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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09132005 - SD2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ,y Contra FROM** JOHN SWEETEN,County Administrator f costa -$r. - County DATE: AUGUST 30,2005 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF COUNTY RESPONSES TO GRAND JURY REPORTS, PERTAINING TO THE PENSION SYSTEM,HEALTH CARE COSTS,AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM COSTS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION:0 CONSIDER additional actions to be taken regarding the County's responses to 2004/05 Grand Jury reports pertaining to the pension system,health care costs, and workers' compensation program costs, approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 16,2005. BACKGROUND: On August 16,2005,the Board of Supervisors approved as Consent Calendar actions responses prepared by the County Administrator to the following 2004/OS Grand Jury reports: X506 Workers' Compensation Now! 0508 Code Blue: County Health Care Costs 0509 Reduce Pension Tension Supervisor Piepho requested that the reports be approved but scheduled for further discussion in September. Staff will be in attendance to try to answer any questions regarding the responses and to receive any direction as the Board of Supervisors deems warranted. r CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: piltjj RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOM NATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE ,APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S):Q 1-,' 0- 1 - )�;---- -- -,Ae---" - 4zoo���--------- ACTION OF BOA N APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED OTHER SEE AS5r>Ch,-J'DlAt� VOTE OF SUPE ISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN UNANIMOUS(ABSENAND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE AYES: NOES: SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED: SEPTEMBER 13,2005 CONTACT: JULIE ENEA(925)335-1077 JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CC: COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR RISK MANAGER HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR BY CSL DEPUTY ADDENDUM TO ITEM SD.3 September 13, 2005 On this day,the Board of Supervisors considered additional actions to be taken regarding the County's responses to 2004/05 Grand Jury reports pertaining to the pension system,health care costs,and workers' compensation program costs,approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 16,2005. County Administrator John Sweeten noted that the three recent Grand Jury reports cover some of the most important issues affecting county government today. He noted that pension,health care costs,and workers' compensation costs are also major issues affecting both public and private employers in all of California.He commented that the reports on these subjects were among the best Grand Jury reports he's seen during his 30 years of service;that they were well-stated and presented recommendations deserving of thoughtful consideration.He said that staff has attempted to be responsive to these findings,but he noted that because of meet and confer requirements,certain discussions cannot in good faith be held in a public forum such as in the boardroom or in the press.As a result,he said he would be unable to recommend the Board commit itself to some of the specific actions outlined in the reports. He said he recognizes that this may be frustrating to the Grand Jury,but with no disrespect intended he said he hopes the members of the Grand Jury can be understanding regarding these constraints. Supervisor Gioia echoed Mr. Sweeten's comments about the importance of the subjects covered in the reports,and noted that probably all that could be said at this point is that these issues will be very important in the labor negotiations process. Supervisor Uilkema noted that sometimes constraints make it impossible to respond with immediate action,but that courses of action are often set in place by the direction of the Grand Jury. Chair Uilkema asked if there was public comment on this item. The following persons provided testimony: Ken Hambrick, Walnut Creek resident,expressing disappointment that when these Grand Jury Reports originally appeared before the Board,they were listed among the Consent Calendar items; Kris Hunt.,representing the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association,suggesting listing the Grand Jury reports on the County's web page for public review; Rollie Katz,representing Public Employees Union Local 1,noting that the issues discussed in the report are not unique to Contra Costa County,and suggesting that improving safety is the best way to reduce costs incurred in the face of rising medical costs. Julie Enea,Deputy County Administrator,,responded to Ms.Hunt's comment,noting that the Grand Jury reports are available on the Grand Jury's website,which is linked on the County's home page. Supervisor DeSaulnier suggested moving forward with empathy and with the understanding that all involved parties bring to the discussions different backgrounds and experience. Supervisor Gioia noted that there are four parts to the County's unfunded liability: pension benefits, stock market fluctuations,changes in the actuarial table,and the results of the Paulson settlement. He suggested that to assess the unfunded liability, all four of these affecting factors should be addressed. Supervisor Uilkema asked if the Board would want to consider requesting that future Grand Jury reports be listed on the Short Discussion Calendar,,rather than the Consent Calendar. ADDENDUM TO ITEM SD.S September 15, 2005 Page 2 of 2 Mr. Sweeten noted that it has been the historical practice to list Grand Jury reports on the Consent Calendar,,but he said he would urge the Board to support listing the reports on Short Discussion Calendar to help enable any member of the public to be able to provide comment. By a unanimous concurrence with none absent, the board REQUESTED that future Grand Jury reports be listed on the Board's Short Discussion Calendar.