ORD NO 26-2020 CITY OF VAN BUREN,ARKANSAS
ORDINANCE NO.alp-2020
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL,FOR THE CITY OF VAN BUREN ARKANSAS,
AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT
GRANTING AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR AMBULANCE
SERVICES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, there is a need for accountability in ambulance service in the City of Van Buren to ensure
its citizens receive timely and competent ambulance service;and
WHEREAS, Ark.Code Ann. Section 14-266-102,et seq.authorizes cities of the first class to enter into
an exclusive franchise with an ambulance company to provide emergency and non-
emergency ambulance service within the city limits of the City of Van Buren;and
WHEREAS, the Van Buren City Council previously entered into a contract with Southwest EMS for
such services to be effective from January 1,2018 until December 31,2020; and
WHEREAS, the terms of the contract provided it could be extended an additional three(3)years if the
City Council finds that Southwest EMS had met the terms and conditions of the contract;
and
WHEREAS, the ambulance committee previously appointed by the Council recommends the extension
of the exclusive franchise agreement with Southwest EMS of Mena, Arkansas for an
additional three-year period beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that Southwest EMS has met all the terms and conditions of the
initial contract and that the franchise agreement should be extended.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDINANED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS,THAT:
SECTION 1: The City Council hereby extends the contract with Southwest EMS for an exclusive
franchise for emergency and non-emergency operation,subject to the terms and conditions
of the initial contract,a copy of which is attached hereto,and which is hereby made a part
of this Ordinance,for a three-year period beginning January 1,2021 and ending December
31,2023.
SECTION 2: The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute any documents necessary to
effectuate the purposes set out herein.
SECTION 3: Severability. In the event any title, section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph,
subparagraph,item,sentence,clause,phrase,or word of this ordinance or the contract made
a part hereof is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or
adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the ordinance which shall remain in
full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional
was not originally a part of the ordinance.
SECTION 4: Emergency and Effective Date. This ordinance being necessary to ensure continued
emergency and non-emergency medical care to citizens of this city, this ordinance is
necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and therefore, shall be in full
force and effect with the passage of same.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Van Buren, Arkansas, by its City Council, did pass,
approve, and adopt, by a vote of 5 for and C7 against, the foregoing Ordinance at its regular meeting
held on the a3 day of November,2020.
st,Mayor
ATTESTED: A'PROVE O FORM:
4)4 1 e e CV/01, ) ft441/FA I I I.11414
Phyllis is Thomas andice A. Settle
City Clerk/Treasurer City Attorney
CHIEF ^ 2009 Pevehouse Rd.
(479)471-5031 w Us K /v Van Buren,AR 72956
FIRE MARSHAL J P ESQ Emergency Dial:911
(479)471-5042
Fax:(479)471-5033
TRAINING OFFICER k-13
/'-
(479)471-5032 d4]` Non Emergency:(479)471-f
FIRE & RESCUE
Mayor Joe Hurst
1003 Broadway
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
10/9/2020
Re: Contract Re-evaluation
Mayor Hurst,
The Members of the Van Buren EMS Committee has held the mid-contract meeting to evaluate
the continued service of Southwest EMS as the City's Emergency Service Provider. At this time
the board has not received any official complaints. Southwest EMS has maintained services as
per its contract. We the EMS Committee recommend Southwest EMS continue to provide EMS
Services for the remainder of contract.