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