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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 9/1/1999 - Finance and Personnel Committee FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING `" September 1, 1999 Committc�e Members Present: Baird, Murgatroyd Alderman McClatchey arrived at 6:48 p.m. Others in Attendance: Mayor Cuda, City Clerk Althoff, City Administrator Lobaito, Assistant Administrator Maxeiner, Alderman Glab and Chief Kostecki Finance Cha.irperson Alderman Murgatroyd called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. He stated the purpose of this evening's meeting was to consider Chief Kostecki's recommendations for the 1999-2000 Police Liaison Agreement. POLICE LIAISON AGREEMENT City Administrator Lobaito provided the committee with a brief background explanation on the development of the High School Police Liaison Program and associated Letter of Agreement. Chief Kostecki cited the following recommendations: -change the level of reimbursement compensation to reflect the actual dollar cost rather than the current formula based on the annual and expenses of a first year and fifth year officer, -the inclusion of pension expenses which was inadvertently excluded � from prior year calculations, -inclusion of language permitting the police department to assign follow-up investigations to the Liaison Officer relating to the school, -inclusion of language requiring the High School to be held directly responsible for overtime expenses related to the Liaison Officer's duties, -inclusion of language permitting the Liaison Officer to attend training seminars/classes as required by the police department -inclusion of language permitting the Lia.ison Officer to receive benefit time during the school year without financial reimbursement to the school. Alderman McClatchey arrived at 6:48 p.m. Some discussion followed. The committee expressed some surprise at the city's level of cost sharing for the liaison program. In addition committee support for continued officer training throughout the year, regardless of school schedule conflict, was noted. It was the consensus of the committee to include pension costs in the cost formula. Mayor Cuda noted as the boundaries of the High School District and the City of McHenry were not coterminous the City of McHenry's Police Department will be negatively impacted more and more. He also reminded the committee the High School District was requesting an additional liaison officer as was the Elementary School District. He opined the current $22,000/officer cost subsidy eliminated any possibility of accommodating these requests. � Finance Committee Minutes � September 1, 1999 Page Two Alderman Baird recommended the committee consider a 10% subsidy. He noted the importance of the program as well as unanimous committee agreement on the amount to be subsidized by the City. Chief Kostecki reported the federal grant application for the COPS in Schools program had been submitted. The grant requests consideration of an additional high school officer and one elementary officer. Chief Kostecki noted the grant underwrites the officer's salary. If the City chose to place an experienced officer in the schools the grant could potentially only underwrite two years of the officer's salary. Some discussion followed regarding the feasibility of a second High School Liaison Officer. Suggestion was made to place a less experienced officer who could be mentored and supervised by the original Liaison Officer. Citing the need for a strong presence and experience with teens, Alderman Glab expressed concerns with this suggestion. Chairperson Alderman Murgatroyd responded expressing his concerns with the loss of experienced officers from regular street patrols if placed in the schools. He supported the 10% subsidy amount suggested by Alderman Baird. Chief Kostecki stated the implementation of an Open Campus by the High � School District has also placed an additional burden on the Police Department. In response to Alderman Ba.ird's request for clarification, Chief of Police Kostecki noted the issue of overtime was related to the High School District" request the Liaison Officer attend home football games. Discussion followed regarding the program's purpose. Chief Kostecki stated it was not the intent of the program to provide security. The committee directed City Administrator Lobaito and Chief Kostecki to contact High School Superintendent Swartzloff regarding the proposed agreement revisions. Committee members should be kept apprised of the negotiations. F�.irther discussion and consideration would be scheduled accordingly. HEALTH INSUR.ANCE PARTNERSHIP REBATE City Administrator Lobaito informed the committee the City of McHenry instituted a health plan partnership program with city employees as part of the medical self-insurance conversion in 194. Any unused balance from the health plan was to be shared on a 50/50 basis. Historically no savings were distributed because of the program's loss experience. The 1998-99 health plan year reflects cost-savings of$31,797.15. The employees share would then be $15,898.58. Assistant Administrator Maxeiner � distributed, for committee review, the partnership rebate amount for each Finance Committee Minutes � September 1, 1999 Page Three health plan participant. He noted the rebate was calculated on a pro rata basis as well as on the level of program participation. City Administrator Lobaito requested the committee recommend to full council the implementation, as presented, of the Health Insurance Partnership Distribution. Motion by Baird, seconded by McClatchey to recommend to full council the implementation of the Health Insurance Partnership Distribution as outlined in the City's Personnel Policy and as presented by Staff in the amount of �15,898.58. Voting Aye: Baird, McClatchey, Murgatroyd Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion carried. Some discussion followed regarding the presentation to non-contracted employees, of the new prescription card program. City Administrator Lobaito reminded the committee at the March 24, 1999 Finance Committee Meeting Mr. � Andrew Wilson of DirectScripts presented a program structuring alternative in response to staff's request to further contain prescription claim costs. Mr. Wilson suggested the adoption a program, which encourages the use of generic drugs over the more expensive brand drugs. He recommended the inclusion of a new drug category, Formulary Drugs. Formulary drugs are brand name drugs, which when used by participating entities enables the provider to acquire rebates from the drug manufacturer, which in turn is shared with the insured. All City of McHenry bargaining units have accepted this drug program alternative and language has been incorporated into current contract agreements. Alderman Murgatroyd requested further information regarding the cost impact on maintenance drug participants. City Administrator Lobatio stated the information would be sent to all committee members under separate cover. City Administrator Lobaito also requested the committee consider instituting an Employee Health Fair providing a variety of services including flu vaccination and blood pressure checks. He noted the City could underwrite the employee portion of the health fair with the 50% savings from the 1998-99 program. The fair could be opened to employee family members with the understanding these participants would pay all service costs. Three proposals were presented for committee consideration; Centegra Health Sexvices, Sherman Wellness Programs and Rocco Salviola HealthCare. Chairperson Alderman Murgatroyd � Fina�nce C�mmittee Minutes L.- September 1, 1999 Page Four noted he was in favor o£the concept, but as the information was presented just this evening the committee would discuss the idea at the next cnmmittee ineeting. Motion by Baird, seconded by McClatchey to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m. Voting Aye: Baird, McClatchey, Murgatrvyd Voting Nay: None Absent� None Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:2? p.m. Steven Murgatroyd, Fi ce ' erson � L