Explanation
BACKGROUND: Certain employees in various bargaining units and the Management Compensation Plan (MCP) ordinance plan will experience layoffs during 2009. This ordinance will provide the continuation of insurance benefits, excluding life and short term disability, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the insurance termination. This ordinance further authorizes the expenses associated with the extensions of insurance coverage be charged to the unallocated balance of the Insurance Trust Fund.
Representatives of the various bargaining units are in agreement with the insurance extension for employees who are terminated through layoff.
Emergency action is recommended to ensure continuation of benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT: Continuation of benefits for thirty (30) days is funded through the 2009 Budget. The expenses incurred due to the extension of insurance coverage will reduce the unallocated balance in the Insurance Trust Fund.
Title
To provide for the continuation of insurance benefits, including medical and prescription drug; dental and vision, if eligible, for a period of 30 days beginning from the date of the insurance termination for employees who are terminated through layoff during 2009; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, employees will be terminated from City employment through layoff during 2009; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Administration and authorized representatives of the various bargaining units and (MCP) Management Compensation Plan to extend certain insurance benefits to said employees for a period of thirty (30) days; and
WHEREAS, costs associated with the extension of such insurance coverage will be charged to the unallocated balance in the Insurance Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the expenditure of funds from the Insurance Trust Fund for the purpose of funding the continuance of insurance benefits thereby preserving the public health, safety, peace, prosperity and welfare; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That single and family medical, and prescription; and vision and dental coverage, if eligible, will be extended for those employees whose employment is terminated through layoff during 2009, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the insurance termination.
SECTION 2. That the expenses associated with the extension of insurance coverage shall be charged to the unallocated balance of the Insurance Trust Fund, Fund 502.
SECTION 3. That authorized representatives of various bargaining units are supportive of the provision of an extension of certain insurance benefits.
SECTION 4. That the employee monthly contribution will be waived for the period of extended coverage.
SECTION 5. For the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.