HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-27 City Council (21)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: HUMAN RESOURCES
5
DATE:JULY 27, 1998 CMR:319:98
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESOLUTION TO THE
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM (PERS) CONTRACT
TO PROVIDE SECTION 21024, MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT
PUBLIC SERVICE, FOR FIREFIGHTERS ONLY; AND APPROVAL
OF A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW ALL EMPLOYEES TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PRE-TAX PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLAN
FOR THE PURCHASE OF SERVICE CREDIT FOR ALL COVERED
EMPLOYEES ,.
RECOMMENDATION
This report recommends Council take the following actions:
A.To amend the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) contract to provide Section
21024, Military Service Credit for Firefighters (IAFF, Local 1319):
1.Adopt a Resolution. of Intention of the Council of the City of Palo Alto to approve
an Amendment to the Contract between the Board of Administration of the Public
Employees’ Retirement System and the City of Palo Alto (Local Firefighter
Members).
2.Adopt an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto authorizing an
Amendment to the Contract between the City Council of the City of Palo Alto and
the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System
(Military Service Credit for Local Firefighter Members).
B.To provide all covered employees the option of a pre-tax payroll deduction plan for
service credit purchases under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 414(h)(2):
1.Adopt a Resolution approving.and implementing Pre-Tax Payroll
Deduction Plan for PERS service credit purchases.
CMR:319:98 Page 1 of 3
DISCUSSION
On December 15, 1997, the City Council approved an agreement with the International
Association of Firefighters (IAFF, Local 1319) for a three- year period beginning July 1,
1997 and ending June 30, 2000. Part of this agreement provided for the amendment of the
City’s agreement with PERS to permit .active employees to purchase up to four years of
service credit for any continuous active military service prior to employment with the City
of Palo Alto under Government Code Section 21024. Attached to this report are a Resolution
and Ordinance necessary to amend the PERS contract. This provision was added to the
City’s contract with PERS in 1987 for Miscellaneous employees and in 1996 for Police
employees.
Effective July 1, 1996, PERS began offering active members the option to elect the Pre-Tax
(Tax Deferred) Payroll Deduction Plan to purchase service credit. The Plan allows
employees who elect to participate the benefit of deferring income tax liability on service
credit purchases through payroll deduction.
RESOURCE IMPACT ~ _.
There are no direEt City costs. The cost o£the amendment to the City’s PERS contract is
borne solely by the employee. His/her payment, including interest, will be calculated by
PERS based upon the employer’s contribution rate at the time of election and the employee’s
compensation and contribution rate during their period of service with the City.
The cost of the pre-tax purchase of service credit is also borne solely by the employee.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report does not represent any change to existing City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project under the Califomia Environment Quality Act (CEQA)..
ATTACHMENTS ~’
1. Resolution Approving and Implementing a Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction Plan for
Employee Purchases of CALPERS Service Credit
Resolution to Approve an Amendment to the Contract between the Board of
Administration of PERS and City of Palo Alto
Ordinance Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract between the City of Palo Alto and
Board of Administration of PERS (Military Service Credit for Local Fire Fighter
Members)
PREPARED BY: Leonard Zucker, Employee Benefits Manager
CMR:319:98 Page 2 of 3
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
JAY~C. ROUNDS~-~ /
Director of Human Resources
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
gON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:319:98 Page 3 of 3
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTIONOF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
APPROVING AND IMPLEMENTING A PRE-TAX PAYROLL
DEDUCTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEE PURCHASES OF CALPERS
SERVICE CREDIT
WHEREAS, the Board of Administration of the California
Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) at the April, 1996
meeting approved a pre-tax payroll deduction for service credit
purchases under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 414(h) (2); and
WHEREAS, the City~ of Palo Alto has the authority to
implement the provisions of IRC section 414(h)(2) and has
determined that although implementation is not required by law, the
tax benefit offered by this section should be provided to those
employees who are members of CalPERS; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto elects to participate in the
pre-tax payroll deduction plan for all employees in the following
CalPERS coverage groups:
Miscellaneous Employees
Local Police Officers (Local Safety)
Local Fire Fighter (Local Safety)
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City Of Palo Alto does
hereby RESOLVE as follows:
~.~. The City of Palo Alto will implement the
provisions of IRC section 414(h)(2) by making employee
contributions for service credit purchases pursuant to the
California State Government Code on behalf of its employees who are
members of CalPERS and who have made a binding irrevocable election
to participate in the pre-tax payroll deduction plan. "Employee
contributions" shall mean those contributions reported to CalPERS.
which are deducted from the salary of employees and are credited to
individual employee accounts for service credit purchases thereby
resulting in tax deferral of employee contributions.
SE~. The contributions made by the City of Palo Alto
to CalPERS, although designated as employee contributions, are
being paid by the City of Palo Alto in lieu of contributions by the
employees who are members of CalPERS.
~. The employees shall not have the option of
choosing to receive the contributed amounts directly instead of
having them paid by the City of Palo Alto to CalPERS.
~. The City of Palo Alto shall pay to CalPERS the
contributions designated as employee contributions from the same
source of funds as used in paying salary, thereby resulting in tax
deferral of employee contributions.
980721 l~c 0031966
~. The effective date for commencement of the pre-
tax payroll deduction plan cannot be any earlier than the date this
adopted resolution is received and approved by CalPERS.
~2&lT!~i_~. This Council shall participate in and adhere
to ,the requirements and restrictions of the pre-tax payroll
deduction plan by requiring the City Manager or her designee to
report pre-tax payroll deductions when authorized by CalPERS for
those employees of the above state Coverage Groups who have elected
to participate in this plan.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:CityManager
Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Administrative
Services
Director of Human Resources
2
980721 lac 0031966
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY OF PAL0
ALTO (LOCAL FIRE FIGHTER MEMBERS)
WHEREAS, the Public Employees’ Retirement Law permits the
participation of public agencies and their employees in the Public
Employees’ Retirement System by the execution of a contract, and
sets. forth the procedure by which said public agencies may elect to
subject themselves and their employees to amendments to said Law;
and
WHEREAS, one of the steps in the procedures to amend this
contract is the adoption by the governing body of the public agency
of a resolution giving notice of its intention to approve an.
amendment to..~ said contract, which resolution shall contain a
summary of the change proposed in said contract; and
WHEREAS, the following is a statement of the proposed
change:
To provide Government Code section 21024
(Military Service Credit as Public
Service)for local fire.fighter members.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does
RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto does
hereby give notice of intention to approye an amendment to the
contract between the City of Palo A~o and the Board of
Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System, a copy
of said amendment being attached hereto, as an "Exhibit" and by
this reference made a part hereof.
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’980511 lac~ 0031965
AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
OF THE
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM
AND THE
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO
EXHIBIT
The Board of Administration, Public Employees’ Retirement System, hereinafter referred to as
Board, and the governing body of above public agency, hereinafter referred to as Public Agency,
having entered into a contract effective January 1, 1942, and witnessed March 9, 1942, and as
amended effective January 1, 1948, April 1, 1949, January 1, 1952, July 1, 1954, February 1,
1956, November-l, 1964, September 23, 1968, December 14, 1970, February 1, 1974, July 8,
1974, January 5, 1975, April 1, 1975, September 11, 1977, July 1, 1979, February 21, 1981, July
11, 1981, December 12, 1981, June 12, 1982, September 17, 1983, November 12, 1983, February
11, 1991, October 15, 1994, December 10, 1994 and February 27, 1996 which provides for
participation of Public Agency in said System, Board and Public Agency hereby agree as
follows:
Ao Paragraphs 1 through 12 are hereby stricken from said contract as executed effective
February 27, 1996, and hereby replaced by the following paragraphs numbered 1 through
12 inclusive:
All words and terms used herein which are defined in the Public Employees’
Retirement Law shall have the meaning as defined therein unless otherwise
specifically provided. "Normal retirement age" shall mean age 60 for local
miscellaneous members and age 50 for local safety members.
Public Agency shall participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System from
and after January 1, 1942 making its employees as hereinafter provided, members
of said System subject to all provisions of the Public Employees’ Retirement Law
except such as apply only on election of a contracting agency and are not provided
forherein and to all amendments to said Law hereafter enacted except those,
which by express provisions thereof, apply only on the election of a contracting
agency.
Employees of Public Agency in the following classes shall bee.me members 0f
¯ said Retirement System except such in each such class as are excluded by law or
this agreement: ¯
a.Local Fire Fighters (herein referred to as local safety members);
b.Local Police Officers (herein referred to as local safety members);
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN "EXHIBIT ONLY"
Co Employees other than local safety members (herein referred to as local
miscellaneous members).
°In addition to the classes of employees excluded from membership by said
Retirement Law, the following classes of employees shall not become members of
-said Retirement System:
NO ADDITIONAL EXCLUSIONS
The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited
prior and current service as a local miscellaneous member shall be determined in
accordance with Section 21353 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 60 Full).
o The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited
prior and current service as a local safety member shall be determined in
accordance with Section 21362 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 50 Full).
Public Agency elected and elects to be subject to the following optional
provisions:
ao Section 21571 (Basic Level of 1959 Survivor Benefits).
Section 21222.1 (Special 5% Increase-1970). Legislation repealed said
Section effective January 1, 1980.
Section 21222.2 (Special 5% Increase-1971). Legislation repealed said
Section effective January 1, 1980.
d.Section 21319 (Special 15% Increase for Local Miscellaneous Members).
Section 21325 (Special 3% - 15% Increase) for or on behalf of those local
miscellaneous members and local safety members who retired or died
prior to January 1, 1974.
f.Section 20042 (One-Year Final Compensation).
g.Section 21317 (Special 15% Increase for Local Safety Members).
ho Section 21326 (Special 1%-7% Increase) for or on behalf of those local
miscellaneous members and local safety members who retired or died
prior to July 1, 1974.
Section 21024 (Military Service Credit as Public Service), Statutes of
1976.
jo
or.: DO NOT SIGN "EXHIBIT ONLY"
Section 20692 (Employer Paid Member Contributions Converted to
Payrate During the Final Compensation Period) for local miscellaneous
members and local safety members in the following groups:
Local miscellaneous members who are Management and Confidential
employees.
Local police members who are Management and Confidential employees.
Local fire members who are Management and Confidential employees.
Local miscellaneous members represented by Local 715, SEIU, AFL-CIO,
and CLC.
Local police members represented by the Palo Alto Peace. Oftieers’
Association.
o Public Agency, in accordance with Government Code Section 20790, ceased to be
an "employer" for purposes of Section 20834 effective on September 11, 1977.
Accumulated contributions of Public Agency shall be fixed and determined as
provided in Government Code Section 20834, and accumulated contributions
thereafter shall be held by the Board as provided in Government Code Section
20834.
10. "
11.
Public Agency shall contribute to said Retirement System the contributions
determined by actuarial valuations of prior and future service liability with respect
to local miscellaneous members and local safety members of said Retirement
System.
Public Agency shall also contribute to said Retirement System as follows:
A reasonable amount, as fixed by. the Board, payable in one installment
within 60 days of date of contract to cover the costs of administering said
System as it affects the employees of Public Agency, not including the
costs of special valuations or of the periodic investigation and valuations
required by law.
A reasonable amount, as fixed by the Board,. payable in one installment as
the occasions arise, to cover the costs of special valuations on account of
employees of Public Agency, and costs of the periodic investigation and
valuations required by law.
Contributions required of Public Agency and its employees shall be subject to
adjustment by Board on account of amendments to the Public Employees’
Retirement Law, and on account of the experience under the Retirement System
as determined by the periodic investigation and valuation required by said
Retirement Law.
12.Contributions required of Public Agency and its employees shall be paid by
Public Agency to the Retirement System within fifteen days after the end of the
period to which said contributions refer or as may be prescribed by Board
regulation. If more or less than the correct amount of contributions is paid for any
period, proper adjustment shall be made in connection with subsequent
remittances. Adjustments on account of errors in contributions required of any
employee may be made by direct payments between the employee and the Board.
B. -This amendment shall be effective on the day of ,19
Attest:
Clerk
AMENDMENT
PERS-CON-702A (Rev. 8\96)
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ’RETIREMENT SYSTEM
(MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT FOR LOCAL FIRE FIGHTER
MEMBERS )
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as
follows:
SECTION i. The City Council hereby authorizes an amendment
to the Contract between the City Council of the City of Palo Alto
and the Board of Administration, California Public Employees’
Retirement System, a copy of said amendment being attached hereto,
marked "Exhibit A", and by such reference made a part hereof as
though herein set out in full.
SECTION .2. The Mayor of the City of Palo Alto is hereby
authorized and directed to execute said amendment for and on behalf
of the City of Palo Alto.
SECTION 3 The City Council finds that this is not a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act, and
therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be effective on the
thirty-first day after the date of its adoption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS :
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Administrative
Services
Director of Human Resources
9805 ! ! lac 0031964
SECTION 2. The City Council finds that this is not a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act, and
therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED :
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS :
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Administrative
Services
Director of Human Resources
980511 |ac 0031965
AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
OF THE
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM
AND THE
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO
EXHIBIT A
The Board of Administration, Public Employees’ Retirement System, hereinafter referred to as
Board, and the governing body of above public agency, hereinaiter referred to as Public Agency,
having entered into a contract effective January 1, 1942, and witnessed March 9, 1942, and as
amended effective January 1, 1948, April 1, 1949, January 1, 1952, July 1, 1954,.February 1,
1956, November 1, 1964, September 23, 1968, December 14, 1970, February 1, 1974, July 8,
1974, January 5, 1975, April 1, 1975, September 11, 1977, July 1, 1979, February 21, 1981, July
11, 1981, December 12, 1981, June 12, 1982, September 17, 1983, November 12, 1983, February
11, 1991, October 15, i994, December 10, 1994 and February 27, 1996 which provides for
participation of Public Agency in said System, Board and Public Agency hereby agree as
follows:
Paragraphs 1 through 12 are hereby stricken from said contract as executed effective
February 27, 1996, and hereby replaced by the following paragraphs numbered 1 through
12 inclusive: ~
1.All words and terms used herein which are defined in the Public Employees’
Retirement Law shall havethe meaning as defined therein unless otherwise
specifically provided. "Normal retirement age" shall mean age 60 for local
miscellaneous members and age 50 for local safety members.
Public Agency shall participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System from
and alter January 1, 1942 making its employees as hereinafter provided, members
of said System subject to all provisions of the Public Employees’ Retirement Law
except such as apply only on election of a contracting agency and are not provided
for herein and to all amendments to said Law hereafter enacted except those,
which by express provisions thereof, apply only on the election of a contracting
agency.
Employees of Public Agency in the following classes shall become members of
said Retirement System except such in each such class as are excluded by law or
this agreement:
at Local Fire Fighters (herein referred to as local safety members);
Loeai Police Officers (herein referred to as loeai safety members);
?L;JASE DO NOT SIGN "EXHIBIT ONLY"
Employees other than local safety members (herein referred to as local
miscellaneous members).
In addition to the classes of employees excluded from membership by said
Retirement Law, the following classes of employees shall not become members of
said Retirement System:
NO ADDITIONAL EXCLUSIONS
The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited
prior and current service as a local miscellaneous member shall be determined in
accordance With Section 21353 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 60 Full).
The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited
prior and current service as a local safety member shall be determined in
accordance With Section 21362 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 50 Full).
Public Agency elected and elects to be subject to the following optional
provisions:
a..Section 21571 (Basic Level of 1959 Survivor Benefits).
Section 21222.1 (Special 5% Increase-1970).
Section effective January 1, 1980.
Legislation repealed said
c.Section 21222.2 (Special 5% Increase-1971). Legislation repealed said
Section effective January l, 1980.
d.Section 21319 (Special 15% Increase for Local/diseellaneous Members).
Section 21325 (Special 3% - 15% Increase) for or on behalf of those local
miscellaneous members and local safety members who retired or died
prior to January 1, 1974.
Section 20042 (One-Year Final Compensation).
g.Section 21317 (Special 15% Increase for Local Safety Members).
Section 21326 (Special 1%-7% Increase) for or on bel~Jf of those local
miscellaneous members and local safety members who retired or died
prior to July 1,. 1974.
Section 21024 (Military Service Credit as Public Service), Statutes of
1976.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN "EXHIBIT ONLY
Section 20692 (Employer Paid Member Contributions Converted to
Payrate During the Final Compensation Period) for local miscellaneous
members and local safety members in the following groups:
Local miscellaneous members who are Management and Confidential
employees.
Local police members who are Management and Confidential employees.
Local fire members who are Management and Confidential employees.
Local miscellaneous members represented by Local 715, SEIU, AFL-CIO,
and CLC.
Local police members represented by the Pale Alto Peace Officers’
Association.
10.
11.
Public Agency, in accordance with Government Code Section 20790, ceased to be
an "employer" for purposes of Section 20834 effective on September 11, 1977.
Accumulated contributions of Public Agency shall be fixed and determined as
provided in Government Code Section 20834, and accumulated contributions
thereafter shall be held by the Board as provided in Government Code Section
20834.
Public Agency shall contribute to said Retirement System the contributions
determined by actuarial valuations of prior and future service liability with. respect
to local miscellaneous members and local safety members of said Retirement
System.
Public Agency shall also contribute to said Retirement System as follows:
A reasonable amount, as fixed by the Board, payable in one installment
within 60 days of date of contract to cover the costs of administering said
System as it affects the employees of Public Agency, not including the
costs of special valuations or of the periodic investigation and valuations
required by law.
A reasonable amount, as fixed by the Board, payable in one installment as
the occasions arise, to cover the costs of special valuations on account of
employees of Public Agency, and costs of the periodic investigation and
valuations required by law.
Contributions required of Public Agency and its employees shall be subject to
adjustment by Board on account of amendments to the Public Employees’
Retirement Law, and on account of the experience under the Retirement System
as determined by the periodic investigation and valuation required by said
Retirement Law.
12.Contributions required of Public Agency and its employees shall be paid by
Public Agency to the Retirement System within fifteen days atter the end of the
period to which said contributions refer or as may be prescribed by Board
regulation. If more or less than the correct amount of contributions is paid for any
period, proper adjustment shall be made in connection with subsequent
remittances. Adjustments on account of errors in contributions required of any
employee may be made by direct payments between the employee and the Board.
B. This amendment shall be effective on the day of ,19
BOAKD OF ADMINISTRATION
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT
KENNETH W. MARZION, C~I~ ’
ACTUARIAL & EMPLOY_F%_ I~ERVICES DIVISION
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ ..~HREMENT SYSTEM
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO
BY
PRESIDING OFFICER
Witness Date:
Attest:
Clerk
AMENDMENT
PERS-CON-702A (Rev. 8k96)