01-12-1993 VC PH-M' MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1993
Present: Judy M. Pierman, Mayor
V. A. Marks, M. D., Vice Mayor
Jerry Gardner, President Pro Tem
Tom Valente, Councilman
Gail H. Vastola, Councilman
Dennis W. Ke11y, Village Manager
George W. Baldwin, Village Attorney
Kathleen F. Kelly, Village Clerk
ROLL CALL
Mayor Pierman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. All members
of Council were present except Councilman Vastola, who arrived at
4:01 p.m. All members of staff were present.
PURPOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING
' The purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear explanations of
objections to the Special Master's findings resulting from the
impasse between the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association
and the village of North Palm Beach.
Bonnie Jensen, Attorney for the Police Benevolent Association,
addressed the Council regarding their objection to the Special
Master's findings relating to health insurance, whereby PBA
employees would pay 25% of the annual dependent coverage, with the
Village reimbursing the employees the amount of the premium
actually paid to October 1, 1993. Ms. Jensen offered the union
recommendation as follows: a committee should be created to review
insurance programs and make recommendations due by April 1, 1993,
with the Village insurance plan being in effect until then; the
difference being that the employees should pay 50a of the annual
premium, capped at 2% of the employees' base pay. The Village
would reimburse the employee for the amount of the premium actually
paid through September 30, 1993. The reason for placing a 2% cap
on the premium is to allow budgeting o£ salary increases
commensurate with premium increases, and to know in advance what
their contribution would be to the increased premiums on health
insurance. This plan would effect a higher contribution from
employees with higher salaries, and a lower contribution from
employees with lower salaries. Ms. Jensen recommended that the
' Council adopt all of the Special Master's findings except for the
health insurance issue, and to amend that plan to 50% of the annual
premium, not to exceed 2a of base salary, reimbursable up to
September 30, 1993.
' Minutes of Public Hearing
Tuesday, January 12, 1993
Glen Torcivia, Attorney for Management of the Village of North Palm
Beach, offered the following explanation of the Village's position
regarding health insurance: although the Village is sympathetic to
the union's desire to have certainty in budgeting for health care,
in reality there is no certainty in that area. The Village must
operate and budget with the same uncertainty as any other party,
and last year absorbed a $47,000 increase in health insurance
premiums. Mr. Torcivia stated that the Village considers the
recommendation of the Special Master, a neutral party chosen by
both the PBA and the Village, and whose determination asks for a
contribution equal to 250 of the dependent coverage premium,
reimbursable for the first year, very fair. The alternative
offered by the PBA of 50~ contribution with a cap of 2% of base
salary would not come close to equalling a 25% share of the cost in
the majority of cases. Additionally, he said, all other employees,
NAGfi and non-union members, are currently paying 50~ of dependent
premiums, with no cap and no reimbursement. Mr. Torcivia
recommended that the Council adopt the Special Master's plan in
this matter.
' There being no further comments to be heard, the meeting adjourned
at 4:45 p.m.
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