REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Brittany Mello, Interim Administrative Services Director
Subject:
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Adopt Resolution No. 2021-68 approving and implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Huntington Beach Firefighters’ Association (HBFA) and the City of Huntington Beach for July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023; and authorize appropriation of funds
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Statement of Issue:
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Huntington Beach and the Huntington Beach Firefighters’ Association (HBFA) expired on June 30, 2021. Subsequently, the City and HBFA engaged in good-faith negotiations, ultimately reaching tentative agreement on terms in October 2021 on a 2.5 year contract covering the period July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023. The MOU was approved for introduction at the November 16, 2021, meeting, and pursuant to the City’s municipal code, is being brought back for formal consideration by the City Council.
Financial Impact:
Pursuant to the terms agreed upon with HBFA, the Finance Department estimates the total projected average annual cost increase of the MOU to be $1,098,447 per year during the life of the agreement.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Adopt Resolution No. 2021-68, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Approving and Implementing the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Huntington Beach Firefighters’ Association (HBFA) and the City for July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023;” and,
B) Authorize appropriations for all costs related to implementation of Resolution No. 2021-68.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not adopt the Resolution approving the successor MOU for HBFA employees, and direct staff to: (1) continue to meet and confer with the Association, or (2) utilize the impasse procedures contained within the City’s Employer-Employee Relations Resolution.
Analysis:
On November 16, 2021, the City Council approved the introduction of the proposed MOU between the City and the Huntington Beach Firefighters’ Association (HBFA). The draft agreement is being brought back for formal consideration by the City Council.
Key changes in the proposed MOU include the following:
Term of Agreement
July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023
Salary Range Adjustment
• Effective July 1, 2021, employees will shift to new, seven-step salary range (A - G).
Employees will be placed on the nearest Step F in the new range without losing any wages.
• Employees will have the opportunity to earn an additional step (Step G) at their next regularly scheduled performance evaluation.
• Employees who have reached the top step (Step G) in their assigned range will be eligible for an annual, merit-based performance bonus of up to three percent (3%) of their base rate of pay.
CalPERS Cost Sharing
• Classic member safety employees shall contribute an additional 1% contribution towards CalPERS costs (for a total of 13% contribution) beginning July 1, 2021.
• New member safety employees shall contribute an additional 1.25% contribution towards CalPERS costs (for a total employee contribution of 13%) beginning July 1, 2021.
Medical Benefits
• Beginning January 1, 2022, the City’s maximum monthly contribution to medical plan rates will increase to $853.60 for employee only; $1,170.75 for two party; and $1,706.25 for family coverage.
• Beginning January 1, 2023, the City’s maximum monthly contribution to will increase to $876.93 for employee only; $1,194.08 for two party; and $1,729.58 for family coverage.
Leave Benefits
• Holiday in Lieu Pay will be adjusted to 9 hours per holiday for employees on the 40-hour schedule, and 12.6 hours per holiday for employees on the 56-hour schedule.
Special Pays
• Additional contract adjustments with regard to specialty pay types were made with regard to educational incentive pay, paramedic recertification bonus, EMT pay, advanced paramedic certification pay, and swat medic pay.
These key changes and all other negotiated provisions are included in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Summary of Memorandum of Understanding Modifications
2. Fiscal Impact Report
3. Resolution No. 2021-68
4. Memorandum of Understanding - Exhibit “A”