HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-02/08/2016COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 8, 2016
4:35 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Jacobs, Jones, Schmitt, Lind, Morrissey, .Welper, and Amos.
Jacobs arrived at 4:38 p:m.
Moved by Schmitt seconded by Morrissey that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved.
Objective: Discuss Proposed Wellness Plan.
Suzy Schares,-City Clerk/Human Resources Director, presented a proposed Wellness Plan for the
City of Waterloo and explained that a Wellness Plan boosts employee productivity and reduces
claims costs. Schares explained that a biometrics screening which included a questionnaire,
blood test, and other basic tests was held in 2015 and the results became the baseline for the
wellness plan. Schares provided an overview of the overall employee health.
The Proposed Wellness Plan would include creating a better mental health program as 265
employees noted on their questionnaire that they sought mental- health services within the last
calendar year. The plan would also include voluntary financial wellness counselling, continued
biometrics screening, and a twenty percent reduction in employee memberships to the
SportsPlex. Schares noted that six employee memberships would offset the twenty percent
reduction.
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Schares outlined the health insurance rates that will go into effect at the start of the next fiscal
year and implementation for the proposed wellness plan during FY18-19 as follows: Continued
biometrics screening, share percentage ofpremium increases for FY18-19, and build incentive
program. Incentives would be monetary rewards to be used towards wellness related items.
Mr. Welper questioned whether employees are healthy.
Schares explained the biometrics results were matchedup with national averages. Employees
tend to eat unhealthy and the biometrics screening helped employees catch problems they did not
realize they had.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if employees differentiated between the high levels of stress at home
and work on the questionnaire.
Schares affirmed that the questionnaire differentiated between stress at home and work and
explained that the employer needs to do something that about the employee stress level.
Mr. Amos questioned if the number of employees seeking mental health -treatment included
employees who return for additional mental health treatment.
Schares explained that the total number reflects the number of individuals on the plan who
sought mental health treatment:
Mr. Lind questioned how much the proposed plan would cost.
Schares explained that in the initial year with the EAP program, the budget will increase to
$15,000. Enough claim reduction should occur to cut back on costs. Statistically, organizations
see health care costs cut in half when the employer institutes an EAP program. Employee
incentives would increase the plan cost by $400 to $600 dollars.
Mr. Schmitt requested a copy of the presentation and questioned the amount of money spent on
the wellness fair.
Schares explained that the Safety and Wellness Fair spans one week. The cost is typically
$1,000 per year on the wellness portion and the bulk of the cost comes from team building and
safety training.
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Mr. Jones questioned difference between current number of participants and the benefitted
employees.
Schares explained that benefitted employees include individuals who are employed by thei city
and carrying health insurance participants include the dependents because .dependent health costs
directly affect the cost of the plan for the city.
Mr. Jones asked and Schares responded that the city has 1800 individuals and 140 retirees are
covered on the health insurance plan.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Schmitt seconded by Lind that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:07 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried. '
Iwai PkckG—
Kelley Fekchle
Deputy Ci y Clerk
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