The Cheney City Council has approved a new contract for the city’s union employees, but only for one year.
City Administrator Mark Schuller told the council at its Nov. 22 meeting that the reason for the shorter time period, rather than the typical three to four year contracts of the past, boils down to medical benefits. Mainly what will happen with the federal Affordable Care Act now that Republicans, who have tried to repeal the law known as Obamacare, hold both chambers of Congress and the White House.
In an email, Schuller said the city’s current medical plans through the Association of Washington Cities Benefits Trust were considered “Cadillac Plans,” under the ACA and were subject to a steep tax. Because of that, the AWC is discontinuing the plans, forcing Cheney and other cities to consider other medical packages.
“The current plans could go away in 2018,” Schuller told the council, adding the city and union decided to take a “wait and see” approach on what direction Washington D.C. will go when it comes to health care.
The new contract with AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) Local 270-S does include a 2 percent wage increase for the coming year. Schuller said the contract affects only eight city employees who are members of the 270-S bargaining unit.
The council also unanimously approved two other contracts at its last meeting in November. The first was an agreement with the state Department of Natural Resources for mutual fire support.
Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill Dennstaedt said currently, if a fire occurred on city property near the wastewater treatment plant, for instance, the DNR would respond but only in protection of nearby DNR lands. Under the new contract, the agency would be able to assist the Fire Department, if requested, in combating the fire on city land as well.
The contract will also allow city fire crews to take part in regional (Washington-Oregon) fire mobilizations, and be better reimbursed for its efforts.
The council also approved a one-year, $53,420 contract with Uniserve Facilities Services Corporation for janitorial services at four city buildings. The agreement provides for four, one-year extensions, and an annual deep cleaning of the floors at City Hall, the Utilities Building, Police Station and the Wren Pierson Community Center.
Uniserve was one of two bidders for the contract, and was currently providing cleaning services through a contract entered with the city in January.
City staff recommended, and council obliged, rejection of a third contract on the agenda for annual pruning and removal of trees near the city’s electrical distribution system. Light Department Director Steve Boorman told the council they received two bids on the 2017 line clearance contract, one of which was deemed unresponsive and the other not competitively priced.
When Councilman John Taves asked what that bid was, Boorman declined to reveal the amount.
“I think we’d like to keep that a competitive process and not advertise that,” he added.
The city had previously contracted with American Utility and Residential Tree Service in 2014. That contract was for $45,000 annually, and included two, one-year extensions.
Finally, the council held the first reading of the 2017 budget ordinance. Finance Director Cindy Niemeier said the $24.34 million budget represents revenues and expenses for 27 different departments.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)