SR-602-001
F:\PERSON\MISC\COUNCIL\STAFFRPT\COUNCL43 Santa Monica, California
December 5, 2000
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt Resolution to Provide Coverage for Domestic
Partners Under the CalPERS Health Plan for Safety (Police and Fire)
Members
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution stating its
intent to provide coverage for domestic partners under the CalPERS health plan for safety
members. The attached resolution complies with the procedure required by CalPERS.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Monica contracts with CalPERS to provide a retirement plan for its
permanent safety (Police and Fire) and miscellaneous (non-safety) employees. The City
also contracts with CalPERS for health coverage for safety members.
CalPERS now allows the City to elect to provide domestic partner medical insurance
coverage under the CalPERS health plan for safety members. The health insurance plans
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for miscellaneous (non-safety) employees (CIGNA and Kaiser) already offer domestic
partner insurance coverage.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no budget or financial impacts to the City as a result of adding domestic partner
coverage for safety members. In accordance with the Memorandums of Understanding
which cover safety employees, the City is obligated to contribute $475 per month for
medical insurance for each active employee. The City uses a composite medical
insurance rate to calculate the cost of the insurance. If the composite rate is less than
$475 per month, the difference is paid into a Medical Trust for Police employees and a
Post Employment Health Plan for Fire employees. If the composite rate is more than $475
per month, the employees reimburse the City the amount of the premium above the $475
City contribution cap. Adding domestic partners to the medical insurance plans would
result in an increase in the total monthly insurance premiums. However, the Citys
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financial obligation would remain capped at $475 per month per employee.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to elect to provide
domestic coverage under the CalPERS health plan for safety members.
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Prepared by: Karen Bancroft, Director of Personnel
Attachment A: Resolution
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ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NUMBER ____ (CCS)
(CITY COUNCIL SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DECLARING THE CITYS INTENTION TO ELECT TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC
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EMPLOYEES MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
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WHEREAS, Government Code Sections 22850 and/or 22850.3 allow a local agency
contracting with the Public Employees Retirement System to provide the benefits of the
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Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (the Act) to its employees; and
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WHEREAS, City of Santa Monica, hereinafter referred to as the Contracting
Agency, is a local agency contracting with the Public Employees Retirement System
under the Act; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 22873 allows a Contracting Agency to
provide benefits to the domestic partners of employees and annuitants of local agencies
contracting under the Act upon proper application; and
WHEREAS, the Contracting Agency desires to obtain for its employees and
annuitants the benefit of Section 22873 and to accept the liabilities and obligations of a
Contracting Agency under the Section,
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
1. SECTION 1. The City hereby gives notice of intention to elect to be subject to
the provisions of Section 22873 of the Government Code.
2. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE
City Attorney
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