COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on January 25, 1999, at 6:30 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller and Mayor Hutchison.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilman Leary, Councilwoman Malone, Mr. Gorman and Mr. Merritt.

Consideration of Retirement Health Care Coverage - Kent County (City of Dover) Paramedics

A letter was submitted by Chief Colin Faulkner, Kent County Emergency Medical Services Department, requesting consideration of the City reopening the structure for continuation of health insurance as established in the Paramedic Integration Agreement of 1991. Chief C. Faulkner reminded members that the foundation for the current Kent County Emergency Medical Services was established from a core group of long-term City of Dover paramedics. The City, having provided the first paramedic service in lower Delaware, relinquished its service following passage of legislation in 1991, which created a statewide paramedic system.

Chief C. Faulkner indicated that the language in the Agreement of 1991 falls short in providing continued health care coverage to former City paramedics. Specifically, the provision limits the length of health care coverage after retirement to the length of employment with Kent County.

Mr. O’Connor advised members that the Human Resource Department has been requested to determine the costs to the City, should the request of the paramedics be granted. It is his feeling that the request involves more than the City, since the paramedics are now employees of Kent County, and has requested a meeting with the County Administrator to discuss this issue. Mr. O’Connor requested that this matter be referred back to staff for further review and a recommendation to the committee. He requested that Chief C. Faulkner contact the County Administrator to schedule a meeting and advise him accordingly.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend that this matter be referred to staff for further review and recommendation to the committee, as requested by Mr. O’Connor. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone.

Chief C. Faulkner advised members that six (6) employees are involved and they will be subjected to non-coverage of medical insurance for a period of time. He thanked members for taking the time to review this matter.

On a call for the question by Mr. Salters, the motion to refer this matter back to staff was unanimously carried.

Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:37 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                                    Council President

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