Committee forwards EMS agreement, advance‑notification policy and surplus sales to council

The General Services Public Works Committee on March 10 recommended that the City Council approve three separate items: a four‑year master joint powers agreement for emergency medical services, a new advance‑notification policy for public‑right‑of‑way projects, and the declaration and sale of assorted surplus vehicles and equipment.

Steve Jones, identified as the city’s EMS officer with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, presented the master joint powers agreement between the city, the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and the Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System. Jones said the contract runs four years and includes housekeeping edits; it adds a requirement that the city notify the EMS system when an extra ambulance is placed in service so the system can track units.

Jones answered questions about funding for a third ambulance placed in service roughly 18 months earlier. He said the unit is “about half funded,” noted the system received “about a hundred and $30,000 increase last year,” and said the city is watching possible GEMT funds late in the year that “could be between a hundred and 50 and $200,000,” while adding the sustainability of that funding is uncertain. A council member moved to approve the master joint powers agreement and another council member seconded; the committee carried the recommendation by voice vote.

Todd Fusier, a representative of the Streets Engineering Department, presented a written advance‑notification policy that would require three days’ advance notice of city‑permitted work via electronic message boards or signage approved by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Fusier said the policy responds to contractors pulling encroachment permits months before work begins and the need to inform the public of upcoming projects. A council member moved to recommend council approve the advance‑notification policy, and the motion carried by voice vote.

Justin Kimberlin, streets and engineering assistant director, presented several pieces of equipment the department proposes to declare surplus and sell, including an older dump truck with a failed engine, a Ford pickup with miscellaneous tires, two trailers (one no longer DOT‑legal), a 1997 Case backhoe and an older street sweeper (about 10 years old). Kimberlin said repairs were not cost‑effective for several items; the committee approved the surplus declarations and authorization to sell by voice vote.

All three recommendations will be forwarded to the full City Council for final action. Committee discussion at the meeting was informational; recorded votes were voice votes and the transcript did not include a roll‑call tally for any of these items.