2004-10-18 Special Called Workshop Meeting

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MINUe OF SPECIAL CALLED WORKSH.EETING OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL October 18, 2004 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Alton Porter at 6:00 p.m. Members of City Council Present: Councilmembers Chuck Engelken, Tommy Moser, Louis Rigby, Howard Ebow, Peter Griffiths, Mike Clausen, Mike Mosteit and Mayor Alton Porter Members of Council Absent: Barry Beasley Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander, Assistant Finance Director Mike Dolby, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins, Police Chief Richard Reff, Human Resources Manager Sherri Sampson, Assistant City Manager John Joerns, Assistant City Secretary Sharon Harris and Assistant Fire Chief Champ Dunham Others Present: Pat Rothermel, David' Groce, Guadalupe Candanosa, Dana Orth, Patti Blanco, Joey Vigneri, Jacob Moore, Mr. Neal Welch and Rebecca Morgado 2. Mayor Porter delivered the invocation. 3. Mayor Porter led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Council discussed an ordinance amending Ordinance 2004-2779 authorizing and approving an agreement with Humana Insurance Company, for administrative services of the City's Medical Plan, effective January 1,2005, adopting "Heath Service Plan Design" option, approving an employee contribution schedule, appropriating the sum of $ 130,000.00 as presented by Human Resources Manager Sherri Sampson. Council discussed the active rates and retiree rates in conjunction with meeting the contribution goal of 1.2 million dollars. Ms. Sampson clarified retiree's contribution with years of service. Councilmember Ebow acknowledged the fact of rising health care costs; a decision needs to be made which will not burden the retirees or employees. Councilmember Griffiths stated that retirees should contribute to the plan. Councilmeniber Engelken questioned Ms. Sampson if the proposal of insurance changes has been forwarded to the retirees. Ms. Sampson stated she would give retirees 60-days notice once a decision was reached. Councilmember Clausen feels retirees should contribute the same as active employees, he suggested "Plan A" with a 30% contribution. - Councilmember Rigby stated it is not fair to make retirees have to pay after they have retired and based their life savings when they retired, unfair to make revisions. Councilmember Moser agrees with Mr. Rigby. -Mr. Moser would like to see contributions phased in over a period of time. Mr. Welch of Welch Company provided an overview of raising insurance contributions. Ms. Sampson provided a handout with a Retiree Schedule C.