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Home My WebLink About02-07-2006 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 10:00 AM - Council Conference Room MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jim Kelly called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room located at Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in Auburn. Chair Kelly and the following Board members were present: Chair Pro Tem Bud Larson (member-at-Iarge), Member Roger Thordarson, and Member Rich Wagner. Member Russ Vandver was excused from attendance. Also present were Board Attorney Joseph Beck and Board Secretary Danielle Daskam. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of the Januarv 3. 2006 Reaular LEOFF Board Meetina B. Minutes of the Januarv 17, 2006 Special LEOFF Board Meetinq Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve the January 3, 2006 minutes as distributed. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve the January 17, 2006 minutes as distributed. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Pendinq Disabilitv Leave/Retirement Applications 1. Russ Vandver Effective Date of Disability: November 1, 2005 Last Day of Service: October 31, 2005 On November 1, 2005, the LEOFF Board approved disability leave for Mr. Vandver effective November 1, 2005 with last day of service on October 31, 2005. Chair Kelly acknowledged receipt of a copy of the January 26, 2006 letter from Dr. William Williard regarding Russ Vandver. The letter was received by the Board Secretary via fax on February 3, 2006 and after publication of the agenda. The letter explains that Mr. Vandver is under treatment for a significant illness requiring treatment over the next year. Chair Kelly indicated that he has LEOFF Board Minutes February 7, 2006 Page 1 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, February 7, 2006 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room spoken with Mr. Vandver and the purpose of the letter is to advise the Board that his medical condition has changed from the time of his initial application for disability leave. Additionally, Dr. Williard's letter advises that pursuant to RCW 51.32.185, the most recent diagnosis is included on the presumption of occupational diseases for fire fighters. Board members discussed the provisions of RCW 51.32.185, and Board Attorney Beck agreed to provide additional research on the matter. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to continue Mr. Vandver's disability leave for an additional month or until cessation of disability, whichever occurs first. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. Chair Kelly requested that the Board Secretary address a letter to Mr. Vandver requesting a letter from Mr. Vandver's original treating physician as to how his initial disability relates to his current diagnosis. B. Medical/HearinaNision Claims There was no pending claim. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Disabilitv Leave/Retirement Applications No new application for disability leave/retirement was received. B. Appeals/Reauests for Reconsideration No appeal or request for reconsideration was filed. C. Medical/HearinaNision Claims 1. Robert Almv Request for reimbursement of vision expenses (lenses and frames) in the amount of $220.47 dated January 23, 2006. (Mr. Almy has not received vision expense reimbursement within the last year.) Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Almy's claim in the amount of $200.00 pursuant to Policy 9.02. LEOFF Board Minutes February 7, 2006 Page 2 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, February 7,2006 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 2. Murrav Board Request for reimbursement of vision expenses (lenses and frames) in the amount of $157.97 dated January 13, 2006. (Mr. Board has not received vision expense reimbursement within the last year.) Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Chair Pro Tem Larson to approve Mr. Board's claim in the amount of $157.97. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 3. Bruce Caldwell Claim for Regence Explanation of Benefits Statement #0534332169400 processed on December 21, 2005 for medical services received on November 30, 2005 in the amount of $48.23 and Regence Explanation of Benefits Statement #0533334353300 processed on December 7, 2005 for medical services received on November 14, 2005 in the amount of $48.23 for a total claim of $96.46. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Caldwell's claim in the amount of $96.46. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 4. John Baker Claim for reimbursement of hearing aid repairs dated January 11, 2006 in the amount of $260.00. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Baker's claim in the amount of $260.00 in accordance with Policy 9.03. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. D. Correspondence 1. Letter addressed to Brenda Heineman, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management from LEOFF 1 retiree Roger Lee dated January 26, 2006 regarding enrollment in long term care insurance. LEOFF Board Minutes February 7, 2006 Page 3 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, February 7,2006 - 10:00 AM - Council Conference Room Chair Kelly acknowledged the receipt of the letter from retiree Roger Lee. Chair Kelly stated that he has spoken to Mr. Lee and Mr. David Schuur regarding enrollment in City-paid long term care insurance. Both Mr. Schuur and Mr. Lee did not enroll in the insurance when it was first offered. E. Discussion 1. Policv and Procedure Manual Review The following items were included in the agenda packet for Board review. a. January 30, 2006 e-mail from Chair Kelly regarding 206 Draft LEOFF Board policy changes. b. Draft dental policy c. Excerpts from April 5 and August 2, 2005 minutes reflecting policy amendments that have occurred during the past year. Board members reviewed the proposed policy changes recommended by Chair Kelly. Member Roger Thordarson suggested a policy statement related to long term care coverage that would limit or eliminate the Board's obligation to pay for long term care costs if the LEOFF member refused to enroll in the City provided long term care insurance. Chair Kelly offered to prepare a draft policy for review by the Board Attorney and future consideration by the Board. Other suggested changes by Chair Kelly include: Policy 1.11 (E)(1) delete the word "and" at the end of the first line of the paragraph. Policy 3.05, second paragraph, clarify that LEOFF 1 members are not required to use sick leave. Chair Kelly reported that the Chair has the ability to tentatively grant disability leave pending full Board review. Policy 8.02(D) dental coverage to provide for one dental checkup per year and no more than two cleanings per year. A draft policy is included in the agenda packet. Member Wagner suggested a maximum amount per year. Chair Kelly requested the Board Secretary survey the costs of a LEOFF Board Minutes February 7, 2006 Page 4 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, February 7, 2006 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room LEOFF Board Minutes February 7, 2006 Page 5 dental checkup, cleaning and x-rays. Member Wagner also suggested a policy addressing dentures. Policy 8.03(B) and 9.04 regarding nursing home confinement to provide a limit of liability if the LEOFF 1 member refuses to subscribe to the City paid long term care insurance. Police 9.01 (E) change the reference to the LEOFF Board meeting day from the first Monday of the month to the first Tuesday of the month. Policy 9.02(C)(1) increase eyeglass lenses and frames from $200 to $225. Policy 9.02(C)(2) increase second pair reimbursement rate from $200 to $225. Policy 9.02(C) (3) increase contact lenses from $100 to $125 per lens not to exceed $250.00 Policy 9.02(D) increase laser vision correction reimbursement from $700 to 725. Update Appendix A to reflect current membership. Incorporate amendments to Policy 8.03(B) and Policy 9.01 (i) adopted during 2005. There was brief discussion regarding the annual update sent to LEOFF 1 members to obtain current records regarding address, employment status, other insurance coverage and other information. Mayor Pro Tem Larson noted that the current policies and procedures require adoption of rules by the February meeting. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to suspend Policies 10.01 and 10.02 until the April 2006 Board meeting to allow adoption of amendments to the LEOFF policies and procedures. MOTION CARRiED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0. City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, February 7,2006 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room F. Other Business Chair Kelly acknowledged receipt of a January 20, 2006 letter from LEOFF 1 member John Dodd announcing his retirement from the Fire Department after 37 years of service. Mr. Dodd's anticipated retirement date is March 15, 2006. Chair Kelly noted that the LEOFF Board, at its last meeting, placed Mr. Dodd on a conditional return to duty for sixty days. Chair Kelly acknowledged receipt of a physician's statement from Cascade Orthopaedics dated January 16, 2006 and received by the Board Secretary on February 7, 2006 recommending Mr. Dodd's return to work with no restricted activities. No action is required by the Board at this time. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m. APPROVED THE '7 ~ DAY OF MARCH, 2006. ~~~~H~ ~~~.'--/ Ie Daskam, Secretary LEOFF Board Minutes February 7, 2006 Page 6