Catoosa, Pafford negotiate contract; meeting time change approved

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PROGRESS PHOTO/Joy Hampton

July 10, 2008

Anonymous The Claremore Daily Progress Thu Jul 10, 2008, 10:49 AM CDT

CATOOSA — Catoosa City Council and Pafford EMS reached an agreement for ambulance service subsidy at Monday’s meeting. Council members also adopted an ordinance to change the council’s meeting time and voted to close a section of Cherokee Street for the Correll Car Cruise today.

Beginning July 21, the City Council will hold its pre-meeting at 5:45 p.m. with the regular City Council meeting starting at 6 p.m. The pre-meeting, which was instituted a few months ago to answer questions with no council action required, had started at 6:45 with the council meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

Council members say the earlier start time will allow the council, city staff, and public to leave at a more reasonable hour.

In support of the Catoosa Correll Car Cruise, Cherokee Street from Antry Drive to Pine Street will close from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today.

Area car clubs have been invited to show off their cars and view the antique cars at D.W. Correll Museum on Pine Street. Ice cream floats will be served from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. while the cars are on view at the museum, located at 19934 E. Pine Street.

An agreement was reached with Pafford EMS following a price negotiation between the ambulance service representative, Charles Wadsworth, and the city.

On June 16, the City Council declined to sign a contract with Pafford. The new contract raised the city’s subsidy of the ambulance service from $38,100 to $60,000 annually. That 57-percent increase over last year’s subsidy gave Mayor Rita Lamkin and Council members pause.

Wadsworth reported it takes $700 daily to operate an ambulance. Due to low call volume and set rates for individual transportation, Catoosa pays a subsidy to Pafford for ambulance service to the City. Pafford also supplies ambulance service to Claremore and Rogers County but has such a high call volume in those areas that no subsidy is needed.

Wadsworth told the council in June that he would honor last year’s contract if needed. The city declined. Council members said they wanted to be fair and voted to extend last year’s contract by 90 days, pending further research and negotiation.

Monday, Wadsworth presented the council with figures of fuel cost estimates. Those figures indicated fuel for one truck cost $33,600 annually.

“We’re a little short on information,” said Vice Mayor Mike Appel.

“What if we increased it half of the $21,900 difference (between the old and new contracts)?” asked Ward 4 representative Linda Paylor.

“I think that would be fair,” said Wadsworth.

Ward 5 representative Cathie Langston made a motion to renew the contract at the rate of $49,050 for the year. The motion passed unanimously.

In addition to the subsidy paid by Catoosa, Pafford bills individuals for transport. Those charges are set rates. Wadsworth said insurance companies pay set fees and ambulance services cannot add surcharges to those costs.

In other council business, members approved closing a portion of Timbercrest Circle until Jan. 1 while Flintco progresses with construction at the casino complex.

Asked whether the adjustments made for bus traffic in and out of the casino were workable, Catoosa Police Chief Raymond Rodgers said, “It appears to be user friendly.”

A bid for cemetery fencing was awarded to low bidder and local company, A&B; Fence Company at a cost of $4,863. Other bidders were Rogers County Fence, Inc. of Claremore $5,675; Heartland Fence Company of Claremore $4,950, and Action Fence Company, Inc. of Tulsa $7,175.

Appel filled in for Mayor Rita Lamkin who was unable to attend Monday’s meeting.

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