TAMRMS#: H09
7.1
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Alberta Health Services - Provision of EMS Services
Presented by: Everett Cooke, Director, Emergency Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION
recommendation
That the CAO be authorized to execute a bridging agreement for up to 45 days between the City of St. Albert and Alberta Health Services for the provision of EMS ground ambulance services, on terms and conditions acceptable to the CAO.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for a bridging agreement between the City of St. Albert and Alberta Health Services for the provision of ground ambulance services while ongoing negotiations for a new agreement continue.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
As an integrated FIRE/EMS service, St. Albert is party to an agreement under which Alberta Health Services funds ambulance services provided by the City of St. Albert.
The current contract expires on March 31, 2024. The parties are working towards a new agreement; however, it has been identified that more time is needed before the new agreement will be ready.
To ensure compliance with Council Policy C-CAO-01 CAO Delegations, Council approval to proceed with a bridging agreement is required.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
The current contract provides revenue to support EMS services in St. Albert and is included as part of the City’s ongoing operating budget.
Compliance & Legal:
Council Policy C-CAO-01 (CAO Delegations) permits the CAO to enter into revenue contracts provided the anticipated annual revenue to the City does not exceed $100,000. This contract exceeds this amount of revenue; therefore, Council approval is required.
Approval to proceed with the bridging agreement ensures that the City of St. Albert will be supported with a legal framework until such time as a longer-term contract can be negotiated and executed.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
The current contract expires on March 31, 2024. If a bridging agreement or new agreement is not executed, and the current contract between the parties is not terminated, the City would continue providing services in accordance with the terms of the current contract, which would mean entering into a transition period to begin the transition of ground ambulance services away to Alberta Health Services in accordance with the contract between the parties.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
The provision of providing pre-hospital care is identified in Section 5.3.1 Emergency Medical Services, of St. Alberts Service Level Inventory guide.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On September 29, 2023, Council passed the following motion:
AR-23-489
That the existing agreement with Alberta Health Services for the provision of EMS ground ambulance services is approved for an extension from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, and the CAO is authorized to execute an extension agreement.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Council may consider the following alternatives:
1. That Council move in camera to discuss a matter pursuant to sections 24(1)(a), 25(1)(c)(iii), and 27(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The above-noted motion may be used by Council to move in camera to discuss matters related to the contractual negotiations between the City and AHS, labour matters, as well to receive legal advice related to the terms of the current contract, the bridging agreement, or the new proposed contract.
2. That the City of St. Albert not enter into a bridging agreement with AHS for the provision of ground ambulance services and proceed to transition away from providing the services in accordance with the terms of the expired agreement.
The above-noted motion may be used if the City of St. Albert elects not to enter into a bridging agreement and would like to transition away from providing these services. In this case, the City would be in the contractually-mandated transitional period for 180 days allowing AHS to put in place a service model deemed appropriate to deliver services within St. Albert.
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Report Date: April 2, 2024
Author: Everett Cooke, Director
Department: Emergency Services
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher