SPECIAL MEETING JULY 30, 2001
PRESENT
Council President William F. Stacey
Council Vice President Joseph L. Scott*
Councilwoman Rachel S. Polk
Councilwoman Lavonzella Siggers
Councilman C. T. Webster
* arrived 6:02 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Brenda Colegrove, Executive Officer John Pick
ABSENT
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman
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The City Council convened in a special session at 6:00 p.m. in Council
Chambers. Council President Stacey called the meeting to order.
Mr. Stacey called for a motion to approve Resolution No. 782 authorizing the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a health insurance consortium with Wicomico County and the Wicomico County Board of Education. Mr. Stacey noted that the Wicomico Library was not included as a separate entity in the document because it is with the County. Ms. Siggers moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve Resolution No. 782.
Executive Officer John Pick reported that Section 4 (items 1 and 2) was amended to reflect the changes requested by Council in their meeting last Thursday. After a brief discussion, Resolution No. 782 passed unanimously.
Mr. Stacey called for a motion to change the prescription plan from $8/$15/$30 to $10/$20/$35. Mr. Webster moved and Mr. Scott seconded to bring the prescription plan change on the floor for discussion. According to Mr. Pick, changing to a $10/$20/$35 prescription plan could reduce the premium rate an additional two percent.
Mr. Scott voiced his concern with increasing the co-pay, particularly since his company uses a firm in Texas for prescriptions and employees only pay $2.00 for a 90-day prescription. He questioned what it would cost the City if a change was not made. Mrs. Brenda Smart, Wicomico County Benefits Administrator, explained that the prescription plan was part of the overall insurance package, rather than a separate rider, to keep the rates lower.
Mrs. Polk questioned Council discussing the issue of changing the prescription coverage since it was not advertised in the Special Meeting notice and was a separate matter. Mrs. Polk related that the sole agenda item for tonight's discussion was the Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Therefore, she was not prepared to discuss the prescription plan until proper notification was given. Ms. Siggers concurred that she was not at liberty to discuss this issue since it was not advertised.
It was Mr. Stacey's understanding that the prescription plan was part of the package. Mr. Pick clarified that Council could join the consortium and maintain the prescription plan as it currently exists or change it to the $10/$20/$35. Therefore, he had suggested two separate motions - one for the Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding and a second motion to change the co-pay for the prescription plan.
After further discussion, City Clerk Brenda Colegrove suggested convening in another Special Meeting on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., prior to the 6:15 p.m. meeting with the Fire Department consultant, to take action on this issue.
On the motion to approve changing to a $10/$20/$35 prescription plan, Mr. Stacey and Mr. Webster voted aye. Mrs. Polk, Ms. Siggers and Mr. Scott voted nay. The motion failed to pass on a 2-3 vote.
Ms. Siggers moved and Mrs. Polk seconded to convene in a Special Meeting on Thursday, August 2, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss changing the prescription drug plan. After a brief discussion, Ms. Siggers amended her motion to change the meeting time to immediately following the 6:15 p.m. presentation from the Fire Department consultant. Mr. Webster seconded the motion. Mrs. Polk expressed her concern with meeting after the 6:15 p.m. presentation (did not want to have a Council meeting running concurrently with the public meeting). Ms. Siggers withdrew her amended motion. On the vote to convene in a Special Meeting on August 2, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss changing the City's prescription drug plan, Mrs. Polk, Ms. Siggers and Mr. Webster voted aye. Mr. Scott and Mr. Stacey voted nay. The motion passed on a 3-2 vote.
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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City Clerk
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Council President