Minutes 06/25/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 25, 2019 Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None 19 - 236 - Adoption of a resolution to provide enhanced hazardous duty benefits for employed full-time salaried Emergency Medical Technicians for the City of Portsmouth. Background:  Political subdivisions participating in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) may elect to provide benefits equivalent to those of the State Police Officers Retirement System for those of the subdivision's employees who are employed in law enforcement positions comparably hazardous to that of a State Police Officer. This includes any sworn law enforcement officer who has the duty and obligation to enforce the penal, traffic, and highway laws of this State as directed by his superior officer, if so certified by his appointing authority. Full time salaried firefighters and emergency medical technicians are also eligible to be covered under the enhanced benefits at the option of the political subdivision.  The passing of this resolution will make our full-time salaried Emergency Medical Technicians eligible for the enhanced hazardous duty benefit.  Employees who are eligible for the enhanced hazardous duty benefit are ineligible to participate in the Hybrid Plan. As a result, any employees currently participating in the Hybrid Plan will be transferred into Plan 2. Discussion:  City Council indicated its desire to provide enhanced hazardous duty benefits to city employees employed in positions as full-time salaried emergency medical technicians.  In order to provide the enhanced hazardous duty benefits for full-time salaried emergency medical technicians, City Council must first adopt the proposed Resolution covered by this CMR.  A second Resolution will then be presented for Council consideration to increase the Virginia Retirement System multiplier for full-time salaried fire, police and emergency medical technicians to 1.85%. Financial Impact  The city is responsible for the employer costs for providing such employees with said benefit. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the resolution. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The City Manager will take the necessary steps to ensure the conclusion of this matter. 1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box 50141, voiced his concern with the funding source and the lack of information on the cost. Motion by Mr. Clark, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE ENHANCED HAZARDOUS DUTY BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYED FULL-TIME SALARIED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS FOR THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH. WHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth desires to provide enhanced hazardous duty benefits for employed full-time salaried Emergency Medical Technicians;