance Service, Inc. (“AMR”), or its predecessors, for the provision of
Emergency Ambulance Services within their respective jurisdictions and throughout the EOA
(collectively, the “Service Area”); and
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WHEREAS, the most recent agreement between the Agencies for AMR’s provision of
Emergency Ambulance Services to the Service Area is that certain Amended and Restated
Agreement for Basic and Advanced Life Support Ambulance Services dated effecti ve October 1,
2018 (the “AMR Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the AMR Agreement is set to expire by its terms on September 30, 2021.
Pursuant to Section 19 thereof, the AMR Agreement may be terminated earlier, “for convenience,”
upon 180-days prior written notice from Chula Vista specifying the effective date for such
termination; and
WHEREAS, since on or about October 1, 2018, Chula Vista has been evaluating the pros
and cons various Emergency Ambulance Service delivery models for the Service Area. Options
evaluated include (a) the continuation of service by AMR under existing or re-negotiated terms; (b)
soliciting alternative proposals from AMR and other service providers through some form of
competitive “Request for Proposals” process; and (c) the provision of service by Chula Vista
through the Chula Vista Fire Department (“CVFD”); and
WHEREAS, after much analysis, including the engagement of A.P Triton to conduct a
systems analysis and feasibility study, City staff concluded that the provision of Emergency
Ambulance Services by the CVFD within Chula Vista and throughout the Service Areas could
provide substantial benefits over existing or alternative contracted services. Projected benefits
included: (a) adding more ambulance units/hours dedicated primarily to the Service Area, (b)
decreased the costs of transport bills, (c) reduced base rate cost fluctuation, (d) internal
administrative control of the transport system, (e) unified dispatch and information technology
between first responder and transport resources, and (f) more coordinated and consistent medical
direction, and continuity of patient care; and
WHEREAS, on January 28, 2020, after hearing presentations from A.P. Triton and the
CVFD, the Chula Vista City Council directed the CVFD and supporting City staff to proceed with
next steps, including presenting a proposal for CVFD services to Bonita/Sunnyside and Imperial
Beach, and negotiating terms for an agreement therewith; and
WHEREAS, Bonita/Sunnyside and Imperial Beach have each evaluated the CVFD
proposal for the provision of Emergency Ambulance Services, and each concurs with the projected
benefits of this service delivery model within their respective jurisdictions and throughout the
Service Area. Each has negotiated with Chula Vista in good faith the terms and conditions for the
provision by the CVFD of such services, as set forth in this agreement; and
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2020, the CVFD presented their final report regarding the
proposed Emergency Ambulance Services program, including program operational plans, required
vehicles and equipment, required staffing, and overall projected program costs and revenues. Such
report confirmed the proposed program’s feasibility and capacity to improve system performance;
and
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WHEREAS, Chula Vista, through its CVFD, is authorized to provide exclusive Emergency
Ambulance Services within the City of Chula Vista, pursuant to its authority under California
Health and Safety Code Section 1797.201, pursuant to its general authority as a Charter City, and
as specifically provided under Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 5.10.310. Chula Vista, through
its CVFD, is also authorized to provide or contract for Emergency Ambulance Services within the
Service Area in its capacity as a “grandfathered” provider of services under California Health and
Safety Code Section 1797.224 for the LEMSA designated “EOA.” Bonita/Sunnyside and Imperial
Beach each also has the authority to enter into a contract with Chula Vista for the provision of
Emergency Ambulance Services pursuant to their authority under California Health and Safety
Code Section 1792.201 and/or 1797.224.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, and all other information
presented by the CVFD, and others, at the May 12, 2020, City Council meeting, the City Council
of the City of Chula Vista does hereby:
1. Approve a program for the exclusive provision of Emergency Ambulance Services by
the CVFD throughout the Service Area on substantially the terms presented by on or
before April 1, 2021 (“Emergency Ambulance Services Program”).
2. Approve, as presented, the terms for an agreement between the Chula Vista, Imperial
Beach and Bonita/Sunnyside, implementing the Emergency Services Program
throughout the Service Area (“Emergency Ambulance Services Agreement”).
3. Authorize and direct the City Manager to finalize and execute an Emergency
Ambulance Services Agreement, in a final form approved by the City Attorney.
4. Authorize and direct the City Manager to notify the LEMSA of this action, and to take
all other administrative actions necessary and appropriate to implement the Emergency
Ambulance Services Program.
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Presented by Approved as to form
Jim Geering Glen R. Googins
Fire Chief City Attorney
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
California, this 12th day of May 2020 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Diaz, Galvez, McCann, Padilla, and Casillas Salas
NAYS: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO )
CITY OF CHULA VISTA )
I, Kerry K. Bigelow, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution No. 2020-102 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a regular
meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 12th day of May 2020.
Executed this 12th day of May 2020.
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
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