pages: CityCouncil/2013-07-23.pdf, 17
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CityCouncil | 2013-07-23 | 17 | determine the potential savings from suggestions; the range of savings would depend on different scenarios. Councilmember Daysog stated the key issue with the trust fund is how to capitalize the fund; Councilmembers have discussed diverting savings from the 1079 and 1082 plans; analysis should include the possibility of rolling blackouts; provided examples of rolling blackouts, such as closing one or two parks or closing different branch libraries for periods of time; stated the savings which could be generated should be a part of the discussion or at least the analysis. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated past Council direction has been to have budget cuts start furthest from the point of service; Councilmember Daysog's suggestions could be considered, but would be a long way down the road; staff report Table 2 separates OPEB costs for public safety versus miscellaneous employees; the amount is almost 10 times higher for public safety employees; suggested analysis include the number of employees in each group; inquired whether there are more public safety retirees then miscellaneous retirees, to which the Finance Director responded in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated costs need to be brought down; knowing the numbers would be helpful; the potential solutions recommended by the OPEB Task Force were outlined in the report; in the future, the Fiscal Sustainability Committee's report should also be included; advantages, such as improving the City's credit rating, should be outlined to provide Council with a better understanding of what would work best; some sort of hybrid will probably be done, rather than selecting one solution; the dollar amount of savings should be provided; staff should do said calculations because the solution will involve sacrifices; the Council needs to know what it will get for sacrifices; Council might select different option after learning it is not as onerous to the public and has benefits; Council does not have enough information right now; the Beverly Hills plan is very interesting; however, she would be very hesitant to consider changing the OPEB benefit for future sworn public safety employees to the minimum; miscellaneous and public safety employees are not equal; public safety professionals are put in physical danger and may have more significant medical conditions than miscellaneous employees; in 2008, Mayor Gilmore suggested contracting out engineering services; questioned whether the matter was explored. Councilmember Tam stated the 2008 matter addressed Planning and Building services. The City Manager stated the same has been done with the Recreation and Park fund; revenue pays for programs; Planning and Building services are fee based and are under a separate revenue stream, rather than the General Fund. The Finance Director stated engineering and community development activities are not greatly impacted by OPEB. Mayor Gilmore stated the context is the City had a massive layoff in Planning and Building; the concept was the City could contract out services as permit work increased, Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 16 July 23, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-07-23.pdf |