Milton approves conflict waiver and medical response unit agreement with AMR

The Milton City Council unanimously approved a conflict waiver permitting the city attorney’s firm to represent both Milton and Alpharetta in negotiations tied to emergency medical services, and then approved a separate vehicle-use agreement with American Medical Response (AMR) to make an ambulance available to Milton as a medical response unit (MRU).

Ken Gerard, the city attorney, told council the waiver was a precaution because the firm had worked on behalf of both Milton and Alpharetta in related negotiations. ‘‘Out of an abundance of caution,’’ he said, the council was asked to formally waive any potential conflict so the same legal team could proceed.

Fire Chief Gabe DeMessa described the MRU arrangement with AMR. He said the city would have access to an AMR vehicle that could be used as a reserve MRU or to augment response when needed. ‘‘It will be fully stocked…that we could use if we have to augment our response or if our vehicle goes out of service,’’ DeMessa said, adding the city would assume registration, insurance, maintenance and fuel costs but would not pay AMR for the vehicle itself under the agreement.

Council Member Doug Haney moved approval of the conflict waiver; Council Member Cookerly seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The council then approved the MRU vehicle-use agreement on a unanimous vote after a motion by Council Member Phil Cranmer and a second from Council Member Juliet Johnson.

City officials said the arrangement is intended to enhance North Fulton EMS capacity without the city purchasing an additional ambulance outright. The agreement was presented as part of an existing regional collaboration on ambulance and emergency medical services after a 2024 agreement that allowed multiple jurisdictions to negotiate joint terms with providers.

The council did not receive public comment on either item and made both approvals during the new-business portion of the meeting.