The City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 3, where they addressed their regular agenda.
In their first item City Manager Stan David asked the Council to consider using Data Management Services for future EMS billing. David told the Council due to the complex billing system as well as the almost daily changes it has become extra hard for EMS Director Karen Tovar to keep up with all these changes. This would be a way to help relief Tovar of one of her many duties.
Data Management Services is a company owned by Keith and Dana Lambert who live just south of Seagraves. They have owned the business since 1991 and currently handle billing for Plains, Seminole and the Northeast Gaines Emergency Services District. The terms of the contract include a fee of $10 plus 15% of all collections received by Denver City after July 1, 2016 and 30% of all collections received from EMS accounts created before the date of July 1, 2016. The Council unanimously approved the contract.
Also dealing with EMS rates and fees David noted that all fee and rates had been set at the last meeting, but after reviewing some of these rates he was recommending some adjustments to these rates.
The changes dealt with Basic and Advanced Life Support Service Rates and Fees. Basic emergency transport had a fee of $250 and the new proposed fee would be $300. For Advanced non-emergency transport the current rate is $275 and the proposed rate would be $300. And for Advanced Cardiac transport the current rate is $350 and the proposed rate would be $400.
David went on to say even with these proposed rate increases they were below the basic rate allowed by insurance. These rates are $421.02, $315.70, and $499.96 respectively.
After questions were asked of both David and Tovar the Council unanimously approved these rate changes.
In the next item David informed the Council that the Chamber of Commerce was once again sponsoring their annual downtown trick-or-treat event on October 29. Along with this event Chamber Manager Marilyn McCurley is requesting the closer of Main Street from Broadway north to 4th Street. The hours will be from 4 to 6 pm. The Council once again unanimously approved this request.
Every three years there must be a public hearing concerning continuation of the curfew ordinance. The last public hearing was conducted in October of 2013. This public hearing is an opportunity for anyone to speak for or against the curfew. Since no one was in attendance to voice their opinion the Council moved on to the next item, the consideration of the curfew ordinance.
The basics of the curfew includes any person under the age of 17 must observe the following curfew hours: 11:00 pm on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 6 am of the following day; and 1 am on Friday or Saturday until 6 am of the following day. There were several definitions listed in the article as well as exceptions to the curfew rule.
A few questions were asked and discussed after which the Council unanimously approved the current curfew.
At that time the Council went into Executive Session where they met with Economic Development Corporation Executive Director David Mitchell.
Following this Executive Session the Council approved paying the bills that totaled $130,928.99.
Council members Joan Breith, Ronald Weir, Robert Hanneman, Clinton Bowman, Mark Sherman, and Keith Mensch along with Mayor Tommy Hicks were all present.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 17 at 7 pm at the City Hall.
