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City Council Minutes Page 5 <br /> March 18,2019 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Ms. Wipper indicated staff reviewed costs of adding a biometric feature. She stated <br /> the least expensive option was $29.00 per employee,which is $2,500 if everyone <br /> participated. It was noted these same biometrics can be completed during an <br /> employee's physical typically for no additional charge. <br /> Ms. Wipper explained the policy is meant to encourage and provide incentives for <br /> employees to be healthy. She stated studies show healthy employees reduce <br /> healthcare costs, absenteeism,and presenteeism. She noted when the new pay plan <br /> was put in place it was built to averages with a 1.5%gap between our top pay and <br /> top pay of comparable cities with the intent of implementing a program like this to <br /> allow employees to come closer to the top pay of our comparables. <br /> The Council had concerns with there being too many items and it being too easy to <br /> reach the goal. Ms.Wipper indicated by breaking the program up in to categories <br /> similar to the WIP program and removing the tobacco cessation points, employees <br /> will have to strive a little harder to meet the goals. <br /> Ms. Wipper distributed a draft tracking scorecard. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard questioned if there is any indication health insurance <br /> premiums would be reduced with implementation of this program. Ms. Wipper <br /> indicated it is difficult to say because we are pooled with a larger group for our health <br /> insurance premiums. She noted it is in our best interest to remain in the health <br /> insurance pool. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard stated two months at a health club may not be long <br /> enough to earn 100 points. He suggested lengthening the time frame or dropping the <br /> point value, or both. <br /> Mayor Dietz clarified this program starts over each year. Ms. Wipper indicated it <br /> does. <br /> Ms. Wipper stated language would be included allowing the program to end or <br /> change at any time at the city's discretion. <br /> Councilmember Ovall suggested a monthly point allocation. <br /> Consensus of the Council was to remove points for attending the employee <br /> appreciation event. <br /> Councilmember Wagner explained she is not on board with this program. She likes <br /> some of the ideas of the fitness program but she has a really hard time adding this to <br /> the budget and doesn't feel tax dollars should be used this way. She believes there are <br /> multiple incentives to work here including access to a nice workout room and <br /> summer hours. She noted she would feel differently if there was proof health <br /> insurance premiums would be reduced. <br /> UREJ <br />