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CHANGES IN AMBULANCE AND FIRE DISTRICT OPERATIONS BEING CONSIDEREDWe may be looking at a change in the way that ambulance and fire services are provided in Yamhill County.  As departments and cities look at operational and fiscal inefficiencies, sometimes they say, those are not reflected by their current operational boundaries.In Newberg, city council is considering a merger between Newberg Fire and Tualitin Valley Fire and Rescue.In McMinnville, there is serious consideration being given to another proposal.  That is to station an ambulance in Amity, staffed and paid for and answering to McMInnville Fire Department....but an operation in which Amity would pay ten-thousand dollars annually.    That proposal received very favorable response from McMinnville city Council last night.   It was outline by McMinnville Fire Chief Rich Leipfert.   The plan would have McMinnville provide the ambulance, and the cost of two employees.   Amity would provide the station to house the ambulance.    Amity would provide ten-thousand dollars a year and could use those employees for work around their station if they are not on a call.While McMinnville city council was mulling over the idea, officials in Amity were considering the same proposal.   Leipfert says McMinnville had approached the city of Newberg with another proposal, but that was not accepted.Leipfert says it would be revenue neutral for McMinnville because their expenses of putting a unit and employees in Amity would be offset by a decrease in mutual aid response, and the response times would improve.McMinnville Mayor Rick Olson went a step further.   He says he foresees the day would an ambulance service district would be proposed.    The district could be formed along boundaries were ambulance services are needed, without having to work around current political and operational boundaries.   He said he believes the public would be accepting to such an idea as they see response times improve.     For now, though, the only proposal on the table is to place a Mac ambulance in Amity and have Amity share the cost.   The Mac city council gave their preliminary nod of approval.   Now, we have to see what Amity decides.  If both sides like it, McMinnville City council will see a specific proposal come before them for approval.

CHANGES IN AMBULANCE AND FIRE DISTRICT OPERATIONS BEING CONSIDERED
We may be looking at a change in the way that ambulance and fire services are provided in Yamhill County.  As departments and cities look at operational and fiscal inefficiencies, sometimes they say, those are not reflected by their current operational boundaries.
In Newberg, city council is considering a merger between Newberg Fire and Tualitin Valley Fire and Rescue.In McMinnville, there is serious consideration being given to another proposal.  That is to station an ambulance in Amity, staffed and paid for and answering to McMInnville Fire Department....but an operation in which Amity would pay ten-thousand dollars annually.   
 That proposal received very favorable response from McMinnville city Council last night.   It was outline by McMinnville Fire Chief Rich Leipfert.   
The plan would have McMinnville provide the ambulance, and the cost of two employees.   Amity would provide the station to house the ambulance.    Amity would provide ten-thousand dollars a year and could use those employees for work around their station if they are not on a call.
While McMinnville city council was mulling over the idea, officials in Amity were considering the same proposal.   Leipfert says McMinnville had approached the city of Newberg with another proposal, but that was not accepted.

to be discussed tonight by the McMinnville city council, January 12, 2016PRESENTATION:  Community Mediators Executive Director Marlena BertramIn May 2015, the City of McMinnville approved an annual $21,000 grant to Community Mediators for three consecutive years starting with the FY 2015/16 budget.  This presentation will provide the Council a look at the services provided to date in 2015 to the Citizens of McMinnville as a result of the provided funds. PRESENTATION:  Proposed MOU with Amity on Ambulance / Fire SupportThe City of McMinnville is the Franchise holder for ASA2, County Ambulance Service Area Plan and has been working with other Cities in the County to identify opportunities for improvement.  As a result, the Fire Department is proposing an Memorandum of Understanding with the Amity Fire District to provide a Part Time Ambulance stationed in Amity, staffed Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1700.  Under the MOU, the City of McMinnville will provide Part Time Plus personnel and Amity will provide the facility. Personnel will be dual-roled so they can be utilized as EMS personnel and Firefighters in both Amity and the City of McMinnville.  This allows for better response to South Yamhill County while allowing McMinnville to respond to additional calls, that in the past, would have been covered by mutual aid partners.  The Part-Time personnel will also allow additional shift coverage for vacations and holidays of Full Time employees.Funding to cover the additional part-time employees is budget neutral and comes from a combination of recaptured revenue from the reduction in mutual aid and remaining funds from the earlier elimination of the assistant Fire Chief position.This is an informational brief only.  If the governing bodies of both Amity and McMinnville wish to pursue this initiative, the staff will prepare a resolution for the next Council session on Jan 26th.

RESIDENTS WARNED OF "WARRANT" PHONE SCAMNews Release from Yamhill Co. Sheriff's OfficeThe Yamhill County Sheriff's Office was notified by citizens of a phone scam that is circulating in the area. The scam involves a phone call from someone purporting to be a supervisor at the Sheriff's Office, and informing the victim that a warrant has been issued for them. The victim is then told to stay on the line and provide payment via credit or debit card to take care of the "Bond". In at least one case, the caller ID of the suspect showed up as "911". "About a year ago, we had a similar scam taking place. We again remind folks that at no time will law enforcement or court employees call a citizen and attempt to solicit money over the phone for reason related to the courts" said Sheriff Tim Svenson. "Please remember to never give personal information over the phone." The scam, which has been around in various formats for years, has become more frequent as of late. A simple internet search shows several recent news articles as far away as the east coast. The ability to shop without a physical credit card over the internet has made the scam more fruitful for thieves. A simple rule of thumb is to never provide personal information of any nature to any unsolicited caller. Remember, your bank and financial institutions already have information such as your account number, date of birth, and Social Security