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RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION FOR SIX CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ETERNAL MEDICAL TRANSPORT, INC. TO PROVIDE COMBINATION WHEELCHAIR AND STRETCHER NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board approves the application by Eternal Medical Transport, Inc. for six Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate six non-emergency vehicles to provide combination wheelchair and stretcher non-emergency medical transportation services in Miami-Dade County.
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Date: June 19, 2018
To: Honorable Chairman Esteban L. Bovo, Jr.
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
From: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor
Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Approval of An Application From Eternal Medical Transport, Inc. for Six Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approve an application from Eternal Medical Transport, Inc. for six Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate six non-emergency vehicles.
SCOPE
These Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity are countywide, allowing the certificate holder to operate in unincorporated and incorporated areas of Miami-Dade County (County).
FISCAL IMPACT
Licensing, operating, permit, and inspection fees are collected by the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) to support regulatory activities. There is an annual regulatory fee of $625.00 per certificate that will yield $3,750.00 in revenue annually for these new certificates. The County also collects $38.00 per vehicle inspection, with inspection frequency varying with the vehicle age from one to four per year.
TRACK RECORD/MONITOR
This applicant will be a new permit holder upon approval and is in compliance with all requirements of the County Code. DTPW will be responsible for monitoring this company.
BACKGROUND
On December 18, 1980, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 80-145, later codified in Chapter 4, Article III, of the County Code, providing for the regulation of non-emergency medical transportation. Section 4-44 of the County Code provides the procedures to be followed by the County in processing certificate applications. Based upon those requirements, the Board may issue or refuse to issue the certificate as applied for, or may issue the certificate with modifications or upon such terms and conditions as in its judgment the public interest may require. In reaching a determination, the Board shall consider the application, the Mayor’s recommendation, all matters presented during the public hearing, and among others the following criteria:
(1) The ability of the applicant to provide the proposed service;
(2) The adequacy of the management plan of the applicant; and
(3) The benefits that will accrue to the public interest from the proposed service.
Eternal Medical Transport, Inc., located at 240 NW 149 Street, Miami, Florida 33168, seeks to obtain six Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide combination wheelchair and stretcher non-emergency medical transportation services to individuals requiring these types of transportation.
The applicant seeks to transport patients to and from various medical facilities throughout the County seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Non-emergency transportation rates are not regulated by the County. However, under the County Code, the Certificate Holder must file their rates with DTPW and post them within the passenger compartment section of each vehicle. The respectively proposed rates are: $65.00/$45.00 for the first 10 miles and $1.35/$1.20 for each additional mile for stretcher and wheelchair services. The vehicles operated under these certificates will have to meet the requirements of Section 4-49 of the County Code, establishing vehicle inspection frequencies.
The management plan submitted by Mr. Aliosky Benitez, President of Eternal Medical Transport, Inc., includes maintenance, communication, and recordkeeping systems which meet that requirements of the County Code. All required financial statements and credit references have been submitted. The proposed service standards meet all requirements of the County Code, and adequately meet transportation and comfort needs. A background investigation revealed that all officers of the corporation meet the criteria of the County Code.
The proposed services to be provided under these certificates will increase the availability of licensed non-emergency medical transportation in the County, thus increasing competition and high service standards to the public.
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Alina T. Hudak
Deputy Mayor