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11/10/1992 - City Council Human Resources Committee AGENDA CITY COUNCIL PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF EAGAN Tuesday November 10, 1992 3:00 p.m. Eagan Municipal Center I. ROLL CALL II. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL III. OTHER PERSONNEL ITEMS IV. ADJOURNMENT The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities will be provided upon advance notice of at least 96 hours. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City of Eagan will attempt to provide such aid. MEMO TO: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES FROM: ASSISTANT TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUFFY DATE: OCTOBER 29, 1992 SUBJECT: PERSONNEL COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION/EARLY RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE/POLICE ASSOCIATION As directed by the City Council, the Personnel Committee, comprised of City Councilmembers Awada and McCrea, met on October 20 and on October 27, 1992 to review the proposal of the Police Association regarding the provision of and funding of health insurance coverage for early retirees of the association. Also present were City Administrator Hedges and Assistant to the City Administrator Duffy. As the Council is aware, the 1992-1993 bargaining agreement with the Police Association contains a reopener regarding either wages or the City's contribution toward health insurance for 1993 if the City and Association are not able to agree regarding the funding of health insurance for early retirees. New legislation was passed during this year's legislative session mandating that pension eligible early retirees must be able to continue on the City's health plan upon retirement. They will be pooled with active employees regarding experience and premium rates. The Police Association proposed that the City contribute the same amount toward health insurance premiums to early retirees as that contributed to active bargaining unit members. The Personnel Committee reviewed in detail what other cities are planning to do or already do regarding retiree insurance, funding alternatives for the proposal, the advantages and disadvantages of contributing toward the premiums and language which would protect the City's interests. It is the recommendation of the Personnel Committee that the City accept the proposal of the Police Association with the following provisions: "The City will contribute to bargaining unit employees who retire from the Eagan Police Department at the age of 55 years or older, who are eligible to receive PERA pension benefits and who collect said pension benefits, the same amount towards health insurance premiums as that contributed to active bargaining unit employees. This contribution would continue until the ex-bargaining association member reaches the age of 65 or becomes eligible for Medicare, whichever comes sooner, unless the City of Eagan no longer provides group health coverage to any of its employees or unless the ex-bargaining unit member is employed and is eligible to be covered under his/her new employer's group health plan (unless that plan contains any exclusions or limitations with respect to any pre-existing conditions the ex-bargaining unit member or his/her covered dependents may have) . " This language is acceptable with the understanding that the City will fully fund its expense of early retirees' insurance premiums. The method of funding is related to the difference between the retiring employee's level of compensation and that of a new employee and also related to the vacant period between the retirement and hiring a replacement employee. Please note that pension eligible early retirees who do not meet the above conditions would be eligible to remain on the health insurance plan according to state law but would not be eligible for any contribution from the City for the premiums. The language is currently being reviewed by our labor attorney. If any changes are suggested, those will be forwarded with the Administrative Agenda. The language is acceptable to the Police Association. Again, it is the recommendation of the Personnel Committee that the City Council approve the proposal of the Eagan Police Association regarding health insurance for early retirees of the Police Association with the above restrictive language. If further information is needed, please contact me. —k5) t, Assistant to the City dministrator