Minutes
April 28, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the Flushing City Council was called to order on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Janice L. Gensel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and invocation.
Present: Richard L. Bade
Mark F. Brock
John C. Gault
Janice L. Gensel
Teresa K. Salem
Michael T. Szukhent
Absent: George G. Kozan
Others Present: Dennis J. Bow, City Manager
Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer
Edward G. Henneke, City Attorney
Excused Absence – Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Gault, to excuse the absence of Councilperson Kozan.
Yea: Bade,
Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Addition
to Agenda – Motion by Szukhent, seconded by
Yea: Bade, Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Approval of Agenda - Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Bade, to approve the April 28, 2008 agenda, as amended.
Yea: Bade,
Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
PRESENTATIONS:
The Mayor read a proclamation acknowledging Law Day. The theme this year is “The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity.”
Minutes
April 28, 2008
Page Two
MEETING
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
The following individuals addressed City Council:
Elva Cook Bob Clement
Consent
Agenda - Motion by Szukhent, seconded by
Yea: Brock,
Gault,
Abstain: Bade
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
REPORTS:
Fringe Benefit Modification - Motion by Bade, seconded by Gault, to adopt revisions to exempt employees’ fringe benefits.
The first revision provides for a fixed payment for employees hired after May 1, 2008 that elect not to accept the health care benefits that are provided to full-time employees. The fixed payment, in the amount of $2,500.00, would be paid on a quarterly basis beginning on July 1st of 2008.
The second revision involves Article III under Retirement Benefits regarding the pension plan.
A Defined Contribution Plan is suggested to replace the Defined Benefit Plan due to anticipated changes to the method of establishing actuarial assumptions that affect the employer contribution percentage for the city’s Defined Benefit Plan. The Defined Contribution Plan would apply to all employees hired on and after May 1st of this year. That plan would set an 8% contribution rate by the city, in addition to 4% to be contributed by the employee.
SECTION H – HEALTH AND WELFARE
Effective August
1, 2008, the Employer shall provide and pay the premium for the Blue Care
Network Health Insurance program as is currently offered through BCN. This program will provide for maximum
prescription co-pay for the employee and eligible family members of $10.00 for
Generic drugs and $40.00 for Brand Name drugs.
Minutes
April 28, 2008
Page Three
2. Eligible Employees shall have the option of maintaining Blue Cross and Blue Shield PPO coverage for employees that are willing to pay 50% of the cost difference between the cost of the BCN and the PPO. This election will be effective August 1, 2008. Thereafter, this election shall be made during the open enrollment period and such coverage will be subject to the regulations of the carrier.
3. Retired Employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents (defined as those dependents that are entitled to health coverage according to the health insurance policy provisions by the insurance carrier) may continue, upon written request of the retiree, subject to all relevant eligibility and other restrictions of the insurance carrier, under the following conditions: The paid premiums for the employee, spouse, and eligible dependents will be paid by the City if the retiree meets the eligibility requirements for pension plan vesting as determined by the MERS plan document. Retiree’s duplicate insurance coverage will be reduced by the benefits provided from Medicare and/or Medicaid, or any other duplicate benefits which the retiree is eligible to receive through other employment.
Employees electing to be covered by an insurance policy provided through their spouse’s employer may choose to be covered by the city’s insurance coverage at a later date, if that spousal insurance coverage is lost.
Yea: Bade,
Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Introduction – Business Improvement District – In order to allow the city to promote the redevelopment of commercially zoned areas, administration has reviewed different types of Economic Development Authorities that will qualify for state grants, and provide a vehicle for commercial property owners to levy special assessments.
After reviewing
the ability of the different types of authorities that might be used to benefit
the City of
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April 28, 2008
Page Four
In order to establish a BID, a resolution would contain the boundaries of the district, the number of board members in the district, the signatures of property owners within the area, as well as a listing of all properties within the zone. After a Petition is filed with the City Clerk, property owners would be notified of a public meeting regarding the establishment of the improvement zone. A zone plan is then developed, identifying improvements that are requested by the property owners for submission to, and approval by, the City Council. Once the zone plan is adopted, the property owners within the zone may vote to allow the items included in the zone plan to be completed.
As the city has not had the
capability, through an Authority, to deal with the economic redevelopment of
certain areas within the downtown, or commercial district on
Introduction – Sewer Plant Modifications - In 1988, significant modifications were made to update the city’s sewer plant, which included the addition of a new process called “sequential batch reacting.” The costs of the improvements made in 1988 were approximately $8,000,000.00. The bonds associated with those costs are due to expire, and be paid, in 2009.
As the cash distribution for the old bonds expire, administration is attempting to find ways to upgrade and maintain the plant, and minimize the impact on sewer rates. To this end, a request has been made for the city engineer to inspect several components of the plant, as well as the distribution system (sewer lines), to provide cost estimates that could be used as a basis for ensuring proper maintenance of this facility.
There are several options that are currently under review to upgrade components of the plant and distribution system, as well as the costs associated with those improvements.
ITEMS
FOR FUTURE PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Set
Joint Meeting – Motion by Bade, seconded by Gault, to set a joint meeting
between the Planning Commission and City Council for Monday, May 19, 2008 at
7:30 p.m. at City Hall,
Yea: Bade, Brock, Gault,
Nay: Szukhent
Motion Carried.
Minutes
April 28, 2008
Page Five
Budget
Public Hearing – Motion by Gault, seconded by
Yea: Bade,
Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Closed Session:
Labor Negotiations – Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Bade, to go into closed session under the Open Meetings Act compiled laws 15.268(c), to consider negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement.
Yea: Bade,
Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Adjourn: 8:35 p.m.
Reconvene: 9:13 p.m.
Adjournment - Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Bade, to adjourn.
Yea: Bade,
Brock, Gault,
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Adjourn: 9:14 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Janice L. Gensel, Mayor Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer