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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInsurance Committee Minutes 02.24.2010HEALTH INSURANCE COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 24, 2010 4:30 P.M. @ City Hall Members Present: Donnie Nelson Cathy Gabrian Bill Brew Bill Sheridan Monica Salo Chuck Dickerson H.P. Nuernberger Others Present None Before the meeting started, Bill Brew stated that Union #303 asked that the meeting be recorded. There were no objections and Bill taped the meeting. Bill Sheridan said we are here to come to an agreement of what each individual member wants. Each member identified themselves and who they are representing. Bill Sheridan - Non-Union Cathy Gabrian - Non-Union Bill Brew - Union #303 Monica Salo - Union #303 Donnie Nelson - Union #316 H.P. Nuernberger - Union #316 Chuck Dickerson - City representative from Council Alex Wilkins was absent but it was stated he is a city representative from the Council. Donnie said Union #316 allowed the six members who did not originally vote, the opportunity to vote today and their union vote is split 16-16. Donnie clarified that at a previous meeting he said he could only vote if there was a tie. That was incorrect. The union allows him to vote if the issue directly affects his benefits. Donnie and H.P. stated they can only cast a vote for the majority and since there is not a majority, they cannot vote. Chuck did a breakdown of the votes taken and included the votes he and Alex cast and it came to 30 for BCBS and 27 for MMIA. Each member was asked to state their vote. Cathy - MMIA Monica - BCBS H.P. - abstain Bill Sheridan - BCBS Bill Brew- BCBS Donnie - abstain Chuck - MMIA The vote is three for BCBS and two for MMIA. It was stated we do not have five affirmative votes. There was discussion and Bill Sheridan suggested that it go to the council and the need to explain other options with the tie vote, stating it can't be fair. Chuck referenced the information that Jason had previously brought forward. Donnie referenced the guidelines of the committee. H.P. said that if they go back to their unit, he guarantees it would be split again. He suggested that everyone be given the chance to vote again, then this committee would vote as a whole for the majority of the votes cast. He talked to the shop and they were in favor of this action. Chuck said this was previously suggested and he is in favor of it. It was stated Alex and Chuck will not have an employee vote but Chuck said he is comfortable with that. He will have a vote as a committee member. Bill Brew emphasized that this group will have to agree that the majority stand and vote in that manner. Page 2, Health Insurance Committee February 24, 2010 Bill Sheridan said he has no problem with it and he will check with the City Attorney to make sure it is okay. It was decided to hold the voting from 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 25`h through 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March ls`. It will be available 24 hours a day. An employee would be required to sign their name and if an employee is not known to the dispatch, they will need to show identification. It was decided that the ballot will only list the two insurance options; it will not have names or bargaining units/groups identified. The committee will then meet at 4:00 p.m. on Monday to count the ballots. There was discussion about getting the full committee together again and it was decided to make a motion now that the majority rules. The committee is in agreement with this process and the vote will speak for itself. Motion by Bill Sheridan that on behalf of the Health Insurance Committee, that a ballot will be created where employees can cast their vote at the FAP Complex 24-hours a day starting Thursday morning and running until Monday, March ls` at 3:00 p.m. and allow an eligible employee that is physically unable to cast a vote, to submit a written statement of the vote to be delivered to the FAP by their designee. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Chuck, seconded by Bill Sheridan that the committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March l` to count the ballots and make recommendation to the City Council that will be in accordance with the majority vote, as cast by city employees. Motion carried 7-0. There was discussion and the union representatives stated they have been frustrated through this process as it seems information was not made available to all employees. They have a problem with it if information is being given that is intended to sway votes one way or another. They are concerned with the information that the City Clerk gave the aldermen in their mailboxes. Bill Sheridan said that the City Clerk has duties and responsibility to the city in making sure the council is doing the best for the citizens of Laurel. H.P. said knowledge is power in city government. Chuck said the council understands the issue, all the work this committee has put into this process and the manner in which it has been handled. He feels confident that the council will listen to this committee. Motion by Bill Brew, seconded by Bill Sheridan to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 p.m. Motion carried 7-0. Respectfully Submitted, i 744tip.. cv Cathy Gab ian