pages: CityCouncil/2009-10-20.pdf, 3
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CityCouncil | 2009-10-20 | 3 | premature because firefighters and police offers are not being hired right now; the 1079 and 1082 provisions do not apply to future employees; the MOUs include a collaborative processi that she agrees with the majority of voters polled last week regarding changing pension benefits; public safety employees deserve more generous benefits. Mayor Johnson inquired what polling was done. Councilmember Tam responded the State conducted a poll on October 16. Mayor Johnson inquired whether the poll provided an understanding of public safety benefits. Councilmember Tam responded in the affirmative; stated voters endorsed the idea of continuing more generous pension benefits for public safety employees; voters oppose a more stringent proposal to impose a surtax on retiree income exceeding $50,000. Mayor Johnson stated the public has a misunderstanding of the reality of public safety pay and benefits; lifetime benefits are also provided to the spouse [in Alameda] ; inquired whether a new spouse would receive medical benefits after an employee retires, to which the City Attorney responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson inquired whether a former spouse would receive the benefit, to which the City Attorney responded the benefit would be lost through divorce; other cities are not as generous [ as Alameda]. Councilmember Gilmore stated amending the ordinance is a condition precedent to having the committee get together and having a meaningful work product an ordinance would be needed for a new agreement. The City Attorney stated that Councilmember Gilmore is correct; City staff and bargaining units have no jurisdiction to negotiate if the ordinance already sets benefits; Counci] has the legislative freedom to change the ordinance; future employee benefits would be whatever results from the meet and confer process under the Meyers- Milias Brown Act. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired whether the four public safety unions have agreed to meet and confer. The City Attorney responded in the affirmative; stated the unions have agreed to specifically review medical benefits for future Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 3 October 20, 2009 | CityCouncil/2009-10-20.pdf |