03-08-04 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Health and Public Safety Committee The March 8,2004 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 3:15 pm in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Kelly,Puzzello, Varner,Kuspa, Coleman,Kirsits and White; Citizen Member Catherine Ruszkowski,Mayor Stephen Luecke,Personnel Director Janice Hall, City Controller Rick 011ett, City Clerk John Voorde, City Attorney Charles Leone,Keegan Rauen,Lt. Keith Schweitzer,FOP# 36 President Scott A. Ruszkowski,Greg Downs, Chief Deputy Clerk Mary Beth Wisniewski,Jim Hammer, Terry Bland of the,S'outJ Eva Jz fu s, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello welcomed everyone to the meeting and welcomed citizen member Catherine Ruszkowski. She noted that the Committee members included Council Members Dieter,Puzzello,Kirsits and Kelly. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to have a safety and workers compensation update. City Controller Rick 011ett noted that for the past five(5)years p p tY there has been an effort on safety which has resulted in fewer claims and less time off. Greg Downs,President of Gibson Insurance Group noted that his company has been providing services to the city for the past fifteen(15)years. He and Keegan Rauen,Manager of Safety and Risk Management then made a power point presentation to the Committee. They noted that since 1992 the City of South Bend has been self insured for workers compensation. This covers claims and medical and indemnity with the police and fire departments not being covered under the second category. Excess insurance covers$250,000 per accident and an aggregate amount of$1,275,000.00. Claims management fees address third party administration (TPA), as well as consulting fees. It was noted that there are two(2)primary reasons for self-insurance namely for the reduction and stabilization of long-term costs as well as having more control over claims. A series of information was then reviewed(copies attached). The 2004 projected cost is $697,873; with$456,000 being the 10-year average cost. The 5-year average loss prevention fees is$37,700,with it being suggested that the cost to have a fully insured premium being$1.3 million. Mr. Downs then reviewed a"benchmark report"which is the comparison of the City of South Bend to other cities. The number of claims for South Bend is higher, with the figures being: 320= 10 year average 289=5 year average 272=3 year average $456,000= 10 yr. average $517,000=5 yr average $614,000 =3 yr average Programs such as safety& loss prevention, equipment upgrades such as the Police Department using tasers, and the implementation of safety committees were then highlighted. Council Member Puzzello thanked the Administration for their presentation.