Seeking more input on ambulance response times, the Kansas City Council increased the number of members on the ambulance service advisory board yesterday and gave that board more authority on recommendations.
The changes add another council member to the panel, as well as an emergency response physician to be appointed by the mayor. The City Council also changed the way charity walks and marathons will be supervised.
Ordinance sponsor Jan Marcason says the council loves the healthy lifestyle promoted by the walkathons and marathons, and the charities that benefit from them. But they have not been without their problems.
Marcason cited an example in which a marathon was scheduled in the west bottoms during the American Royal season – "not a good idea" she said.
And in another, she said, participants encircled the city market on a Saturday, resulting in a 60% revenue drop for the day.
Also, there were events that made it difficult for some people to get to church – and ones when the routes were not clearly marked in advance.
Marcason says they were coordination problems – and in the future that coordination will be handled by the parks department.
To pay the costs of the better coordination, the initial permit fee will increase from $50 to $100.
