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PACKET DEC 20 1983
AGENDA REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1983 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1:15 P.M. * Invocation. * Pledge of Allegiance. * Roll call . * Proclamations. * Presentation of Service Awards. * Consent Agenda. * Public Hearing - Approval of issuance of industrial development revenue bonds for the Kyle Plaza Project. 1. A resolution authorizing and approving the issuance of industrial de- velopment revenue bonds for the Kyle Plaza Project. * Public Hearing - Expansion of Neighborhood Housing Services Boundaries. 2. A resolution authorizing expansion of the Neighborhood Housing Services boundaries to include an area bounded by Washington Boulevard on the north, Florida Street on the south, the Southern Pacific Railroad on the west and Highland Avenue on the east. 3. A resolution cancelling the contract between the City of Beaumont and the Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Corporation. 4. A resolution suspending for 90 days the effective date of the pro- posed rate increase of Entex, Inc. , and setting a public hearing. 5. A resolution authorizing the City of Beaumont to enter into an agree- ment with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation for a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant. 6. A resolution authorizing extension of water and sewer utilities to property located 1,365 feet east of Fannett Road on the south side of Frint Drive. 7. A resolution authorizing purchase of oyster shell . 8. A resolution authorizing lease/purchase of a copier. Council Agenda December 20, 1983 Page 2 9. An ordinance revising the project plan and adopting a financing plan for the City of Beaumont Reinvestment Zone No. 1. 10. A resolution authorizing street light improvements on Fannett Road. 11. A resolution adopting the Affirmative Action Plan. Other business. Hear citizens. Recess. RECONVENE FOR WORK SESSION, e EMERGENCY NOTICE The following resolution will be considered at the Council meeting of December 20, 1983, in order to meet the deadline of January 15, 1984, for filing of appeal to the 100-year Flood Plain. "A resolution approving the retention of an . engineer to help in the analysis of the 100-year Flood Plain." POSTED DECEMBER 19, 1983 December 16, 1983 Council Letter 206 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council , Subject: Issuance of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds The City Council will conduct a public hearing on and will consider approving a resolution concerning the issuance by the Beaumont Industrial Development Corporation-of $10,000,000 in industrial development revenue bonds to finance the Kyle Plaza, Ltd. Project. The project to be financed with the proceeds of the bonds involves the con- struction of a commercial facility to be used as an office tower and/or a parking garage and/or the renovation of the Kyle Building into an office and retail complex. Financing for the project is also provided from an Uurban Development Action Grant (UDAG) , and through equity capital . The developer of the Kyle Plaza, Ltd. project has continued to pursue this important project in the downtown revitalization program. It had been anticipated that the pro- ject would be developed as two projects in order to increase the amount of industrial development bonds. Subsequently, the developer has determined that the project can be built with the single issuance of up to a $10,000,000 bond. Negotiations on the UDAG are continuing by the developer, HUD and our Washington representative. It is recommended that the resolution be adopted subsequent to the public hearing. �-^ Karl Nollenberger City Manager RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF BEAUMONT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION $10 , 000 ,000 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS SERIES 1983 (KYLE PLAZA, LTD. , PROJECT) WHEREAS , by a duly adopted resolution of the City Council (the "Governing Body") of the City of Beaumont, Texas (the "Unit") , the Governing Body authorized and approved the creation of the Beaumont Industrial Development Corporation (the "Issuer") as a nonstock, nonprofit industrial development corporation under the provisions of the Development Corporation Act of 1979 , as amended, Art. 5190 . 6 of Vernon' s Annotated Texas Civil Statutes (the "Act") ; and WHEREAS, the Issuer is authorized by the Act to issue bonds on behalf of the Unit for the purpose of paying all or a part of the costs of a "project" as defined in the Act , and to lease or sell the project or to loan the proceeds of the bonds to finance all or part of the costs of a project; and WHEREAS , the definition of "project" in the Act includes the land, buildings , equipment , facilities and improvements (one or more) found by the Board of Directors of the Issuer to be required or suitable for the promotion of commercial development and expansion and in furtherance of the public purposes of the Act, or for use by commercial enterprises , all as defined in the Rules of the Texas Economic Development Commission (the "Commission") , irrespective of whether in existence or required to be acquired or constructed thereafter , if such project is located in blighted or economically depressed areas ; and WHEREAS , the Governing Body of the Unit , has by separate Resolution (the "EBA Resolution") adopted on May 11 , 1982 as Resolution No. 82-174 , after required notice and public hearing, established an eligible blighted area as identified in the EBA Resolution in compliance with the requirements of the Act and the Rules ; and WHEREAS , on November 29 , 1983 , Kyle Plaza, Ltd. (the if made written application for approval of a specific project to be constructed within the eligible blighted area consisting, among other things , of the site and facilities described in the Project Description attached hereto as Exhibit "A" (the "Project") ; and WHEREAS , Section 107 . 2 (b) (9) of the Rules provides that after final acceptance of the resolution establishing the eligible blighted area, the Commission will approve projects for commercial uses in and adjacent to the eligible blighted area only after the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that , among other things , the Unit has , after publishing and posting notice and holding a hearing, approved the proposed project , has made the determinations and findings required by the Rules , and has found that the proposed project to be financed will contribute significantly to the fulfillment of the redevelopment objectives of the City for the blighted or economically depressed area and is in furtherance of the public purposes of the Act; and WHEREAS , the Issuer desires to sell and to provide for the issuance and sale of its $10 , 000 , 000 Industrial Development Revenue Bonds , Series 1983 (Kyle Plaza, Ltd. , Project) (the "Bonds") , by adopting a Resolution substan- tially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" (the "Resolution") ; and WHEREAS, Section 25 (f) of the Act provides that the Governing Body must , by written resolution adopted no more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the delivery of the Bonds , specifically approve the Resolution of the Issuer providing for the issuance of the Bonds ; and WHEREAS , as a prerequisite to the exemption from federal income tax of interest on obligations issued pursuant to Section 103 (b) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 , as amended (the "Code") , Section 103 (k) of the Code provides that such issue may be approved by the applicable elected representative of the governmental unit on whose behalf such obligations are issued and by each governmental jurisdiction over the area in which any facility to be financed from the proceeds of such issue is located (except that if more than one governmental unit has jurisdiction over the entire area in which such facility is located, only one governmental unit need approve the issue) , only after a public hearing has been held; and WHEREAS , the Unit is a "governmental unit" within the meaning of the Code; and WHEREAS , as the elected legislative body of the governmental unit within which the entire Project is located, the Governing Body is an "applicable elected representative" of the governmental unit with specific -2- Section 4 . The issuance of the Bonds and the Resolution o —the Issuer substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" , pursuant to which the Bonds are to be sold and issued, are hereby approved by the Governing Body on behalf of the Unit as required by Section 25 (f) of the Act and by the Code. Section 5 . As a part of and within the scope of the approva s granted herein, the Governing Body hereby finds and determines that (i) the initial owner of the Project is Kyle Plaza, Ltd. , a Texas limited partnership , (ii) the maximum aggregate face amount of the Bonds to be issued with respect to the Project is $10 , 000 ,000 and (iii) the Project Description attached hereto as Exhibit "A" includes a general , functional description and a general description of the location of the Project as required by the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Section 6 . This resolution is adopted for the purpose of satisfying the conditions and requirements of the Act , the Rules , and EBA Resolution with respect to the Project. This resolution is also adopted for the purpose of satisfying the conditions and requirements of Section 103 of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and any requirements for a public hearing and approval by an elected official or legislature which may be imposed by applicable law prior to the issuance of the Bonds , and for the benefit of the Issuer, the Unit , and the owners or holders from time to time of the obligations of the Issuer and all other interested persons . Section 7 . The Mayor of the City of Beaumont, Texas , is hereby directed to provide a certified copy of this resolution to- the Executive Director of the Commission to confirm the findings made and approvals granted by the Unit with respect to the Project. Section 8 . The Governing Body hereby finds and determines that the issuance of the Bonds to finance the Project will accomplish the specific public purpose for which the Issuer was created. Section 9 . The Governing Body has considered evidence of the pu ication and posting of notice of this meeting and public hearing and officially finds , determines , recites , and declares that sufficient written and reasonable public notice of the date, hour and place of this meeting and public hearing and of the subject matter of this resolution, including the general, functional description of the Project -4- and the general description of its location, was published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Unit not less than fourteen (14) days prior to this meeting and public hearing, and thereafter weekly, and was also posted on a bulletin board at a place convenient to the public in the City Hall of the Governmental Unit (within the meaning of Section 103 of the Code) not less than seventy-two (72) hours preceding the convening of this meeting and public hearing; that such place of posting was readily accessible to the general public at all times from the time of posting until the convening of such meeting and public hearing; that such meeting and public hearing were open to the public as required by law at all times during which this resolution and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered, and formally acted upon; that the giving of notice in the manner provided above was reasonably designed to apprise residents of the Unit of the proposed authorization and issuance of the Bonds and approval of the Project; that the meeting and public hearing were conducted in a manner that provided a reasonable opportunity for persons with differing views on the issuance of the Bonds and the nature and location of the Project to be heard; and that this meeting and public hearing were held at a time and place convenient for persons affected by the financing of the Project and issuance of the Bonds ; and that the foregoing notice and hearing complied with the Open Meeting Law, as amended, Art. 6252-17 of Vernon' s Annotated Texas Civil Statutes , and Section 103 (k) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. PASSED AND APPROVED this 20th day of December, 1983 . Mayor, City of Beaumont , Texas Exhibit "A" - Project Description Exhibit "B" - Resolution of Beaumont Industrial Development Corporation Authorizing Issuance of Bonds and Approving Documents -5- EXHIBIT "A" PROJECT DESCRIPTION ' The Project to be financed with the proceeds of the Bonds involves the construction of a commercial facility to be used as an office tower and/or a parking garage and/or the renovation of an existing building into an office and retail complex. As presently envisioned, the Project will consist of one or more of the following: (i) construction of a multi-level office tower located on Orleans Street in Beaumont, Texas , between Broadway and Liberty Avenues , which will provide approximately 150 , 000 square feet of net rentable space, (ii) acquisition and renovation of an existing 2-story building locally known as the "Kyle Building" , (iii) construction of a garage which will provide between 400 to 500 parking spaces for use by the general public, (iv) acquisition of the Project Site , and (v) acquisition, construction and installation of various items of equipment , facilities and furnishings which are functionally related and subordinate to the foregoing. The parcels of land comprising the Project Site are located in the city block bounded by Orleans Street to the South, Liberty Avenue to the East , Pearl Street to the North, and Broadway Avenue to the West , in the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas , locally known as the "Kyle Building" and consisting of three (3) tracts of land as follows , to wit: TRACT ONE That certain 0 . 088 acre tract of land described as being Lot 37 , Block E -out of the Noah Tevis Survey, Abstract 52 situated in the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas ; said 0. 088 acre tract of land being described as Tract 1 out of a 1. 397 acre tract of land called the "Kyle Center" ; said 1. 397 acre tract of land being described in Deed of Trust dated March 15 , 1982 and executed by Jack G. McNeill, Trustee to Robert Fry; said deed being recorded in Volume 2062 , Page 1 of the M&L Records of Jefferson County, Texas ; said 1.397 acre tract of land being described as three separate tracts of land; said 0 . 088 acre tract of land being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows : BEGINNING at a nail set in concrete at the north corner of said Lot 37 ; said north corner also being the intersection of the southwest right-of-way line of Pearl Street , a 61. 11 .foot wide street right-of-way, and the southeast right-of-way line i a of Broadway Street , a 61 . 11 foot wide street right-of-way; THENCE South 48°41'53" East and along the northeast line of said Lot 37 and the said southwest right-of-way line of Pearl Street , a distance of 35. 00 feet to a point at the east corner of said Lot 37 ; THENCE South 41°20 ' 24" West and along the southeast line of said Lot 37 , a distance of 110 . 00 feet to a point at the south corner of said Lot 37 , said point also being on the northeast line of Tract 3 out of the said 1.397 acre tract; said point being marked in the field by a 10 . 00 foot offset point described as being an "X" inscribed in concrete and bearing South 41°20 '24" West from the said south corner of Lot 37 ; said offset point being on the southwest line of said Tract 3; THENCE North 48°41 '53" West and along the southwest line of said Lot 37 and also the northeast line of said Tract 3 , a distance of 35. 00 feet to a point on the said southeast right-of-way line of Broadway Street; said point also being at the west corner of said Lot 37; THENCE North 41°20 ' 24" East along the northwest line of said Lot 37 and also along the said south- east right-of-way- line of Broadway Street , a distance of 110. 00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, and containing 0 . 088 acres of land. TRACT TWO - That certain 1.240 acre tract of land described as being out of Block E within the Noah Tevis Survey, Abstract 52 situated in the City of Beaumont , Jefferson County, Texas ; said 1. 240 acre tract of land being described as Tract 2 out of a 1. 397 acre tract of land called the "Kyle Center" ; said 1.397 acre tract of land being described in Deed of Trust dated March 15 , 1982 and executed by Jack G. McNeill, Trustee to Robert Fry; said deed being recorded in Volume 2062, Page 1 of the M&L Records of Jefferson County, Texas ; said 1.397 acre tract of land being described as three separate tracts of land; said 1. 240 acre tract of land being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows : -2- BEGINNING at an "X" inscribed in concrete at the intersection of the southeast right-of-way line of Broadway Street , a 61. 11 foot wide . street right-of-way, and the northeast right-of-way line of Orleans Street , a 60 . 00 foot wide street right-of-way; THENCE North 41°20 ' 24" East along the said south- east right-of-way line of Broadway Street, a distance of 180.00 feet to a point at the north corner of said Tract 2 ; said point also being at the west corner of said Tract 3; THENCE South 48°41 '53" East along the northeast line of said Tract 2 and also along the southwest line of said Tract 3 , at 35 . 00 feet pass an "X" inscribed in concrete, and continuing South 48°41 '53" East for a total distance of 300 . 00 feet to an "X" inscribed in concrete on the northwest right-of-way line of Liberty Street , a 61. 11 foot wide street right-of-way; THENCE South 41°20 ' 24" West and along the said northwest right-of-way line of Liberty Street , a distance of 180. 00 feet to an "X" inscribed in concrete at the intersection of the said northwest right-of-way line of Liberty Street and the said northeast right-of-way line of Orleans Street; THENCE North 48°41 '53" West and along the said northeast right-of-way line of Orleans Street , a distance of 300 . 00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, and containing 1. 240 acres of land. TRACT THREE That certain 0 . 069 acre tract of land described as being out of Block E within the Noah Tevis Survey, Abstract 52 , situated in the City of Beaumont , Jefferson County, Texas; said 0. 069 acre tract of land being described as Tract 3 out of a 1 . 397 acre tract of land called the "Kyle Center" ; said 1 .397 acre tract of land being described in Deed of Trust dated March 15 , 1982 and executed by Jack G. McNeill , Trustee to Robert Fry; said deed being recorded in Volume 2062 , Page 1 of the MIL Records of Jefferson County, Texas ; said 1 .397 acre tract of land being described as three separate tracts of land; said 0 . 069 acre tract of land being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows : -3- COMMENCING from a nail set in concrete at the north corner of Lot 37 of Block E; said north corner also being the intersection of the southwest right-of-way line of Pearl Street , a 61 . 11 foot wide street right-of-way, and the southeast right-of-way line of Broadway Street , a 61 . 11 foot wide street right-of-way; THENCE South 41°20 ' 24" West along the northwest line of said Lot 37 and also along the said south- east right-of-way line of Broadway Street, a distance of 110. 00 feet to a point at the west corner of said Lot 37 and the POINT OF BEGINNING of this herein described tract; THENCE South 48°41 '53" East and along the southwest line of said Lot 37 , a distance of 35. 00 feet to a point at the south corner of said Lot 37; said point being marked in the field by a 10. 00 foot offset point described as being an "X" inscribed in concrete and bearing South. 41°20 ' 24" West from the said south corner of Lot 37 ; said offset point being on the southwest line of said Tract 3; THENCE continuing South 48°41 '53" East, a distance of 265 . 00 feet to a point on the northwest right-of-way line of Liberty Street , a 61 . 11 foot wide street right-of-way; THENCE South 41°20 ' 24" West and along the said northwest right-of-way line of Liberty Street , a distance of 10 . 00 feet to an "X" inscribed in concrete at the south corner of this herein described tract; THENCE North 48°41 '53" West , at 265. 00 feet pass an "X" inscribed e in concrete and continuing North 48°41 ' 53" West for a total distance of 300.00 feet to a point on the said southeast right-of-way line of Broadway Street; THENCE North 41°20 ' 24" East and along the said southeast right-of-way line of Broadway Street , a distance of 10. 00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, and containing 0. 069 acres of land. -4- EXHIBIT "B" RESOLUTION OF BEAUMONT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF BONDS AND APPROVING DOCUMENTS WHEREAS , the Development Corporation Act of 1979 , as amended, Art. 5190. 6 of Vernon' s Annotated Texas Civil Statutes (the "Act") , authorizes and empowers the Beaumont Industrial Development Corporation (the "Issuer") to issue revenue bonds on behalf of the City of Beaumont , Texas (the "Unit") , to finance the cost of projects comprising land, buildings , equipment , facilities and improvements , found by the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the "Board") to be required or suitable for the promotion of commercial development and expansion and in furtherance of the public purposes of the Act , or for use by commercial enterprises , and which are located in "eligible blighted areas" within the Unit (as defined in the Act) ; and WHEREAS , in accordance with the provisions of the Act on December 1 , 1983 , the Board adopted a certain Resolution concerning Issuance of Bonds to Finance a Project for Kyle Plaza, Ltd. , a Texas limited partnership (the "User") , whereby the Issuer agreed to provide for the financing of the cost of the User' s project (the "Project") which was initially described in Exhibit "A" to said Resolution and is more fully described in Exhibits "B" and "C" to the Loan Agreement between the Issuer and the User referenced below; and WHEREAS , for purposes of financing the cost of the Pro- ject, the Issuer now desires (i) to authorize the issuance of its Industrial Development Revenue Bonds , Series 1983 (Kyle Plaza, Ltd. , Project) (the "Bonds") , in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $10 , 000 , 000 , pursuant to the terms and provisions of a trust indenture , (ii) to provide for the sale of the Bonds to the purchaser described herein, (iii) to provide for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds with revenues derived from the loan of proceeds of the sale of the Bonds to the User to finance the costs of the Project pursuant to the terms and provisions of a loan agreement and (iv) to take and authorize certain other actions in connection with the foregoing; and WHEREAS , on December 20 , 1983 , after a public hearing as required by Section 103(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 , as amended, and the applicable regulations promul- gated thereunder and in compliance with the Act and the rules and regulations of the Texas 'Economic Development Commission, the governing body of the Unit adopted a written resolution specifically approving the Project and this resolution of the Issuer providing for the issuance of the Bonds ; and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with and has examined proposed forms of a trust indenture , a loan agree- ment, and a letter of representation, and the Board finds that the form and substance of such documents are satisfac- tory and the recitals and findings contained therein are true, correct and complete and hereby adopts and incorpor- ates by reference such recitals and findings as if set forth in full in this resolution, and finds that it is in the best interest of the public and the Issuer and assists in carry- ing out the public purposes of the Issuer and of the Act to authorize the execution and delivery of such documents ; and WHEREAS , the Board has also been presented with and has examined the proposed form of a guaranty agreement pursuant to which Bruce F. Rieck (the "Guarantor") will irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the full and prompt payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds to the extent set forth in said guaranty agreement , and the Board finds the form and substance of such document is satisfactory, and that the agreement of the Guarantor contained therein constitutes a material inducement to the Issuer to issue and sell the Bonds and in reliance upon such agreement of the Guarantor, the Board is willing to adopt this resolution and authorize the actions to be taken hereby; and WHEREAS , the Board has also been presented with and has examined the proposed form of (i) an assignment of lessor' s interest in leases and security agreement from the User to the Issuer and (ii) a deed of trust and security agreement from the User to Bruce Whitehead, as mortgage trustee, for the benefit of the Issuer, and the Board finds the form and substance of each such document is satisfactory; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BEAUMONT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION THAT: 1 . The Issuer hereby authorizes and directs the issuance of - the Bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $10 ,000 , 000 , in accordance with a trust indenture -2- i substantially in the form of the Trust Indenture , dated as Ok of December 1 , 1983 (the "Indenture") , by and between the Issuer and Allied Merchants Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee") , which was presented to the Board, the form, terms and provisions of such Indenture and the Bonds being hereby authorized and approved, and the President and the Vice President of the Issuer are hereby severally authorized and directed to execute and deliver such Indenture and the Bonds on behalf of the Issuer, and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Issuer is hereby authorized to attest and affix the Issuer' s seal thereto , with such changes therein as the officers executing the same may approve, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by such execution thereof. 2. The loan of the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds by the Issuer to the User in order to provide financing for the costs of acquiring and constructing the Project shall be effected pursuant to the terms and provisions of a loan agreement substantially in the form of the Loan Agreement , dated as of December 1 , 1983 (the "Loan Agreement") , by and between the Issuer and the User, which was presented to the Board, the form, terms and provisions of such Loan Agreement being hereby authorized and approved, and the President and the Vice President of the Issuer are hereby severally authorized and directed to execute and deliver such Loan Agreement on behalf of the Issuer, and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Issuer is hereby authorized to attest and affix the Issuer' s seal thereto , with such changes therein as the officers executing the same may approve , such approval to be conclusively evidenced by such execution thereof. 3. As a condition to the actions authorized in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this resolution, the Guarantor shall have executed and delivered to the Trustee a guaranty agree- ment substantially in the form of the Guaranty Agreement , dated as of December 1 , 1983 (the "Guaranty Agreement") , between the Trustee and the Guarantor, which was presented to the Board, and the User shall have executed (i) an assignment of lessor' s interest in leases and security agreement substantially in the form of the Assignment of Lessor' s Interest in Leases and Security Agreement , dated as of December 1 , 1983 (the "Assignment") , from the User to the Issuer, and (ii) a deed of trust and security agreement sub- stantially in the form of the Deed of Trust and Security Agreement , dated as of December 1 , 1983 (the "Mortgage") , from the User to Bruce Whitehead, as mortgage trustee , for the benefit of the Issuer, which documents were presented to -3- the Board, the form, terms and provisions thereof being hereby authorized and approved. 4 . The sale and delivery of the Bonds by the Issuer to Allied Bank Beaumont (the "Initial Purchaser") is hereby authorized and approved. The Initial Purchaser shall receive certain commitment fees which are payable as provided in the Loan Agreement and shall be subject to partial refund as therein set forth. 5 . The actions and obligations authorized in Paragraphs 1 through 4 of this resolution shall be subject to and conditioned upon the receipt by the Issuer, on the date of delivery and payment for the Bonds (the "Closing Date") , of (i) a letter of representation, dated the Closing Date , from the User and the Guarantor, duly authorized and executed by the User and the Guarantor, substantially in the form of the Letter of Representation (the "Letter of Representation") , which was presented to the Board, the form, terms and provisions of such Letter of Representation being hereby authorized and approved and the President and the Vice President of the Issuer are hereby severally authorized to signify the Issuer' s acceptance and confirmation of such Letter of Representation by executing the same on behalf of the Issuer in multiple counterparts ; (ii) an investment letter, dated the Closing Date , duly authorized and executed by the Initial Purchaser, substantially in the form of the Investment Letter (the "Investment Letter") , which was presented to the Board, the form, terms and provisions of such Investment Letter being hereby authorized and approved; (iii) a certificate from a representative of the Texas Economic Development Commission (the- "Commission") , acting on behalf of the Commission, evidencing final approval of the Loan Agreement ; (iv) the purchase price for the Bonds; and (v) such opinions , evidences , certificates , instruments or other documents as shall be requested by the Issuer' s Counsel or by Bond Counsel, to evidence due performance or satisfaction by the User and the Guarantor at or prior to such time of all agreements then to be performed and all conditions then to be satisfied by each of them. 6 . The officers , employees and agents of the Issuer, and each of them, shall be and each is expressly authorized, empowered and directed from time to time and at any time to do and perform all acts and things and to execute, acknowledge and deliver in the name and under the corporate seal and on behalf of the Issuer all certificates , financing statements , instruments and other papers , whether or not -4- herein mentioned, as they may determine to be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the terms and provisions of this resolution and of the Bonds to be issued hereunder, as well as the terms and provisions of the Indenture , the Loan Agreement, the Mortgage, the Assignment , the Guaranty Agreement and the Letter of Representation hereby authorized and approved, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the performance of such acts and things and the execution of any such certificate , financing statement , instrument or other paper. 7. The officers of the Issuer (with the assistance of the User) shall prepare a final transcript of the proceedings relating to the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds , which transcript shall be submitted to the Commission within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date. 8 . Based upon representations made by the User to the Board, the Board hereby affirmatively finds that: . (a) the Project will have the effect of creating and stabilizing employment within the Unit; (b) the Project is required or suitable for the promotion of commercial development and expansion and is in furtherance of the public purposes of the Act, or for use by commercial enterprises , and will be located in an "eligible blighted area" of the Unit within the meaning of the Act; and (c) the Project will contribute to the economic growth or stability of the Unit by: (i) increasing or stabilizing employment opportunity; (ii) significantly increasing or stabilizing the property tax base; and (iii) promoting commerce within the Unit and the State of Texas . 9. This resolution shall take effect and be in full force and effect upon and after its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED this 20th day of December, 1983 . -5- December 16, 1983 Council Letter 220 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council , Subject: Expansion of Neighborhood Housing Services Boundaries Neighborhood Housing Services is a private, locally controlled, non-profit corporation. The non-profit corporation was established September 26, 1981. The Neighborhood Housing Services Program was based on a working relationship of community residents, representatives of financial institutions and local government. The program offers comprehensive rehabilitation and financial services to community residents. The City allocated $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the fiscal year 1981 Program Year, to support a revolving loan fund for the Neighborhood Housing Services neigh- borhood. The revolving loan fund was available to make loans to residents within the neighborhood who weren't able to meet normal commercial credit requirements with a lending institution. In addition, the City allocated $30,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the fiscal year 1982 Program Year, to support the administrative cost for the Neighorhood Housing Services Program. The funds were to be used for administrative costs such as contractural services, rental office space, utilities, office equipment, supplies, postage and a tool library which in- cludes small tools or equipment that is necessary for rehabilitation. Ad- ditionally, the funds were to be used for salaries and benefits for an ad- ministrative aide and a secretarial position. In a response to a request that was submitted by the Director and Chairman of the Board for the Neighborhood Housing Services Program, we are requesting a public hearing and a resolution approving the expansion of the neighborhood, which would allow for the use of the Community Development Block Grant funds to be used in the expanded area. The funds will continue to be used for re- habilitation loans for low-moderate income persons, which would not qualify for a rehabilitation loan from a lending ingtitution. The boundaries for the new expansion would include an area bounded by Washing- ton Boulevard on the north, Florida Street on the south, Southern Pacific Rail- road on the west, and Highland Avenue on the east. Population and housing characteristics for the existing and expanded area are attached for your review. It is recommended that this resolution be adopted. 1 Karl Nollenberger City Manager RVLI �c t �1tE� - CoRPoaAl CIFID Q 1� 1 W H — U M ARVID.f - � a®0❑ � M W E � doe AL IM 4 dhe ; Ili t TMR[A OURE] = o O �+ 3t E . ThrootrN•a - `�aI c.e REL I E _ —©�a , E Esc � E o � EGYPT . �� ��.. - nnn r--1 . r-4-:1 � � ROPOSED�1 � C M � EXPANSION. E CMU� d G p o rLl EX R KM N ISITING AREA , ° R Z W FNo LA I� r j o: a Dlg A A ve 4 • e ►RAN o = i Z PO �+ E. VA u W O C " IRS s• .. �. ES SE X L.J� E IRBY +IA m G MCMDRZ Phetzsch PA L } Mr,c ElhvrScA� a dpu r 0 Sooth Pork 1yq N = acAeol E T AV r e �► .o Y A CLARK > Ct BOYD I AV A z LA BA f x i A ARLAN Goy v IOWA I� ~ • ! ? G I LE S W Au ry JOSEPH FLORIDA i .� • o '�\� FL I A _ � f► ' �R'wop ��" � G� '� %L _• �s e NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICE STRATEGY AREA The original Neighborhood Housing Service (NHS) Strategy Area is located in CT#26. It is bounded on the north by Railroad Ave (Spur 380) , the west by Highland Avenue, the east by University Avenue and the south by Florida Avenue (see map). The NHS is proposing to expand into CT#'s 24 and 25. The new proposed strategy area is bound on the north by Washington Blvd. , on the west by Southern Pacific Railroad, on the east by Highland Avenue, and on the south by Florida Avenue (see map). Geographic Area: CT #24 - Bounded on the north by Washington Blvd. , the west by Southern Pacific Railroad, the east by Highland Avenue, and the south by Brockman Street. POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS HOUSING PROPOSED AREA EXISTING AREA OF EXPANSION TOTAL UNITS 1,296 1,071 SINGLE FAMILY (SF) 892 1,006 MULTI-FAMILY (MF) 404 65 CONDITION OF HOUSING BY UNITS - 1977 CONDITION RATING PROPOSED AREA EXISTING AREA OF EXPANSION SF MF SF MF 1 4 72 0 0 2 86 136 53 1 3 741 178 717 44 4 55 17 209 17 5 5 1 27 3 1=Very Good 2=Good 3=Fair 4=Poor 5=Blighted POPULATION POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS 1980 fA AREA POPULATION % BLACK % 65+ % 18 UNDER % L/M INCOME Existing Area 5,807 16.64 9.23 14.95 36 .00 Proposed Area 3,119 40.00 18.70 25.60 39.00 of Expansion NOTE: Population Data for the existing area is by Census Tract Geographic Area: CT #25 - Bounded on the north by Brockman Street, the west by Southern Pacific Railroad, the east by Highland Avenue, and the south by Florida Avenue. POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS HOUSING PROPOSED AREA EXISTING AREA OF EXPANSION TOTAL UNITS 1,296 1,447 SINGLE FAMILY (SF) 892 1,141 MULTI-FAMILY (MF) 404 306 CONDITION OF HOUSING BY UNITS - 1977 CONDITION RATING PROPOSED AREA EXISTING AREA OF EXPANSION SF MF SF MF 1 4 72 29 10 2 86 136 170 149 3 741 178 854 127 4 56 17 78 19 5 5 1 10 1 1=Very Good 2=Good 3=Fair 4=Poor S=Blighted ok POPULATION POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS 1980 AREA POPULATION % BLACK % 65+ 18 UNDER % L/M INCOME Existing Area 5,807 16.64 9.23 14.95 36.00 Proposed Area 3,094 15.30 15.00 22.70 34.00 of Expansion - NOTE: Population Data for existing area is by Census Tract �t R E S O L U T I O N BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: i THAT the Neighborhood Housing Services neighborhood boundaries are hereby expanded to include an area bounded by Washington Boulevard on the north, Florida Avenue on the south, the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way on the west and Highland Avenue on the east, to allow for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for rehabilitation loans for low and moderate income persons. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - 3. December 16, 1983 Council Letter 218 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Abolishment of Contract between City and the Emergency Medical Services Corporation —One of the decisions made with the adoption of the 1984 budget was the ab- sorption of the Emergency Medical Services functions into the City operations by including it as a separate division within the Fire Department. The service had been operating independently and had been reporting to a non- profit corporation. During the time of the discussion in September, it was agreed that the City would phase in the operation over a three-month period. One of the steps that is now required is a formal abolishment of the contract between the City and the Corporation. It is recommended that this action be approved. Karl Nollenberger City Manager a� R E S O L U T I O N , WHEREAS, on the 18th day of May, 1982, the City entered into a contract with the Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Corporation for the provision of emergency medical services in the City of Beaumont; and, WHEREAS, the city will assume responsibility for this function on January 1 , 1984 ; and, WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize the cancellation of such contract effective January 1 , 1984 ; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the contract heretofore entered into between the City of Beaumont and the Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Corporation on the 18th day of May, 1982 be, and the same is hereby , cancelled subject to the approval of such cancellation by the Board of Directors of the Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Corporation. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of , 1983. Mayor - 'i 4. December 16, 1983 Council Letter 209 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council , Subject: Entex Rate Increase Request This resolution will operate to suspend the effective date of the proposed Ent:ex rate increase in order to give staff an adequate time to review the merits of the proposal . In addition, it will set a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, January 17th, at the regular City Council meeting. While aniilysis of the proposed increase will not be completed by that date, Council should have the staff report by the end of January. Karl Nollenberger City Manager NO_ ? r 1 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, on December 5 , 1983 , Entex, Inc. filed a statement of intent to change rates for natural gas service to residential and small commercial customers within the City of Beaumont effective January 9 , 1984 ; and, WHEREAS, the City Council believes that such increase will require a public hearing and a careful review by the City before becoming effective; and, WHEREAS, in order to study thoroughly the proposed change, the City Council believes that additional time is required beyond the proposed effective date of the change; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT pending hearing and decision by the City Council, the effective date of the proposed change in the rates of Entex, Inc. within the City- of Beaumont is hereby suspended for a period of ninety ( 90) days. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rate change at 1 : 15 p.m. , Tuesday, January 17 , 1984 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Beaumont, Texas. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the City of Beaumont in connection with the review of the proposed rate increase are assessed against Entex, r :Inc. The City Clerk is hereby directed to serve a certified copy of this resolution upon the local manager of Entex, Inc. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this -the day of 19 - Mayor - 2 - J. December 16, 1983 Council Letter 208 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant As you will recall , in October of this year, Council authorized the Police Department to apply for a grant to subsidize the cost of overtime paid to officers working in the Department's Accident Control Team (A.C.T. ) . The duties of this team are the investigation of fatality accidents and con- centrated enforcement efforts at assigned locations where injury accident experience, DWI 's, and incidents of hazardous moving violations have been greatest. The grant applied for has been approved with some modifications. The primary modification was to reduce the number of hours that may be charged to the grant; as a result, the maximum reimbursement the City would receive has been reduced from almost $195,000 to approximately $130,000. The grant will reimburse the City for the cost of salaries, retirement programs, and Workmen's Compensation for all employees working overtime in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P. ). Additionally, the City will receive up to 23 cents per mile for traveling and a maximum of $2,500 in support of public information and education. The starting date for the project is January 1, 1984, and would run until September 30, 1986. The total cost of an overtime program in fiscal year 1984 would- be approximately $130,000. If approved by Council , this grant will pick up the cost -of the remaining nine months of this program. In the second year of the program, The City will be required to pick up 25 percent of the program, and 50 percent in the third and final year. For this reason, some additional monies would have to be allocated in the fiscal year 1985 and fiscal year 1986 budgets to cover the City's cost for this program. This project would materially contribute to- an already active traffic pro- gram, would serve as an extension of our enforcement arm, and create safer streets and highways for the citizens of Beaumont. It is recommended that Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation to receive these funds. Karl Nollenberger City Manager R E S O L U T I O N BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the City Manager be, and he is hereby , authorized to enter into an. agreement with the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation for a Hazardous Moving Viloations/Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - L 6. December 16, 1983 Council Letter 214 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council , Subject: Application for Water and Sewer Service Crabtree Construction Company has applied for water and sanitary sewer service for a proposed new location for the general contracting business at 7375 Frint Drive, just outside the west City limits. The one-acre tract is on the south side of Frint, about 1,365 feet east of the Fannett Road, and service would be provided from existing lines - a 12-inch sanitary sewer main and an eight-inch water line on Frint. The applicant would pay all costs involved in the con- nections.- . At its December 5th meeting, the City Planning Commission reviewed the applica- tion and voted 5-0 to recommend approval . All conditions of the City's policy for extension of water and sewer utilities have been fulfilled. It is recommended that the application be approved. Karl Nollenberger City Manager TO: Planning Commission ' FROM: Planning Department SUBJECT: Request for extension of utilities 308 feet east of Fannett Road on the south side of Frint Road; scheduled for regular meeting on December 5, 1983 . * STAFF REPORT GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant Jack Crabtree Status of Applicant owner of Crabtree Construction Requested Action extension of water and sewer utilities Pur]?ose new location for construction business Location 1365 feet east of Fannett Road on south side of Frint Road Size 1. 0 acre Existing Land Use vacant Comprehensive Plan industrial ALSO SEE CONDITIONS FOR EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES. PLAIINING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request by a vote of 5 to 0. MATER tiND_ SEWER UTILITIES 1) The proposed use of the property must be in accordance with the City' s comprehensive plan. The request is in accordance with the comprehensive plan. 2) The owner of the property must execute a contract for payments to the City in lieu of taxes. Applicant has agreed to this condition until annexation is ' completed. 3) If the property to be served is in a utility district, the owner must either obtain deannexation of the property from the district or obtain a release from the district allowing the City to annex the property. The request is within the West Jefferson County Municipal Water District. Correspondence from the district indicates their approval of the City's extension of service. 4) The property to be served should be appropriate for annexation within seven (7) years. Utilities in Frint Road are an 8" water line and 12" sanitary sewer. These indicate that the area would be appropriate for annexation. 5) The City must receive satisfactory assurances that all con- struction will be in accordance with all utility construction regulations, codes and ordinances of the City. Applicant has submitted a letter agreeing to comply with all city construction codes. 6) Prior to approving extension of utility services, the City Council shall receive a recommendation from the Planning Commission. 7) The development shall be located in the service area shown in City' s Certificate of Convenience and Necessity as approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. 'Phe request will require an amendment to the City' s Certificate of Convenience after completion of annexation. 8) The extension of utility services shall not have an adverse effect on existing customers. Utilities in the area are adequate for service to the appli- cant without adverse effect on present customers_ 9) The above guidelines will not apply to extension of service to a single-family dwelling, so long as such single-family dwelling is constructed in accordance with the codes of the City of Beaumont. The City Manager is hereby authorized to provide water and sewer service to a single-family dwelling. riot applicable ?IO": OF t 7,=R 1365 FEET •~ jji,/ (� i_: . Gi : .' :ITT RO,,D 0 THz� SID- OF FRINT ROPJ). . �. �O^ i APPLICANT: JACK CRABTREL. - n t/800 e 4 SUBJECT - . - �=�► - - is T #6 , FRINT DR i 1365.3 'e'. 2 L ui ui ca S CAL D' "=50' ESE Q v e fou zoaQ PutPOSErs LA,MAR t-L&CTRIc 2190-41 PQ0 f' 05 � D �, so' x IS0' �O ' B 'U I L D 1 N G 30' S . `1 150, O r iP cw GN OQ� o . Z Gl Q z NC; R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Jack Crabtree has requested water and sewer service to his property located approximately thirteen hundred sixty five ( 1 ,365' ) east of Fannett Road on the south side of Frint Road; and, WHEREAS, the city desires to extend water and sewer services to such property; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: That the City Manager be, and he is hereby , authorized to extend water and sewer services to property located approximately 1 ,365' east of Fannett Road on the south side of Frint Road. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of , 1983. Mayor - December 16, 1983 Council Letter 212 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Purchase of Oyster Shell Two bids were received on December 5th for furnishing approximately 4,000 tons of reef oyster shell for the Urban Transportation and Water Utilities Departments. The! prices quoted for the material loaded on City trucks at the vendor's plaint were as follows: Vendor Location Unit Price Total Radcliff Materials IH 10 East, $13.50 $54,000 east bank of Neches River Keown Supply 1110 Pine $14.00 $56,000 The! estimated quantity represents about a six-months' supply. The City has been paying $12.70 a ton at the hopper for shell purchased from Radcliff under a six months' contract which has just expired. Shell is used by the Street Division principally for stabilization on the shoulders. of asphalt, open ditch streets and by Water Utilities as fill around water and sewer lines where the soil is unstable. It is recommended that the low bid of Radcliff Materials be accepted. c� N Karl Nollenberger City Manager M ,) ids R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, bids were received for a six months contract for approximately 4 ,000 tons of oyster shell; and, WHEREAS, Radcliff Materials, Inc, of Beaumont, Texas submitted a bid in the amount of $13. 50 per ton; and, WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion that the bid submitted by Radcliff Materials , Inc. is the lowest and best bid and should be accepted; NOW , THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the bid of Radcliff Materials, Inc. in the amount of $13.50 per ton be accepted by the City of Beaumont and that the City Manager be, and he is hereby , authorized to enter into a six months contract with Radcliff Materials, Inc. for approximately 4 ,000 tons of oyster shell. PASSED -BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - Y: or December 16,'..1983 . Council Letter .216 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Lease/Purchase of Copier � One of our continuing efforts towards a maximinization of efficient operations in our day-to-day office procedures lies in a centralization of offi ce equip- ment wherever possible. An area that has been identified is the third floor of City Hall where the existing two copiers located in the Executive Office area and accounting can be replaced with a single high-speed machine with several features not now available on the older machines. Our current cost per month for the two existing machines runs between $1,000 to $1,100 per month. The features needed for this application are: copy speed of 70 copies per minute, automatic two-sided copying (this feature is used extensively in preparation of manuals and budget documents),. automatic feeder, a bin sorter, two types of paper stock and reduction capabilities. This combination of features limited bidding to three companies, two of whom are active in the market. The only other company with a suitable model is Eastman Kodak. Bids; were received from the Xerox Corporation and IBM. The bid from Xerox totaled $1,314 per month with ten percent of the monthly rental to accrue toward a purchase price of $51,812; while the bid from IBM was $1,163 per month with $742 of the monthly rental applying against the purchase price of $28,912. This accrual applies up to 50 percent of the purchase price. For the present, we propose a lease/purchase arrangement in order to ensure that this type of machine will meet our needs. The copier that we are recommend- ing from IBM is a high-speed machine capable of serving the needs of the third floor with a collator, automatic two-bided copying, reduction and a fully automatic document feeder. The funding for this copier will be from the Central Stores Fund with reim- bursement to come in from the user departments on a per-copy charge to pay for the usage. It is; recommended that the IBM bid be accepted. Karl Mollenberger City Manager NO � R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, bids were received for a one year lease/purchase contract for a copier; and, WHEREAS, IBM of Beaumont, Texas submitted a bid in the amount of $1 ,163 per month with an additional charge of $ .0096 per copy; and, WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion that the bid submitted by IBM is the lowest and best bid and should be accepted; NOW , THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the bid submitted by IBM in the amount stated above be accepted by the City of Beaumont and that the City Manager be, and he is hereby , authorized to enter into a lease/purchase contract with IBM for one. year for one Series III Model 60 copier. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - r r December 16, 1983 Council Memo No. 47 Honorable Mayor and ME!mbers of City Council Subject: Proposed revisions to Downtown Reinvestment Zone Project Plan The attached is a preliminary copy of the information that has been furnished to the Reinvestment Zone Board for action at their meeting on Monday, December 19th. We will endeavor to get the results of their meeting to you late Monday or early Tuesday. WE! regret the time frame which is necessitated by the fact that any and all changes must be in place by December 31st. If we are unable to resolve this, a meeting will be required on December 27th. �L IV &&"" Karl Nollenberger City Manager SUMMARY OF PROPOSED REVISIONS TO DOWNTOWN REINVESTMENT ZONE PROJECT PLAN The 1983 amendments to the Texas Tax Increment Financing Act and the recent collapse of the Market Square proposal have made it necessary to revise the Downtown Reinvestment Zone Plan. The following major revisions are proposed: • Fund a public plaza to be located between the Kyle Building and the Jack Brooks Federal Building with Tax Increment Bonds at an estimated cost of $2 ,078,800. Construction would start in 1985. • Fund 5, 800 linear feet of sidewalk improvements and landscaping with Tax Increment revenues on hand after debt service on Tax Increment Bonds at an estimated cost of $471, 900. This project would proceed in phases as funds become available. Projected starting date is 1988. • The Market Square project remains in the plan, but not as a project to be funded by Tax Increment revenues. • Other public improvements projects added to the plan include a parking garage, relocation of overhead utilities, and a program of facade restorations for historic buildings. None of these projects would utilize Tax Increment funds. Federal or State grants or loan repayments received on UDAG projects are potential funding sources. In addition to these major changes in the Project Plan, several minor revisions to the text and maps are proposed to update the plan in response to new developments and changed conditions, such as the announced renovation of the LaSalle Hotel and the apparent failure of Market Square. The recent Tax Increment Finance Act amendments also -require adoption of -a Financing Plan which summarizes costs of proposed public improvements and the expected sources and extent of Tax Increment revenues. The proposed revisions to the Reinvestment Zone Project Plan and the proposed new Financing Plan are attached. PROPOSED REVISIONS TO DOWNTOWN REINVESTMENT ZONE PLAN PART 1: INTRODUCTION. No changes. PART 2: ISSUES. No changes. t PART 3: INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS. • Update pg. 3. 8-3. 14 ("Recent Development Trends, " "Histori- cal/Architectural Inventory," "Office Buildings") to include 1) proposal to rehabilitate LaSalle Hotel and 2) the collapse of the Market Square project. • Revise pgs. 3. 31-3. 37 ("projected Tax Increment Revenues") to address possible reduction of School District tax rates due to the recent consolidation of the Beaumont and South Park school districts. Remove reference to Market Square as a factor in projected Tax Increment revenues. Address the impact of the reappraisal of the downtown area. • Replace Tables 3-7 with the updated-Tax Increment Projection tables included in the Financing Plan. PART 4: DEVELOPMENT PLAN. • Revise Figure 16 ("Land Use Plan") to show "open space" classification for proposed park/plaza adjacent to Kyle Building. • - Insert the following features of the proposed- development concept at the beginning of page 4. 6 : • Construction of a public park/pedestrian plaza on a- tract of land located between the Kyle Building and the Jack Brooks Federal Building. • Environmental and pedestrian improvements, including sidewalk construction, landscaping and utility line relocations. 0 Revise second paragraph on page 4.7 to read "It should be noted that tax increment financing is only one of several financing mechanisms included in this plan. " • Insert the following new sections after the second paragraph on page 4.7: Public Plaza in Kyle Building/Federal Building Vicinity A landscaped public park or pedestrian plaza is proposed - for development in the area located between the Kyle Building and the Jack Brooks Federal Building (see Figure 18) . This park will enhance the attractiveness of the Kyle Building renovation and the Kyle Tower office development and is seen by the Kyle project developer as an important amenity needed to attract the caliber of tenants who require Class A office space. The pedestrain-oriented park will allow the Kyle project, as well as subsequent projects in the immediate area, to compete with highly landscaped suburban developments. Estimated costs for land acquisition and construction are shown in Table 8. Use of tax increment funds for these improvements is proposed. Streetscape Improvements The 1973 Gruen Plan for downtown redevelopment and the 1979 Urban Land Institute panel study identified a need for certain "environmental improvements, " including sidewalk reconstruction and landscaping necessary to make the downtown area a more attractive location for new private investment. Figure 18 shows a proposed plan to use land- scaped sidewalks as pedestrian linkages between major activity centers in and around the Reinvestment Zone. Estimated costs are provided in Table 9. Use of Tax Incre- ment Zone funds for these improvements is proposed. Civic Center/Convention Hotel Parking Structure Currently the Civic Center is underutilized because of the lack of a downtown convention hotel. If such a hotel is built, additional parking facilities will be needed to accommodate the hotel and the resulting increase in use of the Civic Center. A 500-space parking garage to serve the Civic Center, convention hotel, Julie Rogers Theatre, and future private commercial developments in the Civic Center area would cost an estimated $3,660, 000 (in 1984 dollars) , as shown in Table 10. Utility Relocations Overhead utility lines detract from the appearance of the downtown area and limit the development potential of some tracts of land. The 1973 Gruen CBD Development Plan and a 1979 Urban Land Institute study recommended rerouting or undergrounding electric utilities to improve the downtown environment. Costs are estimated at $1,000,000. Facade Restoration Acquisition of facade easements and restoration of the facades of the numerous historic buildings in the down- town area could increase the attractiveness of these buildings to potential retail and restaurant customers and office tenants. A revolving loan fund . capitalized with CDBG or Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) loan repayments is recommended as a funding mechinism for this program. TABLE 8 PUBLIC PLAZA (KYLE BUILDING/FEDERAL BUILDING VICINITY) ESTIMATED COSTS Land Acquisition $ 274 ,000 Land Contingency 54, 800 Demolition, Construction, Landscaping 1,500, 000 Design Fees 150,000 Legal, Financial and Real Estate Fees 100,000 $2,078,800 TABLE 9 PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ESTIMATED COSTS Demolition $ 52, 500 Construction 187, 500 Landscaping 135,000 Signs & Graphics 15,000 Design Fees 39, 000 Contingency 42,900 471,900 NOTE: Project will be done .in phases with timing determined by available funds. i the following revised sectons : Public Improvements for Market Square , In October, 1983, it was announced that a protracted effort to obtain private-sector funding for the Market Square had failed. Although this appears to have ended hopes of development of the project as originally proposed, the possibility of a future project of a similar nature involving some of the same buildings should not be ruled out, especially if future office developments provide a larger clientele for dovmtown specialty retail sales and restaurants. The original Market Square plan called for public participation in the form of land acquisition, con- struction of parking lots, and construction of a p g pedestrian plaza. The proposed public improvements would still be needed to attract a private sector developer for a restruc- tured version of the Market Square. Figure 19 shows a conceptual site plan for Market Square. Costs of land acquisition and development of public facilities are summarized in Tables 13 and 14 . The public improvements as originally proposed are described below. Some changes in the design and scope of these facilities might be necessary to accommodate the needs of any future configuration of the Market Square project. Parking for Downtown Market Square Under the terms of the Downtown Market Square develop- ment proposal the City of Beaumont was to construct a minimum of 310 off-street parking spaces to serve the Market Place. The 310 required parking spaces were to be located in two lots. Materials, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping treatments were to be coordinated with the privately constructed commercial components of the project to produce a visually unified design. Public Plaza in Market Square A pedestrian plaza proposed for the Market Square site would form an open public space in the approximate center of the project area. The landscaped plaza would be unified in materials and design with the pedestrian walks and parking lots in the Market Square complex. The original Market Square proposal included a synthetic-surfaced ice skating rink. Private sector participation would be needed to supplement the public investment in the plaza. • Replace Table 7 ' (page 4.9 , "Estimated Costs of Public Improvements") with the attached revised Table 7. • Revise Figure 15 ("Proposed Public Improvements") to include improvements shown in Table 7. • Revise page 4. 15 ("Tyrrell Historical Library") to address completion of Phase 2 improvements, plans for Phase 3 and 4 improvements. " • Delete "Traffic Signal Improvements" from page 4. 18. Delete Table 12 on page 4.19. (These improvements have been com- pleted. ) • Add to page 4. 20 ("Proposed Changes to Official Plans and Ordinances") a proposed revision to the City' s Park and Open Space Plan to include the proposed park adjacent to the Kyle Building. • Delete proposal- on page 4.20 to rezone Market Square site. Site has now been rezoned as proposed. TABLE 7 ESTIMATED COSTS OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN REINVESTMENT ZONE 1984-1994 ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT COST ($) P.ERIOD SOURCE OF FUNDS iic Plaza between Kyle and 2, 078, 800 7/1/85 to 2/1/86 Tax Increment Bondsl :rooks Federal Building trian Improvements 471,900 In phases as funds Tax Increment Revenues accrue. ( "pay as you go" basis) Phase 1: 5/1/'88 to 11/1/38 . :-t Square Parking Lots 1, 392,000 Depends upon private HUD Section 108 Loan sector developer. or Federal grants Lc Pla;a in Market Square 408,000 Depends upon private HUD Section 108 Loan sector developer. or State or Federal grants :.ett Connector 871,000 6/84 - 12/85 Thoroughfare Improvement bond issue (approved 1980) X11 Library Renovations 3 Community Development .ease Three 280 , 000 undetermined Block Grant (CDBG) , ,lase Four 900 ,000 undetermined3 Historic Preservation Grants or ,private con- tributions ination Sewer Separations 2, 000 ,000 undetermined Environmental Protection Agency grant .c Center Area Parking 3, 660 , 000 undetermined UDAG loan repayments or cture2 Federal grants TABLE 7 (cont'd) ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT COST ($) PERIOD SOURCE OF FUNDS 9.ty Line Relocations2 1,000 ,000 undetermined UDAG loan repayments or Federal grants Easements/Restoration 300, 000 undetermined UDAG loan repayments or CDBG lAlternate financing technique if bonds cannot be sold: HUD Section 108 Loan, repayment with .ncrement revenues (see Appendix 1, Financing Plan) . 2 I warranted by changed conditions, these projects could be financed with Tax Increment ues. A revision of the Reinvestment Zone Project and Financing Plan would be required. 3Depends upon availability of funds. i FINANCING PLAN: DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT REINVESTMENT ZONE In 1983, the Texas Tax Increment Financing Act was revised to include a requirement for a Financing Plan. The Financing Plan must include the following informa- tion: • A detailed description of the project costs, including administrative expenses. • The estimated amount of bonded indebtedness to be incurred. • The expected sources of revenue to finance or pay project costs, including the percentage of tax in- crement to be derived from the property taxes of each taxing unit that levies real property taxes in the zone. • The current total appraised value of taxable real property in the zone. • The estimated captured appraised value of the zone during each year of its existence. • The duration of the zone. This plan is intended to meet the new requirements of the amended Act and to serve as a supplement to the Down- town Reinvestment Zone Project Plan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT COSTS The estimated costs of constructing the public improve- ments proposed in the Downtown Beaumont Reinvestment Zone Project Plan are summarized in Tables 1 and 2 . Table 1 • TABLE 1 PROJECT CASTS PUBLIC PLAZA LAND AQUISITION 274000 LAND CONTINGENCY 54800 DEMOLITION,CON- 1500000 STRUCTIONY LANDSCAPING DESIGN FEES 150000 LEGAL:FIPANCIAL,fi REAL ESTATE FEES 100000 2078800 PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS DEMOLITION 52500 CONSTRUCTION: 187 540 LANDSCAFING 135000 SIGNS G GRAPHICS 15000 DESIGN FEES 39000 CONTINGENCY 42900 471904 2550700 lists "project costs" , defined as costs to be funded through tax increment financing. Table 2 lists "non- project" costs, which are defined as costs to be funded through sources other than tax increment financing. ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS The estimated amount of bonded indebtedness to be incurred by the proposed Project Plan is $2,078,000, which would be used to fund a proposed public plaza adjacent to the Kyle Plaza project. An additional $471,900 in Tax Increment spending is proposed for development of pedestrian ammenities throughout the Reinvestment Zone. It is proposed that these improvements will be funded directly from accumulated revenues on hand in the Tax Increment Fund after debt service on the Tax Increment Bonds. These improvements will be undertaken in several phases, with the starting date of each new phase determin- ed by the availability of unemcumbered Tax Increment I revenues. Il Currently, sale of Tax Increment Bonds in the state of Texas is not feasible due to unresolved legal issues raised in a lawsuit against the City of E1Paso. Until g Y these issues are resolved by the Attorney General' s Office, financing techniques other than the sale of Tax Increment Bonds must be used. It is anticipated that this TABLE 2 NON-PROJECT COSTS Crockett Connector $ 871,000 Tyrrell Library Renovation, Phase 3 280 ,000 Tyrrell Library Renovation, Phase 4 900 ,000 Combination Sewer Separation 2 ,000 ,000 Parking Garage, 600 spaces 3,660 ,000 Utility Relocations 1,000,000 Market Square Parking 1,392,000 Market Square Pedestrian Plaza 408,000 Facade Improvements/Preservation Easements 300 ,000 $10,811, 000 NOTE: Itemized costs for each of the above activities are included in the Downtown Reinvestment Zone Project Plan. -- legal conflict will be resolved in time for tax increment d1 bonds to be issued to implement the Downtown Beaumont Reinvestment Zone Project Plan. As a contingency in the event that these bonds cannot be sold, an alternate financing technique is described in the following _ paragraph. ALTERNATE FINANCING TECHNIQUE In the event that legal or other difficulties prevent the sale of Tax Increment Bonds, financing for the proposed Kyle Park is proposed to be obtained from a "Section 108" loan from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . The 108 Loan would be guaranteed by the City' s , annual Community Development Block Grant entitlement. Each year for six fiscal years the City' s CDBG allocation would be reduced by the amount of debt service required to repay the 108 loan. Tax Increment Fund revenues would be used to repay the CDBG funds deducted from the annual allocation to repay the 108 loan. EXPECTED SOURCES OF REVENUES Table 3 lists the expected sources of tax increment - revenues to pay project costs. TOTAL APPRAISED VALUE OF TAXABLE REAL PROPERTY IN THE REINVESTMENT ZONE When the Downtown Beaumont Reinvestment Zone was created . , . TABLE 3 SOURCES OF TAX INCREMENT REVENUES Or TOTAL TAX RATE % PAIU TO T.I.F. T.I.F. TAXING ENTITY PER$1000 T.I. FUND RATE RATE ---------------------- -------- --------- --------- --------- CITY OF BEAUMONT 7.6C; 100.00 7.60 33.05 SOUTH PARK SCHOOL-51 10.,30 100.00 10.30 44.79 JEFFERSON COUNTY 2.42 100.00 2,42 10.52 PORT OF vEAUM0'NT .454 100.00 0.45 1.97 NAVIGATION DISTRICT .07 100.00 0.07 0.30 DRAINAGE DISTRICT 6 2.15 100.00 2.15 9.35 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- 22.994 22.994 100.00 1Rate shown j�s in effect in areas included in the old Beaumont Independent School 'District. It is anticipated that this rate will be adjusted down- ward by the South Park Independent School District at a later date- I i by City Council action in 1982, the total appraised value of taxable real property in the zone was set at $49 ,912,550 by the Jefferson County Tax Appraisal District. The Appraisal District set the 1983 appraised value at 55,747,300. ESTIMATED CAPTURED APPRAISED VALUE OF THE ZONE DURING EACH YEAR OF OPERATION Tables 4 through 6 show estimates of the total captured appraised value of the Zone for each year of operation. Each of the three estimates is based upon different assumptions regarding tax rates and inflationary appreciation of property values. DURATION OF THE ZONE The resolution creating the Zone states that operation of the zone will terminate on-January 1, 2004 , or sooner if stipulated by City Council. #i4t*#liiit4t44ktiiitTable i4 • i SCENARIO *ONE # #TAX RATE ($PER 11000 VALUATION: 22.994# #X 'PASS THROUGH' TO OTHER ENTITIES: 0.00# SINFLATIONARY RATE OF APPRECIATION: 0.004 1 # # # l PART 1. CALCULATION OF TIF REVENUES BY SOURCE TAXING TAX RATE X PAID TO T.I.F. ENTITY PERS1000 T.I. FUND RATE CITY 7.60 100.00 7.60 SPISD 10.30 100.00 10.30 COUNTY 2.42 100.00 2.42 PORT .454 100.00 0.45 NAV. DIST .07 100.00 0.07 D.D.6 2.15 100.00 2.15 --------- --------- --------- --------- 22.994 22.994 PART 2 ASSUMTIONS: 0.00 RATE OF ANNUAL INCREASE IN TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE IN ZONE (X) 22.99 TAX RATE: PER $THOUSAND : ------------- ADDED TO TOAL ASSESSED VALUE BY NEW PROJECTS } PROJECT/YEAR S 16000000 KYLE PLAZA/1987 3 PART 3. TAX INCREMENT PROJECTIONS s CUMULATIVE TOTAL INCREASE IN PROJECTED ASSESSED ASSESSED ANNUAL CUMULATIVE YEAR VALUE VALUE INCREMENT INCREMENT ' 1982 49912550 1983 55747300 5834750 134141 134141 1984 55747300 5834750 134164 268305 s 1985 55747300 5834750 134164 402469 1986 55747300 5834750 134164 536634 1987 71747300 21834750 502068 1038702 :e 1988 71747300 21834750 502068 1540770 1 1989 71747300 21834750 502068 2042838 r 1990 71747300 21834750 502068 2544907 r 1991 71747300 21834750 502068 3046975 { 1992 71747300 21834750 502068 3549043 1993 71747300 21834750 502068 4051111 1994 71747300 21834750 502068 4553180 1995 71747300 21834750 502068 5055248 1996 71747300 2163470 502068 5557316 2002 71747300 21o34,•'S0 50ZC66 8067x57 2003 71747300 21� +/50 "0:068 8569.`26 2004 7174?300 2::13471_0 10:068 9071794 '• � Table 5 tlttttlil#ttflicstttfltiti##ttti#ttittit#tttitt1Y4Y44Y i SCENARIO #'Uo 4 . t $TAX RATE ($PER $1000 VALUATION: 21.7944 Y 4 tX "PASS THROUGH" TO OTHER ENTITIES: 0.00# 1 4 $INFLATIONARY RATE OF APPRECIATION: 0.004 1 4 $ 4 1 4 YY4YYYYYYYYYY#IIYYIYYtYYtYYYYYYYt4YiYtYY#YtY#444444444 PART 1. CALCULATION OF TIF REVENUES BY SOURCE TAXING TAX RATE X PAID TO T.I.F. ENTITY PER^$1000 T.I. FUND RATE --- --------- --------- CITY 7.60 100.00 7.60 SPISD 9.10 100.00 9.10 COUNTY 2.42 100.00 2.42 PORT .454 100.00 0.45 NAV. DIST .07 100.00 0.07 D.D.6 2.15 100.00 2.15 21.794 — -----21.794 PART 2. ASSUMTIONS: ---------0_00 RATE OF ANNUAL INCREASE IN TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE IN ZONE (X) 21.79 TAX RATE: PER $THOUSAND ADDED TO TOAL ASSESSED VALUE BY NEW PROJECTS 4 PROJECT/YEAR $ 16000000 KYLE PLAZA/1987 PART 3. TAX INCREMENT PROJECTIONS CUMULATIVE TOTAL INCREASE IN PROJECTED :a ASSESSED ASSESSED ANNUAL CUMULATIVE YEAR VALUE VALUE INCREMENT INCREMENT 1982 49912550 1983 55747300 5834750 134141 134141 1984 55747300 5834750 127163 261304 1985 55747300 5834750 127163 388466 1986 55747300 5834750 127163 515629 1987 71747300 21834750 475867 991495 1988 71747300 21834750 475867 1467362 F 1989 71747300 21834750 475867 1943228 1990 71747300 21834750 475867 2419095 1991 71747300 21834750 475867 2894961 + 1992 71747300 21834750 4475867 3370828 1993 71747300 21834750 475867 3846694 1994 71747300 21834750 475,867 4322561 1995 71747300 21834750 475867 4798427 1996 71747300 21834750 475867 5274294 2002 71747300 21834750 47867 7653627 2003 71747300 21834750 475867 8129493 2004 71747300 213347/,0 47586,' 8605360 Table { **xx*t*xxtttctt*c�c:.4s,e�tc�*tc*xxttt**xxx:*x:22222x2 -•' S SCENARIO #THREE 2 f. *TAX RATE (SPER $1000 VALUATION: 21.7942 a ' 2 * *X 'PASS THROUGH' TO OTHER ENTITIES: 0.002 *INFLATIONARY RATE OF APPRECIATION: 2.50* t::xx*x*22x2**cx*:**x:****t*xt*x*2x2*x*rrxx2x***xxx:x2 PART 1. CALCULATION OF TIF REVENUES BY SOURCE a TAXING TAX RATE X PAID TO T.I.F. ENTITY PERS1000 T.I. FUND RATE s ------ -------- --------- --------- } CITY 7.60 100.00 7.60 } SPISD 9.10 100.00 9.10 COUNTY 2.42 100.00 2.42 PORT .454 100.00 0.45 ' NAV. DIST .07 100.00 0.07 —_--D_D_6 2.15 --_100.00 __—_-2_15 21.794 21.794 PART 2. i ASSUMTIONS: t' 2.50 RATE OF ANNUAL INCREASE IN TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE IN ZONE (X) ------21_79 TAX RATE: PER $THOUSAND ADDED TO TOAL ASSESSED VALUE BY NEW PROJECTS # PROJECT/YEAR S 16000000 KYLE PLAZA/1987 PART 3. TAX INCREMENT PROJECTIONS CUMULATIVE TOTAL INCREASE IN PROJECTED ASSESSED ASSESSED ANNUAL CUMULATIVE YEAR VALUE VALUE INCREMENT INCREMENT 31 1982 49912550 1983 55747300 5834750 134141 134141 1984 57140983 7228433 157536 291677 1985 58569507 8656957 188670 480347 1986 60033745 10121195 220581 700928 1987 77934588 28022038 610712 1311641 _ 1988 79882953 29970403 653175 1964816 1989 81880027 31967477 696699 2661515 ? 1990 83927028 34014478 741312 3402826 1991 86025203 36112653 787039 4189866 1992 88175833 38263283 833910 5023776 1993 90380229 40467679 881953 5905728 1994 92639735 42727185 931196 6836925 1995 94955728 45043178 981671 7818596 1996 97329621 47417071 1033408 9652003 2002 110119533 60206983 131211 14841509 2003 112872`..1 6957971 137;1:0 1621369 eG44 11:694534 6t,t)1TH4 141'A.41 17647507 December lb, 1983 Council Letter 210 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Installation of Street Lights on Fannett Road The! street light improvements are proposed for a portion of Fannett Road from Fourth Street to approximately 350 feet southwest of Ethel . This segment of Fannett Road is a divided arterial street. To provide adequate lighting and promote safety on this divided arterial , special bases and poles are required. Similar to other divided arterials, the light poles along Fannett Road are proposed to be located in the median on concrete bases. The greater volume of traffic and the higher speeds on divided roadways requires more lighting for arterials than collectors on residential streets. To meet this need for increased lighting on Fannett Road, poles with double arms are proposed. The proposal includes 44 street lights on 22 poles. The street lights in this project will supplement the lights being installed on Fannett Road as part of the Street Lighting Project for Sarah Street. Gulf States Utilities has provided an estimate of $41,172.82 to install con- crete bases, poles and street lights. Funds are available in the Lighting and Signal Capital Budget to install these lights. It is recommended that this resolution be approved. "t 'V �c Karl Nollenberger City Manager i 7-�d% /•�� s� � "� UC�L..-1 CAL 4�—J BLVD!' w w ®�� FOR T N • �C ELINQ Ul�� • DD ..•• DC W AY[RL.Y hoo ••••�_� C pm 0 Fs—T] •• y4 r.I • o DNw000 •••• o M O S �� ®C ®••••••• wETA: POLES ON ® r • CONCRETE BASES liIN ROAOWAt YE OIAN Ts; 4 _ � •�• ELMI R A w Nce R T z moot LELA SARAH ���� •ne• 00 OKER L.Jt.. ■ommumt LIMITS OF PROJECT j j LOCAT/o iv MAP ' FAN F- 7-T RO.4L7 - STREET �./C:NTE/1//NG P,2(0-l. o y A:;;> n-1 Si. T �Ti/-/E L R E S O L U T I O N BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the payment to Gulf States Utilities in the amount of Forty-One Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Two Dollars and Eighty-Two Cents ($ 41 ,172.82) for the installation of concrete bases, poles and street lights in the Fannett Road project is hereby approved. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - December 16, 1983• Council Letter 215 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Affirmative Action Plan Subsequent to our decision of Affirmative Action goals several weeks ago, we have modified the Goal Statements within the Protective Services category in order to clarify that the overall minority percentage composition utilized for all! other categories is also the final basis for Protective Services. The Civil Service Commission has also requested that we formally clarify for you that the selection process involving three separate listings for white, minority and female, with a selection made on a rotating basis as vacancies occur, will apply only to entry level positions in Police and Fire. We feel that the Goal Statements presented to you is an appropriate position for the organization to take and its adoption is recommended. Karl Nollenberger City Manager AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COALS , INTRODUCTION In the implementation of the City's Affirmative Action Plan, the City of Beaumont will endeavor to meet all the goals established by the City for minorities and females. However, our assumptions and judgments in pre- dicting the number of vacancies due to attrition and expansion may fall short of the estimated number of vacancies that will occur during the five-year life span of our Affirmative Action Plan. A basic component of the City's Affirmative Action Plan is annual -monitoring. Action resulting from the monitoring process will be annual adjustment of goals based on overall accomplishments or failures. Additionally, we must recognize that the City's resources committed to the implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan will be limited because of the economic conditions that presently exist within the City and the State as .1 whole. The existence of these factors require that our implementation methods be not only creative and innovative, but cost effective as well. As a result, the City of Beaumont will commit a majority of its resources to those goals established for minorities and females in the job categories where minorities and females have been traditionally excluded from parti- cip:3tion (Administrative, Professional, and Technical occupational categories). The City of Beaumont through its Affirmative Action Committee conducted an analysis of the City's work force. The objective of this analysis was to determine where in the City's work force minorities and women were under- utilized. Utilization statistics were collected from all City Departments. Based on the in-depth evaluation conducted by the Affirmative Action Committee, the following goals were established for minorities and females. ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL, AND TECHNICAL - 1st Priority The evaluation of the City's work force indicated that minorities are under- utilized in the Administrative, Professional and Technical job categories and females are underutilized in the Administrative and Technical job categories. Recognizing the fact that traditionally minorities and females have been excluded from those positions that involve policy formulation and decision making and from those internal resource pools from which candidates for promotion to management are drawn, it shall be the policy of the City of Beaumont to aggressively move toward the utilization of minorities and females in these upper level positions. Thus, in order to more fairly reflect its surrounding community labor market segments in these positions, the City of Beaumont has established the following goals for minorities and females: _^ I. Administrative Occupations - 62 positions: Occupations in which employees set broad policies, exercise overall responsibility for execution of these policies, or direct individual department or special phases of the agency's operations. fncludes: department directors, assistant directors, division chiefs, superintendents, policy majors, deputy fire chief, accountants, budget analysts, administrative assistants, and kindred workers. Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Other Female 49 9 1 10 832 152 22 171 Projected Composition - 1988 White Black Hisp Other Female 40 19 3 26 642 312 52 422 II. Professional Specialty Occupations - 73 positions: Occupations which require specialized and theoretical knowledge which is usually acquired through college training or through work experience and other training which provides comparable knowledge. Includes: engineers, planners, li lawyers, doctors, registered nurses, librarians, sanitarians, systems analysts, social workers, dieticians, teachers or instructors, police captains, and fire district chiefs. Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Other Female 53 15 1 1 31 762 21% 1% 1% 44 Projected Composition - 1988 White Black Hisp Other Female 46 23 3 1 31 632 32% 4% 12 422 III. Technical Occupations - 72 positions: Occupations which require a combination of basic scientific or technical knowledge and manual skill which can be obtained through specialized post-secondary school education or through equivalent on-the-job training. Includes: drafting, engineering -and laboratory technicians, construction and code inspectors, computer programmers and operators, surveyors, licensed vocational nurses, and kindred workers. -2- Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Other Female 50 15 1 20 76% 23% 1% 30% Projected Composition - 1988 White Black Hisp Other Female 45 23 4 27 63% 32% 5% 38% PROTECTIVE SERVICES - 2nd Priority The protective services analysis revealed that minorities and females are under- utilized in these positions. Due to the cultural barriers traditional society has placed on minorities and women in careers as police officers, the attainment of the goals established by the City of Beaumont for minorities and females shall be accomplished by an innovative three-prong system that will assure equal acces- sibility to employment for all individuals desiring careers as police officers. Under this system, all qualified individuals shall be classified according to white/minority/female. From each classification one qualified individual , accord- ing to his or her ranking within that classification, shall be selected on a rotating basis for any vacancies that are available. For instance, if there are only three vacancies, one individual will be selected from each classification. This system shall remain in effect until the following goals established by the Cite for minorities and females are met. It shall be the final goal of the City to achieve the percentage composition as listed below under Final Future Composition. I . Protective Services - 436 positions: Occupations in which workers are en=_ trusted with public safety, security and protection from destructive forces. Includes: patrolmen, sergeants, lieutenants, firefighters, fire engineers, fire captains,_fire prevention investigators, jailers, and park rangers. Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Other Female 388 40 2 21 90b 9% 1/C 5k Interim Projected Composition - 1988 White Black His P Other Female 338 81 17 42 78,D' 19% 4r 10 Final Future Composition i White Black His P Other Female 279 140 17 183 640' 32% 4K 42° -3- SKILLED CRAFT REPAIR ATM MAI2'TENANCE OCCUPATIONS - 3rd Priori r-'- -T-;-_- be to commit will- -it should be reemphasized that the policy of the city the majority of resources allocated to the Affirmative Action work prpgram to ziccomplishment of Administrative and Technical goals for reasons already staged. As a result of this policy, this category as viewed in terms of goal.. setting is third in priority. In these job categories, the evaluation conducted by the Affirmative Action Committee revealed that hispanics and females are underutilized in these job categories. The City therefore established the following goals for hispanics and females in these positions: I. - Service Maintenance Occupations - 302 positions: Occupations in which workers perform duties which result in or contribute to the comfort, convenience, hygiene or safety of the general public or which contribute to the upkeep and care of buildings, facilities or grounds of public property. Includes: General laborers, construction laborers, refuse collectors, custodial personnel, crew leaders, and foremen. Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Female 55 250 4 67 18% 81% 1% 22% Projected Composition - 1988 White Black Hisp Female 55 231 16 129 18% 77% 5% 48% II. Skilled Craft. - 186 positions: Occupations in which workers perform jobs which require special manual skill and a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of "the processes involved in the work which is acquired through on-the-job training and experience or through apprenticeship or other formal training programs. Includes: carpenters, electricians, electronics, technicians, painters, welders, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, repairmen and plant operators, crew leaders and foremen. Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Female 63 116 5 15 34% 63% 3% 8% Projected Composition - 1988 White Black Hisp Female _ 61 118 7 77 -' 33Z 637 4% 42% -ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT/CLERICAL OCCUPAT70NS - 4th Priority The• statistital evaluation of the City's work force revealed that blacks and females presently surpass their composition in tie City's labor market in these job categories. Hispanics, however, were underutilized in these two job categories. Therefore, no goals were established for Spanks in females in these job categories. The goals established for these positions are as follows: Administrative Support - 181 Dositions: Occupations in which workers are responsible for internal and external communication, recording and retrieval of data and/or information and other paperwork required in an office. Includes: clerks and receptionists, office machine operators, clerk-typists, stenographers, secretaries, statistical clerks, dispatchers, payroll clerks, office supervisors, and kindred workers. Current Composition - 1983 White Black Hisp Other Female 109 60 3 167 63% 35% 2% 97% Projected Composition - 1988 White Black Hisp Other Female 112 62 7 171 62% 34% 4% 957 la Al ti A Y R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, the City Manager has presented to the City Council goals and time limits related to an affirmative action plan for the City of Beaumont; and, WHEREAS, the Council desires to adopt such affirmative action goals and time limits for the City of Beaumont and authorize the City Manager to implement administrative regulations -to enforce the goals; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: 'r HAT the Affirmative Action Goals of the City of Beaumont for a five (5) year period, in the form attached hereto and made a part hereof for all purposes, is hereby adopted. Said Affirmative .Action Goals shall be and remain on file in the City Clerk' s office of the City of Beaumont for public inspection. The City Manager be, and- he is hereby , authorized to promulgate and implement administrative regulations for the enforcement of such Goals. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 1983. - Mayor - CONSENT AGENDA DECEMBER 20, 1983 * Approval of Minutes. a. A resolution accepting the work as complete and authorizing final payment to the contractor for the demolition and removal of a structure at 1450 Burt Street. b. A resolution authorizing purchase of a plant intercom/paging system for the Water Reclamation Division. c. A resolution accepting sanitary sewer improvements in Fannin 2nd Addition for City maintenance. I December 16, 1983 Council Letter 207 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Final Payment for Demolition of Structure at 1450 Burt Street Bids were received on November 14, 1983, on the demolition and removal of five condemned dilapidated structures: 1. 2550 Brooklyn (Garage) 2. 1450 Burt 3. 1929 Irving 4. 2060 Liveoak 5. Next to and Rear of 1599 Pine At the November 22, 1983, City Council meeting, the City Council awarded the demolition contract for the 1450 Burt Street project to A.C. Clark in the amount of $1,000. Inspections have been made and all work has been completed as specified in the contract. The contract will be paid utilizing the Demolition and Removal (Special Services) line item within the Environmental Control fiscal year 1983-1984 budget. It is recommended that the final payment of $1,000 to Ace C. Clark be approved. Karl Nollenberger City Manager t R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, on November 22, 1983, City Council awarded a contract to A . C . Clark in the amount of $1 ,000 for demolition of a structure at 1450 Burt; and, WHEREAS, the project has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT demolition of the structure at 1450 Burt is hereby accepted by the City of Beaumont and that the City Manager be, and he is hereby , authorized to make final payment to A . C . Clark in the amount of $1. ,000. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - December 16, 1983 Ok Council Letter 213 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council , Subject: Intercom Paging System A resolution being prepared for Tuesday's agenda would authorize the purchase of an intercom/paging system for the sewage treatment plant from J.V. Davis and, Company of Dallas for $3,005.76. Davis was the only bidder although bid notices were sent to 17 suppliers and bid packets to seven who requested them after being notified of the letting. Two no-bid responses were received from vendors who stated they were unable to bid on furnishing the equipment at this time. The Davis bid has been re- vie-wed and found to be in line with the specifications and current prices for systems of this type. The price is well below the $3,500 budget estimate for the purchase. The order would include the following items to be in- stalled by City personnel : a booster amplifier, a preamplifier, four wall speakers, 10 semi-square horn speakers, 10 wall-mounted hand sets, a power supply for the hand sets, a paging/talkback adapter and 4,000 feet of audio cable. The! system would be used to maintain communications between the plant office and personnel working in different areas of the plant. It is recommended that the resolution be adopted. - f K r; Karl Nollenberger ' City Manager R E S O L `U T I O N WHEREAS, bids were received for the purchase of a plant/ intercom paging system; and, WHEREAS, J . W. Davis and Company of Dallas, Texas submitted a bid in the amount of $3 ,005.76 ; and; WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion that the bid submitted by J . W. Davis and Company is the lowest and best bid and should be accepted; NOW , THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the bid submitted by J . W. Davis and Company in the amount of $3,005.76 for the purchase of a plant/intercom paging system is hE�reby accepted by the City of Beaumont. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of 19 Mayor - December 16, 1983 Council Letter 211 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Fannin Second Addition Sewer Improvements A recently-completed sanitary sewer line in Fannin Second Addition has been inspected and found to conform to City standards. The line serves Lots 1 - 8, Block 1, on the north side of Fannin Street between Fourth and Eighth. It: is recommended that this sewer line be accepted for maintenance as part of the City's sanitary sewer system. J<L f Karl Nollenberger City Manager cY A/D?IO v6. - -- --- -- L _ i CAL o�!�. •q �cerT R _ _ �• AWN NiOV — -'z7M r - COLL E- sr. ' OCAT/Dit/ AMA / ' KCAL E' /16 i OD 14'-ANN/AI Z''D ADD/T/DAI r _ . .. R E SL U T I O N completed WHEREAS, the developers of Fannin 2nd Addition have sanitary sewer improvements as follows: Saner_ Sewer Improvements: Lots 1-g, Block 1 and, wH EREAS, the developers of said addition desire to have ted and maintained by the City. and, these improvements accep ortation and WHEREAS, the directors of the Urban Transp rovements qualify water Utilities departments recommend that said imp and the City C ouncil is of for acceptance for permanent maintenance, the opinion that said improvements should be accepted and maintained by the City of Beaumont; ORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE NOW , THEREF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: sanitary sewer improvements in Fannin 2n6 Addition, as above THAT the s the City of described, be, and the same are hereby , accepted by Beau mont and shall be continuously maintained by the City. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day of - Mayor - ok WORK SESSION AGENDA DECEMBER 20, 1983 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Report from Human Relations Committee. 2. Discussion of Emergency Medical Services System. 3. Industrial Development Revenue bonds policy statement. W/S December 16, 1983 1. Council Letter 219 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: Project from Human Relations Committee A report will be made during Work Session by representatives of the Human Relations Committee. The Committee has been charged with making a re- commendation relating to a suitable tribute to the memory of Martin Luther King. Karl Nollenberger City Manager W/S r 2. December 16, 1983 . Council Letter 217 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council , Subject: Discussion of EMS Following our Work Session several weeks ago relating to possible procedural changes in emergency dispatch, we felt that it would be appropriate to prepare an explanatory report covering the scope and purpose of an Emergency Medical Service to serve as a framework within which possible changes to operations could be discussed. We feel the attached report prepared by the EMS staff will be of assistance in providing the necessary information. In addition, we would like to discuss the makeup of an Advisory Emergency Medical Services Board. The current com- position of the Board is as follows: two members each were appointed from our two major hospitals, St. Elizabeth and Baptist, with the remaining voting members appointed by the City. Representing the hospitals are: James Bohl , Associate Administrator at St. Elizabeth; Sister Anastasia Enright, Adminis- trator at St. Elizabeth; Selman Clark, Assistant Administrator at Baptist; and Guy Dalrymple, Administrator at Baptist. Voting members appointed by the City include Robert Cook, Assistant Superintendent of the South Park Independent School District; Dr. Larry LeBoeuf, Emergency Room Physician; Wayne Turner, Councilman; Hugh Earnest, Assistant City Manager; and Dr. Lulu Smith, physician at the City of Beaumont Health Department. There are also three ex-officio members recognized by the Board itself. We would recommend that the Advisory Board mirror the existing composition with the following exceptions: Council should have a liaison position in- cluded and the City Manager should be authorized to appoint a staff person of his choosing as a liaison. The proposed composition would include four individuals from the hospitals, three individuals appointed by the Council and the two liaison positions. 1 Karl Nollenberger City Manager The Beaumont Emergency Medical Services is, as its name states, a true emergency medical service system. It differs greatly from the current pri- vate ambulance services available in Beaumont. In such a system, the vehicle or ambulance is not the most important item in the system. It is primarily a means of transporting a highly-trained medical crew to the scene of an emergency so that pre-hospital care can be rendered. In a vast majority of cases, the life-threatening portion of the emergency occurs during the pre-hospital care. An emergency medical service system, such as the City of Beaumont's, is composed of basically seven parts, each coordinated for efficient operations. Included are: a. A single, widely published emergency telephone number, which allows quick access to the system by the general public. In Beaumont, this number is the Fire Department's Emergency Telephone Number (to become 911 in the near future) . b. Adequate two-way radio and telephone dispatch systems for dispatching EMS units when emergency aid is requested. c. Highly-trained emergency medical technicians, both para- medic and special skills personnel , to perform patient evaluations and render the proper care to victims. This care is rendered under physician's orders obtained by radio or in accordance with written orders called medical pro- tocols, d. Dependable ambulance units equipped with the most modern equipment, designed to provide adequate facilities for patient care before and during transport to the hospital emergency room. e. Coordination with other public safety agencies such as the fire and police departments to insure rapid on-the-scene pro- cedures including crowd control , vehicle extrications and rescue operations. In addition, most personnel of both the fire and police departments have received training and/or briefings to allow them to assist Beaumont EMS personnel on the scene of a critical emergency, Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Page 2 f. Coordination with hospital emergency room physicians and staff to advise the extent of a patient's illness or injury, as well as the estimated time of arrival at the hospital . This provides valuable preparation time for the hospital staff and immediate treatment upon arrival . g. Continuing education and medical audits are utilized to assure that all Beaumont EMS personnel are current on the latest techniques and knowledge. The audits are used to monitor pre-hospital care to insure that it is appropriate and pro- perly rendered. To compare the Beaumont Emergency Medical Service system to any private ambulance company in the City of Beaumont would not be feasible. The Beaumont EMS system is an advanced life support service that remains fully staffed, twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. Each ambulance unit is rated by the Texas Department of Health as a mobile intensive care unit, which is the highest rating given by that department. Ttx! major differences between the Beaumont EMS system and the private ambulance companies are significant. These differences are very important when con- sidering the standards of ambulance service for the citizens of Beaumont. The Beaumont EMS system is the only emergency medical service system in the City. All others are private businesses, operating independently, following appropriate local and state ordinances. Each ambulance company maintains and publishes its own emergency telephone number, which requires a citizen to refer to the individual listings, select a company, and then place the call . In some instances, the caller reaches an answering service. The ambulance operator must be paged and advised of the emergency request. (Note: The answering service personnel are not trained dispatchers.) These answering services are not in two-way radio communications with the ambulances; there- fore, there is a possibility of unnecessary delays in response if the pri- vate ambulance is out of service. Additional delays are possible while a Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Page 3 second ambulance unit is located. In the event both Beaumont EMS units are out of service, the Fire Department dispatcher is aware of the situation and has two Fire Department ambulance units available for response, plus any private ambulance units available. When requests for emergency response are received by the Fire Department, the request is handled by a trained dis- patcher. This reduces the changes of critical delays in ambulance response. Records for all emergency runs are maintained by the dispatch office of the Fire Department. They are interesting as a point of reference in any dis- cussion of Emergency Medical Service: June 1st - November 30th (Records reflect 24-hour day) Paramedic Crawford Williams Kelly-Hixson EMS 341 105 105 136 1,627 Of' the 2,314 runs classified by the Fire Department, some 70 percent were handled by EMS. Within the 687 calls handled outside EMS, approximately 50 percent were handled by one company with the remainder of the calls being divided among the three other private concerns. Therefore, from a percentage basis, any debate on dispatch of private ambulances for emergency runs is limited to only 30 percent of all runs made in the City. According to local ordinances, it is required that all ambulance companies have at lease one Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basic and one person with advanced Red Cross First Aid and CPR skills as a minimum crew on each ambulance. Beaumont EMS has one EMT-Paramedic and one EMT-Special Skills (minimum) on each ambulance unit. An EMT-Special Skills classification re- quires a minimum of 160 clock hours of specialized training in addition to basic training. A Paramedic classification requires 400 clock hours in ad- dition to the Special Skills training requirements. While several private companies in Beaumont have EMT-Special Skills and EM-f-Paramedics in their employment, they cannot use their training in ad- vanced life support skills because the companies do not have physician Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Page 4 medical directors nor can they receive direct orders from the emergency room physicians. Beaumont EMS personnel operate under standing orders from the system's medical diirectors (representing the two groups of emergency room physicians at area hospitals) and also may receive direct orders from a physician on duty in the emergency room by radio or telephone contact. A complete report on the treatment received by each patient is prepared by the person responsible for providing the emergency care. For advanced life sup- port procedures, the reports are reviewed by the receiving physician at the time of service and signed accordingly. These reports become a part of the patient's medical record. Approximately every four to six weeks, all advanced life support reports are reviewed by an Audit Committee. This committee is composed of two Registered Nurses from each of the three hospital emergency departments, two EMS per- sonnel , and staffed by a Beaumont EMS paramedic. After each report is re- viewed, a summary report is prepared citing any problems or areas for improve- ment found by the audit members. A copy of the report is then distributed to each member of the committee, the two medical directors, and the staff. The Training Officer also uses the report for planning continuing education programs. It should be noted that each Beaumont EMS EMT-Paramedic and EMT-Special Skills perform their advanced skills at the discretion of the medical directors. Should any fail to perform to the satisfaction of the medical directors or emergency room physicians, they may be suspended or terminated. No private ambulance company in Beaumont subjects their personnel to such quality as- surance or control by medical directors and emergency room physicians. Therefore, the emergency room physicians do not know the qualifications and capabilities of the private company personnel . Since a physician is legally liable for the treatment rendered at his request, the emergency room physicians will not give orders to the private company personnel because Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Page 5 they have no control over their actions in the field, nor are they assured the person is qualified to administer the orders. Beaumont EMS personnel provide the following advanced life support practices not available through a private ambulance company: a. Administration of intravenous fluids to combat shock. b. Insertion of endo-trachael tubes or esophageal airways for severe respiratory distress or arrest. c. Application of anti-shock trousers for the treatment of shock due to blood loss or other hypotensive emergencies. d. Cardiac monitoring and defibrillation equipment for treat- ment of cardiac arrest and cardiac arrythmias. e. Aministration of certain drugs for treatment of cardiac problems, diabetes, severe allergic reactions and convulsions. f. Telemetry to send an EKG strip via radio to the emergency room physician. Each paramedic has the skills to inter- pret the strip should equipment failure occur. g. Advanced design equipment for immobilization of neck and spinal cord injuries. h. Joint training with the Beaumont Fire Department in advanced vehicle extrication and special rescue procedures. i . In critical cases, EMS personnel remain with the patient and assist the emergency room personnel while giving the physician a complete briefing on the care provided at the scene as well as any medical history obtained. j. Delivery and optimal care for newborns. In addition to the items already mentioned, the Beaumont EMS operates a self- supporting training school for emergency medical personnel . The level of training ranges from the Emergency Care Attendant level (40 hours) to the EM1f-Paramedic level (400 hours) . All courses are certified by the State of Texas. Students passing the courses are eligible for testing and Beaumont Emergency Medical Services Page 6 certification by the State. Many Beaumont EMS personnel are certified by the State and national organizations to teach and coordinate all levels of emergency medical and rescue training. The Beaumont EMS system has been awarded a $30,445 grant from the Emergency Management Division of the Texas Department of Health to upgrade teaching aids and capabilities and to insure the school remains self-supporting. The grant should become effective in mid-January, 1984. This information has been prepared to emphasize the capabilities of the Beaumont Emergency Medical Service system; how these capabilities differ from existing private ambulance companies; and to illustrate the attempt made to maintain the quality and level of emergency care. { Beaumont Enterprise,Satur4ay,June 11, 19;7 EMS progra M ine is out By LINDA ROBINSON preciated their attendance and said it was Guillet called the EMS plan "the gran- Staff Writer mandatory they be involved. dent, greatest plan" in the count Details of a plan that would An audio-visual slide show which de ic• country. and revolutionize emergency medical care in ted the sights and sounds of emergency such the authorities force creating Jefferson. Orange and Hardin counties— medical care was the main portion of the firm programs rasier, Stout. Jameson and possibly making such care available to program. Those who attended also got a Associates. citizens on the same basis as police and first-hand view of an Emerprnc% Medical In the graphic slide show of on-the- fire protection — was outlined before a System tEMSi mobile unit. an integral scene medical care, Jack Stout told the group of concerned community and city unit of the plan. that was t i in front audience the 1 leaders Friday night. d the center. Pan would cost Si mi!lion to get off the ground and $1.6 million to Calling the proposal for "the most In introducing the slide presentation — operate during the first year. He said critical care you can ever receive" a an audio-visual representation of the task those figures came to about $7.83 per 0;ogram that must be cooperatively sup• force's study as well as work by a capita during the first year of operation ported by leaders and citizens in the tri- professional firm — the doctor said he and$5 per capita during the second year. ontaty area, Dr. Glen Guillet directed had learned from the work"that first aid. The purpose of the task force study was presentation of the plan to a packed on the scene care, is the most critical to evaluate the type of emergency group in Lamar University Selzer Center care you can ever receive." medical service available in the City of ballroom. In praise of members of the task group, Beaumont andmake recommendations on Guillett,chairman of a 24-member task he described there as "the most com- how emergency medical care could be form that tnant lA--ir. . A #-�s L- -- _ WU c ww— Pewat with the most nobie goals improved, but the extent of the presen- plan, tdd governmental officials he ap- I've ever worked with." F]rtS,paste 7A r EMS program is outlined as private,nonprofit organization. The study showed the high rate of Actual operation of the EMS would be changeover among ambulance drivers cation ddeaalt with the larger tri-county contracted out to a private firm. the lessens the chance of receiving care from area. study proposed. well-trained,experienced attendants. Mayors,councilmen and city managers Under the Texas Interlucal Cooperative Under the plan. which de%elopers from municipalities th.oughout the coun- Ad. localities in the three-aunty area called a detailed blueprint of tilho FttS ties attended. E.,.-,r;ency medical w uld support the program by selling am- program for the three Couc::L- �.I-. technicians, nurses. d.;itors. ambulance bulance subscriptions to residents and and rural emergency care would ti_ drvers and owners and other interested pSsii,l-v picking up any excess tab with a biped. In this way. planners der!&:f un parties also filled the Setzer Center donation from the city. bulance attendants would not he sub,ect ballroom. The program also proposed that to job dissatisfaction from work::i, in The plan will be presented to the emergency medical care be treated as either area exclusively. Beaumont City Council June 18 for its use police and fire services are to citizens— Members of the task force who studied in studying emergency medical care pro- that the emergency care be funded the emergency care proposal were blem through society's tax overhead. A person Guillet, Robert Robertson. Dr. Larry Le- In the slide show. Stout outlined the critically injured in an auto accident. for Beouff. Dr. James Allums. Dr Charles organization of the proposed plan. Titled example,would be treated without paying Moore, Dr. Joseph Reeves, Dr Leldon the Golden Triangle EMS Cooperative, for the service individually. just as Sweet. Gene Cornwell and Dr. dark the system would also include a Southeast firemen put out an individual's house fire Kubala. Texas Emergency Physicians Foundation without charging him a fee. Also named by Beaumont council were and an EMS Management Firm. Several others explained the program Dr. Jaynes Shuffield, Cheryl Keith. Ed The cooperative. Stout said, would set in the slide show. Guillet cited a:!itistics Fuss. Ken Ruddy, Selman Clark. Jim the minimum standards for care. set that in Jefferson. Orange and IHardin Yarbrough. Carroll Broussard. Adison rates and oversee the entire program. counties,44 ambulances owned by 26 dif- Duffy and Warner Rogers. The foundation would serve as an u n- ferent companies operate in 24 Other appointments to the task force biased, third party faction made up nwnicipalities and rural areas. were Dick Medlin, Joseph Boudurant. primarily of physicians.This group would Guillet said turnover rate among am- Hoke-Peacock. Charles Hill, Andrew evaluate the program and would operate bulance attendants is about 40 per cent. Johnson and R.E. Platt. June 11, 1977 p�an - -at By Linda Robinson Staff Writer An elaborate plan for implementing an Emergency Medical System iEMSi in Jef- ferm%Orange and Hardin counties was un- veiled Friday night before abourt,150 com- munity leaders. Dr.Glen Guillet,chairman of a 24-member task force that spent 10 weeks formulating the plan, directed its presentation in the ballroom of Lamar University's Setzer Cen- ter. ' An audio-visual slide show which graphic- ally presented the circumstances that require emergency medical care was the maim portion of the program. Those who at- tended also got a first-hand view of an EMS mobile unit that was parked in front of the center. In introducing the slide presentation, the doctor said he had learned from the study "that first aid,on the scene care,is the most critical care you can ever receive." Guillet called the EMS planthe grandest. greatest plan"in the country. In the slide presentation, Jack Stout told the audience the plan would cost $1 million to get off the ground and $1.6 million to operate during its first year. He said those figures came to about$7.83 per capita during the first year and $5 per capita during the second year of operation. The purpose of the task force study was to evaluate the type of emergency medical ser- vice available in Beaumont and make recommendations on how emergency medical care could be improved. The extent of the presentation dealt with the larger th- county area,however. Mayors, councilmen and city managers from municipalities throughout the counties attended. Emergency medical technicians. nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers and owners and other interested persons also filled the ballroom. The plan will be presented to the Beaumont City Council June 18 for its use in studying emergency medical care problems. In the slide show. Stout outlined the organization of the proposed plan. Titled the Golden Triangle EMS Cooperative, the systern would also include a Southeast Texas Emergency Physicians Foundation and an EMS management firm.. The cooperative, Stout said, would set the minimum standards for care. set rates and oversee the entire program. The foundatim would serve as an unbiased. third party fac- tion made up primarily of physicians. This group would evaluate the program and would operate as a private, nonprofit organization. Actual operation of tho f.'.Is service would be contracted out to a lin%aic firm,the study proposed. Under the Texas Interlocal Cooperative Act,localities in the three-county area would support the program by selling ambulanc•c subscriptions to residents and possibly picking up any excess tab with a lump burn donation from the city. The program also proposed that emergency medical care be made available to citizens on the same basis as are rmiice and fire protection—through t.iaati,,,. A person critically injured in an a,nij ac- cident, for example, would be tr,.aed without paying for the service individt. just as firemen put out an individual's h fire without charging him a fee. G cited statistics that in Jefferson, Orange Hardin counties, 44 ambulances owned i different companies operate u municipalities and rural areas. Gulllet said turnover rate amon; butane attendants is about 40 per cent study showed the high rate of change among ambulance drivers lessens chance of receiving care from well-tra experienced attendants. He said residents of this area ci, receive acceptable levels of medical ca. the present system of indivdualiy ov private ambulance services. Members of the task force who studio emergency care proposal were Go, Robert Robertson, Dr. Larry LeBeoutl James Allums, Dr. Charles Moore. Joseph Reeves, Dr. Leldon Sweet,Gent, nwell and Dr. Mark Kabala. Also named were Dr. James Shull Cheryl Keith, Ed Fuss, Ken Ruddy, Sv Clark, Jim Yarbrough. Carroll Brous Adison Duffy and Warner Rogers. Other appointments to the task force Dick Medlin, Joseph Boudurant. I Peacock. Charles Hill, Andrew Johruut, R.E.Platt. Urging citizens to caul upon municipa to join in the EMS plan, Guillet warned; who,were leaving the ballroom after program: Be careful driving home_ tonight said. "Remember.you don't have an h, Beaumont Enterprise,Wednesday, Aug.24, 1977 EM-S 0 • draws crificistri fro operator NEDERLAND — A sharp exchange million system. •Guillet said EMS personnel would be actually have to be given to the Golden between a private ambulance operator As far as upgrading the level of care, able to provide life-saving care such as Triangle cooperative to finance the and proponents of a three-county Gabourel said, he could recall having to administering intravenous fluids and system, Stout said, while the balance Emergency Medical Services 1EMSt wait several minutes at St. Mary Hospital breathing tubes in accident victims,since would be held in reserve. system punctuated an otherwise calm before the Port Arthur facility would ad- they would have the backup of doctors. After the$1 million worth of equipment presentation of the system Tuesday night mit his patients. Gabourel said EMS is "nothing but a and 10 vehicles are in operation in .Ict- for south Jefferson County government with that. Dr. Robert S. Brown, a staff big business operation," but represen- felon. Hardin and Orange counties. a representatives. physician at St. Mary and member of the tatives from some of the south county sufficient number of $35 annual subscrip- H.C. Gabourel, owner of Nederland EMS task force,jumped to his feet governments seemed to indicate the ap- tions could feasibly forestall the eilws Memorial Funeral Home, drew the wrath "I'm going to have to challenge that." preach has merit. from spending any money.Stout said Brown said."I don't belietie it " "1 personally don't feel you can't kick of EMS proponents and a St. Mary Gabourel insisted his injury %ic•tims things like this under the rug." Port Ar- Task a growing weary ry ofrnd. p to r Hospital staff doctor when be criticized they are growing weary of trymlt u > !! had been held up. although he said they thur !�1ati•nr Rrrnis Sadler said "it will the proposal as a waste of money and had never been turned aw�� mount up on you." the Program in the Golden Tsang , _A said ambulance operators are not the ••1've never been held up at a- "1 fell Li.c thev'vc made a goad study. said much more delay c�u!d � otily people needing upgrading. EATS. ht"ital. except to Galveston.' ..:±'rn and we face up to N. farts of life •'lt would tx• more feasible for cities to Doug Belk. owner of Port Ar•,,.ar s before it's over %ith," Sadler said. "If something duesn t t.!pp.:. tt,c pass an ordinance requiring EMTs Holmes Ambulance Service and a 100 although he said prodding the money to next three or four wetl•,z. it p: ,:,ably (emergency medical technicians( on all per cent"supporter of EMS. kick off the system could be a problem. won't happen," Stout said. "It's time to vehicles, and at much less cost," Dr.Glen Guillet, head of the EMS task During the discussion. EMS consultant make a decision one way or the other." Gabourel said. force, told Gabourel there was a big cif- Jack Stout said,as examples,the cities of - Guiltet said the task force is currently —We have the equipment," the private Terence between "rolling emergency Lakeview and Pear Ridge would have to waiting on a Sept. 6 deadline Beaumont : operaw said, and it would be much bet- (room equipment up to the patient and each appropriate$6.653 in the first year. City Coursed gave private operators to ter to use it "than jumping off on a $2 putting an advanced EMT on the scene." However,only one-third of the sum would home up with an alternate proposal. I 1 L t B12unwnt Enterprise,ThursdaY,Aug,25, 1977 to reviee.w an ear wont o �c�a � By KERRY DUKE McDaniel Wednesday ap- must take the lead," ph�siciarns on stand-by via a volved in the system, he Emergency Medical System to be presented by Sept. 6, Staff Writer pointed a five-member eom• McDaniel said. "All of the s o p h i s c a t e d c o m- said, the city council would proposal to the city council. also. Whether or not to par- mittee to review the smaller cities are looking to munications network. have to tap current planned The proposal drew Noting the city review ticipate in the proposed proposed emergency Beaumont to take the first The most participation in expenditures to come up criticism from local in- committeewill"makecom,- the system could cost the with the =250,000-plus dependent ambulance ments on the strengths, three county Emergency medical service plan and step." operators who said weaknesses or whatever Medical System will be the draft a recommendation for The step the city has been city is 152.830. amount. e system included in the proposed d issue tackled by a comrritt- the city council to consider. asked to take is to par. But McDaniel said the Last month, Dr. Glen establishment of the ee of City of Beaumont o`- ticipate in a emergency money for the system is not Guillet, chairman of a city would drive them out of Emergency Medical That recommendation is medical service plan that available in the proposed task force that drafted the business. System, the city manager ficials Alter local operators ap said the committee's reeorn- due by Sept 6 calls for a threerounty am- 151-78 budget. emergency medical service bon should help aa=r City Manager He v.a;t "The council feels like it bulance service linked to— if the city Wrre to get in- p l a n, presented the peared before councilmen to p --- - voice complaints that in- -cilmet make a decision an eluded criticism of the high city participation in the cost of the proposed system *'stem- Named to the commitice and cpntentions that were Assistant City existing ambulance Manager R.E. "Ronnie" operators can deliver ser- Platt, who will serve as vice on the same par, the chairman; Police Chid city council agreed to the KSllie Bauer; Fire Chid operators to draft their own CA 'Pete'.Shelton; Miltea emergency medical service Palmer,who heads the city plan. health department; and McDaniel said the in- John Anderson, city plao- dependent operators'plan is ring director.– - -- AUGUST 24, 1977 a EMS o nion awaited that calls for a three-countY A recommendation concerning ila �rvice linked to physicians Beaymont's rote in a proposed b a sophiscated communica- Fmergency Medical System will be made ti stand-by network. Y by a rive-member committee for the City tio�network. Coincil's consideration. "'Ilia council (eels tike it must take the led...aMcDaniel said. "All of the smaller (sty Manager Howard McDaniel today appointed the committee. made up of city cities are looking to Beaumont to take the staff members.to analyze the emergency rust step" 11s; month. Dr. Glen Guill,.,t. chair- man of the city's task force on the em,rmedical plan, pm anted the Emxrg ncy Medical System plan to the City Council. sitioit from Thal plan met with oppo local ambulance operators. The independent ambulance operators are scheduled to present an alternative plan to councilmen for consideration before Sept.�. The staff committee is to have its recommendation prepared for council" review by that date. Named to the committee were Assistant City Manager Ronnie Platt. as i chairman.. Police Chief Willie Bauer; Fire Chief C.A. "Pete" Shelton: Milton 1 Palmer. who heads up the city health department; and John Anderson,director of planning for the city. Sept. 10, 1977 Alf ernate considered . . . i plan �. expressed serious reservatiAs with the "There's not a member of the council By KERRY DUKE EMS proposal—a plan that calls for one that is shrugging this responsibility,' Staff Writer firm to operate a three-county, said an angry Ward 3 Councilman Calvin The mounting pressure on the Williams.-We're notdraggin%Trfeet.- Beaumont City Council to endorse a sophisticated ambulance service. proposed Emergency Medical System 'ft council hiss was heard after the Williams recalled it was Guillet who IE41S! tripped a relief valve Friday, Orange City Council endorsed the EMS said emotionalism should be left out of • Mowing council steam at EMS proponen Proposal Thursday and then backhanded discussions about the EMS proposal. the Beaumont Qty Council for inaction. Now, the councilman said. Guillet con- Councilmen unanimously agreed to That slap came in the wake of charges tends city council inaction on the proposal suck with a plan to consider an alter. of foot-dragging sued m chairman Glen Wr 1��� in the needless lass of coon native approach to the EMS ProPmal of the task force that drew up the EMS Williams said there were ro such out- bung drafted br private ambulance BEAL110%"T,Page 7A �. 4rr1 a rn,+K+ntV Of the Council Ply I 0 B Enterprise.hat,""i. Beau mont a alternate EMS plan challenge to get the connect information some arrangements must be made for the to be presented by private ambulance out.,, private ambulance operators to"let them operators on Sept. 20, Ritter is amdous to cries before the city you ncil spurred the- Until all of the questions about the out gracefully." hear from a city committee that reviewed EMS study by appointing a task force. proposal are answered. Mrs. McGinnis "We cant close down free enterprise the EMS proposal and open to meet with "I'm still committed to hearing the susid,the city council should refrain from without making some kind of compen- the members of the EbiS task force. proposal from the ambu0ance drivers an- action. - sation,"he said. in the EMS plan, he proved certainly support the concept of im- dar companies."he said. "We're not under any pressure and we Another drawback medical services and medical at- Funding of the ENIS proposal would be shouldn't be under any pressure because said is the lack of assurances that the tention to the citizens." the mayor said. i problem, he said, because use of it has far reaching fiscal effects," she system Aill continue. ' l think it's an opportunity for Beaumont reY snue sharing funds would be the said. "SS'e u,:uld have to hx.e - k !•,_',e able to provide the utm,kt in service cal way to finance the system. But Shard 1 Councilman Don Cash admitted commitment from all of •:_ rnmt..- m this area to save lives." revenue sharing funds are earmarked for the Pressure is on to move on the EMS tall bodies involved that h•_y •: )uid h-inJ Saying the prospect of Orange be,�, wp-priority projects, he said edging out proposal but said it doesn't faze him. with it."he said. without ambulance service(vuld )ccur in ::K 3252,830, onetime city contribution to "I don't see it as foot-d ragging." Cash Evans said he would prc2 r findin; of Beaumont. Ritter said, "We certainly the ENIS plan. said. I think we're taking a responsible the system through the subscription ought to make a decision be-fore the Williams said there has rot been a attitude on this." method but doubts such a drive«ill coyer budget is adopted." clamor of support for the ENIS proposal. Cash has suggested drawing up tighter the costs of setting up the ENIS. He said The 1977-78 city budget must be adopted "1 have not had a single phone call. 1 standards in the city ordinance governing the city must"count the costs"before en- before the end of the north have not had a single letter from a ambulance operators as a first step to dorsing the proposal. grassroots person," he said. "The in- upgrade emergency medical care in the "I just feel that you have to ha%e the Asked if he thinks the city council has delayed on the matter, Ritter said. terest appears not to be there." city rather than establish a "monopoly'. thing as aIf s we foolproof as you can get it," he we Wad 2 Councilwoman V1 McGinnis ap- ambulance operation. said, adding there should be no council graven as much priority to this as peared steamed over the building "At least we ought to try it," he said. . action before all of the kinks are worked have some other things, we would have pressure,too, "if it doesn't work, then we could go to out. reached a conclusion." I "As far as Dr. Guillet's comments, 1 more of a system." Mayor Ken Ritter remained the staun- "Ibe uudortunate situation for the other really got my back up on that," Mrs. Asked about a referendum on the issue, chest supporter of the EINIS proposal, but cities is that they can't necessarily blow McGinnis said. he said such a move would be"totally un- he also stuck with a pledge to hear out it for Beaumont (by not endorsing the "He said we were not acting but what fair to the citizens" since information on the private ambulance operators. EMS plan)," he said. "but we can for he really meant was we are not adopting all the facets of emergency medical rare In addition to the alternative proposal them,^ . )his plan.:'the couhcilwanan said. could not be disseminated. Cash - Mrs. McGinnis took aim at news suggested that a referendum is often a coverage of the EMS proposal,too. way for-elected off icials to dodge making '1 think the media is pro on this,.' she a tough decision. said, saying obvious endorsement of the "I think that the Orange situation is en- plan ty newsgathering agencies has led tirely different from the Qty of Beaumon- to a lax attitude and less-than-probing t." he said. "They will be without am- questions. . - - bulance service Oct.31." "I can't believe that we could get altx►g. 11 think that personally, we should with three (ambulances in Beaumont) take time to look into this thing further." and the whole county could get along with he said 10,"she said,adding this part of the EMS Reservations with the EMS plan weigh proposal has been overlooked in news heavy with Ward 4 Councilman J. Leroy average. Evans. 'I don't think the public has this infor- "I particularly like some of the things . motion,"she said. "The outcry is for bet- mey (the EMS task force)have come up ter service but not necessarily this." wruI rut wesr AM SuTir uunp uwL nave Asked about the prospects of a referen- to be settled."Evans said dim on the issue,she said,..It would be a U the proposal is adopted, he said, Beaumont Journal,Monday,Sept 19, 1977 S-A Budget, EMSi*ssues on Cit y Council agenda g A twin bill of weighty issues will be was held Sept. 6. prior to state approval $8.40 annually for the owner of a $20.000 sider authorizing McDaniel to apply for a before Beaumont city councilmen at their of the Lamar Freeway project which home $110,899 grant for creation of a new unr Tuesday meeting — adoption of the $39.9 requires the city to sell its share of $6 Also up for adoption as part of the total in the police department to combat white million city budget for the year beginning million in bonds before the start of the$41 city spending package next year is a $1.6 collar and organized crime. Oct. 1 and a presentattion on an alternate million freeway project mullion federal revenue sharing budget. The discretionary grant is available Emergency Medical Service iEMSi The second public hearing is required $11 million of which is earmarked for from the Law Enforcement Assistance system by independent ambulance because the sale of the cross-town street improvements. Administration and the Texas Crimini l operators freeway bonds this year changes the In a workshop session after the Justice Division. A second public hearing on the city's bond debt schedule, officials said meeting. councilmen t%ui hear a proposal pro;,;sed city budget will be held after In addition.councilmen last week opted from indefx•ndent aniLu'aa:ice operators in A large-scale version of thu plan I.! th_ regular 10 a m business meeting in for not only the 7-cent tax cut they h:d beaum ant for an alit:i...live to the E.NIS year dissolved after a Snuthcast T. C-\ Hal! proposed to City %l::r:ager lloAard s.s:cn; pro;x)sed b.% ;,.cal task force Regional Planning CnT: ;, r. n;, In the hearing. councilmen will take McDaniel but accepted McDaniel s sub headed by Dr. Glen G;:, let. when Beaumont pulled'o:;t v`. thf t cornments on the budget giving Beaumon- stitute plan for discount sewer rates in Local operators oppused to the three- after differences with Port Arthur tern a Trent tax cut per $100 valuation the summer. county EMS system offered in mid-July In the workshop session. councilmen and a summertime discounted sewer The proposed tax cut in the budget by the task force requested a chance to will also discuss requests by non-profit. rate. would reduce the city tax rate from $1.94 offer their own proposal a week later. charitable organizations to an exemption An initial public hearing on the budget per $100 valuation to $1.87. a savings of In other business. councilmen will con- from trash dumping fees. 0 iseaumcint Enterprise. Tuesda%, Oct. 18, 1977 id productive career of teaching to tie square knots and help - King ladies cross the street. j 2 s just one of the major personnel n the Boy Scout administrative fall of 1927. Q •etary in headquarters in the Keith .` as a girl named Mary Scurlock - -ster's sister -and Mary resigned t ? :he University of Texas. You must + rr wisdom in making this move. left a void in the Scout office. is a Scouting expert,and all of the Is and some of the bigger onps :r.•' , ipg around the office and look at .-alf eyes, when they should have in the woods rubbing'sticks - re attracted to her because she 'WAIT!— IS Nn U FAIk.T i�C�aRptls"K MIN WARY WSION PAID! s(oPt INE ` Scoutine excert. 1 suatwse. UNT alk Numm ! .1 VLL CALL JINVJI`( CARTER O! WAIT!,,.� Beaumont Journal, Tuesday,Oct. 18, 1977 C U, JR.L'. SlIggestsvoe a._-L EMS f;� Derry Duke At the end of the work session. the emergency room care to the .,c rident to the Staff Writer council decided to put the measure to a scene going public with a referendum 0.;r1 11 t„day balked :It mak ;c a rote next week. An !:tits ru wsal Vote," the mayor said, in apparent a ropos.cd h Free recolutxmN %%III br on the agenda, mA h r ,. P F PreParcol t.., a � agreement with a proposal by Ward 3 6 a,k Inrr c y r�.. tent Ctkuicilman Calvin Williams. . Id •� -i _k a ore c�+l!ing for adoption of the plan and N„ d . ! < .�t. n � , • , , -.,� �: � I• fir e;hrr lLr•��.euit; the r.uc t,.•..: �•,I,.� c,! I rr Ward I Councilman Don Cash ,urTq.,d in a referendum t"` " >; !h e'aff committee's report, c!n),n,n�; a I c „ ! !r w . "uu t,, ;: nal lion ttat 'what I'm hearing are the same k F ll the council decides on a retch ndum. Loo d pvrident ambulance op,rators qutxtloris that came up earlier, and to ,slant %tanager Eoidiic Y,..lt January is likely to be the earliest a have blasted the task force plan,claiming city staff is trying to impose a systgm,, backing a three-county EMS plan. old special election could be called. questions and familiar hesitations crop- The council criticized the staff report, on the council without offering alterna- ped up and choked a decision on the questioned EMS tinancig and recalled related stories,page IA b subject. that there has been no public support for Ward 2 Councilwoman Vi McGinnis "This has got to be the highest priority the proposal from the communit said she was uncomfortable with the of anything hs has we've covered since I've been y. they can provide the same level of "eitheror" position in which the council The proposed s}•stem• which is to serve service - but only in Beaumont - for has been placed. on the council. Mayor Ken Hitter said. Jefferson. Hardin and Orange counties, slightly more than$$,000. in an effort to rally support for the would use ambulances manned by highly _Cost estitri8te5`C down the line"are not nrrvviesl g y $ovine that file rally A......:-- -•• trained attendants and finked through a '�eK Lne start report. Mrs. McGinnis But the remainder of the council soplustic•ated communications network. the suggestion fermi council.ref referendum echoed rioted. refused to budge on the controversial the suggestion of a referendiun to solve "The problem with the proposal from g Physician backup would be provided the issue issue in a lengthy workshop session. through a radio network extending "I would have no ualms at all with the ��ng has always been the q howl Nxindtim'of it."she said. 3•A Beaumont Enterprise,Tuesday,Oct. is, 1977 Beaumont council to Iscuss . By KERRY DUKE cots-appointed task force Staff Writer and has drawn fire from measures at the scene. provide the same level of drafted local independent r cY7t Cit Council independent The most the system service for a price tag of arilbU,an�Ce purchase of a l;� federal f::!: t.. Y local c a I operators. could cost th,• city accord- only slightly more than noted in the task force plan. City landfill. „ ..rs today will tangle ambulance operators than compactor for use a t t hr• r e b u r l d r n,; t f�,• n�•,5 q. t. the proposed three- tng o estimates provided b issue The proposed system, the task force, would be local ambulance oopera ors city council since it first o be co ppleerin n BO k is •� •;ty Emergency Medical w,y� is has divided the �.r� designed to serve 1252,830 in start-up funds. say they are faced with i.�m — a proposal that Jefferson, Orange and Financing for the fang UP in July, and the and for no more than now carries t h e Harm Mies would use being put out of business if likelihood of smooth-sailing endorsement of City ambulance system would be the task force proposal is page is slim. i Ctns' ambulances manned by provided through targeted Tract 11 has been Manager Howard McDaniel. highly-trained attendants adopted by the city council. Mayor Ken Ritter, e After the 10 a.m. business and l i n k e d via a for t� after the hniga, s�tamweek.a PProvalton�e haunch supporter proposal,f hasf �Ci� for i�1.4 milirnn in meeting at city hall,council s o p h i s t i c a t e d task force members will meet in City contribution. task fog Phm saying a said he will push for a vote; communications network. Local independent review of both proposals by on the issue at next week's workshop to discuss the phyaic�backup would be ambul prof%s-d ambulance system provided ambulance operators have a city staff committee has Council meeting. that was drawn up by a nets}t0 life-saving° knocked the tpsk force identified more pluses in the During the business txmosal. savine thev can task force proposal than Vim, the city council is were found in the expected to aoorove the independent operators' and more drawbacks in the plan No Text I , Beaumont Enterprise,Wednesday,Oct. 19, 1977 EMS relerendum poss � By KERRY DUKE resolving the EMS issue Stan Writer network that would tie in physician "I wouldn't want to be in the position of A referendrant election to decide what _ turrning down the best." said Mayor Ken � � � room care hype of emergency medical car, citizens Ritter in a pitch to prod councilmen into to the field. will get'when they call for an ambulance backing the three county EMS plan. The Proposal, drawn up by a 25. may be in the offing in Beaumont. 'tins tins of to bu the highest priority member, council-appointed task tome, is Beaumont City Council Tuesda g estimated to cost the city�=in in Start d anything we've covered since I've been decided up financing. Task fore estimates for the to decide what to do about the on the coencil,"Ritter said. controversial Emergency Medical System The rest of the council refused to blink total system costs stand at =1.2 million iSatte next week when two resolutions will brd continued to bat the EMS issue about initially. be considered. One resolution would call the second-floor chambers in a lengthy Local independent ambulance for the adop km Of a three-county E NIS operators. who would be pusttM out of workshop session. business if the franchise EMS plat were pnopoeal,while the other would Ihnn� the tail members knocked Platt's stall to be instituted, have bleated the task referendum m to decide in a special committee report, questioned EMS force plan, saying they can provide the January would be the earliest a financing and resounded an earlier theme sartte level of service citywide for only referendum election could be called if that there has been no clamor of public slightly more than$50.000. losing the issue to the voters is the move system.su ppoti for the emergency medical care When it was apparent his rally was the The EMS system that carries the drawing to support from councilmen. w. discussion on the Ritter echoed the Suggestion' that a During a workshop discussion of both a city staff referendum election be called to resolve various EMS proposals in which committee and City Manager Howard the courl6lrnen heard a report from Assistant McDaniel calls for an ambulance system "Issue. City Manager R.E. "Ronnie" Plait manned by highly-trained attendants 1 would have no with qualms e all with backing a threecotnty EMS plan old operating in Jefferson. Orange and B�8 t0 public with a referendum questions and familiar hesitations Ilatdin counties. Ambulances µould be Vie' the mayor said is he placed his Surfaced and squelched any move toward lucked by a sophisticated communications FNS,Page IIA EMS referendum POSsIble "This council should be very careful proposals, Williams said, the city staff about Mnrp of approval on a suggestion by t a system that not only would cost committee "put down" the,propoaal b Waryd3Cauncilman Calvin Williams Payers to start up but to continue the local independent ambulance Ward 1 C it "she said. okanctlrrtarr Don Cash cnticw�ed operators and supported the task force the ataN'mmIttee But Platt disagreed. saying the a fa'a three-county system. the tank for EMS tarn, � that enrt,��:rd financial a g � P Saying th•- I. aspects of the three-county EMS Williams said he would not oppose a Staff tried 10 "impose a system" oo ,I,;, plan were explored b y the staff referendum election on the issue but council thnoudh Its report rather tlwan committee and financing for the proposal wondered if such a move might not be anwrr council question. is RA "borderline..' a Ward 2 i ��g responsibility that rests with the Councilwoman Vi McGinnis Williams resounded the theme that city council. "either-or- about being faced.,with .,n there has been little public response But Ritter contended the city council proposition when the c�t� Concerning EMS. has a "awesome responsibility- to act ao�cll had'asked the staff committee to "In the seven years I've been on the � since surrounding cities are waiting dY alternative approaches to EMS. council, I have not received Otte single to see what Beaumont does on the issue, t wattled a discussion of the financial Phone call about the ambulance service." the city council will "control the destiny"aspects of the plan — our liability doµn he said. of the s m a l l e r, surrounding the mod."Mrs.McGinnis said. Rather than di-sect the various EMS municipalities - Beaumoat Eatemrise.Tuesday. Oct.25, 1977 It's she) vvdown • A firs, vor EMS Although we have thrown our support behind a three-county Emergency Medical Services system, we have never been closed to lively debate on the issue or opposed to considering viable alternatives. It has become obvious that four of Beaumont's five City Council members have serious doubts about the EMS c tipro task presented by a city-sPonsored force, and think local ambulance operators have raised some legitimate questions. The primary goal is improved ambulance service. If our first choice — an EMS system — is unattainable as this time, as appears to be the a ihould be found t u then'grade drastically he qality of local ambulance service. ' When a committee of city staffers was named to evaluate the EMS proposal, we were hopeful it would offer a plan encompassing the best of both worlds, the EMS task force's and the ambulance operators'. Unfortunately, the council did not make it clear to the staff whether it merely wanted the two competing plans evaluated or whether it wanted compromise proposals and alternative plans to accompany the evaluations. What emerged was a 44-page report that does little, if anythin,(1,1 to answer the questions raised by ENIS critic ; — questions which doubting council inem1 wrs needed to have ad- dressed. Perhaps most ilPf)- ding is that the staff committee paid a cuir,ultant =60o to assist in drawing up the report. Much of the consultant's work w is a review of the work done by a previous cwi;ultant who assisted the EMS task force The repun i o ,1M, of page after page of meaningless verbage — rhetorical questions, blatant assumptions, an absurd "matrix grading system and even a quote from a 17th Century literary figure — to disguise subjective viewpoints. Sadly, no firm facts were assembled to support the committee's conclusion that the EMS proposal was the best. And it's not as if there aren't such facts. Several council members acknowledged disappointment in the report, but failed to follow through by pressing the staff for a meaningful study that offers viable alternatives. Just such a study might have been done in the first place if the council had made it plain that was what was expected. So, instead of seeking out compromises or alternatives, the council now is considering the addition of another layer of veneer and ex- pense (about $1200) by holding a citywide referendum on .ai issue the citizens elected the council to decide. Enlightened voting in such an election can hardly be expected. Unlike the council, the citizenry does not have a professional staff to _ turn to for information about an issue as sophisticated and complicated as EMS. And how are those who want a compromise SUP-, posed to vorolin .,l members insist on another We hops ' report from, tn, , tty staff, this one a version that fully e%I&W- this important issue and of- fers altern:iIiv,• 1. ! compromises that can be viable in Beaurnt- 1. From the bel iii:iing, we thqught that even if the EMS dream oid not become reality, there at least would be enough attention focused on our inadequate ambulance system to spur improvements, probably through City Council mandate. We remain hopeful that the time, money and effort which has gone into the EMS debate will not be wasted. i Beaumont Enterprise,Tuesday,Oct.25, 1977 RVI tesf-,Gr ccunc*11 UN J1;! ! 4KK S.'- <m 1 f�15� drawn up by a"d a city s.af( cc.�:c F t:-nnn ntal entities part- award of an ambulance was agreed to by the council recommendations on any S.a' cr th f;rrn of Fraiser. Stout. h::�•e given it the stn-;} �d }-;=�'c Task force leaders franchise to one operator at the close of the workshop new furniture to go into the l r,k•; r ral ''." on and A« 'c al '. � .d the total cost for would put them out of session last Tuesday. new office building. care for Bc umo,., s will be at hacked b} a ci n ` at 711w HN1S 1; ... !tl . t:. cm in Hardin. Jef- business and would cost the In other business, Councilmen will also : the top of the list today for pointed task force, is one of count}, one-oper..tor ferson and Orange counties city far more than the councilmen will consider a consider the purchase of city council, with two the measures up for ambulance service has would rum $1.3 million to initial cost figures quoted by contract with the IBM data processing choices up for a vote in the consideratiat. drawn-stiff opposition from develop. task force leaders. architectural firm of equipment. With the exception of fi now-controversial issue. 'Ihe other is a resolution private ambulance oper- In contrast, local ats.Mayor Ken Ritter. all fhines to handle the obtained through leasing Gordy and Hue- Adding all the credits Council members, who' calling for a referendum ators in Beaumont ever independent ambulance have labored over the issue election to allow voters to since the proposal was first operators say they can appear members last week e u r i i s h i h g s for r the last seer equipment for the YP provide Beaumont with appeared unconvinced the municipal office building last several years, the city and heard from proponents decide what type of aired. PPS EMS plan proposed the now tinder construction on can now purchase the Th of various plans for more emergency care system e plan comes with an essentially the same service Y task force should be Main SttY& equipment for i11,835. than three months, will should be set up in the city. estimated one-time startup for slightly more than The firm will review and The computer equipment consider two different Councilmen remain split cost to the city of =252.830, I�� in Mime costs to adopted. The alternative suggestion evaluate the furniture is eiurenfly leased by the responses in a 10 a.m. on the desirability of the the amount proponents say the city. d the issue before presently owned by the city �Y on an annual basis of meeting at city hall. EMS plan, although City is needed to outfit city �� �� for a decision and w i I 1 m a k a 139.106. An Emergency Medical Manager Howard McDaniel service provided all other The opera Y voters Beaumont Journal,Tuesday,tkt.°25, 1977 f hv .911heft W -kQjb i d e V -mew FV%'OV -AML 11111111 F _1111w%.ff V 1 Plan victim of months of controversy ve sy By Kerry Duke and Jeff Clark Councilmen voted 3-1 — with one arrival at Cit% Council chambers — the Court: nn c'.rl:to Williams. Mallor hen Staff Writers abstaining — against the Emergency victim of three rr,rnthq r•f contrnvpry fr L'un staunch scpporter of A plan to uptira,' •m-r:;cncv medical Medical System pr(q,sed by a council-ap- and debate. tt.. :.; ;.: .r. `rom the beginning h d care for a three area expired The death blow to VNIS carne uh•n ai; rr: r the in•,tion. Ward 4 Councilman J today. along with pr:mnsal to allow Ward 2 Councel�woman Vi McGinnis Lercy Evans did not vote. Beaumont re-4rderts t., .iecide what type Related stories,page 3A moved to turn down the plan and Ward I CIsh moved against a referendum on of emergency medical ;ar%ices they want Councilman Don Cash seconded the the issue. Mrs McGinnis seconded that through a referendum rlection. pointed task force. and 3-1 against calling motion. rrrtion The Beaumont City Council turned a referendum on the matter Joining Mrs. McGinnis and Cash to all councilmen except the mayor voted down the two measures in split votes. _ Actually. the E11S plan was dead on voting for the mot -n was Ward i 'See O)UNC1L,page IIA t Council turns down Eill"o) 'i' E''IOfll Page I : -: would rather have voted today, but the task force prop, against calling a referendum election. subsequent city staff committer, rr port With the three-month debate on E\IS left no altematrwes suddenly over. all council members ex. "It really vAas pur:uc•d in all or cept Ritter took time to explain their matter.'she said stance on the controversial issue. Noting reservations she had u nth the "My vote on this matter is not arguing EMS plans. Mrs McGinnis said. 'it at all with the EMS proposal." Williams would have set up a monnpnly %k, hnut said, explaining that a community need any r- '.;laton features and tF,t r._ ; a has been identified. p;,,.' :it} ti r cun.urncr �cuu!d t t It in no way endorses or suggests that been "=%ed ' I'm satisfied at all with the degree of But, she said. the council A ,,,I be Personnel manning our ambulances_." the "arms if we did not go on from here councilman said, Evans concurred with Mrs McGinnis' Williams said he plans to pursue the pledge to push for improved emergency issue of improving emergency medical medical care, saying. A think the thing care. we are looking for in Beaumont. Texa, is Mrs. McGinnis complained that she better ambulanoe service." Beaumont Enterprise, Wednesday, Oct. YG, 1977 A m buiance baii ounces . ' independenis ' courts into By KERRY DUKE "We could appoint another commission ambulance operations,he said. and JEFF CLARK — one that would involve all of those But.Mayor Ken Ritter, who ha: Staff Writers factions in the community «ho are staunch supporter of :hr EMS pl Local independent ambulance operators dedicated to this," Mrs. mct,uuus said. the start, said he doubts any got the call Tuesday but still have to "Perhaps the most it could du is draft an results win come from efforts deliver on an improved emergency ordinance to achieve the equipment Council to improve services' medical care system. needed and better care." Ritter said adopting tighter or "t would like to pick up as many pieces Or, she said, the city staff could look will create "an impossible as we can and improve ambulance for a system in operation currently that situation"for the citX to try to ha services with the available people," said might fit the needs of the city. "it's ee000 s &aa impossible many operators s there are Ward 4 Councilman J. Leroy fitvans after 11iird" she said, "we could use the fragmented as it is,"he said. amicitmen voted to reject an Emergency legal staff and have them lust draft an The mayor predicted the mov Medical System proposed by a council-ap- ordinance upgrading existing ambulance by the city council Tuesday will pointed task force and turned down a plan icy and personnel." the city subsidising a m I to have the voters decide what type of Ward 4 Councilman J. l.eroy Evans ex- companies on a reoccurring bas' service should be established through a pressed optimism in coming up with a referendum election. blend of the best aspects of the EMS in a workshop session after the split proposal and the plan suggested by local . votes werg case on the egntroversial independent ambulance oprratur., issues,councilmen directed City Manager Admitting participation in a system Howard McDaniel to tackle the other than the EMS plan by the local emergency medical care issue once medical community may be d,lf„•utt to obtain, Evans said, "I think it could be McDaniel was told to explore the worked out with the doctors." Communication needs of the independent Ward 1 Councilman Don Cash agreed, operators that call for building a saying, "Whenever we show that the centrally dispatched system and take a system is upgraded and has the look at strengthening city ordinances personnel the doctors will cooperate with relating to ambulance operations. the system "I think what I'm going to do is probably just try to develop an approach Cash was pleased with the outcome of to see if it is feasible for us to provide the Tuesday's votes on the issue since he has first stage communication with the pushed to give the local ambulance current staff," McDaniel said after the operators a chance to improve services whop from the start of the debate. The independent ambulance operators "'lust's all any business asks•"he said. have asked the city to pitch in to set up a Ward 3 Councilman Calvin Williams central dispatch communications network said he will push for some resulution of to be operated by the fire department. the emergency medical care issue in 30 to Concerning city ordinance revision, the 60 days• city manager said, "What I'm hearing "I think what we'll du is have the staff the council say is they want the work with the EMS proposal and the independent operators to operate, but individual operators' pruposal .end draw they want them more strictly regulated." the best from both,"Williams said. Ward 2 Councilwoman Vi McGinnis Ilie first step in impruv inn; emergency ►uljined her considerations on the medical services should be taken by mergency medical care issue. strengthening city ordiu.mcc, relating to I • 1 Beaumont Journal.Tuesday,Oct. 25, 1977 ternative medical a By Kerry Duke and Jeff Clark adopting many of the proposals of local approacb to upgrade emergency medical Ward 1 Councilman Don Cash said he Staff Writers independent ambulance operators. care. believes the medical community will get In a workshop session after councilmen "If we take a gradual approach, and behind an upgraded ambulance service Picking up the pieces remaining after a voted down a Emergency Medical System that's what I think I'm hearing, it means eventually. three-month battle over upgrading as proposed by a council-appointed task communication," McDaniel said. "Not' "Whenever we show that the system is } emergency medical care in Beaumont, force, City Manager Howard McDaniel communication between the iambulance► upgraded and has the personnel, the i the City Council today moved toward was instructed to draw up an alternative unit and hospital, but between a central doctors will cooperate with the system.' dispatcher and the vehicle getting there." Cash said. After today's vote on the EMS issue,all The councilman, who has pushed for { councilmen offered suggestions about the local ambulance businesses what they would like to see included in an remaining in control, said revising city upgraded emergency medical care plan. ordinances to set higher standards for Ward 2 Councilwoman Vi McGinnis ambulance operators will give the local said several options are open to businesses the opportunity to meet the councilmen. challenge. "We could appoint another commission "That's all any business ask,he s;-id — one that would involve all of those Ward 3 Councilman Calvin Williams f factions in the community who are said a staff plan suggesting alternative dcxiwated to this," Mrs. McGinnis said. approaches to improve ambulance "Pe.-Nips the most it could do is draft an service ought to be re:jdv in 30 to 60 days. ordinance to achieve the equipment righter city ord,r,. _(is to improve the n-,- d and better care." quality of amhular,; ; •mpam• pvrs.n!l 0: she said. the city staff could search shuild he the fiat -„;, the co,j*ril ?a+( `coding something in existence now" in improving emerF t• mk Iival c; t.: t,�, Beaumont. Said Third. we could use the legal staff and n,�appointed with V c outcume of the have them just draft an ordinance ENIS issue, Mayor teen Hitter said for the upgrading existing ambulance services future "there is no question the city is and personnel." going to have to be subsidizing Ward 4 Councilman J. Leroy Evans ex- ambulances." pressed optimism in coming up with a However,the mayor said.it will create blend of the best aspects of the EMS plan "an impossible policing situation"for the and the one put forth by local independent city to try and regulate standards in ambulance operators. emergency care. "it's economically noting participation in a system by the impossible with as many operators as local medical community may be difficult there are and as fragmented as it is,"he to obtain. Evans said, "I think it could be said of the existing alignment of , worked out with the doctors" ambulance operators. 1 &-: umont Enterprise. Wednesday. Oct.26, 1977. ro P0 S!a S C) U n C [ E By KERRY DUKE the three-county Emergency Medical proposal was squeezed out when Ward 2 made a motion aganns; calling a refer Staff Writer System proposed by a council-appointed Councilwoman Vi McGinnis moved to endum election on the issue. Mrs. After a three-month, bloodletting task force, council members vowed to reject the plan and Ward I Councilman McGinnis seconded that motion. debate, the Beaumont City Council push on in efforts to upgrade ambulance Dot Cash seconded the motion. AD councilmen except the mayor voted Tuesday rejected both a plan to upgrade service in the city. Joining Mrs. McGinnis and Cash in against calling a referendum election. In split votes, the city council rejected voting against the EMS plan was Ward 3 With the votes in on the often explosive fRelafed sto rle s, a Pa 9 3A two measures relating to the Councilman Calvin Williams. Mayor Ken issue all of the councilmen except Ritter controversial emergency medical care Ritter, who has been solidly.behind the took time to explain their positions on the from .h.. L.w..-....w Proposal. Task Torre proposal ►����� ►,R �a..�....6. controversial proposal. emergency medical care and a proposal Councilmen voted 3-1, with one voted against pulling the plug on the M vote m this matter is not arguing to let voters decide how emergency abstaining. against the task force plan.'. proposal. Ward 4 Councilman J. Leroy Y Ku g rnedical service should be delivered in and 4-1 against calling a referendum Evans did not vote. at aU with the EMS proposal. Williams Beaumont election on the matter. The second move on emergency— is" explaining that a community need Although councilmen pulled the plug on The last of the lifeblood in the EMS medical care was made by Cash who EMS.Page 9A =MS proPOSL ' cyed� ambulance operators caul d, l l% : said, I think they $the city council)were emergency medical services at U1,• SmIl,, %,,ray judicious and considerate in all the had been identified in the raging debate. level the EMS plan would have afforded devils of the matter." la in no way endorses or suggests that Attending the meeting were Local independent ambulance operators I'm satisfied at all with the degree of representatives of opposing camps ul itu• fought the EMS task force plan from the per,.=nel manning our ambulances," he battle over emergency medical cars' start,saying the$252,830 price tag for the mod. Hoke Peacock, a member of the EMS city was erroneous and the system could Pledging to continue the push for task force, said, •-We're be;Ira n ,it provide the services for the Jefferson upgraded emergency medical services, fought hard and we lost " c)range and Hardin county area that were Williams said, "The council needs to take Without Beaumont's partwi;,.iti,,u, promised the initiative to see that this is done Peacock said, the three-county FMS The independent ambulance operators within a reasonable amount of time." proposal is a lost cause. claimed they could provide a high-level of tiSa,ying that she would rather have been After telling councilmen he appreciated service citywide for slightly more than a in$fie position to cast a ballot in favor of their action on the issue, NlJc„Ind a proposal, Mrs. McGinnis said the task Sanders, an attorney who reprc,,;,tell 'cost to the city for communicaunr force proposal and a subsequent city staff local independent ambulance ou, ",uiprnent. committee report left her no alternatives. "it really was pursued in an all-or- iothing manner,',she said. In part, reservations over the EMS ;plan's financing and the long-term burden t.o the city led her to vote against the Ixoposal,she said. "It would have set up a monopoly without any regulatory features, and Ihere's a possibility the consumer would not have been served,” Mrs. McGinnis Beaumont Journal, Thursday,Oct. 27, 1977 said in describing her major riisagreement with the EMS plan. �`'�� Agreeing with Williams, the councilwoman said, "Council would be amiss if we did not go on from here." Evans was agreeable to continuing ef- forts to improve emergency medical care Is a rn „ n t F' i r e in the city, saying, "I think the thing we Dep,art:ncnt n sponded to are looking for in Beaumont, Texas, is tha• Ioflo"Ilw ellfit calls better ambulance service." frurn is;1 III Vt,,1u,'�day to 8 Explaining why he refrained from ,,,, t,.tu% %rofing on the EMS measure, Evans said t+,edne,day he did not vote "because when you're an lU 21 a In — 2266 E. cut-voted American, you just pick up the titwd.-AI,i�kn. tulse alarm. pieces and do what you can." L 1,' I n, - Crow and He said the council should pick up the I'_,:;,. ,ulna!: or%ice road, best pieces of both the EMS proposal and u,.111.,.I:J the plan put forth by the local i . p :: - 27Y0 independent ambulance operators A t I :...:.. ,,I gas leak blend of the two should result in the best ,,r:. hw-t. lirst system for the city, Evans said. a:u Cash said he voted against the EMS o _ n, ,alder plan because he thinks the emergency ,,at i•,, medical care system should be upgraded in steps. fire More rigid standards should be T"do established for ambulance operators 7 05 a.in -- 664 W. through city ordinances, he said, which F l o r i d a, r e s u s c•s t a t o r will result in overall improvement of '_",ISuulce emergency medical services. 7 11 a m -- 4195 Milam, A disappointed mayor said after the great,.-•tire. meetkng that the city council had rejected 7 53 a m - 664 W. the best system available. Flonda first aid Ritter said he doubts if the independent I Beaumont Ent. ,r,la,. tlrt. ?9. 19ii EMS S,.a but not fornotten Dr. Glen Guillet said the other day that he was ending his 12-year fight for an Emergency Medical Service system in Southeast Texas. We understand his concession of defeat, but we do not'accept it. While it is true that, by a 3-1 vote, the City Council rejected the EMS package put together by Guillet's task force, the doctor has no need,to.be remorseful. The EMS dialogue which he helped start has served a valuable purpose: It pointed out the inadequacies in the city's ambulance service and the need for major improvements. , There will be no EMS system such as t;uillet envisioned, at least not now, but the Council has made it plain that it wants to U10grade local ambulance service. 'We can understand Guillet's emotional Vtdown. He has spent 12 years pushing EMS and, 'until recently, the battle was a lonely one. Even after he persuaded the city to name the task force, Guillet continued to devote a great deal of his time, talent and money to the cause. The area already owes Glen Guillet a debt of gratitude for the emergency medical services we do have. There are an estimated 250 card-carrying emergency medical technicians in the area, and most were trained by Guillet. He may be disappointed, even bitter, now. But if the EMS campaign results in improved ambulance service for lieaumont, that will be Glen Guillet's legaeN. i Beaumont Journal. Frill rw. Dec. 2. 1977 —At Cit y Hall EAIS. action slated The slow-starting move by Beaumont city officials to put more teeth into The city ordinance gover- ning standards of emergency medical care seems to be getting on + Jeff a taster track. I ` ' Work on a stronger code gets c l a r k /Dung Monday, and a draft of the ordinance is expected before the ad of December,said the head of a new committee formed to work on criticized (McDaniel at this week's the measure. council meeting for having made no "We're going to be exchanging progress on a new ordinance. Ideas and alternatives at the first Although :Monday's meeting will meeting," said Dr. Jorge Ortuzar. be a feeling-out process. Ortuzar City health department director. said two areas needing im- The four-member panel of city of- provement are training of the am- ficials will use aspects of the bulance attendants and radio com- present. Inadequale city ordinance Munications. and a model ordinance suggested '''We have a lack of training by the state to produce a draft for required for the attendants on am approval "before the end of the bulances," he said. "it only talks month."Ortuzar said. about the ambulance driver in the Other members of the committee old ordinance." selected Wednesday by City The committee will also work on Manager Howard McDaniel are what type of communications Police Chief Willie Bauer, Fire system to require in a new ordin- Chief Pete Shelton and Milton ance, the doctor said. in an attempt Palmer, an assistant to the city to link emergenc} vehicles with manager. hospi to Is. Qty councilmen called for a "Sume way, we need to make stronger case in late October after (the system haves radio com- they voted down a threecwnty munications with emergency emergency care system, and rooms.' he said. Oww..�.��� 1__�_� r_.a__. n__ w •wow _ _ _ _ _ _ t &A Beaumont Enterprise,Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1977 u n c* luncerules A proposal to tighten emergency care in the city. Assistant City Manager technician,Platt said. decorating schemes and the workshop discussions, building only half of the regulations of private Other topics to be R.E. "Ronnie" Platt said Also, along with calling colors for the new civic councilmen will consider road,or two lanes. ambulance companies will discussed during the last the proposal generally for ambulance equipment center and city hall approving a contract with The project is expected to be discussed today by the council meeting of the year follows the measures to meet state requirements, buildings, which are under Walter P. Moore and be begun next summer and Beaumont City Council in include Beaumont's cable outlined in a model by the the proposal would include construction on Main Street Associates for engineering cost an estimated $1.6 the first concentrated effort television system and plans Texas Department of Health all emergency medical across from city hall. services in reconstruction of rrullion. said Earl Deland. to upgrade emergency for decorations for the new Resources and go farther equipment suggested for Some of the original a two-mile stretch of director of public works for services since the defeat of civic center complex. _ than the state guidelines in inclusion in ambulances by materials and colors Washington Boulevard. the city• a c o m p r e h e n s i v e The first efforts of a one instance. the state,he said. selected for the finish work Washington, from A grant application to the emergency care plan. four-member staff In the draft, two B i I I D a h 1 . a in the two new buildings Interstate 10 to Langham U.S. Department of the Council will meet at 10 cormnittee in strengthening ambulance attendants will representative of the have been discontinued by Road, is planned for Interior will also be a m. in city hall for a ambulance regulations will be required on board, one a California architectural the manufacturer. Platt reconstruction as a considered by the City regular weekly business be presented to councilmen qualified emergency firm handling the' civic said. four-lane, curb and gutter Council to fund acquisition meeting and then will tackle as a draft ordinance for medical technician and the center complex, is During the business roadway, although the and development of a the draft ordinance on discussion. other an advanced first aid scheduled to discuss session, which will precede current project calls fnr downtown park. Federal funding on a 90 percent basis is available for recreation projects involving abandoned railroad rights-of-way. Owned by Southern Pacific, the downtown parcel bounded by Crockett, Park. Laurel and Orleans is being ' considered. r r Beaamont&terprise,Tbunday,March!,It" Ambulunce, back c l� By DAVID Dt)DSt)N ambulance services but said his outfit has firm. K'e'vc+been read , Staff writer not benefitted from an increase in calls but March is =y7 fly busby month w she lr}g Mere ere seven sa bul nee firms "I didn't hear that from Bessie or Beaes re s four remaining ambulance that would have been handled by the said. "But I don't think we're b to the Broussard or Taft, but one of their boys savings reported Wednesday they are defunct firms. qY,; city. Beaumont .didn't need that many told me about it.,, having no difficulty filling the void ��those firms pulled out." e . ambulance•iserrices,•' Kelley said.. "if ]+irs. G"Iory vehemently created when three black-owned T� Pullout has not affected our Itirs. Crawford said it her,tirf4t id you look at lhe.overalt picture, it might favorable increase i usines was du�tor a:'nbulance firms called it quits March I. service notire::b;y," Kelley said. "There begin to experience an increase in cads,: be better for-the'ambu!.1%.-e services and solicitation o[ calls from the defunct At the same time. Bessie Knighton of hasn't been an% par ic:lar increase in the LN're would be no problem hwWliD the the citizens of Beaumon: tt.::: the market ambu! •,.< sr f cal Knighton Funeral Home• Freddy number of cr:n• kc gt ad1:c nal work load. is not divided up so mar,} Az,s " r ,vsrard of Calvary Mortuary and Kelley s1_cu!;rcd t':e reason most Lh:abeth Guillory of Beaumont 'Tn"c c� no truth whatever to that ' Taft of Mercy Funeral Home fern. i f. :..,'ir Ambulance Service said her tiros R'ilirams oil A: �' S.;r,s state^ 'iris Guillon said. "I don't e r; r,ccd dramatic Fiewral Directors sit, is i a:amedus think tiit:ey or Knighton or Calvary will �..: d to be close-mouthed on the t�_r«se, ;, the number of calls is trim has experienced a substantial re.. they decided to pull out of the ur►r.rutil:aa,con of Crawford's Ambulance tncrcac m workload,as Kelley said.: lore really had a 4G perecr,: r. ttase,well, appreciate that remark. 1 didn't solicit `L'ntryance business. Service and Beaumont Paramedic that's tine with me. But we've anybody's business." The three operators announced Feb. 15. Ambulance Service before the March I I d say we've had about a 40 petcent e'penenced nothing out of the ordinary." they intended to close their doors for good pullout.i increase in calls," Mrs. Guillor d• Broussard of Calvary Mortuary said he Yi Williams said his firm fits ventured has not sold his March 1,but declined comment then and "I think the reason (there has been no "We had the latest and best territory IwQd. . normally have emnxsd on whether he intended intended to sell equipmen into Cerrito now an their motivations. money can buy before the others 1 Problem absorbing the defunct firms' d' ire,'bid the'irips did ntit amount to a or if he has dismissed his attendants, "I just don't want any hassle," calls)is that Paramedics and Crawford's �� � with more revenue frond th � , Broussard said. •'We're out of the had the capacity to do more business o dray efu funeral a di �calls. Taft said he still has his ambulate. increase et calls, I think we'll be able to The funeral director said the reason but that **it's only a matter of putting a ambulance business and that's all I have ever before the three fiirms pulled out." provude better service." R = .. Paramedics has had a marked increase Yor sale'sign on it Xnd locating a to�Y•" Kelley said another reason there 4as_ .' in business is because its directors and Taft said he dismissed his attendants Charles Kelley of Kelley-Hi:son Frances Crawford of Crawford's been no difficulty in answering calls is attendants are black March 1. Funera!Home said he was toot sure of the Afrbdanm Service said there has been that there were probably too many "I'm sure Paramedics contacted "I have no intention of ever getting rea9orus the three firms shut down their .` ro ambulance seviccs igBurnont to ir{i ! Knighton, Calve and Merc aPPr'orjabk irucreax h activity by her .vitli' • • t flit + .and bkk bk the ambu10nce_15413iness. Tan ► • r w solicited their lk-A %1(ttlia�. `sail Beaumont Enterpri>e, Wednesday,Jas. 13, 1073 S-A Ambulance c n.,-:,nende ti By JEFF Q ARK meeting, the operators "believed it was "it was my understanding that that Shaft Writer premature to add the amendment until was the purpose of withholding it this Several Beaumont ambulance we have a central dispatch,"Nichols said past week," said Councilman Calvin Operators .Tuesday said they generally Tuesday. Williams after Acting City Manager Ron• support a city ordinance approved by Charles Kelley,owner of Kelley-Hinson rue Platt brought up the request for a councilmen requiring operators to pick up Funeral Home, and Bessie Marie delay. Patients without regard to ability to pay Knighton, owner of Knighton Funeral %4Ohams called for the no•customers- for the service. Home,both said passage of the ordinance ref tz.-1 amendment Jan. 9 when council Overriding a request from operators to just requires something they have been approved the ordinance to upgrade delay for one more week action on the doing all along. -nerbrm-y care. 'Take whatever steps measure, council Tuesday voted It should create no problems," Kelley are hk.ryary" to begin stud a �- umuWnously to add the provision to the said, saying he You city's ambulance code. YtnB hoP� the city will rehm- tral c4�patch service, said Councilman loose operators in the future for picking Don Cash. "I think it's a good idea," said Morris up indigent patients. Wilhains agreed, saying; "I see no Taylor, assistant manager of Beaumont "It's just been our cost before," he reason to delay it,"and said the guaran- Paramedics Ambulance Service. -We're said. "Maybe not now,but in the future, 1 tee of ambulance service to everyone in That type of business, and we should hope they'll make provisonts for us to be should be"an automatic stipulation." serve everyone regardless of who or paid out of city funds." whx^e they are." Nichols said the ordinance approved by Nichols told council it will be "almost However, Taylor underscored the councilmen did not take up the issue of impossible to enforce"the amendment to operators' concern about the city's' reimbursing operators for picking up the office without a central dispatch establishing a central dispatch service for patients with no ability to pay. Such a service, and Platt told the panel the sty emergency, as well as police and fire provision would be a dangerous area for ambulance committee has begun working depiuUw t calls. the city to get involved in,he said. on such a service. We're pushing for a central dispatch," The council approved stricter am- Broken equipment or not actually get- he said. "We must have it. Without a cen- bulance regulations for city operators two Ling a call are the only two legitimate tral dispatch, there is.no need of the city weeks ago, calling for two-way radio reasons an operator can give for act ordiviiince with what we're trying to im- communications, more highly-skilled at- picking up someone who needs an am- prove now." tendanta and better equipment. At the bulance under the amendment, Nichols I lute lack of a central dispatch service time,operators were given six months to told co wfl. was given by the operators as part of the begin complying with the ordinance. In addition, the measure calls for the reason they felt the amendment was un- Despite the she-week delay asked by my health department to give notice of lworkable, said Assistant City Attorney the operators, council wasted little time revocanuwl of permit for not meeting the 1UW Nichols. In asking for the delay at the Monday Tuesday in approving the additional 1•rout, Iaaid,and a hearing u reywnd Y measure. t,i,,,e a IK•rmit can be revoked. September 8, 1979 Controverg- Y pi�; police, wford's By JAE BERRY Staff welter in a possible violation of 4,city or- dinance, an ambulance service Thursday refused to transport a man f ruin a north end home to a hospital,— hul masons for the refusal are '11::puted by police who were at the .x,no and the ambulance company v,,..crs who were at the scene said the ere told by at least one atten- daut , ,r Crawford's Ambulance that the r,ian owed the company money and ;I x as the policy that he could not be traubl,orted for that reason. "He i the ambulance attendant)ad- vised that the boss's policy was that they could not'pick up anyone who ow- ed them money," Officer E.R.. Pachall said. But Frances Crawford,an owner of the company, who was not present at the time, denies that the attendants. trade such a statement- Although Crawford refused to name the atten• dints at the scene,she said she spoke to them about the incident. "According to our records, the pa- tient never used our ambulance ser- vice before, Crawford said. -'Regardless of the charges or bills,if it is a,►emergency,we transport." Crawford maintains that at no time dul an attendant tell police it was the conihany policy not to pick up people H hu owed money. loo o,, ncident began at 9:58 p.m. Thur.day when police received a call from an occupant of the house on l.unlee Street. The occupant said there was a man in his house who had boon there in bed for five days, the %as drunk and the occupant AMBULANCE,Page 7A Beaumont Enterprise,Saturday,Sept•8,IM 7-A Ambulance refusal disputed • , , h the attendants perform the tests. Whitesel said, however,that there was a possibility that the tests wanted the man to leave. were performed while he was out of the room. When Pachall and his partner,R-L Whitesel,ar- A city ordinance in Beaumont governs the rived at the house,they saw the man about 50 years responses of ambulances. Assistant City Attorney old in the bed, which was soiled by excretion. Lane Nichols said the ordinance "requires am- Beside the tied was a small white bucket,filled with bulances to respond if is to be transported to an dark-colored blood,the officers said.The bed,wall emergency facility." and floor also had blood on them,the officers said. Nichols said the degree of the emergency is not a "When I first walked in the door," Pachall said, question; only the fact that a patient is going to an "the man appeared to be intoxicated,but the longer emergency room is the crux of the ordinance. I stayed there,it appeared be was not iptoxicated. Nichols said violation of the ordinance could He looked sick." carry a maximum fine of$200. Whitesel said he was told by"two adults and one Crawford disagrees with Nichols'interpretation, 11-year-old child that the man was throwing up however.She said the ordinance requires her com- blood," pany to send a unit,but not necessarily transport. An ambulance was requested. Sgt. R.L. Bean "I helped write that ordinance;' Crawford said. said dispatchers first tried to call Kelley-Hinson "I know what It requires me to do." I ambulance, but since they were unavailable, Jim Thompson, assistant to the city manager, Crawford's was called. said he has been monitoring for 12 weeks the log Crawford said she was told by attendants that sheets from the police and fire departments that list they checked the man's vital signs. Crawford all calls for ambulances. quoted attendants as saying"the man stated he felt Based on his figures, which are still incomplete, "His (the attendant's) opinion was that the pa- he sald,ambulances appear to be available about 78 tent could go by private car to the hospital," percent of the time on the first call.He said that an Crawford said. "It was not an emergency and our average number of emergency runs in Beaumont is ambulance should be available for emergency e a day or 60 every week. q�„ Of that number,Thompson said,he has recorded Crawford said it was her opinion that "the o[- only one time where an ambulance actually refused flcers were trying to play doctor." resp He said he did not have details of the in. "It Is just another example of the officers stepp- client. thg out of Wee,"she said. Thompson said there does not seem to be a trend Asked if the attendants specifically asked the among ambulance companies to stay away from Man If he•wr rated to go to the hospital, Crawford poor areas to refuse to run calls l the early noted attenuants as saying morning. He a said it would be a difficult to state q ying the man told them "I positively that It never happens,based on the short don't live here and I feel fine.I just want a place to duration of his study. stay for a while." Although Crawford said ambulance attendants Radio communications from the officers to the check out patients and"make a determination"on police dispatchers at the time indicated that at the condition, at least two other ambulance ser- first, the man did not, in fact, want to go to the vices say they transport patients regardless of their hospital,although the occupants of the house were own determinations. urging him to do so. Morris Taylor of Beaumont Paramedics said be Whitesel�wld the man was not in a position to �'transports regardless „ drive since he couldn't keep his eyes open. "I never turn down a call under any cir. Parboil said, "In my opinion, the man was In cumnstances,"Taylor said."If I have no ambulance serious condiltion." Later,the man agreed to go to available,I always notify the police and fire depart the hospital' ments. I always run on every call and always At one point,officers said,Crawford's attendants transport unless a close relative says the patient were asked specifically whether they would will go by private auto." transport the iman to the hospital and,officers said, A spokesman for Kelley-Hinson ambulance said the attendants said they would not. he could not comment on all phases of the opera. Williams Ambulance was then called and the tion, but said, "We have never refused to carry man agreed to be transported to Baptist Hospital anyone for lack of funds.We transport in every case where he was treated and sent on to John Sealy if there is any question of Injury. Hospital In Galveston. The man was in fair condition Friday at the WiWams Ambulance spokesman said, "The only hospital, where he was being kept in isolation time we don't take a person is when they pecsartally because of a high fever. refuse to go." Crawford said her attendants discovered no fever A spokesman for the police deparLnent :.:aid that when. they checked the man'svital signs at the if it was determined that Crawford's Ambulance =,cane,although Whitesel,who was in the room with was in violation of an ordinance, then the depart -`►.e"c'. nts for most of the time,said he did not see ment might comider I C to,c•h arget Beatmnont Enterprise,Today,Sept.11,I Ability to pay at issue . . . . Ambulanceservice debated, By JAE BERRY been taken to Galveston by the com- ambulance transportation.Local aa�i Staff Writer pany only hours after the company bulance drivers and attendants Although Crawford's Ambulance refused to take him to Baptist regularly accuse each other of s refused to pick up an indigent man Hospital. variety of abuses. Thursday,sources at Baptist Hospital The man, who is reportedly in his One official of a local ambulance said the company did take the man to 50s was in poor condition at John Sea- service contends that some com- Galveston only hours later when panes tell police and fire department charitable contributions paid for the kY Hospital in Galveston on Monday. dispatchers that they do not have an Crawford said Friday that the com- ambulance available when, in fact, trip. ources at Baptist Hospital said the pany had refused to take the man to they sometimes do. ambulance company took the man to Baptist Hospital because pulse,blood Other companies contend that a Galveston at 5 a.m.Friday.. pressure and temperature readings specific company shuts down at mid- Shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday, night and refuses to answer any however, police dispatched Ananalrtlf emergency calls, although it is Crawford's ambulance to a north end sometimes available at night for address where a man was iA bed,ly. more lucrative transfer work. ing in his oven excrement and on the man at the scene showed he Transfer work generally provides for reportedly throwing up blood. was capable of being taken to the takinU elderly people from nursing Crawford's Ambulance attendants hospital by private car. homes to the hospital. told police at that time that they Assistant City Attorney Lane would not transport the man to the She sl5o said r' t. Aar told her am- -.:,1!� s,;id the city ordinance bulance was ti v. only one available �rn:ng ambulance response re- hospital because the man owed the and, therefore, her attendants were E` company money. quires the companies to"respond and Frances Crawford,an owner of the making sure the ambulances were transport"patients if the company is company, refused Friday to give the available for real emergencies. dispatched by the police or fine Police said Williams Ambulance toot names of the attendants at the scene Baptist Hospital after department. but claimed she had spoken to them Crawford's the call.but said Friday that she Craw s reuse and they denied ever telling police the believed the ordinance required only man owed the company money. Officers at the scene said,however, that her company send an ambulance, Crawford said Friday evening that they did not see attendants take any but not necessarily transport, when the man had never used Crawford's vital signs.although one officer said, dispatched. Ambulance before. "it is a possibility"that the tests were Nichols said that to his knowledge, She could not be reached for com- taken when he stepped out of the no charges have been filed under the ment on the apparent discrepancy in room. ordinance. He said any citizen who her statements and the statements of The incident is part of the stormy has knowledge of an offense may br- sources that the man had, in fact, and sometimes confusing business of ing charges. Beaumont Enterprise,Tuesday,Sept.25,IM L l� I L \ &G C' N;�L c By JAE 17-1�.%RY alnd i,Xj at r.aptist Hos,,t l at 1:54 Washington Blvd., is about 10 blocks L., said the man v,Ls resI)unded to the scene where Officer come, I just v,ant(:d L,,L:n-A to send s, Staff Vi riLer p.m away, tvidtht i-Inbulancewas responding. J.E. Evans gave the woman mouth- meone." NVIAle waiting 26 minutes for an am- The woman was dying in front "The dispatcher advised me that "When I called for the ambulance to-mouth resuscitation, but could not At 1:14 p.m., 26 minutes after th bulance,police officers and other per, Crawford's said they were respon- the first time, the woman was still get her breathing started again. first call to Crawford's Ambulanc sons tried in vain Saturday to ad- of me, and there wasn't an we ding,"Nicholas said. breathing," Nicholas said. "Her Officer Mike Earney, who was was put out,Williams Ambulance aj minister first aid to a 69-year-old could do," said Officer Jon C. .After waiting several minutes, breathing was rapid and shallow and dispatching on the main police radio rived on the scene. Williams An woman who died an hour later of an Nicholas. Nicholas again asked police dispat- once she hit the ground she did not channel that day,said Nicholas asked bulance has offices at Calder an apparent heart attack. Nicholas,who was working off-duty chers for an ambulance and dispat- regain consciousness." for an ambulance at least three times, First Street. According to police reports, at the shopping center, said he used chers said Crawford's confirmed that Nicholas said that after about 10 stressing that the situation was One witness at the scene said tt EIi7-nh.,fh Rtirnptt 69 of 710 W. his portable police radio to call for an an ambulance was en route. At the minutes,the woman's breathing stop.. critical. situation"turned my stomach."' Florida, collapsed,on i sidewalk in ambulance at 12-48 p.m. P01ift same time, Nicholas said, another ped and about a minute later, her "Finally 1 told them to just get me Wesley McDonald, 1273 Eigie, sai front of the Stadium Shopping Center dispatchers notified Crawford's Am- man who was watching went into a pulse also stopped. any ambulance," Nicholas said. "I he saw the woman fall to the grour at 3200 Avenue A at about 12:48 p.m. bulance, whose office at 519 drug store to call Crawford's Am- By this time, a patrol car had didn't care who 11 was,supposed to AMBULANCE,Page ISA r - Ambulance c u " h-,ee- de which attendants considered to be an office said at that time that emergency, regardless of ability to Crawford's Ambulance was apparent- ly in violation of an ordinance requir- and rushed to help her. Crawford said attendants at the inb an ambulance to transport a per- "We were trying to give bar CPA scene deemed the situation was not an son to the hospital if the ambulance is ; (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)," emergency and, she said, her com- called by police or fire officials. McDonald said. "And everyone kept pany was the only ambulance service Police sources said Monday they asking where the ambulance was.She free at the time to carry true were not considering filing cbarges' w lying there dying in front of us,or emergency cases. Minutes after against Crawford's Ambulance for at least she was on the verge of death Crawford's attendants refused to violation of the ordinance Sept.B• and we could hot get an ambulance." transport, however, Williams Am- Sources indicated, however, that Nicholas said the situation bulance responded and took the mall meetings with Crawford's owners and „thoroughly s9m""him, to the hospital. police and city officials were planned "If the ambulance would have just A spokesman for the city attorney's after the latest incident. told the dispatcher there was not an ambulance available, we could have called another. The situation was thoroughly exasperating.The woman was dying in front of me, and there wasn't anything we could do. "Officer Evans made a valiant try at mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but she didn't start breathing," Nicholas said. Nicholas said Williams Ambulance took the woman to Baptist Hospital where she was temporarily revived, but died soon after. He said the woman had stopped breathing for at least 10 minutes at the scene. A spokesman for Crawford's Am- bulance said Frances Crawford, owner of the company, was out of town Monday and could not be con-, tacted for comment. On Sept. 6, Crawford's Ambulance attendants refused to transport a man from a north end home to a hospital. Police at the scene said attendants told them the service would not transport because the man owed the company money.The man was even- tually taken to John Sealy Hospital in Galveston where he was in intensive care. At that time, Crawford denied at- tendants ever made such statements and said it was the policy of the com- pany to transport in every situation Beaten cgd Enterprise,Wednesday,Sept.26,1979 C r f. TO. r a C 0;rL L o:1� a C-,ra Very r ri By JANIS MONGER center. Dispatchers told police, who any violation of the city's ambulance can prove that it was impossible to and JAE BERRY phoned more than once, that an arn- ordinance. dispatch an ambulance at the time re- staff Writers bulance was en route. Crawford's Ambulance Service quested. City Manager Ray Riley confirmed Officer Jon C. Nicholas, who was could lost its operating permit tf it is Frances and Ken Crawford, who Tuesday that his office is in- working off-duty,said the ambulance determined that it violated a city or- own the service that has one Vidor vestigating an incident Saturday in never arrived. dinance requiring ambulances to and two Beaumont locations, could which police tried several times to It was 26 minutes after the first call "send an ambulance, in each in- not be contacted for comment Tues- secure ambulance service for a 0- made to Crawford's Ambulance,that stance, in which an ambulance is re- day,despite numerous attempts to do year-old woman, who collapsed at Williams Ambulance arrived at the quested,to transport a sick or injured so.Spokesmen for the ambulance ser- Stadium Shopping Center and later scene, Nicholas said. Williams Am- person from a location within the city vice first said the Crawford's were died at a local hospital. bulance is across town from the shop- to an emergency medical facility "out looking at an ambulance" and Crawford's Ambulance was notified ping center. within the city." then said they were out of town. by police of the emergency Saturday Riley said his office is attempting to The amended city ordinance fur- Although a spokesman for because, officials said, their offices "separate facts from fiction"and will ther states that the ambulance ser- Crawford's Ambulance said at abM+t were within 10 blocks of the shopping determine whether there has been vice will not be found in violation ff it CITY page 7A b"u—, officials said, their offices "separate facts frpm fiction"and wtli Cher states uidt uie amuu►d,:Le sec- .V&U cut..., 411%.c d► were within 10 blocks of the shopping determine whether there has been vice will not be found in violation if it CITY,Page 7A .'City to. probe raw or i*ncldent p.m- left one person with lower-back year. Based on that figure, it would the Crawford's Ambulance incident injuries.Officer O'Neill Buesing,who appear it would cost the city of Beau- needs to be investigated by the city. was at the scene, said police dispat- mont between $150,000 to $300,000 a Any discussion of a central dispatch' chers tried to contact all four am- year to subsidize an ambulance or alternative method of providing 9:30 p.m.the owners were out of town bulance services but were unable to system,"Williams said. ambulance service "would grow out for the evening, they were seen locate an ambulance. - "I do not think the city is prepared of that investigation,"she said. minutes before at an accident in The injured woman had to be taken at this time to take up that kind of ex- McGinnis and Williams said they Vidor. by police car to the hospital. pense. However, if it is determined had not received citizen complaints in According to police sources,this in- that adequate ambulance service is recent weeks about inability to secure Ken Crawford was quoted by other cident will also be the subject of city not being provided,our citizens might ambulance service. sources Tuesday as saying that his discussions on ambulance service. want us to shoulder that expense." After a story appeared in The Tues- ambulances were not available on Councilman Calvin Williams said Councilman Tom Combs said he an- day Enterprise about the difficWties Saturday for the emergency call. He this latest controvery over ambulance ticipates the issue of transporting Saturday, however, the newspaper was quoted as saying the ambulance service at the Stadium Shopping emergency victims in the city will received five calls from persons dispatcher, a high school student, Center has convinced him of the im- again come before City Council for relating similar complaints with am- mistakenly believed there was an am- portance of a central ambulance review. bulance service.One woman said her bulance available. dispatch system. At present, he said, "I've always felt that the private husband died after she waited 45 According to police reports, a se- there is no method for the city to col- enterprise system was the best to minutes for an ambulance. cond incident on Saturday occurred lect the information it needs to deter- serve the citizens. In view of the pro- A more recent incident was about 45 minutes after the difficulty at mine if there is adequeate ambulance blems we've had with ambulance ser. reported by a man who said on Tues- the shopping center. service being provided Beaumont vice, perhaps this is something the day he called an ambulance and residents. private sector is not able to provide," waited 20 minutes before it arrived to An auto-pedestrian accident at the "Houston subsidizes its ambulance Combs said. take his father, who was having a 3200 block of East Lucas Drive at 1:53 system at a cost of about $700,000 a Councilwoman Vi McGinnis said heart attack,to the hospital. Beaumont Enterprise,lburaday,Sept.27,18'1'9 Ctowfords wont nnake comment on incident Frances and Ken Crawford of Enterprise reporters. During a Vidor,owners of the Crawford Am- three-day pf!riod when Enterprise bulance Service, again made reporters attempted to contact the themselves unavailable for corn- Crawfords, persons who answered mend Wednesday on an incident the phone indicated that the Saturday in which their ambulance Crawford's we.a out of town, "out failed to respond to transport a looking at a n ambulance,"or not in heart attack victim. the office. The Incident was reported for the ,.. V n 'rrf;sda,;: -althougr� .t tie tiW-Umein Tuesday's Enterprise.L;���4r (Virxl:;.httie btitti_g-en >,nly .` On Tuesday, the Crawfords tdld..r '_ gtnu b i iore it the scene d'•' btlrer news media that the incided, [a �pokesm>ari?si d'thy~., which resulted in the death of a 0- Ctawtoitd's were out of town fbrthe• year-4d woman,occurred because evening. of a vAk-up involving a high school- °.' Wedne aday, after repented at- age _dispatcher who mistakenly . ten4 is t a reach the Crawfords igr believed an ambulance was commerit, a spokesman for the available. companq said, "I delivered your The Crawfords have refused, messagx and they have no corn- however. to tell their story to ment." MENNEN City cleaVS2 I 9 -7 9 Crawford's on i ncient -- - -- Crawfo • BY JAMS MONGER � i Staff Writer An employee of Crawford's Am- 9-.747 -7 9 ordincon(,��,a bulance Service may have made an employee thought was free, Riley "Our dispatcher was not advised. error in judgment last Saturday in - ' ' ' said, was at Baptist Hospital and Crawford's could not respond," esponse time of city ambulance ser- handling a request for emergency unavailable for service. He said the said. He said the lir ceo Riley Y vie and a report will be made to City ambulance transport of a heart attack p° dispatchey Council Tuesday. cer►fer 30 blocks from Gt av►ford's Am- employee subsequently contacted then phoned other ambulance ser- For the purpose of the city study, victim,but the firm it�not criminal- bulance Service, was taken to a local Ken Crawford, who informed his vices, but Williams Ambulance had which covers a 12-week period, Riley ly negligent nor did it violate the cis hospital by the Williams ambulance. dispatcher that the second already been contacted by Crawford said, the ambulance services have tY's ambulance ordinance. She died at the hospital about an hour Crawford's ambulance was not equip• and dispatched an ambulance to the City Manager Ray Riley said such later. Ped or licensed to operate in Beau- scene. "reported to us on a weekly basis." were the findings of an investigation mont. He said reports are verified through into Saturday's incident conducted by Ken and Frances Crawford, am- Crawford then phoned Paramedics dinaley said the provides city's ambulance sir- the local hospitals. bulance service owners, were and Kelley-then p ambulance sirs vices dispatch an ambulance upon de the internal affairs division of the "We have found that police and Eire Beaumont Police Department. unavailable Friday for comments on vices, but no transports were each request to transport a sick or sin- ones-third of all ambulance originate As a result, he said, the city will results of the city's investigation. available, Riley said. He said jured person from a location within take no steps to suspend or revoke Crawford Phoned Williams, which the city limits to an emergency calls,"e found that,of the calls handled Crawford's permit to operate an am- Referring to the lengthy police dispatched an ambulance arriving at medical facility in the city. by our dispatchers, our choice of am- Saturday which were under invests a- the shopping center at 1:02 p.m. There is no violation it the am- bulance services to respond is usually Although a Crawford's en,plo}'ee lion this week. g In the 14-minute, 32-second time, bulance service can show cause why the one in closest proximity.In 75 per- "may have made an err : in j„�.•_ At 1s w Riley said,the police dispatcher plac- it was not able to dispatch an am- cent of the cases in the 12-week ment" in informing a p�, di �, p.m. Saturday, off-duty ed a second call to Crawford's after bulance at the time requested. Cher that a Craµlcr.�'_ t police Officer Jon C.Nicholas radioed Nicholas expressed concern that no "Crawford's did not violate the or- to the scene was able to respond.to e_t ` the police dispatcher that a woman was en route Sate r `t ambulance has arrived at the center. dinance. There was an error of ud - "If none was avai:i . ;�, , e had collapsed at the Stadium Shopp- "Actually, only foul. minutes had ment — informing the police dispat- balances avaisery services second cal' pro- Crawford's did ph,n, thre,;other aam- bul Center and was in need of an am- gone by," aid but bulance. Riley Y Persons at Cher that an ambulance was on the duced an ambulance another 20 per- bulance services when the error was The lice dig etcher, honed the scene said in earlier Interviews it way when it wasn't, but Crawford's cent of the time -- meaning in only discovered. Po P P seemed closer to 10 minutes.In crisis took corrective action b necessary - As a result of the call laced b am- Crawford's Ambulance Service one situations, Riley said, time becomes Williams Ambulance "Riley said. to make three calls to secure an am- P Y minute later,Riley said,and was told distorted to "someone who must The city manager said the city in bulance.•• bulance service owner Ken Crawford an ambulance was en route. from his Vidor home, LM:W standby and can't do anything but not contemplating amending the pre- Riley said service might be improv- and Sons Funeral Home ambulance But the ambulance the Crawford's wait." sent city ordinance governing am- ed!t contact was established between responded to the call 14 minutes and bulance operations. "You You can't Pre- the fire and poljce department 32 seconds after the need for an am- vent an error in judgment,"he said. the fire and the amulance drivers. bulance at Stadium Shopping Center Riley said the city has not received "Then an would know where the am- any first relayed to the police dispel- any citizens complaints about local bulances are,"he said. Cher by an off-duty policeman. ambulance services withholding seN "But that would not have changed ` T� �- old woman, who H vice based on race,color or ability to what happened last Saturday. lapsed Saturday at the pay.He said his staff has been compil- Williams ambulance would still have CRAWFORD,Pap 11A ing data on the amount, source, answered the call. We consider the destination, method of dispatch and Crawford's matter closed." Beaumont Enterprise,Wednesday,Oct.3,IM ) -rkf Ulance calls fetv, 0 so 1=er T C b yr mss_ By FRED ZIFP took place in the coi -cil session. plied to the city by Baptist and St. from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. daily and from Ambulance Service made 180 Ti. . ...-_r of calls required tr. Staff Writer The study was commissioned Elizabeth hospitals, fire and police midnight to 3 a.m.Saturdays and Sun. deliveries,or 24 percent; and Kelley- one of Uie four ambulance opera to.-: On only two occasions since May before a Sept. 22 incident at Stadium dispatch offices and four local am- days. Hinson made 141 deliveries,or 19 per- actually sent a unit to the location re- have Beaumont police been forced to Shopping Center in south Beaumont, bulance operates. Crawford's Ambulance Service cent of the total. _ quested is "generally related to the transport patients to city hospitals in which a female heart attack victim, Hospitals reported 751 emergency made the most deliveries to hospitals Deliveries to emergency roams by volume of emergency room rums be- because no emergency vehicles were an investigation showed. waited 15 room deliveries by,local ,operators local ambulance services responding ing made,"the study said. available to respond to police dispat- minutes for the arrival of an during the study period with a daily to police or fire department calls Of the 338 requests for ambulance Cher requests, according to a study emergency vehicle.She later died. high of 23 and daily low of three More City news, 10A represented about 36 percent of total units by police or fire departments, iconducted by the city. Crawford's Ambulance Service, deliveries. The average number of I emergency room deliveries,the study 275, or 75 percent were answered or I The study, which compiled data on which received the first call for aid deliveries to hospitals for the period during the study period,with 225,or 30 indicated. the first call; 57, or 11 percent were 4mbulance requests and responses from a police dispatcher, has been was nine per day. percent of the 751 emergency room All local operators answered calls answered on the second call;20,or si3 tfor a Mweek period from May 4 to cleared of wrongdoing by a police in- Hours -during which deliveries of deliveries. Beaumont Paramedics in "low and moderate income areas percent, were answered on the t iirc :Aug.26,was presented to Qty Council vestfgation. patients;to hospitals by local am- Ambulance Service followed with 205 on a regular basis," the study in- call; and six, or two percent, were Tuesday. No discussion of the study Data included in the study was sup- balance Werators were heaviest were deliveries, or 27 percent; Williams dicated._ . answered on the fourth call onday,June 23, 1980 killed 12rB , �Beaumont Enterprise,Tuesday,June 24,1980 lred W`, 1 1 d , •ck �e 0 sC uJS ued in a traffic e methods traffic ac- A in criti- iunday in The Beaumont City Council will Council will also take final action it St. Eliz- discuss a proposal to improve the on the following petitions for zone a nursing meth(xi of dispatching emergency changes: anibulances when it meets at 1 p.m. -10 acres in the 7900 block of Gla- passenger today at the City Hall. dys, from single family residential to irrival at Jim Thompson,assistant to the city n modified two-family and multiple Saturday, manager,said a communications link housing. 'eace Wal- between all private ambulance corn- -1.1-acre in the 61UO block of Texas I said. panics and the Beaumont Fire DC- 105 from agricultural residential to •n, 17, was part ment dispatch office will be pro- local retail rl, MCCas- posed. -2895 Southerhuid, frr'ni two-family If a citizen calls the fire depart- and multiple housing to kwal retail 19,was in ment directly to request an ambu- •5480 Washington Boulevard from ►n, a nurs- lance, the fire department would single family residential to commer- said, and have the capability of knowing which cial. 22, the units are available and would contact ie one-car the private ambulance company to in satin- have a unit dispatched,he said, on with a 1114, fire department would not ,•rvc ;is central dispatch for all nen were ambulance calls. ospital at City Council will vote on ordi- Saturday nanecs amending the city code to es- ey were in tablish a specific use per-nut proce- I off Pine dur•e for expansion of existing ceme- terstate 10 teri^s inside the city limits,and to de- nto a con- fins• "child care centers" and specify orting the the zoning districts where such cen- rss. ter-are allowed. onded at If the latter amendment is passed refighters by council,day care centers would be ne shortly allowed in all multiple family resi- re depart- dential districts and in local retail, in said no neighborhood commercial and cen- from the tral commercial zones. The planning A no fire commission voted 4-3 to recommend that council vote against this amend- Michael ment. it 10 a.m. Council will also consider amend- Church of ing a city ordinance to change front I on John yard setback requirements to permit ial in An- cr-nstruction of open carports for resi- ry under d -i-s which do not have garages, Commu- carlxwrts or space for parking behind Home. A c ;, o-tback lines. will be it, i'r nn(•il is Expected to author- il 10 P.M. irr;rn;ij.ivinent with Steinman,Gor- ureh. & rnn•t Hnfftunes Inc.for professional long rest- s• n i r ni the design of Riverfront )nt and a 1'�r►� rich High on uxlay's agenda is a resolu- tion approving;a plan to provide door- -lude his to-door "demand response" van ser- ind Mrs. vice to the city's handicapped. of Beau- An ordinance appropriating funds r, James aril accepting the bids of Norstock eaumont; limiding', Co. and Winter Bing ida Faye and Sun for construction of two fire ,kie Mae s-,:Oions will also be voted on by c•oun- •kf Beau- CO. o grand- ie Palm- ,ten,both ,a. Be$lutr. ..�:�,:,r ay EnterT, :,►.,journal,June 29,19M ,199u C14-N.,niAiral dispatch could save lives. The car coming out of the side street was like a bullet from behind. Without the desper- ate hope that comes from screeching brakes or the fr.-rttic twist of the steering wheel to at- tempt to avoid an inevitable accident, the blintz ,,, collision was like a cannon shell in Vietn: ti. Seconds later it was apparent the child rid- ing in ti or t.vtekseat was seriously injured. As an afterthought, the driver of the offending auto was checked and found to be unconscious. A passing; motorist said she would call ambu- lances, but when it's your child lying in a pool of blood you just can't leave your only hope to a stranger. The call was made. Seconds dragged by like minutes. Minutes seemed like hours. The crowd grew. As you tried to comfort the child you noticed the time on the busted dash clock: 6:15. Somebody had the presence of mind to call the police, and finally they arrived. It was 6:28. The patrolmen checked on the am- bulance, and soon the comforting sound of a distant siren brought a sense of reality to the unreal. It arrived at 6:38, and was not the one origi- nally called. It was the one the police called. An accident in downtown required 23 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. To a parent watching his child dying on a city street, or a parent-to-be hoping desperate- ly that a child growing for months inside the womb would not be miscarried, or the family of a man stricken by a stroke or a heart attack praying for the time necessary to get to the hospital, all this talk about fears that a cen- tral dispatching might usurp the rights of free enterprise or how hard it is to keep competent help must seem awfully hollow. It doesn't matter to the dying child, the mis- carrying woman- or the man whose We is hanging in the balance whether the ambu- lance company prefers its clients to come from the west end or from Census Track 17. If an ambulance company offers itself as an emergency vehicle service, then that's what it should be, and trepidations about the color of skin, the quality of the address or the color of the money should be a matter for post-re- sponse consideration. City Council is considering handling central dispatching for ambulances through the fire station. Beaumonters would still have all the free- dom of free enterprise. A person could still call "A Ambulance Service Division of L M Williams & Sons (the first listing in the phone book under "ambulance") or Williams L M & Sons Funeral Directors (the last listing in the directory) or any of the four firms listed be- tween and request service. Or they could call the central dispatching service and get the ambulance ready to roll that is closest to.the point where service is needed. . Of the requests for emergency help thrutwh the city, 66 percent of the ambulance calLs met with results on the first call. But 33 per- cent of time it required two to four calls by the cite dispatcher to find an aminalance. If it happened just one time, it would be enough justify a central dispatch system. In the last 48 weeks, it has happened 41 times. In the last five weeks it has happened 12 times, and that is just those occasions in which the call for help came to the city. It could have been repeated another hundred times by pri- vate citizens and doctors. Opposing a central dispatch system by argu- ing that it is the first step toward getting the city into the ambulance business is the weak- est of all possible arguments. For a minirnal purchase of equipment, the city can utilize emergency services already staffed with trained personnel who already work around the clock. We would probably be as opposed as anyone to see the city get into the ambulance busi- ness. But that simply is not at issue. The issue is whether the city is in a position to offer central dispatching service for its citizens. Central dispatch would be of benefit to the ambulance companies who claim they cannot keep trained help in dispatching. But more important than whether it would help Williams'. Crawford's or Kelly-Hixson's ambulance sen•ices. it could save the lives of a number of Bcawnonters each year. That should override business concerns. ]Bea==m Enterp° .,N"July 1,11`1 Isordini We have endorsed the central dispatch concept for ambulances now under consid- eration by City Council, and believe it to be of benefit to Beaumonters. But we want to be sure that private sec- tor concerns that the Fire Department is shooting for its own city-financed ambu- lance service are unfounded. In these days of high inflation and higher taxes, the city can W-afford to strap taxpayers with a municipal ambulance service. City spokesmen say that of recent emer- gency help requests made to the city, 33 percent of the calls required two to four calls by the city dispatcher to find an am- bullance. The city says that in the last 48 weeks that it has happened 41 times. Ambulance company officials say that the! problem is not a matter of telephones, but a lack of flexibility in the city's ambu- lance ordinance, which requires two-per- son ambulance crews. Ambulance offi- cials say that when the city says they couldn't get an ambulance on the first call, they really mean they couldn't get an ambulance with a two-person crew. If,an ambulance and driver is available and an emergency exists, there should be enough flexibility in the ordinance to al- low the ambulance driver and a police- man or bystander to load the injured per- son and get to a hospital. is a victim better served by lying in a pool of blood while firm after firm, is called looking for an ordinance-ready ambulance team? Or is the victim better served when a desperate policeman or bystander loads him in a car and races to the hospital? During this discussion about central dispatching, council should re-evaluate the ambulance ordinance to see if it is working as intended, if it is in compliance with state requirements or overly strict and if it meets the needs of Beaumonters. Central dispatching should provide a valuable service, but council must be sure that it is not a vehicle for any branch of the city to unfairly harass or compete with private enterprise. Beaumont Enterpr m, ' ..,1ui•,n lo•� Beaumont Enterprise,Tue:&y,July G,; City ambulam. set A rnposal to central fire department's author- to research the rate in- ...,; purchase o[ M lots ize apmbulance dispatch• ity into the arena of pri- crease request to deter- ;,c avenue C and Mllam ing at the Beawnont Fire vate enterprise. mine whether it is l rat- Street for a small for Department will be dis- The International Asso- ble, assessing all rate park and a Eli sing w cussed with the city's am- ciation of Fire Fighters case expenses against bids paving bulance operators after Local 399 has not taken GSU. is project. the City Council meeting an official stand on the The utility company P l at I p.m. today at City central dispatch issue, seeking a $84.8 million. Council is expected to but the union secretary, rate increase in its Texas accept bids for construo- Ambulance company firefighter Larry Keith, service area that would Lion of two tennis courts owner Louis WWiams said last week that would increase the lity bi average s- sale of the former Penn- told council two weeks tral dispatching ago that the dispatch pro- make emerges 10 times voteenon Council hether will to construction ofla�sewaB posal represents an en- cal transport croachment of the city more efficient for city suspend dathe from July se lift station. residents." for Ambulance operators would otherwise contend they respon d to take effect. calls in all parts of the Council will vote Tues- city, but are limited in Davis as ppoint Jos new Paul manpower and by a city Da ordinance requiring a municipal judge and to minimum of two persons appoint builder !till aboard the responding Neild as replacement fur ambulance, resigning Marne Meynig, Beaumont Journal,Tuesday, City Council Mobil Oil Co. supervisor, is expected to authorize on the Planning and Zon- the city attorney to inter- ing Commission. vene in the Gulf States Also on the agenda are Utilities Co. rate case votes on acquiring right and retain Don Butler of way for the Reguui and Touche,Ross and Co. Lane extension, authoru- alarms L The Beaumont Fire La parUrmt responded i the following calls a tween 8 a.m.Monday ai. 8 a.m.today: MAY 8:58 a.m _ 2907 I1 coin, electrical Iii down. 10:41 a.m. — 4050 N Lynwood, washing m chine fire. 11:06 a.m. — 625 G leans,broken water pip 11:34 a.m. — 1200 i Lucas, tractor overtur ad,piruilng driver. 4:53 p.m.—800 block Main, smoke investib Lion,nothing used. 5:06 p.m. — 47 N. 11 St.,faulty light ballast. 5:58 p.m. — 16' Belvedere,trash fire. 6:30 p.m. Hill ,grass brandt Roads fire 6:57 p.m. — 2950 Eighth St.,grass fire. 7:40 p.m. —Universe and Iowa,auto fire. 10:04 p.m. — 625 l leans,broken water pip 11:38 p.m. — Sabi Pass and Buford, at fire. 1:07 a.m. —4300 block Practice, garbage dun der fire. Wednesday,July 9,19M 0 0 !%mkillfinra nparators fear c*lty's role in dispatchinf! By FRED ZIPP tificates; to substitute for emergency Staff Writer medical technicians,Guillory said. City a•nh• ance operators don't Williams also suggested that en- illd ilaving radios connected to a forcemeat of the ambulance ordi- JAL-11 d4atch system installed in nance by fire department inspectors eir v��E�CL:s. !ley just don't want might verge on "harassment" occa- e dispatcher — or anybody —tell- sionally, although he said he has nev- 9 them what to do, the operators 4 J t�l k�.� er experienced any problems person- ld ally. NN'ilirig pupils by their own admis But Guillory said she has had prob- on, ouunc0 members assured three lems with fire department inspectors, including one occasion when an am- 4-ribulance operators intent on lec- The proposal serves. . . Ini Without personnel 'You balance she operates was checked Lring about the free-enterprise sys xrl that the city hass n�) intent-ion of ringboard for a lot of pro SP twice in the same night by the same itering or the interfering can have 14 radios In each am- rf g in the emer- pector ce with equip- medical transportation busi- lems that have been coming balance and its still not going ins me fo nt stand r ards icompliann the ordinance. UP. k.' I to work.' The complaints about standards for "CJ Their only purpose in authorizing 7 4�V_V% V % Ken Crawford Louis Williams ambulance operation prompted Ward LAallation of a $13,000 central 3 Councilman Calvin Williams to tell the operators he wanted to hear ispatcldng system for ambulances i N •ould be to solve what Ui,.)• co.-z-,ider "their feelings about the central• -ic fail problem—U _,re of dispatch system,period."Other com- ccident victims to sectirt, 4 )ther oc aTL,�— ments could be made on ank • t A, f,;��i- cUu:1L11 �ry ce when needed, casion,he suggested. said. Installing the system A,)Wd not 74- -d an additional burden, financial Figure., colle-o' Ir otlierwise" on operators. Williar%s idw;Ak- th;4t in i;_ =ds for emen-tincy nv.�Iical trans- L said, and if the move failed to de- 0 ortati on from the Beaumont Fire De- crease the number of unanswered artment dispatcher failed to secure teal dispatching unit and individual gave their blessing to the central all ambulances be operated with at Aggravating their personnel prob- emergency calls, at least the city response after four calls to ambu- radios for privately owned ambu- dispatching scheme, the blessing least two emergency medical techni- lems is the difficulty retaining would then have firm data on ambu- ince companies. lances as the best first step in at- only came after extensive criticism of cians on board. trained personnel they can offer only lance service. tempts to guarantee ambulance ser- current city ordinances concerning "I'm not against being in touch or $3 per hour when industrial concerns "I cannot for the life of me see why Only Ward I Councilman TOM vice whenever needed. ambulance operations. closer contact," Williams said. But hire people with the same training at You would be Opposed to something so combs said he could not support pur- Dispatching would be done through Ken Crawford of Crawford's Ambu- requiring at least two technicians on $12 per hour, said Betty Hebert Guil- innocuous as a central dispatch sys- hase and instAIntion of the dispatch- the fire department, which would lance Service told enianvil the board PffpMi%rp v fulrac an, �r 1,;. lnry of Rpniimnnt ParnmMire• tom" A.--A 1'.. ot.- �y UM ig equipment, calling the move vari- also maintain a status board indicat- dispatching propo sad-'see-m-ed-tio—seive- a--in---bu-1a"n-ces off the road if the person- Besides trimming the number of said.If the ambulance operators have usly a "piecemeal" and "ill- ing the location of all ambulance as "a springboard for a lot of prob- nel is not available, he added. With.. trained technicians required on each other complaints, they should be re- Driceived" response that will create units in service at any time and their lems that have been coming up." out personnel, "you can have 14 ra- ambulance from two to one, council viewed by a special committee, he iore problems than it will solve, availability for calls. Primary among those problems, dios in each ambulance and it's still might consider revising the ambu- said. The remainder of council indicated While three ambulance operators said Louis Williams of LM.Williams not going to work," Williams told lance ordinance by allowing people "Then we're really saying the upport for a proposal to buy a Cen- attending the work session ultimately and Sons, is a city requirement that council. with Red Cross advanced first aid cer- same thing,"Louis Williams said. Despite operators' warnings . . . h plan backed butance the issue of a centralized prompt ambulance service, Meyers dispatch the closest available unit to resurrected "the neat ultimate step would By JAMS MONGER ambulance dispatch a Year ago after said, Staff Writer the scene. receiving complaints that ambulance be to provide a backup ambulance." .*.nr ,Cit Coun- Citizens requiring emergency am- were taking longer or re- Calvin Williams said�he was not ea- A niijorit;✓of E Y bulance service could either hone a romp cil alprar�.i n.c_,?ay to support ex- emergency number, whic:I fusing to respond to calls for service ger for the city to provide a department's single in minority neighborhoods. ambulances. "We already Pay e i yarding the city fire departrn would be answered by the fire dep:i A central dispatch system would highest taxes in the state,and there is !i role in dLpatching emergency ambu- went dispatcher,or contact a prita'.c lance calls, despite warnings that Before re- not resolve this problem,but it would g way a support a except emer- ambulance firm directly. care system except through city government is enlarging its con- spo�g to a call, the ambulance efor give us the information we need to see taxes trot over a private enterprise• if service is being provided all citi- taxes,"he said. company would notify the fire depart- 111 would hope that it would not Once the city becomes involved 1n come to this, but there could come a centralized ambulance dispatching, time when the citizens tell a future ambulance operator Louis Williams control council that emergency care service said, ,the neat step is getting into pri- The next step(for the tity�is get ling into private business to m Beaumont is inadequate, and then vate business to control competi- competition.' council can make a decision based on —Louis Williams, ambulance operator the information gathered as part of a lion central dispatch system. A workshop session with ambu- f lance operators will be held next Louis Williams said the real ce is week to explore Williams' contention meet dispatcher that the unit would zens. The city is obligated to see that lem plaguing ambulance service is es are op- cularlocation. all parts of the city receive emergen- �� of personnel to man the units. that ambulan ce company inter- be in service at a particular cy ambulance service as a right, . Y are dropping out as fast as we posed to more fire department an updated ambulance Maintaining upda much the same as fire or police pro- can get them trained,"he said. vepolic" department "status board"at the fire department faction,++� Williams said. winiams said ambulance compa- Police and fire dap rcent would allow the city to know how Meyers and a nies believe the city has already or- dlSpatchers, who handled 33 percent ces are in transit, out While Mayor Maury of all emergency ambulance many airs or department's taking dispatch calls in a 48-week period for repairs or inoperative due to per- central ce �. �dispa�elm support of the dared the dispatching equipment, riment, Coun- "the fire depattm the job m May,reported 41 occasions sonnet shortages. cilman Tom Combs betrayed misgiv- and it's just a matter of getting j wank they could not locate an avail' This procedure would elimirnate in• done down here." But Riley said n ' Another 12 such in- equipment will be ordered until coon" able ambulance in the stances in which ambulances from . ty respo�sibili- egwP rotes the dispatch plan. stances have been two companies are dispatched to the "When you accep, cil approves same emergency when only one am- ty of central dispatch, you move unto Councilman Wayne Turner sand the past five weeks• the area of ambulance coverage, and centralized communications system When an ambulance was unavaila- bulance is needed,Riley said. then you're talking a standby emer- would prove invaluable when coordi- ble,City Manager Ray Riley said,the dispatch Sys- gency vehicle and suddenly you're in nabng mmbulance runs during a ma- ned either by a Under the Proposed injured were transported tam, �y one phone call would be the ambulance business in competi- for disaster• police unit,private vehicle or an am- required to secure an ambulance. tion with private ambulance opera- Councilman Evelyn Lord said the unit that was put back into reel compiled by the city indi- tors,"Combs said. capability of obtaining an ambulance balance Statistics comp "a service after a delay. cite percent of the requests for an with one phone call would free To provid'ePsp P Riley reo- u� Placed by city dispatch- Meyers said improved would loved�e to care for the injured." --. �.s.l. .-ne,ata nn the first call, of ambulance dispatching ___,....e centralized dispatch at the fire ..Sip w,....-o---- COmpe- era u=L wwa ...,..._ --- - ura a.aa - =mended that ambulance but 33 percent of the time,it required efit the ambulance comps, - department would require $13,000 in nies"log into the whereabouts of their two to four calls to secure an ambu- . public. if centralized dispatch does but no additional not completely solve the problem of equPment units with the city's fire department all solve the problem with Personnel' &,spatcher, who would keep track of lance.Councilman Calvin Williams providing all available ambulances and Beaumont Enterpm_!, Thursday,July 10, IOW Dispatch stats corrected City Manager Ray Reiley said Tuesday that a figure used for two weeks in editon- als supporting a central dispatching sys- tem for the city's ambulance firms was incorrect. In the 48-week period ending May 31, ambulances responded 1,246 times on the first call, 419 times on the second call, 181 times on the third call, 75 times on the fourth call and not at all 29 times, al- though those 29 rhlna cast mbuaces l a n .private cars, po riving later and probably one or two by walking. But that doesn't change our belief that central dispatching is a good idea, that any municipal-financed ambulance sys- tem which might be lurking in the back of anyone's mind is a bad idea and that possbly the city's present ambulant ordi- nance is too strict and its lack of flexibility could cost a Beaumonter his life. We do, nonetheless, regret the number error. xumont 1✓ntcc�,rtsc, w e'll- -'day,July V,Iwo S-C Ambulance dispatch System approved �.)yy c1t council By FRED z3PP tx abltr to receive and answer calls Staff Writer for help, he emphasized. If such After devoting several work ses- eau, ire answered,Riley said, tb0 Sion to sometimes heated discus- optratr will a ed, be required sion of a central di:rlaatchir►g sys• tu Hutt!} u,c fire department of the tem for CRY ambubu►.ce operators, s►t"t:w► City Council decided Tuesday to in.u l'euNtc u►need of ambulance see• s the dispatch s}:item after no vice nay thus call either a pre- disis tis discussion stall, ferred ambulance company or the Only Councilman °Tom Combo, central dispatching,aumber, Riley who said in the earlier work ses. said. lions be opposed the:►ystem as an The citY will purchase both the ineffective response to the problem central radio unit, radio crystals Of calls for ambulance service allowing ambulance operators to going unanswered, voted against communicate with the central un14 central dispatching for ambu. and a status board to show the 10. maces• cation of ambulances, all at no City Manager Ray Riley repeat cast to the operators,Riley said. ed earlier estimates that the cost of A long with the central dispatch. installing the dispatch system, to ing, the amendment approved be directed by Beaumant Fire De. Tuesday will modify ponalties to partment personnel, would be which operators are liable should about$13,000. they be fuund in nonvompliance with terms of the ordinance. Under the new system, created Formerly, a finding of noncom. through amendments to an existing pliance resulted in the revocation ordinance regulating ambulance of the operator's license to provide operations in the city, ambulance ambulance service in the city. operators will be required to notify Hencefurth, temporary suspen. the fire department of the status sions ►nay be used as penalties af- and location of their units at all ter a tit►LL►n,; of non-compliance, times. Miley sa►d. The purpose of the system is to Finally, tl►c amendment rescind. assure that all calls for e:mergen- ed an earher requirement that em. cY medical transportation are as- ployees of all ambulance comps- signed to the nearest ai3ibulance Hies attach photographs to Identifl- notalready on call,Riley said. cation cards, which will so be re- Ambulance operators will still quired. Beaumont Journal,Tuesday,Dec.23, 1980 3-A C * ty pol ' ice �u stitute or ambulances By DWIGHT SILVERMAN heart attack went into convulsions as available. Both Crawford's and Kel- occurred just before midnight Mon- Staff Writer officers attempted to get her into a ley-Hixson had called the department day—are sketchy. Police officers — both on-duty and patrol car. to say they were out for the night. off — found themselves transporting Mary Brannon,71,of 5345 Parkway, Only L.M. Williams and Beaumont The police log indicates a patrol car ill citizens to area hospitals Monday is in critical condition in the intensive Paramedics were available, accord- was dispatched to ndi Bic l t Road i night and this morning because am- care unit at St. Elizabeth Hospital to- ing to sources,but were out of service and transported an ndividual to Bap b..iances were not available. day. She was brought to the hospital at that time. tilt Hospital because no ambulances by an off-duty police officer who hap- A patrol unit was dispatched to the were available, but Bapti, officials Police and fire department sources pened to be driving by as on-duty po- Parkway address. An off-duty officer say they have no su,-h c- . in tiieir said this morning that at two points lice were trying to get her into their passed by in his customized van and log. cr:'ically ill patients had to be trans- patrol vehicle. the woman was placed in the back and A spokeswoman for St. Elizabeth ported by police vehicles. During one The fire department got the call at taken to St.Elizabeth. also said they had no record of the of them, a woman suffering from a 4:48 a m., but no ambulaces were Details on the first incident—which admission. Ciims IThe Beaumont Fire De- partment responded to Beaumont Journal,Wednesday,Dec.24,1980 t%^ fr,11 :rind r,11c M. r% Beaumont Enterprise-Journal Feb.15,1981 - By FRED ZIPP again in 1980,city ordinances regulat- After dispatching ambulances for as has been the custom in the Staff Writer ing the industry were toughened. about 10 weeks Thompson said the when ambulances were unavailable,- or rescue wok Is making the re ha A statistically small but persistent Then, ambulance operators suggest- fire department identified 16 said, was "by far, not the best arrange- transportation to emergency care fa problem with finding ambulances to ed that Beaumont was on the way to sions,Out of a total of 670 calls for aid, ment,"he said. answer emergency calls has prompt- providing a city-operated ambulance when calls were answered either by "The cif is t citifies is available. truck the city to enlist a fire department service that would drive them out of ambulances,after a significant delay, The city is not going to be in the ambu- Riley said,wasitheapotential for consideration truck to serve as a standby to vehicles business. or police, fire or private vehicles, lance business.It's more a rescue o liability in operated by four private ambulance The problem of response to emer- Thompson said. P Y personal injury cases if sir cot � ' services. gency calls has been a thorn P eration,"Shelton said. accident victim were harmed due t, y y —and Statiscally, that means 1.3 percent The rescue operation should entail transportation in a vehicle,for exail: Assistant City Manager Jim tragic—one for the city at least since of all distressed callers have met dif- little additional costs for the depart-who is point man In the September 1980 when a woman col- ficulties in producing results,he said. ment—perhaps$500 to;1,000 to outfit use as an emergency transport. city's relations with the ambulance lapsed at Stadium Shopping Center P pie a squad car, never intended f� C PP g "We're just trying to pick up those the truck and routine operations and Ironically, Riley said,the city's do _ services, said Thursday that outfit- and later died at a hospital after on- couple of people rather than leaving maintenance costs,he said. "Natural- cision to formalize what had been c;:- "' ^ ling alittle-used chief's truck as the lookers had difficult findin emer- standby vehicle is more a refinement Y g them on the street or telling them to ly, our manning is going to be some- toma of services already provided b the gency transportation for her. call a taxi,"Thompson said. what reduced,"Shelton said. r}'• Providing emergency tra n� } P Y Subsequent studies indicated that Actually,he said,fire or police per- City Manager Ray Riley said the available,private ight in fact work in t' city than a quantum leap into an en- problems in obtaining emergency sonnet have responded toreported ac- statistics collected through the cen- long run to protect the existence e r c • tirely new field. transportation occurred something on cidents or emergency calls as a mat- tral dispatcher paint a somewhat sur- privately operated ambulance �,� ' After a meeting Friday with the order of twice for every 100 calls ter of course for the last several prising -- Thompson, representatives of two of for aid. P g picture. For the most part,he tems. the four ambulance sen•ices said the Last July, City Council ordered the years, ame type ofta sistancelwee have tal- newest development in the city's ef- fire department to institute a central ways rendered." fort to guarantee emerl_enc}• trans dispatching system for privately- light hours. lances has never exceeded one L-. portation to all a:cident vrctinis K as a P Y The"only difference"now,Thom On?y once in the 1<.st 10 weeks did a he said, outfitting a city veliicic t . owned ambulances, hopirgf it would son said, is that a special vehicle will caller have di f; ,i'ty getting an am- the gap should prevent the pr(,' welcome mote. assist, in gathering static'ics on the no- be available to transport victims to t ul .n c tx t�< E Their magna : c strik- re l);)nse problern that, m turn, would hospitals. p.r•,•and 6 a.m. from kc-oming so pressi^.g ti. ingly with the c „ ti,e local muF e sulutiuns to the c L:em easier `' ant to d c'.erything we rea- u eight of public opinion sv it ambulance rndi. ..} i n, in 1978 and tc formulate. p Fire Chief Pete Shelton agreed. s .;,,t l} can" to provide aid to acci- hind establishing a publicly-o; r, Carrying victims in police squad cars, den, victims, Riley said, but the pri- ambulance system. I 14-A Beaumont Journal,Wednesday,April 29,1981 o - (���'a r given y the suspension to h e d UU S day by the city for failure to heed terms of Beaumont's ambulance ordi- nance, will have a hearing on an'al),- — peal from the suspension at 9 a.m:or. Tuesday May 12 at the city health department. 11:28 a.m. -88 Royal Purple,waste paper basket 4 + Williams is accused of failing to no on fire. Beaumont Enterprise tify the fire department dispatcher 12:21 p.m. 3030 French,public assistance. that one of its units was responding to 2:34 p.m.-5745 College,mechanical false alarm. a request for emergency transport on 3:38 p.m.-6515 Texas 105,gasoline spill. March 26. 4:03 p.m. 3191 Tracy,public assistance. Friday,.ds N•I. 1pvn1 13-A 4:49 p.m.-3435 Waverly,first aid. The complainant in the case, Betty 5:43 p.m.-698 Harriot,smoke investigation. Hebert Guillory, owner of Beaumpnt 6:34 p.m.-2900 Eastex,automobile fire. Paramedic Ambulance Service. sent CA2 p.m. - 7182 Park Meadow, mechanical false her own ambulance unit to the acci- P1;rm. dent scene, in the 564) block of Sp-A,- f. 55 p.rn. -1855 Sabine Pass,first aid. cer, only to find if,(, it t irn h; �1 ,a) Today read} been picked up. Dr a.m.-2950 S.Eighth,first aid. ia in.-221Ridgeland,public assi�tance. e a.nuther ;.r;.;.,,;;,;.; responded to the call. Ambulance operators are re4wred co notify the fire department dispatch- HEARING SET: L.M.Williams and er of their status to avoid multiplex e- Sons, the local ambulance company sponses to an accident scene. f Beaumont Sunday Enterprise-Journal,May 3,1981 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT A terrifying 71 3hrs. Bars: AM 4im- t hr. 1A, i 31 min. 9 min. ??min. 39 rriin. 31 min. 50 min. , 48 min. of ambulance problem 17 hrs. 1 _ !hr. . l hr. 9 hrs. 5 hrs, i 0 3min. 56 min. �k 52mr�k, ?O min. 17min. 30 min, Thelma H. Smith has witnessed,in then called Williams, where the one or s _ r . terrifying lose- A 1S 1� 7 u the considerable attendant on duty,Scott Laurent said �• .� i1. .- ia,�� ! 21', Y�8 P. Y, _. 3 hrs. shortcomings of the Beaumont ambu- he would be "probably 25 or 30 min- S _ ;. � ; a 6hrs. 1?hrs. 3 min. +t?irtin. j3 mhi. _ 30 min. lance system. tires" in answering because the call . , � j 36 min. 23min. Sadly, the problem that placed her had caught the company without two mother's life in the balance could attendants,as required by ordinance. '"` °"3 + 22 t . tShIS.�'� 2b I1 _ " 28 have happened just as easily to the "The only reason they can't trans- :a`j` . : r'� ; ,C:, ' - �mrn. 5 min. most professional of emergency med- they've m►n. '°' F in - ?7 min. P g Y port is because got the big bot- ical services as it did in Beaumont ties of(oxygen),"the dispatcher said. early in the morning of March 13. "I don't imagine it's a big rush. I'll Smith watched her mother,Mary J. call back and tell her it'll be a while." 29 30 ?hrs 31 Posey, turn blue from oxygen depri- And "a while," indeed, it was. Not 8 Atin = 3?min. 8 min. vation that morning due to a simple until 8:14 a.m.,according to the com- breakdown in comrnunications that plaint filed with the city health de- began at 6:58 a.m., the minute she partment, did Laurent arrive at 995 t''�r:. t r ` ` 2 hrs. 1 2 j 3 I hr. 4 placed her call to the fire department Legion, deep in the south end, and ...f.., ,,,,��, "� t i 41 min. _ 28 min. . dispatcher. even then, he was riding solo in the f 54 min. I4 min. The Smith incident resulted in one ambulance. '• t - of three complaints to have been filed against a ovate ambulance com a- s' " $ plus. r! ' I hr. 6 6hrs. 1 f a 6hrs. 9 ! 2hrs. 1C 11 g P P Laurent, in an answer to the com- .r. ny in 1981; it culminated in an official plaint,said he had called another Wil- "' 59 min. 43 min. 1 59 min. SS min. ?D min. 20 min. 51 mm reprimand against L.N1. NVaIhams and liams employee to meet him at D Sons for operating an ambulance with Smith's house. David Parker,the per- a single attendant whose license to son he railed,confirmed the story in a - 1 hr. 13 ! 1 hr. 1{ 1S 16 11 7 bu if drive the vehicle had ex j,ired. separate statement. I 4T min. r 15 min. i 8 min. I 48 min. 49 min. 3 min. ) �, But Smith did not file th, comp'aint But, I;:urcnt continued in his an- against L.M. Williams `(,r tl �E<.- s er -.; er 11; the p.Aient loaded sons. Rather, she ny took too long — c t;,. fir_ up t f�*:; 7 it th ambulance, I I?hrs. 19 Shrs 2( �1 22 23 , 14 . r. t� c 1 dr , t= r }� . ;: d be unfair teen minutes r r - t, ,; ( 6min. t: tc wait on my quest for emeri 'l a it appeared to 11 hrs. 4 hrs. 21 13hrs. 2! I 1I hrs, B hrs. 3C Both Smith < -, 1 ::uiher, who w nit th. t� ; pL..�nt needed to get to suffers from acute, c,, nic emPhYse- the hospital." 39 r'r 5 40 min. ( ,11?min. 40 min. 53min. ma, are-totally disabled, and when He made the run alone, Smith filed Smith recognised signs indicating her her complaint a week later and Wil- mother needed immediate medical liams was reprimanded for the two The calendar indicates the total number of bours and minutes per day from those indicated in dispatcher records because of failure by private attention, she also realized she could ordinance violations, with the warn- when only the Beaumont Fire Department rescue unit was available to ambulances to notify the dispatcher of their status.Tbe times when only the not take her mother to the hospital Ing "any future violations. ..will re- trazwport victims in need of emergency care to city hospitals.The times are fire department rescue unit was available ranged from six hours to only a herself. So she called the fire depart- suit in the suspension or revocation" based on Fire Department dispatch records.Actual times may have varied few minutes. ment dispatcher. of the company's license to operate an According to a tape recording of her ambulance in Beaumont. of it." Other complaints officially filed was dismissed when Laurent, who Williams unit to notify the dispatch, conversation made as a matter of rou- "There might have been a commu- "It was a pretty close call, but I this year with the health department was also involved in that call,offered of its position on March 26 landed tl Um by the dispatcher, Smith said, nications breakdown," Smith said couldn't say"the delay in ambulance include one filed by Beaumont fire- his own complaints against .Lan- company a three-day suspension n: "The main reason we can't transport Wednesday. "It was an emergency," response caused her mother's condi- fighter Jimmy Landrum against L.M. drum's behavior at the scene. lice from the city on Thursday. her is because we've got big bottles of she said, "and 1 felt like it was pretty tion to deteriorate, she said. "We Williams for behaving in an "unpro- A third complaint filed against Wil- A hearing on an appeal from tt oxygen"that wouldn't fit into her car. clear. I think the fire department did probably killed a few more brain fessional manner" during a call to iiams by Betty Hebert Guillory in con- suspension is scheduled for 9 a.m. c The fire department dispatcher what it could. They were right on top cells." 1580 Hazel on Feb. 21; the complaint nection with an alleged failure by a May 12 at the health department Beaumont Sunday Enterprise—Journal,May x,1981 1%0—Alternates local By FRED ZIPP ambulance services is "sub-mini- On the one hand, a private ambu- He base.1the gloomy assessment on Lion is roughly the equivalent of Beau- 1972 with "basic life support" Staff Writer mal,"as one expert maintains,sever- lance service could assume, b three factors: response y e gency If,in fact,the quality of emergency al alternative delivery stems are franchise a monopoly Y ponce time by am- Wont's o According to Ken lance units manned by emergency Dal- medical care delivered red by Beaumont available. _ry Y Po Y position in the balance units, the availability of am- Whitlow, who owns part of Holmes, medical technicians; in 1974,the Da]- __ market similar to the one Holmes bulances in Beaumont and the quality the company has four land ambu- las EMS evolved one step further,re- Ambulance Service occupies, almost of pre-hospital care."Other than oxy- lances with a minimum of two units placing basic life support with Number of 'R e s c u e 58' r u n s by default in the mid-and south - gen' first aid and, �r�p s, splint- on dut y at a times. bile intensive care"units manned by County area. The same expert ing," pre-hospital care is virtually "We are benefitting from the fact paramedics,Moore says. 14 — who terms Beaumont's ambulance non-existent here,"Barbee says. that we ard,basically,the only ambu- "That's the way you need to go,"he — services "sub-minimal" has high "You cannot even be sure you have lance company here," Whitlow says. says."You need to ease into it." praise for the Holmes service. an emergency medical technician "It almost takes that for a good,state- Cost of the Dallas EMS has been 12 — On the other hand,the city of Beau- picking you up, much less a of-the-art company to survive.This is computed to be $4.74 per capita, but — mont could follow the same route the paramedic" with more advanced an extremely expensive business." the figure is somewhat misleading, 1 — city of Dallas took nine years ago by training,he says. ' One paramedic mans each unit in Moore admits. It includes all opera- assuming responsibility, both opera- He finds it impossible to attribute to Port Arthur, he says,since MidJef- tin funds including — tional and financial, for an emergen- the system any deaths that might Person County Hospital in Nederland for g Personnel costs 8 — cy medical service rated one of the have been avoided had another emer- is note equipped Peary ambulance crews,and best in the state,if not in the count p peed with telemetry equip- i sinking fund for replacement of cap- - country, gency medical system been in place, Went, paramedics are "not really ital equipment,he says. by a state Department of Health offi- but Barbee is "positive it's hurt," warranted" on units there. He has 15 6 — cial. nonetheless. "But there's not any sys- full-time employees and another 15 to The figure does not include the cost — Whether the city opts to watch the tem that you can point to that has all 20 part-timers, including office work- of billing, dispatching (save the cost 4 — current situation for a while longer or the answers,"he says. ers. of telemetry equipment),fixed bui;d- begin effecting changes,officials else- Barbee sees one glaring weakness While Whitlow is hesitant to release ing overhead or secondary amt,i- where and City Manager Ray Riley in Beaumont ambulance care, as it proprietary information about his op- lance crew salaries,since vacationing ? _ agree, movement to an alternative now exists: the lack of portable equip- erating costs, he does say a fully- or ill primary crew members are n system, barring unforeseen, abrupt ment monitoring vital signs and te- equipped ambulance,with monitoring placed by "cross-trained" f;r developments, is generall} an evolu- ler:etry equipment transmitting and telemetry equipment, would cost fighters on the fire department D — t; tionary process. ti„ sir,^s to the emergency room, •'very close to$55,000, while per son- roll,Moore Dr. Jim Barbee is a r t,<r of F: e dc• for could interpret the in nel for the unit costs roughly �� �, Beaumont Emcrpc- PI ?,�• f Lnd relay pre-hospital day. g 5 •�� per Billing is h } ed b} ? 14- 13 3 2- 3 9. 3 16 - 10. 4'?7 sociation, a - department e' ._ c rders to a paramedic in Louis Hartley, assistant director of fixed building overhead shows ul ?i?? ? l ? 8 3 15 3'?? <y 4 5 4 1? 4 19 4,?6 4/30 tract, emer�enc� room medical ser- the Lmbulance unit, saving irretriev- the state Department of HeLlth's the fire department budget,hcsays vices at bo h St 1 i-abeth and Baptist able time in a critical situation. Emergency Medical Services divi- Were Beaumont at some point to opt j (3) (3) (?) (2) ('4) (3) (5) (6) 03) (9) (12) hospitals He graduated from the Uni- Both Holmes and the Dallas EMS sion, rates the Dallas EMS as one of for a Dallas-style EMS,the cost might L - F�a=�«+«krprimcnpeu versity of Texas Medical School in have such monitoring and telemetry the best anywhere,and Bobby Moore, be expected to run about $560,000 The graph shows the number of times,in each of the last 11 weeks,for which Galveston in 1973 and is certified in equipment, but the similarity be- a deputy chief with the Dallas Fire department's rescue unit has surgery emergency Yearly,based on the Dallas even cents the fire department has statistics, that the de sure and emer enc medicine. weer the two ends just about there. Department in charge of the EMS sys- cost,or the equivalent of seven cents been dispatched to an emergency scene because of the absence of We maintain that the quality of q arLv q Y Holmes provides ambulance ser- Lem there, accepts the accolade with on the tax rate,according to city com- privately owned ambulance able to respond. Actual deliveries to an emer- ambulance care" in Beaumont "is vice to almost all of south and mid- pride. gency room may vary from the number of dispatches shown. sub-minimal,"Barbee says. count an area whose 111 722 potations that each cent of the $1.87 Y, popula- Dallas moved into the EMS field in tax rate Droducec sAt (KNI in ro„e.,,,,, May 3, 1981 Random tthere a be enough ambulances .? By JAE BERRY comfort in their torment. The death Of course, no planes crashed April duty to handle all city emergencies. record, pointing out that, despite spi Staff Writer A full look at Beaumont's ambu- toll might have risen. 26, no accident victims lay on Calder • Sporadic sen-ice by private com- radic service times, 96 percent of a Saturday-, April 25, came to Beau- Only one ambulance was available Avenue. anies. rnont as r-:pry other days that herald lance problems and some possible al p emergency calls are handled effe, b.' su the corn.–;, :,T,er — Overcast, ge ternative3 appear on Pa 3F. that day — the one the fire depart- Random fortune. The kind that •Delayed respury c times tively by private companies. ment runs 24 hours a day. makes us forget what might have • A muggy a rc azy, g g gross lack of co mmuni c Statistics, made available by cr: The fire department answered sev- been. with the fire department ambulance e But at 4:30 p.m., a private plane Four ambulance crvr, ,antes re- en emergency calls Sunday, April 26, A close review of fire department, dispatcher, marked by frequent non- officials after the city began a cc•; dropped zpe:te3ty cut c,. the sky, sponded with five crew,to aid the liv• while one other private company was police department and city hall re- compliance with a city rr:.rr.;nee re• "'d, -atch"and recordkeepinF s% killi:b +ts r;;o: :e::riot :es later,tµo r tem, confirm what the amb,;;,,7-' tng — and bur} the dead. The emer- working only sporadically. cords shows that Beaumont's system quiring ambulances to rrprrt their cnr� cc1'.: c cn C�,; er A%, nue. leav• Rene} Has under control. Had the twin tragedies occurred be- of four private ambulance companies status. companies say. tnF One p,r �� dcLd a . ',r others Yet, had these accidents occurred fore Feb. 11, when the fire depart- — and one fire department ambu- Ie addition, mr die:,1 sug- Still,the availability of ambu;ar;<, U:}ured 24 hours later, between 4:3U m. and ment began ambulance service,there lance—is con*,:nuously plagued b Rand rc ! • p p g y: gest that pre hos :t. '. :,. c ,�, Beau in Beaumont appears, on the br Tr r t. rt sod- 4:50 p m , Sun day, April th !n tr,� K ould not have been any, ambulance. • xr.E. periods M then on:y one ambu• mont is"sub mr;:,;:, -,;er,am• city records, to be random — deniy r.� r.; ;.erg , sen;ces and the dead would h:. e h-.d li:tli Period. lance, thf fire dr,:,rtmcnt's, is on bulance cornT;inns. 1 the:r dornastraged\ or fortune Beaumont Sunday Enterprlseaournal,May 3,1981 3^F - e n1f2ulanokee service . votent *lal for fa * lu By JAE BERRY tion of ambulance response records, available was five hours and 25 min- ment and,in at least one Instance,by rather,to dispatch available units." - take a long look at the effectiveness of Staff Writer city officials saw that private compa- utes, between the hours of 5:50 p.m. a police unit. The central dispatching system was the private sector in providing ambu- On Monday, April 27, 1981, at 8:42 nies failed to respond to at least 3 to 4 and 11:15 p.m. In addition, city officials met earli- instituted, Riley said, because, lance service. ii.m., an ambulance was needed at percent of all emergency calls. During that period, the rescue unit er this month with ambulance owners among other reasons; "We didn't Ambulance operators also find x155 Corley for a first aid call. Craw- Before the city filled this gap, vie- made one call, leaving the city with- to say they were demanding compli- have the slightest idea what was hap- faults with the system, but for differ- 'Or,d's was taking contract calls only. tims were transported to the hospital out even one emergency unit. ance with the city ambulance ordi- pening out there and no one else did ent reasons. Kelley-Hinson was out of sen•ice until by private car or by the police depart- According to city and fire depart- nance requiring owners to report the either." Furthermore, he said, the L.M. Williams Jr., operator of an I a.m. the next morning. Williams and ment.In 3 to 4 percent of all emergen- ment records, this is not an isolated status and location of their vehicles. city was already receiving about one- ambulance service by the same Paramedics did not have q unit avail- cy calls, therefore, virtually no pre- instance. In March, there were only During February and March, ambu- third of all calls for assistance; cen- name, said the ordinance requiring able- Rescue 58 was sent to the scene. hospital care was pro%lded. two days when the city had more than lance companies turned in an ex- tral dispatch seemed to be the next two people to staff an ambulance,cuts rt transported the victim to Baptist With the fire department's"rescue one emergency vehicle in service tremely poor showing in compliance. logical step, especially since, "We down on equipment avii ilability. Flospital. unit" in service, however, those who throughout the 24 hours. In April, According to city records, compa- determined that we were havinbg to "Everybody in this business knox s —An interoffice memorandum sent would otherwise be the unlucky few, there were three. nies were frequently listed as out of make the third and fourth call too the optimum is to have two people in from the fire department to the assist, receive immediate—and free—am. Since the city installed the rescue service, when making an emergency many times." an ambulance," he said. "But I have ant city nx_nager. bulance service, unit,every call for help is answered in run, or, when the fire department The city has made no attempt yet, told the city over and over and over Again, however, there is more to some way, but there appears to be a called them to dispatch an emergency other than establishing a requirement that it's better to have one person in So goes a typical memo from the this storms•. trend among private companies to call, the dispatcher was suddenly in- in 1977 that each ambulance be an ambulance who knows what he's fire department, ,n cri rge of On any given day, an accident vie- quit operating during evenings and formed the company had no crews manned by one attendant with emer- doing than to have no ambulance a', drslu,tching ambul�r "_. 'c t!_ t,s.rcFt tim stands an excellent chance of get- weekends when lucrative "transfer" available, even though the company gency medical training and one with all." ant city manager's c°f::r Ling an ambulance, but statistics also calls are not available—when no one reported itself in just hours earlier. advanced first aid training, to im- He said his efforts to provide pn Virtually every day,c.tern for sever- show that during substantial periods is moving from the hospital to a nurs- In fact,ambulance companies have prove either the quality of service or vate service have not relaxed since el hours, the t, - ing home or vice versa. been complaining (and in one case the availability of ambulance units. fire department unit was available ` o'. ter:t during virtually each day,the vices of private e c �, - formally) that central dispatch has The system, Riley said, is working and he said he feels"morally obligat- n es systt rn would break down completely The number of calls answered by not eliminated the practice of "call "pretty well,for what it was intended ed to serve people at 2 m the afternoon The situation lea vex Q.,e fire tie^srt- d there was more than one emerges- the fire department rescue unit has jumping" or "body snatching" — to do," but,he said, "it still could be as well as 2 in the morning." n,rnt'e riv&te r.?:;,-- cy or r:ore than one victim to be soared in the two months it has been p c• .. when an ambulance supposedly out of improved considerably." Betty Guillor-y, ou-r !r of Reaun;•,i: tr rted in operation. t?r two weekend day s, it vesicle to rep;)-o to ;, c--:- service suddenly turns up at an acct- Riley accounted for the fact that the Paramedi s Arnbulz:;. e,s:,id the s, erEenci�s— u l.- h r Ml,rch for example (see cal- the unit was the only vehicle constant- dent scene. rescue unit was getting more and tc n u c;u',d l,c c ffe.: if ail the e~': c L `:mac a t .:anent found that ly available in the city. AW-,�ourh P',11 s A l ' -e A as more runs because the fire depart- c s v r '" ' t' ln, fa-t, frcrn r r cle was the only While the rescue unit made five 1 , c y recent } cae. c *as pr .:�e s e ment is more aware of the capability, i, periods ranging emergency runs in during half the story bclou i, fire c -� r cot mores ttodis atchthancontinueto 7 is r, rr."F u•t' month of Febn:an, it made 14 in ' P P -. t fare department March. Partial returrL< for April indi d 'chcrs re; ., nt tl,c n�st:,rnce search for private units and he P p has h ppened ir,ott,er cases. judging by the records,the nun.',r Ino%id :. :r, ac-- rt uc w r ;d 14 times. But cat.e that it Trade 34 emergency runs City Manager Ray Riley pointed out times that all companies"acti.aO) c c ntral d %patch, a s.: partme:,t ;2 c , efter a slight also d ::,.e tt.at,.:oath there were fre- by April that the central dispatch system pro- suspend regular activities has in- would eliminate prob'e-Ms If t.e delay,by a pnvbte ambulance(seven quent o•,:casions when, although there Last Saturday, the rescue unit vides one primary benefit: It enables creased." would call in. But th(y're not cal.:n times). was no emergency,if any emergency made eight rescue runs during a par- the city to collect statistics on just He said he "can't draw the conclu- in,so they're leaving central dispatc Out of the 807 calls, the number of did occur,there would be no emergen- ticularly difficult day, when demand what private ambulance service is sion" that companies were suspend- up tight." times that an ambulance was not cy vehicles working in the city. for ambulances was high during the like in Beaumont,something that has ing regular service purposely, but Guillory said she b-lieved that tt avallable was very small and,in fact, For example, on March 2, the fire Neches River Festival Raft Race. been debated for more than 15 years. said it has "got to be a contributing issue could be exaggerated and th: all the calls were answered somehow. department records show the rescue On that day, Williams, Crawford "Essentially,the system Is worsting factor." private ambulances respond to t The statistics, however, don't tell unit was the only emergency vehicle and KeUe Hinson ambulances were like it's supposed to but there are id say, that if it majority of all calls. She said she ar the whole stor•v. in the rity fnr r i.A. nd.11rn •� _a y_,i_Li_ _rr p1� ' Riley y y' ' j y t.. _- _-- _ r ._. r,........ .........e up ., tcpvi►cu avauauu uiI Sulu ur,uuuu�sr some obvious deficiencies," Riley appeared that the rescue unit was no other ambulance operators no:v ,. The city began actively providing eight hours end nine minutes. out the day,sometimes for short peri- said. "Our system is not designed to longer just taking care of the excep- themselves in competition with what amounts to an ambulance ser- In those nine hours,the longest peri- ods, but the bulk of the emergency control" private ambulance compa- lions to private service,but becoming "free ambulance service" run by tl vice on Feb. 11, when. after examina- od when only the rescue unit was work was handled by the fire depart- nies regarding hours of operation,but part of the program, the city would fire department. Beaumont Jouml,Tuesday,May 5.1981 1 Ambulance catches fire on wa y to St. Elizabeth By DWIGHT SILVERMAN accident occurred. Staff Writer Fire department records indicate A Beaumont Paramedics ambu. the Beaumont Paramedics ambu- lance en route to St. Eli? owth Hospi- lance crew called for assistance in ex- 141 with a traffic accident victim ttnj;uishtnt;the blaze at 4:25 p.m. caught fire Mondayafte--on. Bro' ks r, in good condition at Fire department oft; said lo- the hospital. day the wiring harness -ri the %chi- wheeler said Paramedics is out of rte's engine shorted and burned as the service"until they call me back." crew left the scene of a 4 p , motor- cycle-truck collision in the ';AO block Paramedics owner Betty Guillory said today she expected to be back in College Street. se According to police reports,then ,_ service "sometime this week," but balance staff was transporting Dennis could not definite. Keith Brooks, 19, of Beaumont, who "I'm waiting for the insurance ad- was insured in the collision. jester to come out now," she said. "I The crew became aware of the fire have another car but that's still being after turning off College Street onto repaired." N. 11th Street. The crc%v pulled into She said the "repair people" had the parking lot of a shopping center at promised her she would have one of 30 N.11th,said Capt.Charles Wheeler the two ambulances she owns back to of the Beaumont Fire Department. her as soon as possible. There, they radioed the fire depart- The incident comes at a time when ment for help. ambulance service in Beaumont has Wheeler said Kelley-Hixson Ambu- cone under close scrutiny. lance Service was contacted at 4:14 The Beaumont City Council last p.m. A Kelly-Hixson ambulance ar- week issued L.M. Williams Ambu- rived at the shopping center h o min- lance Service a three-day suspension utes later and the victim was trans- for failure to notify the fire depart- ferred to that unit.Wheeler estimated ment's central dispatching system of that Brooks,who sustained head inju- a call it had made. Williams has chat- rtes in the wreck, got to St. Elizabeth lenged that action and a hearing c, at 4:20 p.m. — 20 minutes after the the matter has been scheduled. Beaumont Enterprise,Wedm i-, Yay G, 1981 17-A Ambulance catches fire while on run Beaumont Paramedics Ambulance Service is out of operation after one of its ambulances caught fire Monday afternoon as it raced toward St. Eliza- beth Hospital with a traffic accident victim. The company, one of four firms op- erating ambulances in the city, al- ready had one of its two units in the shop. , Fire department officials said Tues- day the wiring Harness on the Paramedics vehicle's engine shorted t and burned after the crew left the scene of a 4 p.m. motorcycle-truck collision Monday in the 5500 block Col- lege Street. They were transporting Dennis Keith Brooks, 19, of Beaumont, who sustained head injuries in the crash, according to police reports. The crew became aware of the fire after the ambulance turned off Col- lege and pulled into the parl!int; lot of a shopping center at a't N. 11th St., said Capt. Charles % h-cler of the Beaumont Fire Department. The fire department was radioed for help. Wheeler said Kelley-Ilixson Ambu- lance Service was contacted at 4:14 p.m.,and a Kelley-Hixson ambulance arrived at the shopping center two minutes later and the victim trans- ferred to that unit.Wheeler estimated Brooks got to St. Elizabeth at 4:20 p.m. —20 minutes after the accident occurred. Fire department records indicate 1 the crew called for assistance in ex- tinguishing the blaze at 4:25 p.m. Brooks was listed in good condition at the hospital Tuesday. Paramedics owner Betty Guillory said Tuesday she expected to be back in service "sometime this week," but could not give a definite date. "I'm waiting for the insurance ad- juster to come out now," she said. "I have another car,but that's still being repaired." The incident corn-, o a time when ambulance service in .- rn,w nt is un- der close scrutiny. The Beaumont Ci,% Cclinr-il last week issued L.M. 'i rih,n, %rnbu- lance Service a three-4h% .,, .ponsion for failure to notify t' - i irr dvpart- ment's central dispatchi:rt; s;;:ctem of a run it had made. Willian►s has chal- lenged that action . May 13, 1981 BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE 91'1*1 _71 LP-1 117*71% 1 , A ;1 -1 70 Another complaint has been filed Wallace WiWams,vice resident of p spokeswoman said. ty in br:tithing,the complaint stated. with the city health department the firm,had no comment Tuesday on The attendants requested the assist- Neither of the two attendants re- against L-lbf. Williams and Sons, the the complaint. ance of onlookers in lifting Jenkins sponded directly to his complaints, ambulance company involved in a A Williams unit arrived at the acci- into the ambulance, according to the Patti Jenkins, who accompanied her suspension hearing Tuesday due to a dent scene at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, ac- complaLrit, but gave no instructions brother, violation of a city ambulance ordi- cording to the complaint, and its at- about how best to accomplish the One f r.� att: '.acts • rudri,i in- nance. tendar,Ls neither examined the victim move. Patti Jenkins charged a Williams nor asked either the victim or friends 'tr 1 :a be quiet'); d unit with a "lack of professional ser- at the scene an uestions, the com- Jenkins then slid off the stretcher, st„p the �; a,a;i e and go back there vice during a run early Sunda to the Y q and "friends had to push the victim and strip ^,i:n dox•n,'- the cornpljLnt Y plaint stated. back on the stretcher and assisted the cor.clu;ic i. 4400 block of Park Street, the scene of Jenkins was in stable condiuon attendants in placing the victim in the Kathy Sc:;field, chief sanitarian for a motorcycle accident involving her Tuesday in the intensive care unit at ambulance,”the complaint stated. the city, said Tuesday she has not yet brother, Preston Jenkins of 1056 Ver- Baptist Hospital suffering possible On the way to Baptist Hospital,Jen- begun an investigation of the com- mont. neck and internal injuries, a hospital j P kips complained of pains and difficul- plaint. May 13, 1981 BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE . l ' in the . Tj blame By FRED ZIPP complaint. (:tty Staff Writer The ordinance, adopted by Owners of L.M. WWiams and Sons Council last July, subs have admitted violating a city ordi- such an ulancence, when noire t,..,u trance by tailing to notify the fire de- one ambulance responds to partment of an arpbulanCe unit's stn- request for emergency tus earlier this spring, arguing that Lion. the violation was due to heavy radio It took of f net on Oct 1 At the 1.earing, 1.1-wig lu:.t -h, .. A traffic. 30 minutes, Gu,llur), re,t,rat: . tl:. The admission of a"technical viola- ell, ambu- eftaroea m"de L, her cun,f,l,,..t, tiirlri ,r�, a n ' tion of an ordinance requiring h,,yamb that she "never till y- lances to notify the fire department Wig„ un the dispatch tI'eyu111('y dispatcher of their status and position about a W1Wanis unit- at at all times came at a Tuesday Allen Gilley, thr fire de{?�,rt,,,.nt ing requested by the company. dispatcher on duty at We tulle, "i,- Winisrns asked for the hearing af- firmed receiving a call fruu, 1-au- ter being given a three-day suspen- moot Paramedics regardu,g its c,,,cr- slon from operations April 29 after a ency run; no call was received truni competing firm complained that the Williams,he said. company tailed to notify dispatchers According to fire department lugs, of its position before malting an emer- run Gilley said, Williams showed no unit gency, March 26. available for emergency transporta- Hugh Wright,the city health adiTiin- tion between 1:01 and 11:'1': p•m- istrator,said a decision on the appeal March 26. would be made quickly. ilia sus- Ferrell's statement indicated he re- The complaint prompting sponded to a private call for assist pion was filed by Betty Hebert ante from 560u Spencer at 5:3� p•rrt. Guillory, owner of Beaumont His unit arrived at the scene at ,:�u Paramedic Ambulance Service, on and delivered the 13-Year-old vu'un, March 26. She accused a WaWtms to St. Elizabeth Hospital at 5.5n, h'cr- unit of importing a victim from an rell stated. accident scene without notifying the During his testunony,Gilley „I 1- dispatcher. could not recall whether radw tr.,it,c In two statements entered nearing, Bill was heavy ttt,t ,,Iy. 11, h,:, , ;. r'ecor'd of the Tuesday and ante, the fire departntcu: t,.... Ferrell, a Williams had any pruUlen," w,th , 'I'" t. ... LM- W�>s Jr. and Wallace Wd- liams, owners of the firm, admitted blucking altenipL, by Ferll had tailed to notify the fire comparues to nut,fy ut th re eir �t•,tu;, Gilley said. department dispatcher. "ktalt,er lh"n rc,k" 11- - t„”' Ferrell's statement contended the well-b wig, t•'err,u ,t.,t, i. failure was caused by interference on the dispatch frequency,used by hospi- the run without y,n, u,. W emergency rooms throughout Te:- pan ttnen[ and as as well as the Orange County Ain- siblUty"fur the v,ulauu u in s separate bulanceService. lwnu Jr. and W.,,tatc '`,,,t' f Due to Ferrell's failure to make his 1!„y � Jr. uric auJ status known to the dispatcher, a Beaumont Paramedic unit arrived at decisiun. the accident scene, the 5600 bllockthe decision on the a{ypeal +k,U,u,ttu Spencer. at 5:39 p.m. Only victim being loaded Into the Williams His deciwwn may,n,tun,,U. ambulance, Guillory stated in her to council. ' Beaumont EnterprL",Thursday,May 21,1981 ioAmbulanee sus e,rasn OKd e health de- 'T'he cite health authority admWs- complaint filed with th trator W by upheld a thre 'Y partment on March 28 by Betty He- syspension of 1;.M.W�ms and Sons bert Gutllory. owner of Beaumont ambulance service, which was cited Paramedic Ambulance Service. In April for a violation of the city's In the complaint, Gu1IIory alleged* ambulance code. her company received a call at a�b30 Hugh Wright, health authority ad- p.m. March 26 requesting ministrator, wrote, in a letter dated lance at the scene of an auto-Pedestr" May 20,that 1L the William la Department ct<nS� car.accident in the 5600 block of Seen-an failed to notify then not'- ; of its status on March 26,as required Paramedic Ambulance by the city ambulance code• fied the Fire Department they were to +llm surprised,"Wallace y,mid of G route to the the Paramedic vice president of the company+ Gu111ory, :the decision, which may be appealed ambulance arrived, a Williams unit a final time to City Council-Williams was already on the scene. had no other comment and said node- U1iam3 :vision on Jul appeal had yet been The city contended that Williams had not notified the Fire Department ,made. decide to appeal of its status,although a Williams am, deci Williams Council, council balance driver testified he attempted ld be bound n city y a to to notifiy the department but that ra- '.would be bound by city ordinance the "substentt�le sore" fie+ dio traffic was heavy. which requires to decide B In his review of evidence submitted substantial evidence e=lated at the by the city and the company during decision to aup- May 12 appeal hearing.Wright wrote time of the suspension �p- in the letter to L.M. Williams, port the decision.Council can testatement submitted by the ambu- its decision on whether the suspension lance driver,Mr. Bill Berrell,stating was right or wrong• MS am- that he attempted to notify the Fire If Willlaaw does n'orillt abut of ser- Department of his status. fats to balance company June 2Z to show that an adequate effort was vice from!�a.m Monday, made to contact the Fire Department .7:59 a.m.June 25. The suspension stemmed from a Dispatcher's Office." Paramedic files its second welle co ms iainta ainstiiam s Beaumont Paramedic Ambulance Set• he saw an ambulance driven by L.M.Wil- Beaumont Paramedic last week filed a v1ce has filed its second complaint against liams also traveling on College at about complaint against the city, alleging a fire l;.M. Williams and Sons ambulance set` 2:06 p.m.Guillory said he checked with the department dispatcher sent the fire de- vice with the city health authority, which fire department dispatcher to find out partment ambulance to the fire training administrates the ambulance ordinance. "why two units were going to the same grounds on a po«;ble heart attack when Floyd Guillory, o-.vner of the company, place," and the dispatcher said that L.M. Beaumont Pararnelic was ava:: . said he filed t-te c_:nplaint Monday in con- Williams had made a private call at 2:04 The city has been using its fir a:• u- nection with an L cident Sunday involving p.m. lance to transport accident sic, s !o the Betty Hebert Guillory, also an owner of hospital only when private arnL:::::res an L.M.Williams ambulance. Beaumont Paramedic, filed a complaint are not available.The city ordinance,how- Guillory refused to specify what the March 26 against L.M. Williams that re- ever,only requires private ambulances to complaint alleged, but said it involved a suited in a three-day suspension of the Wil- notify the fire department of their status Call dispatched to Beaumont Paramedic at liams license to operate an ambulance.In and does not specify regulations regarding ?:02 p.m. Sunday. He said the fire depart- that complaint,Williams was found in vio- the use of the city ambulance. ment,which keeps track of ambulances in lation of the city ambulance ordinance According to Kathy Scofield with the Beaumont and dispatches them, when it arrived at the scene of an accident, health authority, the complaint has been dispatched his ambulance to Keith Road. to which Beaumont Paramedic was forwarded to City Hall for review since the As the Paramedic ambulance was trav- dispatched, without notifying the fire de- health authority apparently has no author ellng down College Street, Guillory said, partment dispatcher. ity to rule on the complaint. i I —,Pp--!rzrw 117,- s V, x-!l Rim 11 N—TT a.� jharl Beaumont Jo:_rnaI,Wednesday,May 27, 1981 No anibuIant't's auilallle A Beaumont Fire Department dispatcher said Tuesday that city police were forced to transport a critically-wounded gunshot victim to Baptist i Hospital because no ambulances were available In the city. With the exception of the fire department's rescue unit,there were no ambulances available in Beaumont from S:58 p.m. until 9:54 p.m.Tues- day, the dispatcher said. During that time, the fire department received three calls: an acci- dental injury at 6:19 p.m., the shooting at 6:24 p.m.and a possible heart attack at 8:51 p.m. Paramedics Ambulance Service was out of town, reportedly looking at new ambulances in Houston,the dispatcher said. An L.M. Williams and Sons ambulance attend- ant sald the company's ambulances had not been running since 7:38 a.m. Tuesday because there was no available crew. The company's ambu- lances went back into service at 9:54 p.m. Kelley-Hixson and Crawford's ambulances made calls throughout the day. During the eve- ning hours when the shooting occurred,however, a Crawford's ambulance attendent said the com- pany's vehicle was not available because it was in Vidor. I Kelley-Hixson's ambulance operates only until 6 p.m.daily. The shooting victim, identified as Willie Shan- non of 633 Forsythe, underwent surgery upon ar- rival at Baptist Hospital. Followini, the incident, a 48-year-old woman was booked into city jail for investigation of ag- gravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said. An eyewitness said the man was shot after an argument outside his residence. The victim pointed a rifle at a woman,the witness said, and was shot in the chest as he stood in the open doorway of his oparhnent. Police nn` .ii,•d a 22-caliber gun at the scene. �ue%(1J), 'Lilly e Fire Department am b ula n ck"t remains only one a vailable o ver long periods of time S �BEVY companies in tt.e city cannot be con- One such incident occurred at 11:31 S writer tacted to take an emergency call. a.tu. May 22,when Crawford's Ambu. Although the Beaumont Fire De- During May, of 339 calls for help lance called the fire department to partment ambulance responded to made to the fire deparrnent, the fire say the service had received an emer- fewer emergency calls in May than in department made 26 of those runs,the gency call from a woman. The Craw- April, it continued to be the only am- most on one single day being on Fri- ford's dispatcher said that firm would bulance available in the city for long day May 1. not be able to make the call. periods. According to a fire department The fire department ambulance Midnight to noon memo, the fire department called made 26 emergency calls in May, 7.6 Paramedic Ambulance, where a percent of the total number of emer- On May 1, the fire department ant- spokesman said the firm would accept gency calls for the month, according bulance responded 10 times. On that the call,although the fire department to fire department figures. day, out of 15 halls for emergency log sheet showed Paramedic out of The unit, which functions as a free help, only five were answered by pri- service because of radio trouble. ambulance operated by the city when vate companies. A few minutes later, according to private companies are unavailable, In fact, the fire department arnbu- the memo, Paramedic called back to responded to 44 calls for assistance in lance was the only one available front say the firm couldn't make the run. April, or 12.5 percent,the highest in a midnight to noon and from 6 p.m. until Kcllvii-flixson accepted by phone,but three-month period. midnight. a irw minutes later, that dispatcher The city installed the ambulance From noon to 6 p.m., Crawf,wd', ;lll.:d to say Kelley-Hixson could not Feb. 11, after an examination of am- Ambulance and Kelley-lhxsun ticrru 4L Lrpt the call either. bulance response records showed the operating. Curing that period, Crais- V.tluams reported itself out of ser- private companies fail to answer to 4 ford's responded to four calls and k.ci- vice, and.the fire department ambu- percent of all calls for assistance, ley-Hixson to one. lance wat dispatched after a delay of Overall during the month, the tlrc cl,;htminutes. No unreported calls department ambulance generally had to make runs when only une private Wreck at College, 1-10 Unlike in previous months, howev- ambulance service out of the four n.,, er, fire department dispatchers in operating. The system has also resulted to situ- May found no instance when any of Emergency cats were spread ii_ t,unS in which one ambulance had to the four private ambulance compa- venly among private ambulance ci,.�, transport a number of victims. nies responded to a call and failed to panies, primarily because salt, notify the the dispatcher, as required by panies, such as Kelley-llix.5un, A o1 t 11:32 a.m. May 4, a major acci- ordinance. down at 6 p.m., and others, :,ucii t at Interstate 10 and College re- The central dispatch system,set up Crawford's, shut ,.own periodically 1,, I is five injuries,one of them ma- by the city in November, merely re- take "contract" or private huspit.11 s�curding to fire department quires ambulance companies to notify transfer calls. „uls, "Williams didn't know where the city of their status; it does not set In May, Beaumont Paramedic Am- ambulance was. Kelley-Hixson hours of operation for companies,nor bulance Service responded to 144 " ""t on a transfer. Paramedics does it prevent companies from re- calls; Crawford's, 32; Williams, 7t1; was out of service on another emer- sponding to private calls. and Kelley-Hixson,58. gency call. Crawford's was out of ser- City officials met with ambulance vice on a transfer. operators in April and May, telling Some calls delayed "Rescue 58 was sent to the scene. them that the city would be carefully They transported five victims to the watching operators for failure to re- With the fire department running an hospital, one with major injuries and port status. In May, L.M. Williams ambulance, virtually all calls for as- four with minor injuries." and Sons Ambulance received a sus- sistance were answered during May. City Council will have its first dis- pension from a failure to report cita- Some calls,however, have resulted in cussion of the ambulance situation in tion issued in connection with a March delay because of the structure of the Beaumont at its annual retreat today. 26 incident. system, which requires the fire de- 1layor Maury Meyers said council ex- Williams intends to appeal that sus- partment to telephone the ambulance p�cta a report on ambulances from pension to City Council. companies for a private ambulance tl„ city manager the end of the The fire department ambulance op- before dispatching the city anibu• ,,,,.,.iii, pussibiy at the June 23 council erates only when private ambulance lance. li..� llilti, Tuesday, June 9, 1981 Fi r e C /�1200) t. a m Dl' � uf a. n c e call re . onses drop By JAE BERRY pension to City Council. companies for a private ambulance Staff writer The fire department ambulance op- before dispatching the city ambu- Although the Beaumont Fire De- erates only when private ambulance lance. partment ambulance responded to companies in the city cannot be con- On such incident occurred at 11:31 fewer emergency calls in May than in tacted to take an emergency call. a.m.May 22,when Crawford's Ambu- April, it continued to be the only am- During May, of 339 calls for help lance called the fire department to bulance available in the city for long made n the fire f 9 calls the fire say the service received a call from a peril p woman who was bleeding from the The fire department ambulance department made 26 of those runs,the rectum. The Crawford's dispatcher made 26 emergency calls in May, 7.6 most on one single day being on Fri- said that firm would not be able to percent of the total number of emer- day May 1. make the call. gency calls for the month, according On May 1, the fire department am- According to a fire department to fire department figures. balance responded 10 times. On that memo, the fire department called The unit, which functions as a free day, out of 15 calls for emergency Paramedic Ambulance, where a ambulance operated by the city when help, only five were answered by pri- spokesman said the firm would accept private companies are unavailable, vate companies. the call,although the fire department responded to 44 calls for assistance in In fact, the fire department ambu- log sheet showed Paramedic out of April,or 12.5 percent,the highest in a lance was the only one available from service because of radio trouble. three-month riod. midnight to noon and from 6 p.m.until � mldnl ht. A few minutes later, according to The city installed the ambulance g the memo, Paramedic called back to Feb. 11, after an examination of am- From noon to 6 p.m., Crawford's say the firm couldn't make the run. bulance response records showed the Ambulance and Kelley-Hinson were Kelley-Hixson accepted by phone,but private companies fall to answer 3 to 4 operating. During that period, Craw- a few minutes later, that dispatcher percent of all calls for assistance. fords responded to four calls and Kel- ley-Hixson to one. called to say Kelley-Hixson could not Unlike in previous months, howev- Overall during the month, the fire accept the call either. er, fire department dispatchers in department ambulance generally had d Williams reported itself out of ser- May found po Instance when any of d make runs when only one private vice, and the fire department ambu- the four ;private ambulance comps- ambulance service out of the four was lance was dispatched after a delay of Wes responded to a call and failed to operating. eight minutes. notify the dispatcher, as required by The system has also resulted in situ- ordinance. Emergency calls were spread une. ations in which one ambulance had to The central dispatch system,set up venly among private ambulance com- transport a number of victims. by the city in November, merely re- panies,primarily because some com- At 11:32 a.m. May 4, a major acci- quires ambulance companies to notify panies, such as Kelley-Hixson, shut dent at Interstate 10 and College re- the city of their status; it does not set down at 6 p.m., and others, such as salted in five injuries,one of them ma- hours of operation for companies,nor Crawford's,shut down periodically to jor. According to fire department does it prevent companies from re- take "contract" or private hospital memos, "Williams didn't know where sponding to private calls. transfer calls. their ambulance was. Kelley-Hixson In May, Beaumont Paramedic Am- was out on a transfer. Paramedics City officials met with ambulance bulance Service responded to 144 was out of service on another emer- operators in April and May, telling calls; Crawford's, 32; Williams, 78; gency call.Crawford's was out of ser- them that the city would be carefully and Kelley-fiixson,58. vice on a transfer. watching operators for failure to re- With the fire department running an "Rescue 58 was sent to the scene. port status. In May, L.M. Williams ambulance, virtually all calls for as- They transported five victims to the and Sons Ambulance received a sus- sistance were answered during May. hospital, one with major injuries and pension from a failure to report cita- Some calls,however,have resulted in four with minor injuries." tion issued in connection with a March delay because of the structure of the City Council will have its first dis- 26 incident. system, which requires the fire de- cussion of the ambulance situation in WWIamN intends to appeal that sus- partmett to telephone the aqibalanee Beaumont at its annual retreat today. fo-•.e. - Doctor says- Beaumont nes'ds m, odern tr I n ce service Williams was referring to a council By JAE BERRY decision in November that instituted a Staff writer City officials hear appeal of com- "central dispatch" system, designed An emergency room doctor told plaint against WWiama ambu- to funnel requests for emergency am- City Council Tuesday that Beaumont lance as nea•complaint is filed.See bulance service through the fire de- .,needs and deserves an efficient am- stories and photo,Page 11A. partment. bulance service" that will bring the Under this system,ambulance com- city "into this century" of medical anies are supposed report their sta- care. Councilman Calvin;"On Williams re- tP s and location to the fire depart- Dr. Jim Barbee, who practices at spondcd to citi:rr.conunenes by point St.Elizabeth Hospital,was one of nine ing out that the it sue of ambulance x hen�nectessad�although hc:compa- citizens who, in response to recent service in Bear::: ,t�` no, a n_w one, Hies may res and to calls they receive r,wsnaper and television reports on Lut c::e coui;c:? ::•t: i t.11 three P privateh'. rr.� cace a�aii�bility, spoke to >"c;r` `�� a •. ce we Thru�i,h this system, the city — as council on the public ecmments sec i ti.cll as newspape' a: •' c'n — tionof the agenda. sp_!t �• . ; . -,, rs t�tio to three has been rovi'td w. a s ausUcal "We're not asking for something years aEo," �'.iiiiams said- fu that picture of ambulance sir.ict•in Beau- that is a brand-new idea," Barbee time. there were two other funeral moot. said, noting that emergency medical -homes operating ambulances, but One result of this information was systems have been tried successfully . shortly after we voted down EMS that the city set up a fire department (Emergency Medical System), they !n other cities. � d out. ambulance, on 24-hour call, after it Citizen comments on the subject dropped were varied, with two nursing home "It has been suggested and implied was determined that one time in s private ambulances did not respond owners commenting that their experi- that there is no concern here (about ence with ambulance companies had the problem),"he said. "But,a lot of to emergency calls placed directly to 1 been good and others expressing con- the information that has been report- them or to city emergency bervices. i fusion at how the system works and ed recently came as a result of council Fran CrDO Crawford, ext owner e Craw- who is in charge. action." — - - - I munity gets good service. If people • J_ think the system is bad,I'm not defen- nive about thr svatem.It is an import- ford Ambulance Service, told the ant community concern that I think council she was happy to see the fire should be addressed." department was picking up some Also appearing before the council emergency calls,but said private am- was Thelma Smith, whose recent bulance services are plagued with complaint against an ambulance problems,such as bill collections. company resulted in a three-day sus-, "Ambulance operators are still pension of the company's license. doing the best they can," Crawford Smith, reading from a prepared sa •l. "Thy communication system is statement, said she had long been r, ., �:A there are times when com- concerned about amh,il_ince avail- m.tiic,ticrs haven't been the great- ability in Beaumont a� ' t'.though she had often been satist..1 ...'.h the ser- vice, believes the s :n :Host be But collection is so pour we cannot changed. pay help (what they desire) or buy "I do not know what it is going to new equipment. Our hands are tied. take for your eyes to be opened," We work 24 hours a day, and there Smith said, noting that she com- comes a time when you are so tired plained about ambulance service you have to put yourself out of ser- when it took her more than an hour to vice." get an ambulance for her sick mother. Crawford said there are many "I'm asking you to act on behalf of times when she and her husband do human life, our community, my not receive a paycheck for their work mama..." —and"I see no one offering to help." Meyers said he expects the council In response to questions after the to take up the ambulance issue in a meeting, Mayor Maury Meyers said, workshop session three to four weeks "If running an ambulance service is a from now and stressed that council is hardship,they should get out.Nobody open to community complaints and said you have to be in business. My suggestions about the ambulance sys- concern is to try to see that the com- tem. i i Tuesday, July 28, 1981 I Citir handles loss i e rs of Williams service a k e s ByJAE BERRY available during the late evening Staff writer and after midnight and Kelley-liix- Although L.M. Williams and son working 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In ad- Sons Ambulance Service was sus- dition, Kelley-Hixson staffed two pended from operation Friday, ambulances until 6 p.m.Friday. Saturday and Sunday for violating A breakdown of the 36 calls re- the emergency the city's ambulance ordinance, corded during the suspension peri- t Fire Depart- the temporary absence caused no, od shows 11 emergency calls fran Verson County major difficulties. 9 a.m. to midnight Friday, 14 on day Enterprise Over the three-day period, 36 Saturday,10 on Sunday and one un- emergency calls were turned in to til 8:59 a.m.Monday. iergency is 638- the fire department, which All but two calls were handled by dispatches and records ambulance private companies. -r a fire depart- runs,and on two occasions,private The fire department dispatched 'ire Chief Nick ambulances were not available. an ambulance on two occasions, office phone is In those two instances, the fire once at 8:24 p.m. Friday and once the emergency department dispatched one of its at 6:12 p.m.Saturday.On one occa- r after normal two ambulances. sion,at 1:19 a.m.Saturday,the fire at all,he said. Williams ambulance was sus- department dispatched its ambu- dways answer- pended from 9 a.m. Friday to 8:59 lance, but turned the city equip- y numbers get a.m. Monday in connection with a ment back when Crawford's — y number has March 26 incident in which Wil- then out of service just one block takes sure that liams responded to an emergency away from the emergency site — the non-emer- call at the 5600 block of Spencer reported itself back in service at utine business. Street without notifying the fire de- 1:21 a.m. mation will be parment dispatcher. According to fire department re- ich is solely for According to the city ambulance cords, the fire department never ordinance, all ambulance compa- found Itself In the position of hav- •-thurIndepend- nies must notify the fire depart- ing to dispatch both city ambu- wcomers guide ment dispatcher of the status of lances at one time. On Saturday their equipment. The fire depart- and Sunday, there were several ax rate has not ment records private runs the am- short periods when no private am- The listed tai bulances make and dispatches am- balance was available,although no tion at 100 per- bulances to emergencies. emergency calls came in, making City Council voted 3-2 July 17, to the use of the city ambulance un- 'orschool-com- suspend the company when L.M. necessary. administration Williams appealed the suspension From June 1 to July 26, from 70 4 p.m. and not decision by the city's health offi- to 78 calls came in during each six- in the Sunday eer. Councilwoman Evelyn Lord day period recorded by the fire de- and Mayor Maury Meyers ex- partment. During that period, G03 High School as pressed Concern at that time the emergency calls were listed by the riot and named city might be left without adequate fire department. it is a middle ambulance protection during the Of the 603 calls, Beaumont period. Paramedic handled the bulk by an- Overall.public offi- however, the ambu- swering 285, Kelley-Hixson re- rectly listed as sponded to 124 Williams to 98 s, in fact, now lance availability record stayed re- Crawford's to 74 and the fire de- I William H. markably the same,even in the ab. partment to 22. ssessor-collec- sence of one company. In June, the fire depart,nent cor-collector of t Following a pattern apparent picked up nine calls when private ;tract. throughout the month, Beaumont ambulances were not available. Paramedic Ambulance Service That number is significantly fewer was the only private service avail- than the 27 calls the fire depart- able for all post-midnight hours ment made in May and slightly over the three-day period, with fewer than the 13 calls it answered Crawford's Ambulance frequently from July I to July 26. IA Beaumont Enterprise We „ 040V 4. "1 zcounc * men st *111 ot a bulan .,.o'e,_ plan By LORI ROGERS ConIbs said he was"not totally satin- mated at 60 percent,based on the ex- from each St. Elizabeth Hospital and - board of din ectors responsible to concern over flr.ar.:ial r•espo ability Stall writer fled and Councilman Calvin Wil- perienceof other systems. Baptist Hospital of Southeast Tex- Riley. 'does not take away f— _..0 enthusi- A1Nough all agreed to the need for llams said he still is uncertain of how Regardless of the system of collee- as,Ne director of the Emergency Commentins that• not-..;,-) s,:3;rLZ t, ,:un. I tJIak +►e have a r::-s F, • . a city-backed emergency medical much the program could cost the city. tion, some persons are not going to be Room Physicians Associates, the throw ceople out of th �.,�r•s ,rnL,- --abT t s duty o ;,�. .t transport system, two council mem- As a non-profit corpora- able to pay for the service,Riley said. medical director for the city health lances," Combs said e c:t; ,:r:,, of bilsi[.e,.•' ben Tuesday continued to express proposed. H: paid there are other'ways to ire• department and Riley. Tuesday's rec- dec:.'_ to discontir;uc rncern that the proposal did not in- lion would be formed to operate the ,, system,a board of directors would set crease revenue, such as offering sub- ommendations Would add a council Ne sen tee later on wn; t.:ec nr .. y•o, 4a c.ude enough control over the collec- scriptions to the system,but the coun- member and private c:tizen to that y road a:a ►: r t;on of payments to protect the city's Policy and the city would provide the cil should not anticipate Ne s stem list "Once we begin this proe,• �r ;r o P Y P Y' initial ca ital investment for P Y ^,ob'-r.: a. �a. n +��: financial lnteresU. P uP' paying for itself. Sa in he believes the s stem Year from now there is n^ : 'is �' ° - The council will vote Wert Tuesday men and underwrite the operattog Williams recommended that the would be beneficial, Combs said his back,"he said. -:aht^eH f +t y n a resolution endorsing the proposal deficit, estimated to run ai5,0o0 for Williams said t,. was v-,. llwul M6)',r g P P� the first ear. board of directors be increased from concern is that the council would be and allowing for the planning of the Y concerned" about the financial as co-t has •., ,< seven to nine to include more citizen condemning the program to failure �oKii late, .r t 3rganizational structure. Riley said the corporation probably input into the system's operation and five or six ears down the line b not �U' saying he could _ee the cost In work session Tuesday,City Man- would contract with the hospitals for Combs suggested escalating year after year afte- P ggested that one of the new putting Financial controls in now. ager Ray Riley said the city would collection, with persons using the ser- slots be filled by a council member. He said the system as proposed has year." have control over the program vice billed for transport at the time Other council members agreed to no incentive for payment collection, Council members Evelyn 1 D-d ar,i uc„e l hI R�'ey. through budget Wayne Turner reiterated th•;.r sl, gh g approval, review of they are billed for emergency room both suggestions. as it would if someone or ublic bod N quarterly financial statements and an care. P Y As proposed, the board would be was made responsible for collection Port for the program. annual audit, but Councilman Tom The collection rate has been esti- comprised of two representatives Combs said he would like to see the Lord said she hopes the caw:cil's roep,6.c:,do:%- h� The Beaumont Fire Department re- t p 1 —3830 Hebert,grass tire. February 13, 11 sponded to the following c;1 11s b,_tueen 16 I,m.—Civic Center,respirato- 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. today: rN arrest. 6:32 p.m. — 5115 Idlewood, locked Friday out. 47. ;1.ni Duwlen at 43 p.m.—1187 Euclid,car fire. auto wreck. Sunday 10:21 a.rn.—5850 Itegin.,,autc firr 2 31 a.m.—1316 Calder,first aid. 11:38 a.m. — 315 Fannin, irwt_,ti- :Ul n1. -5850Eastex,accidental gate gas leak. f;ul:e alarm. 12:06 p.m. —3955 Eastex,auto fire 12:08 p.m. — 2195 Harrison, public 12:09 p.m. — Cardinal ,it High!,uui, a,s1:,tancU. gas spill. 2::U p.m. — 6515 Texas 105, gas 1:53 p.m.—1890 Pine,stove fire. Spill. 2:42 p.m. — 1042 Stephen, medical 4:2U p.m. —Interstate 10 at Magno- transport. lia,tanker overturned. 4:05 p.m.—5085 Elba,house fire. 5:36 p.m. — 2275 Edson, chimney 4:09 p.m. — 2493 Calder, service fire. - — call. 6:36 p.m. — 2615 Monroe, garage 7:30 p.m. — Hebert High School, fire. overcrowded gym. 8:08 p.m. — 675 Euclid, electrical 10:02 p.m. — 2493 Calder, service short. call. 9:28 p.m. —2380 Fillmore, medical Saturday transport. 1:33 a.m. — 655 Goodhue, deliber- U:�l p.m. — 11025 Old Voth Road; ate false alarm. rnediral transport. 3:27 a.m. — 4400 Pine, medic;,! i :.c, p.m. — 2156 Pope, medical transport. transport. 11:06 a.m. — 545 25th, leaves burn- 11-Y p.m. — 800 Goliad, false ing• 11,ur.1. 11:28 a.m! — 2179 Pope, elect,ic;,l short. Today 11:31 a.m.—955 Corley,trash fire. 1'2:11 a.m. — 220 Dowlen, medical 12:32 p.m.—510 Cypress,first aid. transport. 1:20 p.m. — College at 11th ,trert.,, 5:15 a.m. — 737 Stanton, medical . oven fire. 11;.i, .,,ort. 2:20 p.m. — College it N%-(nu(! 1'. :u. — 1203 Washington Blvd., car fire. in lw,iltransport. All fo1xj "I'l 1-Y firms unavaiia'ble G,-L t . . )urs For more than 81z hours Sunday helm, c,u local transfer runs. night and early today, Beaumont citi- Parainedics called in with unspecified zens were without regular ambulance nwch,,nical difficulties and Kelley- service. Ilixson simply reported in as unavail- Assistant Fire Chief E.C. "Nick" able. Hill said this morning all four ainbu_ flill said the department no longer lance companies reported themselves keeps close tabs on the ambulance as unavailable for emergency runs companies. between 9:50 p.m. Sundae and 6:33 We used to call them several times a.m. today, to Check if they were back in service," he said. "We don't baby them any- During that period, the Beaunlont iuo! l'licy have tocallus.,, Fire Department was for-,•d to 1•or each run the fire department spond to six emergency media al, :,!;,. i;;,l,..s. he added,a letter is sent to the according todepartincutrecoros. cit, a„auger's office explaining the Both L.M. Williams and Cri.wford's lnabd,() of the private companies to ambulances reported themselves as respond. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1982 Emergency calls covered Fire rerSC (le units temporary ambulances For more than 817 hours < �';e pr<i c +.! , _+ ni-_ht, tµa fire _ i :..c am- -We'ti c•been able to do a fairly good ii,s,and K llrl-Hix .;..: rt port- i e de�,:;r'*T, , E cc to re- rescuc u ,iL_ K ere t!,e , t job in covering the city when private ed in as unavailable. to rC Sr' C ! ycn the ambulances are not available," he dep "t.'. in the said c CdI�S tIl h a Ii70nt,G::, i�l. zmbu1 e 1.tcpS C1USC tabs On tl.e ...I,bulanCt' depart- May said the rescue units are prop C.n)panies. Assistant Fire Ch:�t E.C. "tiick" mentsl;,:;e .u.1im� Map. , Hill said all four local ambulance erly equiped to handle emergency 'w e used to call them several times companies reported themselves una- - May said the two rescue units usual- medical situations and are ready to go to check if they were back in service," vailable for emergency runs between ly have no problem covering emer- 24 hours a day. he said. "We don't baby them any- 9:50 P.M. Sunday and 6:33 a.m. Mon- gency calls when the private compa- Both L.M.Williams and Crawford's more. For each have to run the ftre de- Hies are unable to make the runs, al- ambulances reported themselves as partment makes,Hill said,a letter is During that period,the rescue units though the department prefers that being on local transfer runs during the sent to the city manager's office ex- responded to six emergency medi�.al the private ambulances answer the 6'-'e-hour period.Paramedics called in plaining the inability of the private calls,said depart ment records, calls. with unspecified mechanical difficul- companies to respond. Monday, March 15, 1982 fte icrmont Journal oaa t City is ready start ound to window shop two ir the for ambulances Iata City Council Tuesday will consider purchasing am- alued bulances and communi:rtinns equipment to be leased to the Emerg'en— �'^dfcal Service•s_,stem. ,tered The measure will top ! ar-nda for a 1 p.m. meet- pane, ing in City Hall's council '.,mhos. orage 1n the workshop aft rr"u!:rr nu c tinr;, cow rd 101. members will review I� I ci*'v st rvice c•rnter, r tiled plans for the Dowlen 11( (;,ant in the Peace Community Developmer ' 1 u,r nror;racn and a proposed ordinance participation in political The council has agreed t� ! `Q': !'11"'rrt for the EMS service and then 1,.r 1 •o•k t,, that ar;ency. The EMS board has rec•ommendcd three separate bids — $113,220 for three ambulances; 581,946 for portable radios, teleplhont• int,•rconne•cts and con- soles; and$6,944 for monde• rc,dlos, vowv p.cgers and encoders. Other regularagendo natter-cn, hcd' •An ordinance chanr;,:r:;rh:-moor;'from the previ- ously used designatimn r:f It-:t to various other Lic"19- nations in the 9.5 acres covered by the Concord Ituad rezoning study. The area in the 5GoP;000 blocks of Concord Road was divided into five areas, with the recommended zoning classifications ranging from single-family residential to neighborhood commer- cia and multi-family residential. A resolution accepting a bid for construction of improvements to the Kenneth Street fire station. • An ordinance amending; the city code to reduce the minimum interior side yard setbacks for adver- tising signs. • A resolution authorizing an agreement with Southern Pacific Transportation Co. to permit the city to construct a 24-inch water line across the com- pany's right-of-way it; Hardin County southward from the city's water will rn that area. The line will be laid as part of the improvements to the city's wa- ter production facilit ies • A resolution author'/1,' R `inal payment on the Charlton-Pollard Day Care.Center. Beaumonter runs vehicle under house on 1"`lagnolia Two wreckers were r-iuired to remove the auto- mobile of a Beaumont nr:ur who missed a curve in the 1900 block of Magnolia :end drove the car into and under a house early this morning;. A police spokesman said 1.0-year-old Raymond Smith of 3806 Withers v:as trapped in the car for 45 minutes while r o r `'I ' i at) i to free him. He was to en to:t ',- rh 110spital where he was listed in critical„ : lw• r?h lo-ad In)"'lus and multiple leg fractur:s Lt. Gary Wagner of t,.: ;• ro,nunt P011CL 1`('part ment said Smith was I acrd north on Magnolia around 1:30 a.m. and "strair;htened out the curve," slamming into and under a house at 1160 Magnolia. The only occupant of the home, an elderly man, was asleep in the opposite cod of tae house and w%as not injured,Wagner,;ud. Monday, May 3, 1982 . 9People 9Parade Larry Lacy • When Larry Lacy began provjd- Ing research assistance to the )Emergency Medical Service board of directors last summer, be had .. no idea he would be hired as direc- tor of EMS several months later. "As it slowly developed, I got , A. more and more interested," he paid. " _ Though Lacy's appointment as EMS director was announced in ., iearly March,today is his first day �� f, '-` • . } vn the job. That gives him two =. •�" y j months to get the system set up before the target implementation „' ,:.':4 date of July 1. The city-backed emergency medical transport system is some .�✓ r _'�. thing new for Beaumont,and Lacy •'views that as a challenge. ,It's something the city's needed 'tor a long time. I'm anxious to get started,"he said. Lacy became involved with EMS 'last summer when he was called ! r� •S } upon to provide some research ma- ; terlal. That is one of the services y ,, ' �•-•,- -• • J his former employer — the Great- LARRY LACY er East Texas Health Systems Agency — provides on a regular A native of Gatesville, Te=as, basis. He attended the board meetings Lacy moved to Beaumont in 1966 to regularly as the system was being attend tamar University. He was planned and submitted an applica- director of the h ealth systems i tion for director when the board be- agency since 1978 and was the di- gan advertising the position. rector of planning fur the agency In making the announcement of for the two years prrur to that. his appointment, City Manager He also has wurked as director of Ray Riley, who is EMS board health planning for the South East -chairman, said, "We're glad he Texas Regional Planning Commis- .was interested in the job.„ slop, and has wurked as a medical That interest in the job devel- technulugist at two jrea hospitals. •oped as he watched and listened to I acy sand 11C h.,.1 heard "a lot of .the plans being made. positive cL�jnineuta” about EMS Lacy said he feels the coopera from variuua her:>uns. Lion that has been shown by the When out at Li. i,ew office at the city, the hospitals and the emer- fire drhart,-r t <<ntral office on geney physicians association is Walnut Sit ect, i Kill be spend- . "very positive." ing his at-hun►e tn" with his wife, ,It's going to be an operation Uiane, and two ci,adren, I0-year- that will be going for a long time," old Darren and 3 car-old ri Rogue :.he predicted. Beaumont Enterprise Friday, Jul) 2, 1982 J0. \ / ,_ 100 i ` users wi care arid transportation within the city. port.ant ti,-*the board see an outline of the two doc- Tn addition, industries just outside the city who tors* rc.ponsibilities. h r c u:;ng the xant to contract for the service may do so. Boar d , irman Ray Riley said the t•.S;o doctors - Ftem, Tr, an^tY:er rr,:Atcr,the board decided to pa} JK an rill b, a :.. st aluublc element"of the 1 oFrarn Yuch x i'i;bcFin ol. r<'. _ h ,sr,to a may.i^:um of$1,000 a month,to each of two o Dr.L.n Lel euf,b :.T a.memt,er ;nc a rn * c., The system's bc, ,::: a: s fucd the rate doctors Aho rill assume responsibility for EMS pro- room ph}sician, said the doctors mill be re�pon�.t,le Thursday, along x ith a F':o extra charge for ambu- grams at St.Elizabeth Hospital and Baptist Hospital for the success of the program. lance runs outside city limits. Ambulances will make of Southeast Texas. Board members have discussed whether to pay the calls up to 5 miles outside the city by interstate or The doctors will supervise the activities and contin- medical experts an hourly fee or flat monthly rate direct highway but not within the jurisdiction of an- uing education of emergency medical technicians and appeared to agree Thursday that the flat rate other public ambulance service,according to a policy hired to operate the ambulances. would be appropriate after the responsibilities are adopted by the board. The board agreed to that arrangement with the defined. Larry Lacy, director of the system, said most pri- doctors until an outline of the doctors'responsibilities The board also decided to request a two month in- vate ambwances charge a $85 base rate,with added is made available to the board.Once that information surance binder for the startup of the program until a charges for mileage, emergencies and any oxygen is provided,the board is likely to set a contract rate decision on an annual contract can be made. administered. with the two doctors at=1,000 a month. The two ambulances are scheduled to arrive in The fiat rate will include basic emergency medical Board member Maury Meyers said he thinks it im- Beaumont on July S. Cit y ambulance service begins-' operation today By LORI ROGERS Staff writer The city's first Emergency Medical Service atribw lance will be decked out and ready for action at 9lp.m. may — but minus the official EhIS logo and ltot without delays in arrival of equipment that meat headaches for administrator Larry Lacy. two The ambulances arrived Sunday around UOWIt days later than originally scheduled. Personnel UVO been trained and scheduled and the hospital emer- gency rooms have gone through ttivir orientation pro- cedures. Another task—painting the EMS logos on the sides .{,. of the vehicles — will have to wait until Tuesday, r,Er when Lacy said the city will paint the truck's one.at a time. That project had been scheduled for Sunday but (fmm page lA Lacy got to touch with the painter and they Rave Jec�ed ma:in rescheduled the work for Tuesday,he said. City Cottnct An EMS system sponsored by an area governipg the system agency has been talked about for years.This partlew to to under lar system will be underwritten by the city,at a pro- deficit and bu: cal and comet get the systen j.acy was through the w arrangement: gip,with the froth the fact, day. - The first t: then Saturda> Then,late 1 a message U. tlon delays at point on,he w , The squn, hours Sunda cramming t� Into one. "I first sav was driving going to the myself who:, said. . Lacy said I well, take heavy duty s the ambulan- sponse and 1. which could bulances'461 gets 11 milea driving cond. The ambul with comu stocked w►tl. supplies and over the wee Two ambL to answer c, one paraint medical tee third unit w when neede, M ambul. of the part Elizabeth South East When not r, ice Is MONDAY, July 13, 1982 day BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE .rvice ambu- tion at 9 a.m. ogo and not that meant nd noon two ,rsonnel stave ►spital emer- ientation Poo- n on the aide- to r o ll n� Y- `'EMS crew ready uck's one at a r Sunday, (ftVW*page U) will be assisting the emergency rcwm nd they have maximum of $200-000 a year. personnel. iid, ��l Lacy said the duties given the 8nr rea goveM� City system ecil gave its endorsement This partieu- n the o uderwrite the expected annual rooms ewill be planned so they city,at a Pro" deficit and buy the ambulances,medi- leave immediately to go out to the am- cal and communications equipment to bulen the a fire department receives get the system started. . j,acy was busy last week and an ambulance request, a call will be through the weekend making the final made to one of the hospitals, and the arrangements for the service to be- team at will aiaswe will edewithin the gin,with the ambulances not arriving to 5 miles outside the city from the factory in Florida until Sun- city and up by interstate or direct highway. Calls day. will not be answered within the juris- The first target date was Friday, diction of another public ambulance then Saturday. Then,late Friday,lacy said,"I got service.The EMS board of directors has set a message that there were construc- tlondelays at the factory."From that a $100 flat rate for ambulance users, point on,he was crossing his fingers. has wt which they along will ith the emergency The second delay meant a lot of room fee. A $20 extra charge will be hours Sunday for Lacy and his crew, cramming two days of preparation made will runs e charged for oxygen. $10 Into one.I For the next month, the EMS will first saw the ambulances when I offer basic emergency medical care was driving down an access road lll- going to the city fleet shop and said to to its equipment providing a linlcilbe- myself whoah, wait for me," Lacy cations tween the ambulance personnel and said. , Lacy said the new ambulances ride the doctors in the emergency rooms. well, take corners well and have Next month, the advanced equip- heavy duty suspension. He added that ment is scheduled to arrive to provide the ambulances have"good motor re- superior ambulances will then medical care. spouse and handle well for their size, with more sophisticated corununica- whlch could be attributed to the am- bulances'miles cubic all n under normal tions and medical One emergency room doctor at each gets 11 miles per g " hospital will be responsible for the driving conditions. The ambulances had to be equipped smooth operation of the advice,st treuung with communications equipment, viding professional ra ng stocked with medical equipment and and guidance to the personnel supplies and test-driven by personnel volt' lin the system. , an EMS board over the weekend.' member and emergency room phys►- Two ambulances will be ready daily to answer calls, each with a team of ciannwi Cal d r c tion of the prograim.y one paramedic and one emergency for medical technician on board. The The city will keep a close watch on third unit will be used as a reserve annual de icit does not get out of hand when needed. An ambulance team will be at each A 60 percent collection rate has been of the participating hospitals — St. estimated. uest Elizabeth and Baptist Hospital of an a phone es number 838-6371,to tttieesame South East Texas — 24 hours a day. number to report a fire. When not responding to a call, they ,,J EMS operations iu rura- 1 Jefferson BY LOLITA RAMOS A quick telephone call to the Beaumont Fire De- Staff czrit,:r It's a%%arm s un.,.ier daN in the cour.tr%_ !• of rural cy died calrServic earns doeshnot m B.c�calls outside: Jeff'_:so:; Cou-:h In an open field, a r ..=.iber of city limits of Beaumont.A private zimbulancc s, h. II{e c,`,iidre r,;re pl;;ying a game o:tc-Ch foot- must be called. t,,:!i ,hen suddenly, a 10-year-old boy Lhis to the The man searches the telephone booF: :_.: � �:c und• another number to call,and after calling t,.rce du:tr- Adults standing around visiting and watching the ent services, he finds an available ambulance and game run to the young lad and find him unconscious. requests its assistance. Someone summons a wet towel and ice to rub on his Meantime, across the street,the young boy fails to forehead.Children and adults alike stare in confusion regain consciousness. Frantic parents decide to take at the strong, young boy lying motionless on the matters into their own hands and carry the boy to the ground. family car for a 20-mile ride to the nearest hospital A nearby resident, seeing the strange assembly, emergency room. Their son takes his last breath in takes it upon himself to call for an ambulance. the arms of his trembling mother. He is dead on ar- Where does he call? (• See RURAL,next page) Beaumont Enterprise&Journal Sunday, July 18, 1982 --' Rural areas- lack effect *1V ;L1 EMS - (from page 1A) boundaries,said the primary concern right now"is to County Judge Richard LeBlanc, asked about the rival.An apparent victim of a heart attack. provide emergency service within the city,of course, possibility of the county chipping in some funds for The case is a fictitious one, but its point is real. but there is no reason that with additional funding countywide participation in the EMS program, re- Rural Jefferson County lacks quick, efficient emer- from other sources, we couldn't provide the same sponded."Why should we?" gency medical service. service to the people out in the county." "That's what's v:rong with people today, they ex- The initiation this past week of Beaumont's ultra The idea of a countywide EMS system isn't novel. pert the to solve their problems, when modern, life support EMS system, raised questions Austin and Travis C+,unty have one of the most suc- th?y ,ti - ! 1— ':�e thnse nr,`0-m1 th^m again about full countywide part:upation in such a cessfui systems in the state. The Travis County plan, he so;d. program, questions which have been around since a which began at the same time Jefferson County was Pr_cin, i, i :,T S-- 'h, .. :_se pre- 1916 study by the Southeast Texas Regional Planning turning down the planning commission's EMS study, civet r,, coun- Commission. brings together advanced life support ambulances, ty,is iii,. ' Six years ago, a 200-page study outlined to area highly trained medical technicians and paramedics 1'o 'he°::•i r•,cently,"I haven't officials the need for an emergency medical services and a countywide system of citizens, known as first given tl•t� i..c:i )f p ,,tr 1p it. ;ury much thought, system.Shortly after it was published,Beaumont or- responders. but 1'rn ccrtair c stilt ; to in -tit the possibili- ganized a 25-member EMS task force to study the According to Charles Evans,operations supervisor t 11 three-county of developing a threeounty EMS system. of the Austin-Travis County EMS, through funding ySmith attribnt,A his lack of 'cnowledge of or inter- The committee was together three months before it provided by the county,the EMS staff provided emer- est in such a sy.;teni to th.r f,ct that his office is discoverd the political problems involved in what was gency care attendant training to members of the located in rnidcoiuity, "where we have good ambu- termed"a death and taxes"decision. The proposed he sanaid the volunteers havdepartments. gone enu to take advanced a lance service. I guess I had just failed to think about EMS system failed for lack of a second to the motion, life saving courses for emergency medical technician the problems the people have:.ith getting response to s Now,nearly half a decade later,it took the county' certification. their needs out in the comity. largest city to place a high priority on saving lives by With the help of the first responders and an ambu- Precinct 4 Coin isioner Rolfe Christopher said he agreeing to subsidize anon-profit EMS system to get lance, which are stationed on a 24-hour basis in the had not discussed the possibility of countywide par- it rolling. county,response time to emergencies in the county is ticipation with anyone and had heard of no one else Beaumont can now be proud of its advanced life between three and five minutes, when a first respon- disciissing that possibility. support system,which could easily rival the best sys- der will be on the scene,to 10 to 12 minutes,when the "I haven't even had time to think about ambulance terns this state has to offer. ambulance and paramedic arrive. service,"Chrivtu leer said,"there have just been too Where will the system go from here? The service is paid for by an annual,$250,000 subsi- many other things going on." i Literally,the answer is simple.It will only answer dy from the county and an additional$1.48 per mile Neither Precinct 1 Commissioner Norman Troy nor calls within the city limits of Beaumont or up to 5 charge to the patient for the mileage incurred outside Precinct 3 Conunissioner Dave Smith could be miles outside of the city limits on a major highway.In the city limits only,Evans said. reached for comment on the subject. other words,if an automobile wreck occurs on Inter- The savings,he said,has been in lives.Through the Lacy said if the county isn't willing to help out state 10 or U.S.90 within five miles of the city,EMS care and dedication of the first responders and the county residents, then he would be willing to work will respond-to the emergency call. availability of a dedicated advanced life support am- with individuals, groups or communities in finding a Figuratively,the answer is limitless,according to bulance and crew, Evans said, chances of survival viable solution. EMS Director Larry Lacy. for a patient suffering a life-threatening trauma While Lacy can't promise service, he does offer a Lacy, a health care specialist more interested in someplace in the outback of the county have more helping hand in order to at least discuss and propose saving lives than worrying about jurisdictional than doubled. a plan. i Beaumont Enterprise&Journal Saturday, July 10, 1982 ' veSunda EMS ambulances y The three ambulances that will be used of hours Sunday,"Lacy said. probably be Tuesday before that project in the city's first Emergency N'edical Ser- Once the ambulances arrive from the can be completed.Lacy said. vice are now scheduled to arr e Sunday factory :n Florida, they will be stocked Calls will be directed to the system after a delay pushed the deli% _ry '.,ack an- with medical equipment and supplies,then through the fire department di�,,;atch.Two other day. test-driven by the paramedics and emer- ambulances will be available daily, with The system will begin r:_ponding to gency rn�dical technicians who will oper the third on hand as a reserve. The phone calls at 9 a.m.Monday. ate them — all tasks that were to have number to call for an E NiS ambulance is EMS administrator Larry Lacy learned been completed today. Radio communica- 83&6371. Friday night of another delivery delay. tions equipment also will be installed, as The service will respond to calls five Friday had been the date, but that was already had been planned for Sunday. miles outside the city by interstate or di- pushed back to today earlier this week. The vehicles were to have been painted rect highway, but not within the jurisdic- "That means we will have to put in a lot with the EMS logo Sunday, but now it will tion of another municipality's system. Monday, July 12, 1982 Call 838-6371 EMS now In operation The city's first Emergu�toyo operation on on lances and medical andand ommunications 11 miles per gab n under engine ormal which g vice ambulance went p conditions-" schedule at 9 a.m. today, lacking only equipment to get the system started.d this The ambulances had to be equipped with painted-on EMS signs and some radio Lacy was kept busy last week an equipment, administrator Larry Lacy weekend arranging for supplies and equip- communications equipment, stocked with ment for the EMS vehicles and making fi- medical equipment and su said. pplies and test- The chicle received a final inspection nat checks with the vehicle factory for de- driven by personnel Sunday. just prior to going into service at its regu- livery so that a service starting time could answer calls,ambulances a team of one lar station outside the Baptist Hospital be arranged for today. paramedic and one emergency medical cmcrgenc}�room. The ambulances, produced at a factory will be Thr;:c 1 '�.S ,*:nbulances, which arrived in Florida, were first expected to arrive technician on board.The third unit su;.�-,� Ground noon, two days later than Friday, then Saturday. They were finally used as team will be at each of �chc-lulcd, were stocked with received at the city's fleet shop Sunday. the participating hospitals—St.Elizabeth equipment Late Friday,Lacy said he was informed andpBa Baptist Hospital — 24 hours a day. bv personnel that there were construction delays at the V�hen not respondinc to a call, the crews vehicle factory and that exactly when the µ.ill assist the emer,,c n:;roan personnel. t t ~<<d and ambulances could be delis ered was un lace said the duties gicc;; the ambu- _dI d and the ho , , c. rgency known. lance personnel in the emergency rooms ruorns underwent thorough orientation work Sunday for delay and his crew,neces- will be planned so they can leave immedi- Procedures. } P pa- Another task—painting the EMS logos neces- sitating the cramming of two days re atWhen the fire department receives an on the sides of the vehicles—will have to ration into one. nces when I was wait until Tuesday, when one at time. the driving down aneaccess road going t the on of the hospitals, and the team at that city will paint the trucks hospital will respond. An EMS system sponsored by an area city fleet shop and said to myself whoah, Calls will be answered within the city governing agency has been talked about wait forme, Lacy said. for years. This particular system will be Lacy said the new ambulances are and up to 5 miles outside the city by inter- underwritten by the city, at a projected equipped with a heavy-duty handling pack- state or direct highway. Calls will not be maximum expenditure of =200,000 per age and ride and take corners well. He answered within the jurisdiction of anoth- year added that the ambulances have "good er public ambulance service. City Council approved the system last motor response and handle well for their The EMS board ofdirectors � November and agreed to underwrite the size, which could be attributed to the am- f •x�ff••• �'j•� :?• One emergency room doctor at each :From Pale 1 _ :�, : . .►.e, .... r..;.:.,.>�......•.v:�!s�.� UUJ�1Ldl VY 111 UC rG'Jpvr,S,utc w, u,a,vli. a $100 flat rate for•ambulance users, eration of the system, providing pro- for which they will be billed by the fessional advice, training and gui- hospitals along with the emergency dance to the personnel involved in the room fee. A$20 extra charge will be system. made for runs outside the city and$10 Dr. Larry LeBoeuf, an EMS board extra will be charged for oxygen. member and emergency room physi- For the next month, the EMS will cian,will have primary responsibility offer basic emergency -nedical care for medical direction of the program- to its users, with V r- co :rnuni- The city will keep a close watch on rations cqu':pmect p:a%. :!ng a;ink be- the system's finances, seeing that the Vxeen the ambulance personnel and annual deficit does not get out of hand. the doctors in the emergency rooms. A 60 percent collection rate has been Next month,advanced equipment is estimated. scheduled to arrive to provide addi- tional emergency medical care. The Citizens should call 838-6371 for ambulances will then be equipped emergency ambulance service. The with more sophisticated communica- number is also to be used by citizens tions and medical equipment. to report a fire. Beaumont Enterprise Thursday, Aug. 5, 1982 eE rolli* ng alon smooffif-iy - St LORI ROGEIZS administrators had estimated, Lacy in the emergency rooms as they will Staff writer said. With its vehicles now painted and its During the first few days of the ser- �On et hat learning attendants becoming more familiar vice, a few slow response times were pleted,the ambulance attendants s will with city streets, the Beaumont a concern because of problems with work in the emergency rooms when Emergency M-dical Service system the paging equipment and the person- not answering calls. O:,c unit is sta- "seems to b: FOing fine,"administra- nel's unfamiliarity with some streets tioned at St. E?i :.'..:t'r 'r'; f,ita? and for Larn I. rep_rted Wednesday, in the area, the administrator report- the other at Ba t st 1 ..; :t ' ' The ser:,;c bUU, just over three ed. p' � . o. South- tor 2170, c:: J ?� 12. Scheduling cast Texas. 6 Response time has "steadily im , f•ro,�.cros pr � t ernbulanccs from being t t,, Proved"since then,Lacy said. I"'c} �, .; „` :.: ;: ,d feed- DI p c 3 u.. .this week.As back frc:r, the i;_.,-!I'c pro or con, on of Wednesday, tv o o.' the units had When not answering calls, he said, the system. He interprets that as posi been painted with the I:MS logo, and the paramedics and emergency medi- tive,noting that people are often slow the third is scheduled for a paint job in cal technicians are spending their on- to praise but quick to complain. the next few days,Lacy said. duty time studying street maps and Other than the delay in getting the familiarizing themselves with areas The city-backed system is available logos painted, the system "seems to of the city where the street system is to all city residents for a$100 fee,plus, be right on schedule,"he said. complex. $10 if oxygen is administered.The am- In its first three weeks of operation, •Because of the effort to familiarize miles can answer calls up to 5 the service resnnnded to gig Walla at___ mlleSnutSiAPritvlimifc1—h:..ti. _.. I-, a Ujunseives with streets, the attend- F-- i--E --.., """' "''au6u"Y' little better than the 10 calls per day ants "are not spending as much time For calls outside the city, an extra ;20 is charged. CALENDAR Saturday, December 17 - Riverfront Park 10:00 A.M. - Officially welcome "Belle of Beaumont" * Sunday, December 18 - Sheraton 6:00 P.M. - Welcome students to Jr. Achievement (Weldon Gibson) Monday, December 19 - 2nd Floor Conference Room 3:00 P.M. - Downtown Beaumont Reinvestment Zone Board of Directors Meeting 3:15 P.M. - Council Chambers Joint Planning & Zoning Public Hearing (COUNCIL QUORUM REQUIRED) Tuesday, December 20 - Community Room, 5th Floor, First City Bank 11:00 A.M. - Recognition Tour of First City Bank (Chamber of Commerce) * 12:00 Noon - Moncla's Exchange Club Meeting (E.R. St. John) 1:15 P.M. - Council Chambers Council Meeting, followed by Work Session ** Wednesday, December 21 - Recliner Shoppe; next to Gunrunner on Phelan 11:00 A.M. - Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies * MAYOR ** COUNCILMAN COX CALENDAR Friday December 23 - 605 San Jacinto Building 2:00-5:00 P.M. - Open House - Benckenstein, Oxford Radford & Johnson * MAYOR ** COUNCILMAN COX i