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Micco Volunteer Medical Service did not have a Certificate of <br />Convenience and Necessity from Indian River County, and the <br />Emergency Services District recently sent out letters of cease and <br />desist orders to out -of -county ambulance services. The State of <br />Florida agreed that our present ordinance on Certificates of Need <br />precluded that activity. <br />Attorney Vitunac advised that a 4/5's vote of the Commission <br />is required to waive a publication of notice of a public hearing, <br />which means with Commissioner Eggert's absence, it must be a <br />unanimous vote. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Bird, that the Board waive the notice <br />of publication for consideration of the emergency <br />ordinance. <br />Under discussion, Commissioner Bird asked where we would draw <br />the line between contiguous and other counties, and Attorney <br />Vitunac explained that it applies to ambulance services in the four <br />adjoining counties. This was sort of a quick fix, but the Board <br />may want to open it up to all counties in Florida. <br />Eric Price -of Able Ambulance didn't see an emergency situation <br />to pass this ordinance today since there already are two licensed <br />companies who are doing this now. He stressed that emergency <br />service is available. He believed it would be better to follow the <br />regular procedures for adoption of an ordinance. <br />Deborah Kraus of Lifeline Medical Services in St. Lucie County <br />noted that they have had a Certificate of Need from Indian River <br />County in the past. Currently, more and more residents of St. <br />Lucie County are requiring that their medical assistance be <br />supplied by. Indian River County, but with the cease and desist <br />order, Lifeline cannot bring patients back to St. Lucie County. <br />Commissioner Macht commented that it seems pretty thin to him <br />that this is really an emergency situation. <br />Commissioner Adams felt we should allow the ambulance services <br />to continue to operate until we can get the ordinance restructured, <br />particularly the Micco Volunteer Service because it is the right <br />thing to do. We are not protecting anybody. We are not taking <br />money away from anybody. <br />Attorney Vitunac advised that if we limit the emergency <br />ordinance to a 90 -day period, it would give us time to restructure <br />NOVEMBER 229 1994 17 <br />�T C� <br />BOOK Pk <br />P P <br />