Bids for construction of a new ambulance base in California were opened Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the regular monthly meeting of the Mid-Mo Ambulance Board of Directors.
The bids, opened by Administrator Lee Kempf, were reviewed by the board to make certain all covered the project specifications. After discussion, the board approved awarding the construction project to the low bidder, Excel Metal Roofing LLC, Versailles, for $381,111. There were four bids ranging from the low of the winning bidder to a high bid of $584,388.60. The other two bids were $415,696 and $476,425.94.
Kempf estimated the project will not begin for about four weeks, depending on weather and bank loan document completion. The new base is to be built at the south edge of the city limits of California, on the east side of Highway 87.
A report by Marshall Decker, of Decker and DeGood, PC, Springfield, on the annual audit was first up on the evening's agenda. Decker's reported that the 2014-15 fiscal year audit was of "another good year" with very few differences from last year. He had no recommendations or advice regarding possible changes.
A 2008 ambulance with nearly 300,000 miles on it is no longer needed, since new ambulances are in service. After discussion, the board approved selling it to Blake Clifton of ARV, Columbia, for $2,500. Usually, the district would give the old ambulance to another public entity that was in need of it, but Kempf reported no one had asked. He said the buyer wanted to remount the ambulance box body, since the chassis is basically worn out.
The board approved the purchase of four "power cots" from ARV. This type of gurney has a battery-powered hydraulic system that raises and lowers the patient, just by touching a button. Kempf said these gurneys will be very helpful for the ambulance crews, who otherwise must lift the patients, often putting extra stress on knees and backs. These are rebuilt, used gurneys, for $5,000 each. New ones run about $20,000 each. Kempf said he will look for a fifth power cot. It will be necessary to have one in each of the ambulances normally in use.
The medical leave policy was updated several months ago because of a situation which had arisen. Because several other situations involving different employees have recently arisen, Kempf thought the issue should be revisited. One of the issues has to do with employees in good standing which have not been employed long enough to qualify to keep their insurance through an extended recuperation leave. The other involved employees who took off for elective medical procedures over the recent holidays. Following the discussion, Board President Earl Reuter instructed Kempf to present an updated medical leave policy to the board at the next meeting. He also said he believed the board should have the final say in whether an employee is granted leave if not eligible under the written policy.
A discussion about employee raises resulted in separate decisions by the board. To help with recruitment, the Level 2 and level 3 base rates were both increased by $1. The level 3 requirements were changed from three years with Mid-Mo to two years with this district or four years with another ambulance service. This will allow some of Mid Mo's part-timers to qualify for Level 3 status. The board also approved a 2.0 percent increase for all ambulance crew employees and office staff. Kempf declined a raise.
The board approved advertising the 2008 F-250 Chevy crew cab for sale, by sealed bid. Minimum bid will be $15,000. NADA gives the vehicle a value of $18,000 to $19,000. Bids are to be in by Feb. 10. If not sold then, it would be sold on-line. Office Manager Brenda West presented the board with accounts considered uncollectible. After review, the board approved writing off those accounts, which amounted to $27,949.27.
In other business, the December treasurer's report balance on hand was $287,617.63. Run statistics were: Tipton - 41 calls with 32 transports; California - 60 calls, 35 transports; Versailles - 130 calls, 82 transports; and Barnett - 29 calls, 20 transports. District wide, there were 260 calls with 169 transports for a transport rate of 72.2 percent.
The next regular meeting is set for Feb. 10 at the Tipton district office.