2012-12-10 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented a summary. Councilmember Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager or his designee to send a letter of support for the proposed Mariposa at Pecan Park apartment project for senior adults to be located along Canada Road. Councilmember Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, Clausen, Martin and Moser Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Mosteit 8. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION (a) Discussion or other action regarding the report from the Citizens' Charter Review Advisory Commission — P. Fogarty City Secretary Patrice Fogarty introduced Chuck Harrington, the Chairman of the Citizens' Charter Review Advisory Commission, who provided a PowerPoint presentation and proceeded to discuss proposed amendments to the Charter. Councilmember Engelken moved to direct staff to move forward with ballot language for the May Election. Councilmember Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, Clausen, Martin and Moser Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Mosteit (b) Discussion or other action regarding health care benefits for retirees — C. Alexander City Manager Corby Alexander presented a summary regarding health care benefits for retirees. Mayor Rigby commented there was a great deal of information provided to Council for review, but there has never been a definitive cost placed in the budget specifically for dependent coverage since his employment with the City or as a Councilmember. Mayor Rigby also commented consultants had provided Council with the cost the City would pay for dependent health care benefits. Councilmember Engelken commented the calculations the retirees were given should be honored because they made a decision to retiree based on what they were told by Human Resources. Councilmember Zemanek commented that when he reviewed information provided by the City, it was alarming that with one offered plan, from 2007 to 2013, the employee cost went down 16 percent but when adding dependent coverage, it went from 17.22 percent of dependent coverage to 120 percent. Councilmember Zemanek also commented he had never seen dependent coverage 120 percent of primary coverage; and a he felt this is where the issues are with retirees, specifically in the future; the numbers are not fair or accurate. Mayor Rigby asked Councilmember Zemanek if he was referring to the cost for dependent premiums vs employee premiums. Councilmember Zemanek responded that based on the spreadsheet provided by staff, in 2007 the 500 Plan cost for employee was $670.00 a month, and now it is $562.00 a month; and dependent coverage for employee and spouse in 2007 was $111.00 a month; and now it is $675.00 a month. Councilmember Martin commented he agrees with Councilmember Engelken in that it is not fair for the City to tell retirees the healthcare cost they were given when they retired is no longer being honored, and the cost will be increasing. Councilmember Martin commented the City owes it to the five affected retirees to make things right, because they made a decision to retire after seeking the City's advice and opinion. Councilmember Martin also commented he would be interested in Page 5 of 9 December 10, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes