Minutes 11/22/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 22. 2005 Background: . On January 11, 2005, Vice-Mayor Moody sponsored a motion that City Council adopted requesting the City Manager's staff to perform a study of the health insurance needs of retirees that were injured in the line of duty and are currently on service- connected disability retirement. . On June 14, 2005, an executive brief proposing a change in health insurance rates for service-connected disability retirees currently enrolled in City-provided health insurance and receiving annual retirement allowances under $20,000 was presented to City Council. Staff determined 10 retirees were eligible at a cost of approximately $18,400, but City Council requested further review. . On August 30, 2005, another executive brief on this subject based on retirees that receive annual retirement allowances under $25,000 was presented to City Council. Staff determined that 23 retirees were eligible at a cost of approximately $38,900, but City Council requested a legal review of using the $25,000 annual retirement allowance as the eligibility cut-off level. Discussion: . The City Attorney's office has reviewed the appropriateness of using $25,000 instead of $20,000 as the eligibility cut-off level, and has determined that the $25,000 level is indefensible due to its random nature, whereas the $20,000 level is defendable based on the federal poverty level. . The City Manager will continue exploring ways to expand retiree eligibility for reduced rates. . Financial Impact: The total additional cost of using the $20,000 retiree eligibility cut-off level for the remaining six months of FY-06 is estimated at approximately $10,000 (50% of $20,000), which can be absorbed within the FY-06 Operating Budget with no budget action necessary at this time. Staff Recommends: Adoption of an ordinance to enable service-connected disability retirees with City- provided health insurance and annual retirement allowances under $20,000 to receive health insurance at reduced rates (active employee rates versus retiree rates). Vision Principle: Bold New Directions. Next Steps Following Council Action: . The CFO and the Director of Human Resources Management will ensure that the 10 eligible retirees are informed of this program change and the rate changes are implemented effective January 1, 2006. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Heretick, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 30 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (1988) BY ADOPTING NEW SECTIONS 30-121.1 AND 30- 241.1 PERTAINING TO HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR CERTAIN SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY RETIREES IN THE CITY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS." Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psi mas, Randall, Smith, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 05 - 536 - Adoption of a ordinance adopting and amending Section 22-688 of the City Code concerning Mopeds and Motorized Push Scooters; for the guidance and enforcement of Moped and Motor Scooter Laws. Vision Principle: Neighborhood and Community Transformation. Background: . The Portsmouth Police Department has identified the necessity for enacting new legislation for citizen guidance and police enforcement of mopeds and motor scooters. With the recent introduction of new gasoline and electric powered mobility devices, the Portsmouth Police Department has the responsibility to the City of Portsmouth and its citizens to guide the use and operation of these devices, and to ensure their safe operation as well as the safety of other motorists.