STAFF REPORT
To: City Council
From: Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Subject: Proposed Leasing of Symons Ambulance Facility
Prepared on: April 4, 2023
Approved By: ___________________________ Deston Dishion, City Administrator ______________________________________________________________________ Background/History:
On April 22, 2023 Symons Ambulance will no longer be providing ambulance service in the Bishop area. On April 3, 2023 Inyo county entered into an agreement with Coast 2 Coast Ambulance to provide ambulance service in the Bishop area. Coast 2 Coast will begin providing ambulance services on April 23 barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Analysis/Discussion:
During the Request For Proposals period it became obvious to me that any ambulance company that may be chosen will be new to this area and will need help establishing themselves. The most obvious need that any company will have to deal with is finding a facility to operate out of. With that said I reached out to Judd Symons to inquire about the current ambulance facilities utilized by Symons Ambulance. This facility is located at the intersection of West Line and South Warren Streets. The facility has office space, some living quarters and an ambulance barn. The Symons family is agreeable to lease the facilities to the City of Bishop for $4,000 per month. If approved the lease will be for a term of 6 months. At the end of the 6 month period Coast 2 Coast can renew the lease in their name if they so choose.
I have had initial discussions with the Bishop Rural Fire District (BRFD) about sharing the cost of the lease. These initial talks have been positive and the BRFD board will be meeting on April 6th to vote on approval of the expenditure.
Economic Impacts:
By approving this expenditure, it will give Coast to Coast a better opportunity to succeed and provide the very essential ambulance service the citizens of Bishop deserve and need.
Agenda Item: ______
Date of Meeting: April 10, 2023
Department: Administration
15B
Budget Impacts:
The proposed cost to the City would be $12,000 for the six month period. If the BRFD does not approve the expenditure the cost would be borne by the City for a total of $24,000. This expenditure will be funded out of the General Fund Reserves.
Legal Review:
City Attorney Pucci has reviewed this item and finds that the recommended action complies with the law.
Recommendation: Actions Requested:
• Council consideration to approve the expenditure in the amount of $24,000 for the 6-month lease of the Symons Ambulance Facilities without Bishop Rural Fire District support or,
• Council consideration to approve the expenditure in the amount of $12,000 for the 6-month lease of the Symons Ambulance Facilities with Bishop Rural Fire District support.