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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-07 Disability Board Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT: Ken Jones, Board Chair Gary McComas, Board Member (arrived at 11:22 am) Will Chen, Council Member Neil Tibbott, Council Member Jim Distelhorst, Citizen-at-Large ABSENT STAFF PRESENT: Emily Wagener, Sr. HR Analyst Jessica Vuong, HR Assistant MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT: None CALL TO ORDER: Board Chair Ken Jones called the meeting to order at 11:07 AM. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES a. For the period 07/01/2024 – 09/30/2024 Chair Jones explained that the minutes from 7/22/2024 were unavailable and would be approved at the next meeting. DISCUSS AND APPROVE CLAIMS SUMMARY REPORT b. For the period 07/01/2024 – 09/30/2024 Sr. HR Analyst Emily Wagener explained that there were less claims than the same period in 2023 and that long-term care costs made up the largest difference (less in 2023 than in 2024). Chair Jones pointed out that the LEOFF 1 fund was at 63% at the end of the quarter and the Fireman’s Pension Fund was only at 21%. Council Member Neil Tibbott noted that there were five reimbursements during quarter 3 of 2024 and compared it to the prior year of thirteen reimbursements. There was some discussion among the board about the difference. Council Member Tibbott asked about the specific requests or invoices for the five long term care reimbursements in 2024. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener explained that while she did not have the billing details available, she would provide it to the board following the meeting. EDMONDS’ DISABILITY BOARD Meeting Minutes Regular Meeting 11/07/2024 @ 11:00 am Edmonds Disability Board – 11.07.2024 Page 2 of 3 Chair Jones made a motion to approve the Claims Summary Report for the period of 07/01/2024 – 09/30/2024 (Q3 2024) as submitted. Citizen-at-Large Jim Distelhorst seconded, the motion carried. Board Member Gary McComas was absent from this motion. BUSINESS c. LEOFF 1 Member Request for Reimbursement (misc. expenses) The board discussed this agenda item after item “d”. Chair Jones confirmed that this request was for the same member as in item “d”. There was some discussion amongst the board about the letter and breakdown of expenses being requested for reimbursement. The discussion included that these costs are typical for this member’s condition and that it may be keeping them out of more expensive long term care. Chair Jones made a motion to reimburse the member the amount that was requested, $859.64. Citizen-at-Large Jim Distelhorst seconded, the motion carried unanimously. d. LEOFF 1 Member Request for Reimbursement (medical bed) The board discussed this agenda item prior to item “c”. Chair Jones explained that an invoice for $276 was received for the medical bed but the time period it covered was not known. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener confirmed that the medical bed was billed monthly. HR Assistant Jessica Vuong confirmed that the first bill was received in June 2024. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener confirmed that the bed has been returned as the member is now strong enough to no longer need it. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener explained that HR was seeking clarification from the board on if the cost from June – October can be reimbursed since eligibility for coverage under the insurance was not fully known. There was some discussion about the insurance status of the bed. Council Member Neil Tibbott made a motion to reimburse the cost of the bed with the expectation that the member pursues insurance and reimburses the City the amount of any insurance payment that is received. Council Member Will Chen brought up the potential hardship that may occur if the Board waited until after finding out if the member can be reimbursed and then the need for the member to send funds back to the City. After a brief discussion, Council Member Neil Tibbott amended his motion as follows: After determining if the bed is covered by the insurance the City will reimburse the cost of the bed if it is not covered and if it is covered it will need to go through the insurance process. Chair Jones seconded. The motion carried. Board Member Gary McComas was absent from this motion. Council Member Tibbott asked for HR to collect more information on what the monthly charges cover since the cost seems high for an electric bed. HR Assistant Vuong confirmed she would gather that information and provide it to the board. Edmonds Disability Board – 11.07.2024 Page 3 of 3 e. LEOFF 1 Member Request for Reimbursement (dental expenses) Chair Jones asked about a new board policy that increased reimbursement amounts based on inflation. Chair Jones explained that the board is able to reimburse more than what is written in policy on a case-by-case basis. Council Member Tibbott asked to confirm the amount requested for reimbursement. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener confirmed that the member has already been reimbursed for $700.00, including other dental care, so the amount pending board approval is $111.71. The board agreed that they could not approve the request without understanding what the actual reimbursement amount is under the new policy. The board agreed that this item needed to be brought back to a later meeting with the updated policy reimbursement amount. Other • Notice of increase in Medicare Supplement premium. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener explained that this was being provided to the board as informational since it directly relates to the LEOFF budget. Sr. HR Analyst Wagener further explained that the overall increase in premium costs was about 6% or $505 per month. • Next Board Meeting Date It was agreed the next board meeting would be scheduled via email. Adjourn Chair Jones adjourned the meeting at 11:33 a.m.