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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-09; City Council; 17533; Military Leave Benefits EnhancementAB# 17,533 TITLE TEMPORARY ENHANCEMENT OF MILITARY LEAVE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY TO COMBAT TERRORISM AND STRENGTHEN HOMELAND DEFENSES DEPT. Human Resources 1- DEPT. HD.A CITY ATTY. CITY MGR & RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2004-07 7 partially paid military leave of absence and continued health, retirement and leave accrual benefits for City employees called to active duty with the armed forces by the President of the United States to combat terrorism and strengthen homeland defenses. which extends the current provision for additional temporary ITEM EXPLANATION: In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11,2001, the President of the United States began calling up military reservists and members of the National Guard for an anticipated war on terrorism and to increase homeland defense. This recall may continue to affect City employees who are recalled to active duty, and it is important to ensure that City employees and their families do not suffer undue financial hardship as a result. On February 11,2003, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2003-042 which provided a temporary mechanism to supplement employees' military pay to equal their regular City gross biweekly wage at the time of activation and to continue their health, retirement and leave accrual benefits until February 1, 2004. Since February 11,2003, there were three (3) City of Carlsbad employees who were called to active duty, one of whom is still on active duty. It is possible that additional City of Carlsbad employees may be called to active duty. Therefore, staff recommends extending the current provision for additional temporary partially paid military leave of absence and continued health, retirement and leave accrual benefits for City employees called to active duty. This extension would cover the period during which an employee is called and serves on active duty status for this specific operation or until March 1,2005, whichever comes first. The partial military leave pay would be the difference between the amount the employee would have received from their regular City gross biweekly wage (not including overtime) and the amount the employee receives from the military, including all allowances (Leave and Earning Statement). Health insurance, retirement and leave accrual benefits would be continued for the employee and family, with the employee continuing to pay his or her respective portion of the benefit programs (including any premiums for dependent coverage). The partial military pay benefit would be subject to federal, state and Medicare taxes and, if applicable, would be part of the employee's W-2 wages at the end of the year. These provisions would ensure that the benefits for City employees and their families would not be interrupted. i PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. l7 533 FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of this action is difficult to determine at this time. It is estimated that five or fewer employees of the City of Carlsbad may be called to active duty in the next year. Should this occur, the decision would be made to either leave the position(s) vacant or backfill the position(s) with other staff until the employee’s return. Should the decision be made to backfill the position(s), existing funds in the affected department’s block budget would be used to cover this additional expense. EXHIBITS: Resolution No. 2004-077 DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Debbie Porter, (760) 602-2441, dport@ci.carlsbad.ca.us 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20 RESOLUTION NO. 2004-077 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING THE TEMPORARY ENHANCEMENT OF MILITARY LEAVE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY TO COMBAT TERRORISM AND STRENGTHEN HOMELAND DEFENSES WHEREAS, the President of the United States has ordered military reservists and members of the National Guard to active duty to combat terrorism and strengthen homeland defenses; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to continue to support employees called to active military duty by ensuring their pay and benefits will be continued equal to their regular City pay and benefits during their time of activation; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council for the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That temporary partial military leave pay equal to the difference between the amount of the employee’s regular pay, excluding overtime, and the employee’s military pay will be provided by the City. 3. That health insurance, retirement and leave accrual benefits will continue for the employee and family, with the employee continuing to pay for hislher respective portion of the benefit programs during hislher military leave of absence. I/ I/ // 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 4. This temporary partially paid military leave benefit is in addition to the City’s standard military leave policy to cover the period during which an employee is called and serves on active duty for this specific operation and will remain in effect until March 1, 2005. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council held on the 9th day of March ,2004; by the following vote, to wit on behalf of the City: AYES: Council Members Lewis, Finnila, Kulchin, Hall, and Pac NOES: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: Resolution No. 2004-077 page 2