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CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
September 27, 1991
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Ha 11 with the following
members present:
Rita Garvey
Sue Berfield
Lee Regulski
William Nunamaker
Richard Fitzgerald
Also present were:
Michael J. Wright
M. A. Galbraith, Jr.
Cynthia E. Goudeau
Mayor/Commissioner
Vice~Mayor/Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of discussing
insurance issues and adopting the 1990/91 third quarter budget amendments.
ITEM #2 - Emplovee Life Insurance
Currently the City provides a $1,000 term life insurance policy for
employees on a contributory basis. The policy requires a .contribution of 25
cents per pay to be matched by a contribution of 27 cents from the City for
employees selecting this benefit. Approximately 905 employees have elected to
participate in this plan. Approximately 185 retirees also participate, but pay
the entire cost of their plan with no contribution from the City. These
contributions equate to a total cost of $1.13 per $1,000 per month.
The groposed plan would provide $2,500 term life insurance coverage on a
non-contri utory basis for all current employees and $1,000 term on a non~
contributory basis for retirees on City pension who are currently participating
in the plan. The City would pay the entire cost of 47 cents per $1,000 per
month. Assuming 1400 employees and 185 retirees participated, the total annual
cost for the City would be $20,783 with no return of dividend.
Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager, indicated converting to the new
plan will provide a better value per thousand dollars. She indicated there have
been some unfortunate circumstances where city employees have died and had no
insurance to help cover their expenses.
In response to a question, it was indicated this benefit would be available
to all employees upon hire.
Discussion ensued regarding the insurance stabil ization fund and Ms.
Deptula provided the history of the establishment of this fund. She stated the
City currently has over $1 million in the fund and we add $400,000 a year. In
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response to a question, she indicated the interest generated by this fund will
more than pay for this insurance policy. It was indicated those not currently
participating in the 25 cent plan will be eligible to participate in this.
In response to a question regarding whether or not there would be a
physical or waiting period, it was indicated there would be none for people to
participate in this plan due to the fact it is a minimal benefit. It was stated
there are additional life insurance packages available to employees.
Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to approve the conversion of the current
Prudential Insurance Company $1,000 term employee contributory life insurance
plan to a $2,500 non-contributory life insurance plan effective January 1, 1992
and the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Health Insurance Contract Renewal
An insurance committee composed of representatives of the four un ions
representing City employees, members of the Human Resources Department, Risk
Management, Payroll and Finance Divisions of Administrative Services Department,
and the City Manager's Office has been meeting for several months to consider
medica 1 cost and premium cost containment strategies that would benefit the
employees and the City. Through the joint efforts of the Insurance Committee and
two consultants, Wittner and Company and J. L. Plotz and Company, Inc., the City
has received a policy renewal quote from CIGNA, the current medical insurance
provider, with no change in premiums and only minor changes in the benefit
structure.
Ms. Deptula reiterated the formation of the insurance committee, stating
they worked with the consultants, Tom Risharme, of Wittner and Company, and Judy
Plotz of J. L. Plotz and Company, to formulate the best health insurance plan
they could. They all worked with CIGNA, the provider, who originally came in
with an increase in the rates, but through negotiation, there is now no increase
proposed. Ms. Deptula indicated CIGNA and Equicor are merging and they will now
have two plans, the health access plan, in which an employee can go to a doctor
of their choice and be reimbursed in the traditional major medical manner, or the
HMO plan, where they have to stay within the network of doctors for the plan.
The City pays the employees cost, depending on which coverage the employee
chooses, the health access plan costs $11.60 more per pay period than the HMO
plan. Those people with dependent coverage choosing the HMO plan would have the
difference in the individual cost applied to their dependent coverage.
In response to a question regarding emergencies where an employee may find
it necessary to go outside of the network, Mr. Risharme indicated there are
provisions for this. She indicated this is the first step toward the City's
Self-Insurance Program and requested the Commission consider minimum premium
financing.
Mr. Risharme explained the minimum premium financing stating there is only
a certain percentage of the premium the City must pay each month. Paying the
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full premium each month. the insurance company takes the total risk and may
profit or lose in any given month, depending on claims experience. With the
minimum premium method, the City would pay only that portion of the premium which
is necessary. If the City's claims are greater in a particular month, the City
would pay the total premium and those months in which claims experience is less,
the City would keep those funds. It was stated there is a maximum annual premium
that could be charged to the City. The City Manager indicated he has had
experience with these programs in the past and that generally, the City saved
money. He stated the bottom line is that if the City has good claims experience
the City will save money, if there are bad claims experience, the City will only
pay what has been budgeted for a particular year and the insurance rates will
likely increase the next year.
Questions were raised regarding physical requirements and it was stated
that no physical is required other than the employment physical. If a person is
determined eligible to be hired, they would then go into the plan.
Corranissioner Berfield moved to approve the extension of the medical
insurance contract with CIGNA Healthplan of Florida under a minimum premium
funding arrangement for the period January It 1992 through December 31, 1992.
with no change in premium costs and benefits as outl ined by staff and the
contribution of the premium savings for individual coverage under the HMO option
toward the employee'S dependent coverage cost and the appropriate officials be
authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
The City Nanager compl imented staff and indicated that labor and management
worked well on this. He stated it was significant that CIGNA had originally come
in with a 15% increase proposed and that through negotiations, there was no
change in the fees.
The Mayor thanked staff for all their hard work in being ablu to bring this
recommendation to the Commission.
ITEM #4 - Authoritv to reimburse various city funds an additional $243.269 for
storm damages occurrinQ Aoril 25. 1991
On April 25, 1991, a sudden and violent storm with high winds and rain
moved through the Tampa Bay area causing considerable property damage in the
City. Losses included damaged roofs, stadium lights, fences, windows, trees,
street lights, traffic signals, motor vehicles, computers, sheds, doors, and
signs.
This proposal will authorize payment of up to another $243,269 (from the
City's Central Insurance Fund) for damage arising from the storm. The Commission
previously authorized payment of $125,000 in July. The initial sum authorized
in July has been inadequate to pay all claims that have been submitted.
The City Manager indicated approval of this request would wrap up the cost.
of damages from this storm. In response to a question, he indicated the total
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costs are $442,269. A question was raised regarding whether everyone had been
paid and it was indicated all outside agencies had been paid, there may some
internal transfers still to be made.
Commissioner Regulski moved to authorize reimbursement of an additional
$243,269 from the Central Insurance Fund to various city funds for damage to city
property, property loss, equipment rental, employee overtime pay, meals, etc.
occasioned by the storm on April 25, 1991 and the appropriate officials be
authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Regulski commented this type of event emphasizes the need to
have a self-insurance fund as a lot of these costs would not have been covered
by an outside. insurance policy.
ITEM 15 - Purchase of Property and Casualty Insurance coveraaes for 1991/92
For the past several years the City has purchased its property and casua 1 ty
insurance through Arthur J. Gallagher and Company. In July 1991, the City issued
a Request for Property/Liability/Workers' Compensation Insurance/Self Insurance
Proposals.
lea Schrader, Risk Manager, stated he has been reviewing the proposals for
the last few months. He reviewed the recommended coverages \'/hich include: Layer
1 property with International Insurance Company which will provide $5 million of
coverage for a $75,000 premium and Layer 2 property with Hartford Insurance which
will provide $100,000,000 of coverage for a premium of $47,750. He stated the
City currently has two property coverages for $70 mi 11 ion but through the
Hartford proposal, for $5,000 more, the City can obtain $100 million coverage.
In response to a question, he indicated the City's total property value is
approximately $153 million. In response to a question regarding the difference
between the property layers and an umbrella policy, Mr. Schrader indicated the
umbrella policy would be for excess liability, not property damage.
Mr. Schrader indicated there is also an optional proposal for a london
package through Rodgers and Commings Insurance Company which woul d provide
coverage for all property with only a $75,000 deductible unless it is from flood
or wind, in which case the deductible will be $250,000. This package would also
contain $1 million coverage for the Clearwater Pass Bridge. Another option is
for Clearwater Pass Bridge coverage through A. J. Gallagher which would provide
$5 million coverage for a fee of $100,000.
Discussion ensued regarding the deductibles and it was indicated these
would apply to" each occurrence, not each individual building.
Discussion ensued regarding whether or not insurance coverage was needed
for Clearwater Pass Bridge. Michael Wright, City Manager, indicated the City has
just finished repair to 7 or 8 more bents which should protect the bridge unless
there is a hurricane in which case there are no guarantees the bridge would
remain standing.
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Further discussion ensued regarding the need for coverage for the bridge
and the deductible. It was indicated that with one event, a $250,000 deductible
with property layers one and two would cover all sites. Purchase of Rodgers and
Commings London package would reduce the deductible to $75,000 and would provide
$1 million coverage for the bridge. The bridge coverage, through A. J.
Gallagher, is a stand alone policy which would provide $5 million coverage for
a premium Qf $100,000.
Further discussion ensued regarding the need to provide coverage for
Clearwater Pass Bridge. It was indicated that if there were a catastrophic event
and the bridge blew down, a new bridge would be built and plans are already
underway for the new bridge. It was stated that $1 million coverage would pay
for one major repair on the bridge.
The meeting recessed from 10:14 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Hayden Knowlton, the City' s insurance consultant, stated the City has three
choices: Option A is base coverage which does not include a London package or
a Clearwater Pass Bridge package and would have a total premium of $122,250;
Option B is for the base package plus the bridge premium which would provide $5
million coverage for the bridge and total premium would then be $222,750 and
Option C is to have the base coverage plus the London package offered by Rodgers
and Commings which would reduce the deductible to $75,000 and provide $1 million
coverage for the bridge and the total cost for those premiums would be $240,750.
A question was raised regarding what the premium would be for the bridge
package if the City only wanted $1 million coverage and it was indicated there
would be a 10 to 20 thousand dollar reduction at the most.
Discussion ensued regarding the differences between the packages and it was
indicated that with Option C, the City's deductible is reduced from $250,000 to
$75,000 and that $1 million is provided for the bridge.
The City Manager indicated Option A provides a package that places more
risk on the City while Option C has the least amount of ri sk however, the
difference in the premium is $100,000.
In response to a question, Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager,
indicated there was over $4 million in the City's Self-Insurance Fund. The City
Manager recommended the Commission go with Option A.
In response to a question, Mr. Schrader indicated an additional $5,000
could be saved if the Commission desired to renuce the layer two property
coverage from $100 million to $70 million. Commission consensus was to reduce
the coverage to $70 million. Mr. Schrader indicated the total savings would be
$5,250.
Mr. Schrader reviewed the additional coverages as follows:
1) Crime and Dishonesty covers $775,000 for theft by employees or forgery
by non-employees, there is a $25,000 deductible, this would cover all employees
and do away with the need for additional bonding of certain employees.
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2) Boiler and Machinery coverage provides coverage if there is damage to
machinery through mechanical failure. The original proposal was to cover for $30
million dollars at a premium of $7,256. The recommendation now is to reduce that
coverage to $10 million for a premium of $5,912
3) Coverage for marina operators would cover marina liability, including
damage to boats that are being ushered in and out of the marina as well as boats
being provided gasoline. This protects the City for damage to boats left in its
custody if the City should be found legally liable. It provides $2 million
coverage with a $10,000 deductible. The premium would be $10,500.
4) Protection, indemnity and hull would provide protection for operatio~s
at the marina, there is no deductible and it provides $1 million coverage. It
also provides coverage for the Jones Act which provides liability payments to
crew members who may be injured. It was indicated this was not carried last
year, only hull insurance was covered. The proposed premium for this coverage
is $11,300.
5) Protection for statutory death of Police and Fire employees. The City
is required by law to pay certain reparations for police and fire employees that
die in the line of duty. This coverage will pay for those events for a premium
of $9,145.
6) Excess Workers Compensation will be through the Florida League of Cities
for a premium of $70,942. There will be no deductible and unlimited cove~age.
Mr. Schrader indicated with the Florida league of Cities there will be annual
discounts based on the time we are covered through their program.
Discussion ensued regarding the need for the marine operator and
protection, indemnity and hull coverage. The City Manager recommended keeping
the marine operator coverage but deleting the protection, indemnity and hull.
It was stated the Jones Act was included in the protection, indemnity and hull.
It was stated these could be paid from the City's insurance fund.
Mr. Schrader indicated staff is continuing to negotiate for excess
liability coverage and will come to the Commission at a later date with those
recommendations.
Commissioner Regulski moved to approve the following 1991/92 property and
casualty insurance program: Layer one property insurance with International
Insurance Company for a premium of $75,000; Layer two property coverage with
Hartford Insurance Company, reducing 'the coverage from $100 million to $70
million, reducing the premium to $42,500; Crime and Dishonesty coverage through
Hartford for a premium of $6,301; Boiler and Machinery coverage through Kemper
for a premi urn of $5,912; mar i na operators coverage through Hartford for a premium
of $10,500: protection, indemnity and hull coverage being deleted; statutory
death police and fire through AIG Life Insurance for a premium of $9,145; excess
workers compensation through the Florida league of Cities for a premium of
$70,942 for a total premium of $220,300 and there be no London package or bridge
coverage. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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ITEM 16 - Purchase of Claims Service from Joh~s Eastern Company, Inc.
For the past several years, Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc., a subsidiary
of Arthur J. Gallagher and Company, has provided claims services to the City as
an integral part of the City's insurance program with Arthur J. Gallagher and
Company. Thes.e services include claims administration, claims adjusting
(investigation and settlement) and loss prevention and loss control services.
Mr. Schrader indicated he is recommending Johns Eastern as they are a
Florida based company with offices in Clearwater and Tampa. The fee of $68,225
is based on an estimate of claims. The company will also provide a computer
access service which can provide claims data when requested.
The City Manager indicated the Commission needs to be aware that Gallagher
Bassett will need to finish what is already on their books and this will cost
approximately another $23,000.
Commissioner Regulski moved to authorize the purchase of claims services
(Workers' Compensation and Liability) from Johns Eastern Company, Inc., for FY
10/1/91-9/30/92 at an estimated cost of $68,225. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
ITEM 17 - 1990/91 Third Quarter BudQet Review
a. Public Hearing & Second Reading Ordinance 65140-91 . Operating Budget
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5140-91 for second reading and
read it by title only. Commissioner Regulski moved to pass and adopt Ordinance
15140-91 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll
call, the vote was:
lIAyesll: Regulski, Nunamaker, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey.
lINaysll: None.
b. Public Hearing & Second Reading Ordinance #5141-91 . Capita 1 Improvement
Budget
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5141.91 for second reading and read
it by title only. Commissioner Nunamaker moved to pass and adopt Ordinance
15141.91 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll
call, the vote was:
IIAyesll: Regulski, Nunamaker, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey.
IINayslt: None.
The meeting adjourned at 11:08 a.m.
ATTEST: c~~.
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