pages: CityCouncil/2013-04-02.pdf, 7
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CityCouncil | 2013-04-02 | 7 | Councilmember Chen inquired whether the City gained from the employees' experience serving the federal facility. The Senior Management Analyst responded in the affirmative; stated the experience is the same as the City hiring from another agency with similar firefighting skills. In response to Councilmember Chen's inquiry regarding the number of firefighters asking for the service buy back, the Senior Management Analyst stated the City estimates 15 to 20 firefighters will apply. In response to Councilmember Chen's further inquiry, the Senior Management Analyst stated a number of firefighters came over at the time of Base closure in 1997 and firefighters who came over a couple of years before Base closure might be eligible as well. Councilmember Chen inquired whether an equivalent federal requirement also applies to said employees. The Senior Management Analyst responded the employees are not eligible for a federal pension; stated upon leaving the NAS, contributions in the federal system had to be cashed out; noted the employees were civilian Firefighters not eligible for a military pension either. Councilmember Chen inquired whether PERS would be the employees' only retirement fund, to which the Senior Management Analyst responded in the affirmative. The City Manager stated the City is not paying for the service credit and is just providing Firefighters with the opportunity to purchase service credit. Expressed concern over CalPERS not performing actuarial studies, which is a City Charter violation: Ken Peterson, Alameda. Provided background information on the provision: Jeff DelBono, International Association of Firefighters. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested an explanation of why the purchase amount varies. Mr. DelBono responded that he based the amount off of Oakland Firefighters being quoted about $7,000 a year plus interest; stated the amount varies depending on the cost during the time the firefighters were working at the Base. Mayor Gilmore inquired whether there is window of time in which the employee has to purchase the rights or if the time is open ended, to which Mr. DelBono responded pension reform requires employees to have submitted applications by January 1; stated 15 to 20 employees submitted applications to retain the option; about three quarters Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 7 April 2, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-04-02.pdf |