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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 06/01/1993 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES June 1, 1993 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser, Chair Leona Orr Jim White STAFF PRESENT: Tony McCarthy May Miller Roger Lubovich Sue Viseth Becky Fowler Alana McIalwain Charlie Lindsey Don Wickstrom MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Bill Doolittle The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Chairperson Houser. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS All claims for the period ending 4/30/93 in the amount of$1,147,646.19, for the period ending 5/14/93 in the amount of $1,665,044.22, and for the period ending 5/28/93 in the amount of $1)411,687.77 were approved. SENIOR HOUSING MINI BUS Charlie Lindsey, Support Services Manager, noted that four bids were received for the Senior Housing 9-10 passenger mini bus. He recommended that the low bid of Bryant Motors for $39,282.01 be accepted, as all specifications were met. McCarthy explained that $44,000 has been allocated out of the Senior Housing Project Budget for this van. White expressed that he would like to have more justification before spending money on this van and at what point does the City say this is all that can be done. Orr noted concern about who will pay for the maintenance and upkeep on the van and whether the rent will be increased because the building is suppose to be self-sufficient and pay for itself. She further noted that no,contingency fund has been set aside for replacement of stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc. McCarthy , explained that King County Housing Authority would be responsible for replacement of these things. Doolittle noted that less than 50% of the residents are Kent,oidzons and that some seniors have been rejected because of low income. McIalwain noted that Die Willis of King County Housing Authority can come to a future committee meeting with a report, information, and address the concerns of the Council, if requested. Lindsey explained that if the bid is not awarded by the June 15th Council Meeting, it will have to be rebid. It was the consensus of the Committee to continue this item to the July 6th meeting so that the concerns expressed can be addressed and explained by King County Housing Authority. HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE Becky Fowler and Sue Viseth, Human Resource Analysts, updated the Committee regarding the City's Health Insurance and how the new State legislation recently-passed might affect it. Fowler distributed copies of an update on the Washington Health Services Act of 1993 that she had received at a Perkins Coie Law Breakfast meeting, and she explained that many issues have not been addressed in that Act. She noted that the City will be mandated to move into the State Program by 1995, and that the City will not be negotiating the benefits level because the State will set it, but that the City will be negotiating the cost for each employee as it will be mandated for the City to pay up to 50%. Fowler explained that a composite rate structure will be set up by the State based upon the number of employees and that dual coverage for spouses will no longer exist. She noted that cities will be hit with higher premiums even though the spouse will not be covered by the other one's insurance. She informed the Committee that Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska does not currently meet the States' requirements for certification and they don't know if they'll be able to meet them by 1995-Viseth noted that the Association of Washington Cities feels the new legislation will be revisited a number of times before anything is set in stone, and that other legislation, such as Initiative 602, could repeal some of the new Act passed. Fowler distributed copies of information regarding the City's Health Insurance Plan explaining where the City is currently and how much has been spent on claims thus far this year. She noted that the City is 18% lower than what was projected but that it could change depending upon usage. Upon Orr's question, Fowler explained the difference between the Teamsters Plan and the City of Kent's Plan. Viseth explained that for $15.00 more a month per employee, the City offers a family plan for orthodontia, dental coverage (including all preventative care at 100%), contact lenses and eyeglasses for all members of a family, health insurance at 100% coverage with a$10.00 copayment for Doctor's office visits, and hospitalization at 100%, which is more than what the Teamsters Plan covers. ADDED ITEM McCarthy distributed a revised memo of the Council Committee meeting schedules, date and time of meetings. He noted that the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. will be reserved for any Council Workshops, if needed. The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES June 1, 1993 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser, Chair Leona Orr Jim White STAFF PRESENT: Tony McCarthy May Miller Roger Lubovich Sue Viseth Becky Fowier Alana McIalwain Charlie Lindsey Don Wickstrom MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Bill Doolittle The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Chairperson Houser. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS All claims for the period ending 4/30/93 in the amount of$1,147,646.19, for the period ending 5/14/93 in the amount of $1,665,044.22, and for the period ending 5/28/93 in the amount of $1,411,687.77 were approved. SENIOR HOUSING MINI BUS Charlie Lindsey, Support Services Manager, noted that four bids were received for the Senior Housing 9-10 passenger mini bus. He recommended that the low bid of Bryant Motors for $39,282.01 be accepted, as all specifications were met. McCarthy explained that $44,000 has been allocated out of the Senior Housing Project Budget for this van. White expressed that he would like to have more justification before spending money on this van and at what point does the City say this is all that can be done. Orr noted concern about who will pay for the maintenance and upkeep on the van and whether the rent will be increased because the building is suppose to be self-sufficient and pay for itself. She further noted that no contingency fund has been set aside for replacement of stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc. McCarthy explained that King County Housing Authority would be responsible for replacement of these things. Doolittle noted that less than 50% of the residents are Kent citizens and that some seniors have been rejected because of low income. McIalwain noted that Diane Willis of King County Housing Authority can come to a future committee meeting with a report, information, and address the concerns of the Council, if requested. Lindsey explained that if the bid is not awarded by the June 15th Council Meeting, it will have to be rebid. It was the consensus of the Committee to continue this item to the July 6th meeting so that the concerns expressed can be addressed and explained by King County Housing Authority. HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE Becky Fowler and Sue Viseth, Human Resource Analysts, updated the Committee regarding the City's Health Insurance and how the new State legislation recently'passed might affect it. Fowler distributed copies of an update on the Washington Health Services Act of 1993 that she had received at a Perkins Coie Law Breakfast meeting, and she explained that many issues have not been addressed in that Act. She noted that the City will be mandated to move into the State Program by 1995, and that the City will not be negotiating the benefits level because the State will set it, but that the City will be negotiating the cost for each employee as it will be mandated for the City to pay up to 50%. Fowler explained that a composite rate structure will be set up by the State based upon the number of employees and that dual coverage for spouses will no longer exist. She noted that cities will be hit with higher premiums even though the spouse will not be covered by the other one's insurance. She informed the Committee that Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska does not currently meet the States' requirements for certification and they don't know if they'll be able to meet them by 1995-Viseth noted that the Association of Washington Cities feels the new legislation will be revisited a number of times before anything is set in stone, and that other legislation, such as Initiative 602, could repeal some of the new Act passed. Fowler distributed copies of information regarding the City's Health Insurance Plan explaining where the City is currently and how much has been spent on claims thus far this year. She noted that the City is 18% lower than what was projected but that it could change depending upon usage. Upon Orr's question, Fowler explained the difference between the Teamsters Plan and the City of Kent's Plan. Viseth explained that for $15.00 more a month per employee, the City offers a family plan for orthodontia, dental coverage (including all preventative care at 100%), contact lenses and eyeglasses for all members of a family, health insurance at 100% coverage with a$10.00 copayment for Doctor's office visits, and hospitalization at 100%, which is more than what the Teamsters Plan covers. ADDED ITEM McCarthy distributed a revised memo of the Council Committee meeting schedules, date and time of meetings. He noted that the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. will be reserved for any Council Workshops, if needed. The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m.