West-end ambulance base decision delayed

A proposal to convert a former car lot on Clonsilla Ave. into the newest ambulance base for the west end got delayed at City Hall on Monday.

Councillors were asked to approve the idea of leasing the vacant Paul Tinney Auto Sales location at 1003 Clonsilla Ave. as a new second city base for the Peterborough County/ City Paramedic Service.

But councillors hesitated because there’s a new, city-owned fire station a few doors down; they wondered whether it could accommodate ambulances.

“Can we put the service at the fire station, instead of leasing this building?” asked Coun. Keith Riel.

Councillors asked for a presentation from the paramedics next week, before they vote.

Meanwhile, Peter borough County council – with whom the city shares the service – is expected to vote on the matter Wednesday.

The city’s share of the cost to run Peterborough County/City Paramedics Service is 58.32 per cent.

It means the city’s share of the lease of the Paul Tinney building, for the rest of 2016, would be $42,282. The county’s share for 2016 would be $30,212.

That’s a lot of money, some city councillors said, when there’s a municipally-owned fire station that might be able to serve as an ambulance base too.

“We have a new building a stone’s throw away,” Riel said. “I don’t think the entire fire station is being utilized, right now. This is an ideal time to look at this.”

Coun. Dean Pappas was the first to say he wanted to hear from the paramedics before voting.

He wants to know how badly they need a new base, for example, and what the response times have been lately. He also questioned whether it’s a good idea to lease this particular building.

“The Paul Tinney location is small – it’s just an office with a car lot at the back of it,” Pappas said.

The advertisement from DNS Real Estate says there’s a 5,000-square-foot building on the site and an acre of paved parking.

Coun. Dave Haacke, who works for DNS, declared a pecuniary interest and didn’t vote or participate in the discussion.

Coun. Dan McWilliams said he also thought council should be cautious before entering into a lease.

“It’s a huge purchase, here,” he said.

If council waits to hear a presentation next week, it can vote on the spot or wait until Sept. 6.

Sandra Clancy, the city’s treasurer, pointed out to councillors that the joint services committee – which looks after services shared by the city and the county – determined the need for a westend ambulance station based on the paramedics’ data.

Coun. Henry Clarke said he didn’t think city council should hold up county council on this matter.

He also pointed out that the recommendation is coming from the joint services committee – although he said he’d like to hear a presentation from the paramedics’ service.

Councillors meet next on Aug. 2; that would be the first opportunity for the paramedics to speak up.

NOTE: See more city council coverage on Pages A2, A3 and A5.