HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2007City of Auburn Law Enforcement Ofgcers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pro Tem Bud Larson 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 Pro Tem Larson and the following Board members were present:
Member Roger Thordarson, Member Lynn Norman, and Member Bill Petersen.
Chair Jim Kelly was excused. Also present were Board Attorney Joseph Beck
and Board Secretary Danielle Daskam.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of the May 1, 2007 LEOFF Board Meeting
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to approve
the May 1, 2007 minutes as distributed.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Pending Disability Leave/Retirement Applications
There was no pending disability leave/retirement application.
B. Medical/Hearing/Vision Claims
Roper Lee
Request for reimbursement of medical expenses in the total
amount of $285.00 per Regence Explanation of Benefits Statement
#0704795031800 and Medicare claim #11-07032-099-290 for
medical services received on January 29, 2007.
On May 1, 2007, the Board tabled Mr. Lee's claim pending the
receipt of additional information regarding the medical necessity of
the medical services provided. No new information was received.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
table Mr. Lee's claim until the next Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
2. Stan Laatsch
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 1
City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 -10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
Request for reimbursement of payroll expenses for Medicare
deductions in the amount of $397.29.
On May 1, 2007, the Board tabled Mr. Laatsch's claim pending
additional information from the Board Attorney.
Board Attorney Beck explained that in 1951, the City of Auburn
chose to come under the Federal Social Security Act (pursuant to a
Section 218 Agreement filed with Employment Security). At that
point, Fire Department personnel opted not to participate in Social
Security.
Later the law changed to provide that anyone hired after March 31,
1986 was subject to mandatory Medicare withholding. Any
firefighters hired after March 31, 1986 were subject to the
mandatory Medicare withholding.
Board Attorney Beck further explained that with the formation of the
Valley Regional Fire Authority on January 1, 2007, all previous
Auburn fire personnel, not previously subject to the mandatory
Medicare withholding, were considered new hires and subject to
the mandatory Medicare withholding. There is no provision to opt
out of the mandatory Medicare withholding; it is considered a
payroll tax, basically.
Board Attorney Beck reported that all LEOFF 1 police officers have
always been subject to Medicare withholding.
After reviewing the LEOFF law, Board Attorney Beck concluded
that the LEOFF Board is not obligated to reimburse LEOFF 1
employees for Medicare withholding. Mr. Beck stated it his opinion
that the Medicare withholding would not be considered a
discretionary reimbursement. Board members noted that the
Board reimburses retirees for Medicare Part B premiums.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Norman to
deny Mr. Laatsch's claim.
Member Petersen expressed support for reimbursement of the
Medicare withholding.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-1. Member Petersen voted no.
(See Item IV.E of these minutes for related discussion.)
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 2
City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 -10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Disability Leave/Retirement Applications
1. James Kelly
Effective Date of Disability: June 4, 2007
Last Day of Service: June 3, 2007
On May 30, 2007, LEOFF Board Chair Pro Tem Bud Larson
tentatively approved disability leave for James Kelly effective June
4, 2007, subject to full Board review and approval. Mr. Kelly's
application for disability leave/retirement includes physicians'
statements from Dr. Nancy Becker dated May 21, 2007 and Dr.
Alnasir Adatia dated May 24, 2007.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Kelly's disability leave filed May 30, 2007 for leave
effective June 4, 2007 with last day of service on June 3, 2007.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
B. Appeals/Requests for Reconsideration
No appeal or request for reconsideration was filed.
C. Medical/Hearing/Vision Claims
1. Murray Board
Request for reimbursement of dental expenses in the amount of
$203.00.
MURRAY BOARD $1,200.00 BALANCE
2007 $1, 200.00
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Board's claim in the amount of $203.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
2. Don Webb
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 3
City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 -10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
Request for reimbursement of dental expenses in the amount of
$315.00.
DON WEBB 2007 $1,200.00 BALANCE
$1,200.00
Motion by Member Petersen, second by Member Thordarson to
approve Mr. Webb's claim in the amount of $315.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
3. Gordon Stephenson
Request for reimbursement of vision expenses in the amount of
$175.00. (Mr. Stephenson has not received reimbursement for
vision expenses in the last year.)
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Stephenson's claim in the amount of $175.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
4. Bruce Caldwell
Request for reimbursement of medical expenses in the total
amount of $82.86 per Regence Explanation of Benefits Statements
#0708732726400 and 0712032865200 for services received
February 26 and March 26, 2007.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Caldwll's claim in the amount of $82.86.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
5. Ed Henderson
Request for reimbursement of dental expenses in the amount of
$1,355.25.
ED HENDERSON $1,200.00 BALANCE
$1,200.00
March 6, 2007 $168.15 $1,031.85
"April 4, 2007 *"* $2,795.20 ($1,763.35)
**" Found Medically Necessary
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 4
City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 -10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
Motion by Member Petersen, second by Member Thordarson to
approve Mr. Henderson's claim in the amount of $1,355.25.
Member Petersen noted the medical necessity of Mr. Henderson's
treatment.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
6. M. Eric Bearscove
a. Request for reimbursement of medical expenses in the total
amount of $12.00 per Regence Explanation of Benefits
Statement #070959501550 for services received August 23,
2006 and paid by insurance on April 25, 2007.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Bearscove's claim in the amount of $12.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
b. Request for reimbursement of vision expenses in the
amount of $259.97. (Mr. Bearscove has not received
reimbursement for vision expenses in the last year.)
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Bearscove's claim in the amount of $225.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
7. David J. Hannity
Request for reimbursement of medical supplies in the amount of
$43.70.
Motion by Member Petersen, second by Member Thordarson to
approve Mr. Hannity's claim in the amount of $43.70.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
8. Jerome Christin (deceased)
Request for reimbursement of medical supplies in the total amount
of $143.56.
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 5
City of Auburn Law Enforcement OfFicers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
Motion by Member Petersen, second by Member Thordarson to
approve Mr. Christin's claim in the amount of $143.56.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
9. William Petersen
Request for reimbursement of vision expenses in the amount of
$240.00. (Mr. Petersen has not received reimbursement for vision
expenses in the last year.)
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Norman to
approve Mr. Petersen's claim in the amount of $225.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-0. Mr. Petersen abstained from voting.
10. John Calkins
a. Request for reimbursement of dental expenses in the
amount of $352.00.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Calkins' claim in the amount of $352.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
b. Request for reimbursement of dental expenses in the
amount of $751.00.
JOHN CALKINS 2007 $1,200.00 BALANCE
$1,200.00
03/06/2007'`'`* $1,776.60. ($576.60}
""" Found Medically Necessary
Motion by Member Petersen, second by Member Thordarson to
approve Mr. Calkins' claim in the amount of $751.00.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
11. Robert S. Phillips
Request for reimbursement of vision expenses in the amount of
$159.98.
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 6
City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 10:00 AM -Council Conference Room
Mr. Phillips' claim was added to the agenda. Board Secretary
Daskam indicated that Mr. Phillips has not received vision expense
reimbursement in the last year.
Motion by Member Thordarson, second by Member Petersen to
approve Mr. Phillips' claim in the amount of $159.98.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
D. Correspondence
No correspondence was received.
E. Discussion
Board Attorney Beck clarified his earlier comments regarding the Board's
authority to reimburse a LEOFF member for Medicare withholding tax.
Mr. Beck noted that the LEOFF Board has the authority to pay necessary
medical services. Insurance premiums do not fall under the definition of
necessary medical services. He further noted that the LEOFF law
provides that: "Any employer, under this Chapter, may at its discretion
elect to reimburse a retired former employee, under this Chapter,
premiums the retired former employee has paid for medical insurance that
supplements Medicare, including premiums that the retired former
employee has paid for Medicare Part B coverage."
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting
adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
APPROVED THE ~ ~ DAY OF JULY, 2007.
Bud Larson, Chair Pro Tem
Da 'elle Daskam, Secretary
LEOFF Board Minutes
June 5, 2007
Page 7