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Home My WebLink About2009-11-09 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING CITY HALL - CONFERENCE ROOM 105 MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the workshop meeting of the City Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2009, in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. 1. NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE: Community Development Director Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared and gave presentations. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned the next round of applications and Community Development Director Bramley said deadlines need to be established for submittals but the associations should submit their applications as soon as possible. Commissioner Dressler questioned why there are no District 4 requests and Community Development Director Bramley said District 4 was maxed out for the last fiscal year and no submittals were received this time around. If there are submittals they will be placed for consideration for the next fiscal year. Commissioner Glasser commended Community Development Director Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree for their work with the residents. 2. Item No. 6(e) on the Consent Agenda. HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACT: (TR11719) Authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute the agreement of the City's Health Insurance program with United Healthcare Insurance Company for the plan year effective January 1, 2010; providing for plan design and premium rates; providing for the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the Health Insurance premium between the City and employees; providing for a waiver reimbursement maximum; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. 3. Item No. 6(f) on the Consent Agenda. DENTAL INSURANCE CONTRACT: (TR11720) Authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute the agreement of the City's Dental Insurance program with United Healthcare Insurance Company for plan year effective January 1, 2010; providing for plan design and premium rates; providing for the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the dental insurance premium Page 1 of 3 City Commission Workshop November 9, 2009 between the City and employees; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. 4. Item No. 6 (d) on the Consent Agenda. UNUM LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE RENEWAL: (TR11721) Authorizing the appropriate City Officials to approve the renewal of long-term disability insurance coverage with UNUM for insurance coverage for employees in the Elected, Appointed, Executive, Managerial/Professional and Administrative Categories who participate in either the city's 401(a) Retirement Plan or the Elected and Appointed Officers and Non - Represented Employees Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2010; providing for the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the long-term disability insurance premium between the city and employees; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Human Resources Director Swanson, Benefits Specialist Caries, and Mike Meredith of Willis Employee Benefits Consultants appeared. Human Resources Director Swanson asked to discuss the three insurance items at one time, and gave a presentation based on the proposals from Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Avmed, and United Healthcare. Commissioner Dressler asked what the maximum out of pocket expense would be for the PPO and Benefits Specialist Caries explained the amount the individual or family would pay per year prior to the insurance carrier covering 100% of costs. Mr. Meredith said for treatment amounting to about $30,000 the out of pocket costs for an individual would be $1,500 plus the co -pay which would total about $1,900. Commissioner Dressler asked for an explanation of the mail order payments versus payments that could be made to retailers who offer drugs at discounted rated. Benefits Specialist Caries explained some retailers offer programs on generic drugs and we encourage employees to use those options. Commissioner Dressler asked if this was a factor in the negotiations and Mr. Meredith said it was. There was discussion regarding health care plans, health insurance and managed health care plans. Commissioner Dressler asked what impact the new Health Plan Bill would have on municipalities and Mr. Meredith said while we all agree health reform is necessary, nobody knows what the final Bill will look like; however there will be no impact until 2013. Additionally, many organizations encourage one partner to be covered for health insurance under another partner's plan which is under another employer. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad commended Human Resources Director Swanson and Benefits Specialist Caries on their work and questioned the extensive disease management program. Mr. Meredith said it is an education program to make sure people get the right treatment and take their medicines properly. Commissioner Glasser confirmed no referrals would be needed under the new plan if one were to choose the HMO option and asked about the urgent care list. Human Resources Director Swanson said it is a very extensive list. Commissioner Bushnell expressed surprise that the gate keeper is being removed and questioned the wisdom in that change. Mr. Meredith said it is a common model, and in fact, United Healthcare does not have a gate keeper model. Mr. Meredith said he does, however, believe everyone should still have a primary care physician. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the long term disability and Human Resources Director Swanson said it is the same as last year. Page 2 of 3 City Commission Workshop November 9, 2009 E 5. Item No. 6 (c) on the Consent Agenda. OFFICE SUPPLIES: (TR11718) Authorizing the appropriate officials to renew an agreement for office supply needs with Office Depot, Inc. on behalf of the Southeast Florida Governmental Purchasing Cooperative for the period of January 1, 2010 through January 1, 2011, utilizing pricing provided through the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance Term Contract Master Purchase Agreement #42595; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz gave a presentation. City Attorney Goren thanked everyone for their kind thoughts during his recent surgery and said it is nice to be back. City Attorney Goren reminded the Mayor and City Commission of the Executive Session that will take place at 11:00 this morning in Room 105. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and _Gi g Conn r;mis-�ion, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at (�� a:-m. Marion Swenson, CMC _ City Clerk Page 3 of 3 City Commission Workshop November 9, 2009