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Cmd033122 spec mtg Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 31, 2022 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ONLINE VIRTUAL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES March 31, 2022 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Vivian Olson, Mayor Pro Tem Diane Buckshnis, Council President Pro Tem Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember Will Chen, Councilmember Neil Tibbott, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Laura Johnson, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Mike Nelson, Mayor STAFF PRESENT Michelle Bennett, Police Chief Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director Sharon Cates, City Attorney’s Office Scott Passey, City Clerk 1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE The Edmonds City Council virtual online meeting was called to order at 11:46 a.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. The meeting was opened with the flag salute. 2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Councilmember L. Johnson read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement: “We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water.” 3. ROLL CALL City Clerk Scott Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present, participating remotely, with the exception of Mayor Nelson. 4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. UPDATE OF COBRA POLICY TO ADDRESS DEATH OF AN EMPLOYEE Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 31, 2022 Page 2 HR Director Jessica Neill Hoyson thanked the council for making time for this. She explained as is often the case, gaps in benefits offered to staff are identified when an emergency arises. This is one of those unfortunate circumstance where there was a death of employee; when she asked, no one could remember the last time that had occurred. In this instance, staff became aware when an employee dies, they may have dependents and/or spouse on the City’s healthcare coverage. While those dependents and spouse are dealing with transitioning, life insurance, etc., they may also be dealing with the additional cost of immediately paying for COBRA to continue their healthcare coverage. There was some initial discussion about just addressing this instance, but Mayor Nelson was very supportive of a policy on an ongoing basis that would address this very rare occurrence when an employee passes away and the City has an opportunity to provide a more smooth transition to a family who is already in grief. Ms. Neill Hoyson reviewed the proposal, an addition to the existing COBRA policy that states in the event of the death of an employee, the City will pay for up to three months of COBRA coverage for family members currently enrolled in the City’s health plan. The City would pay it directly to the COBRA administrator rather than the family which addresses taxation issues and the family would need to enroll in COBRA as required. All the COBRA rules remain in place, but the proposed change gives the City the opportunity to pay for three months to help a family in grief not worry about losing their healthcare coverage. She summarized the proposed policy is very simple and to the point. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis said this is a good idea. She asked if it would be considered a gift of public funds and do other cities have a similar policy. Ms. Neill Hoyson answered it would not as long as the City has a policy. The administrative services director stated without a council approved policy, it would be a gift of public funds. Having a council policy in place addresses that issue. Councilmember L. Johnson relayed her understand this is for the City to pay for the next three months of healthcare coverage. She asked if the family has the ability to pay out of pocket to continue COBRA coverage. Ms. Neill Hoyson answered absolutely. This is related to timing; when an employee dies, per the City’s policy, the family receives a greater cash out of sick leave, there is life insurance, etc. which eventually provide the family with the funds to continue to pay for COBRA. The reason for this policy is to assist in the first few months when those additional funds are not available. She summarized the family would have the opportunity to continue to self-pay for COBRA for the full legal time period which she believed was 36 months. Councilmember L. Johnson asked if three months was long enough for those moving pieces to come together. Ms. Neill Hoyson answered yes. COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE THE EMERGENCY COBRA COVERAGE OF THREE MONTHS AS PROPOSED IN THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Police Chief Bennett thanked the council, commenting this means a lot to his family and to Edmonds Police officers. Councilmember Chen said he stopped by the south gate of the police station last night and was touched by the table covered with flowers. He thanked the public for the outpouring of support. Chief Bennett agreed the table was completely covered with flowers, cards, and balloons and a great deal of food has also been delivered to the Police Department. She recognized the community for their amazing outpouring of support including a Lake Forest Park officer who delivered a carved wood sign he made for the Steffins’ family and a famous artist who is a resident of Edmonds who dropped off a picture he drew of Officer Steffins. 6. ADJOURN With no further business, the council meeting was adjourned at 11:56 a.m.