RECOM (Retired Employees City of Mesa) - Minutes of June 21, 2006, Meeting

Board Members Present: Lin Adams, Fred Conway, Barbara Seperich, John Smoyer, Chuck Wennerlund

Board Members Absent: Les Olsen, Walter Switzer

Members Present: Jim Adams, Tom Albright, Dorothy & John Ashley, Kathy Barrett, Fred Bollinger, Ivard Brimley, Richard Buck, Jerry Buza, Dean & Eleanor Childs, Grace Cokeley, Tanya Collins, Cecil Crusinberry, Pat Dillard, Doug & Marvene Elliott, Bill Everson, Jo & John Ferguson, John Gendron, Joan Gregory, Peggy Haney, Pat Hinshaw, Tim Mahon, Genie Pritchard, Molly Rice, Jean Russell, Pat Schultz, Jerry Smith, Denny Spidel, Fran Spidel, Rebecca Standage, Carlos Starkey, Bob & Jane Taylor, Ron Von Burg, Marilyn Warden, Bev Watt, Kathy & Ralph Werner. Others Present: Wayne Balmer

Introductions: The meeting was called to order by Fred Conway. Board members were introduced, and first-time attendees Jerry Smith (PD), Carlos Starkey (Fire), Fred Bollinger (Utilities), and Richard Buck (Utilities) introduced themselves.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 17, 2006, meeting were reviewed and approved.

Secretary Report: Lin reported that she just found out that RECOM member Carol Garst, wife of RECOM member Delbert Garst (Public Works), passed away on June 9. A condolence card will be sent to Delbert. Lin also mentioned that she has received a large number of responses to the RECOM membership application mailing recently sent by the City to all retirees. Lin wanted to ensure everyone understood that the City provided the mailing labels for RECOM, but that RECOM paid for the mailing, and Board members stuffed and labeled the correspondence while at the Employee Benefits office - and that RECOM did not get any personal information about any retiree. Lin also mentioned that some members questioned the need to increase dues and explained that numerous members do not have Email, so minutes, etc., are printed and mailed to them each month. The Board will be addressing the interests of members as expressed in the application forms, to ensure RECOM serves its members as effectively as possible.

Treasurer's Report: Chuck reported that the current balance in the checking account is $4,051. A significant amount of dues are coming in from the RECOM membership mailing in early June.

Benefits Task Force: Barb reported she and John Oliver are RECOM's representatives to the Employee Benefits Task Force, with John representing the public safety members and Barb representing the non-public safety members. The Task Force is composed of about 25 members from various departments and serves as somewhat of an early warning system for the City, regarding changes in the benefits program or premiums, etc. The Task Force communicates information to employees and retirees and brings back information from them to the City. The Task Force met on June 20, and Barb shared information about the proposed increased premiums (not approved yet by the City Council) for calendar year 2007. The greatest increases will occur with the City's 90/10 plan and are expected to be as follows per month:

MEDICAL

Choice Plan (80/20)

Single Current - $30 Proposed - $40

Family Current - $53 Proposed - $63

Choice Plus Plan (90/10)

Single Current - $89 Proposed - $170

Family Current - $126 Proposed - $226

Basic Choice Plan

Single Current - $0 Proposed - $0

Family Current - $0 Proposed - $0

Co-Pay

Single Current - $105 Proposed - $128

Family Current - $212 Proposed - $262

**These figures are for retirees with at least 20 years of service with the City. If a retiree worked less than 20 years, the premiums will be higher. The actual plans (coverages, co-pays, and decuctibles) will not change for calendar year 2007, so if you remain in your current plan, only the premiums will change. The Benefits staff has offered to field phone calls from retirees regarding the plans. If you are currently on the Choice Plus Plan (90/10) - and most of the people on that plan are retirees - you may call the Benefits Office, the staff will go over your claims from last year and help you determine which plan would be best for you.

DENTAL

Choice Plan

Single Current - $10 Proposed - $12

Family Current - $68 Proposed - $74

Choice Plus Plan

Single Current - $18 Proposed - $28

Family Current - $88 Proposed - $108

Preventative Plan

Single Current - $5 Proposed - $5

Family Current - $30 Proposed - $30

There are no changes in the vision care plan. The Benefits staff would be interested in your experiences, either good or bad, with the current vision care plan. Apparently some people have had very good experiences, while others have had difficulty getting into the system, etc. Members may contact Jody Topping at 480-644-3009 or Email her at jody.topping@cityofmesa.org.

The City renegotiated with Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS). Formerly BCBS was getting a percentage of the savings the City got for using the BCBS network of providers (because they paid the providers less than they would normally get). The contract was renegotiated, and now the City pays $15 per person enrolled in the plan. Next year, the cost will be reduced to $13.50 per person, again reducing the City's cost.

There have been some problems with the out-of-state program. Apparently the out-of-state network users were issued one card for both HealthSmart and Beechstreet networks, but not all doctors are part of both networks. In order to avoid problems, members should inquire if their doctor is part of the HealthSmart network. If members have specific questions, they should contact Jody Topping (see above).

Guest Speaker: Wayne Balmer, City of Mesa Project Manager for Williams Gateway

Wayne presented "An Economic Development Tour of Mesa," a detailed PowerPoint presentation about economic development changes and future plans for Mesa and Williams Gateway. The presentation was very informative and well-received by RECOM members.

Announcements - Fred read an Email he received from Christina Vanoverbeke, a features writer for the East Valley Tribune. Ms. Vanoverbeke was working on an article involving retired couples and was interested in talking to retirees' experiences of working apart for years, and how they adjusted when the couple retired and spent so much time together again. Ms. Vanoverbeke's deadline is June 28.

Barb presented Fred and John with Certificates of Appreciation for their years of service on the RECOM Board. Fred had served since 2003, and John had served since 2001. A Certificate will also be provided to Les Olsen, who served on the Board for the year 2005-06. Although Les is no longer on the Board, he continues to serve as RECOM's webmaster. Fred then officially "passed the gavel" to Barb, who will serve as the RECOM Chairperson beginning July 1. The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 AM.

Next Meeting: July 19, 2006 - 9:00 AM, Community Room, Mesa Fire Station 201, NW corner of 1st Street and Mesa Drive; Speaker to be Announced.