Laserfiche WebLink
28O <br /> <br /> · Mr. L., G. Harding, City Treasure~ and a member of the <br />Retirement Commission, stated that he has been the prime <br />advocate for the proposal. Mr. Harding stated that VSRS, the <br />school system; Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, Albemarle <br />County~ University of Virginia, and the Joint Security~ <br />Complex' currently allow retirement at age 55 with 30 years of <br />service. Mr. Harding added that an additional benefit ~of the <br />proposal would be to provide~additional opportunities to <br />promote employees from within. <br /> <br /> Ms. Charlotte Riddick, City Registrar, supported the <br />proposal and presented Council with a petition favoring the <br />amendment signed by 593 City employees. <br /> <br /> Mr. E. C. Wade, ..Public Service ~Chief and~a member~of the <br />Retirement-Commission, supported the-proposal and stated that <br />many employees, especially refuse collectors, are not <br />certifiably disabled, but are no longer physically able to <br />perform their jobs when they reach age 55. Mr. Wade stated <br />that the proposal would allow, such employees to retire with <br />dignity. <br /> <br /> Mr. James Haden, a Police Department employee and~a <br />member of the Retirement Commission, stated that as a public <br />safety officer he is already able to retiree at age 55 and he <br />endorsed the proposal for all City employees. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix, a member of the Retirement Commission, <br />stated that he had abstained from voting on the matter when <br />the issue was before the Retirement Commission because while <br />he concurs that the proposal would provide .some long-term <br />benefit and.will eventually be adopted by the. City, he has <br />concerns about the cost to the City in a year when the City <br />must increase its contribution to the Retirement Plan and <br />when insurance costs are rising. <br /> <br /> On motion by Rev. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the <br />ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REDRDAIN <br />SECTION 20-22-OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE,_ <br />1976, AS AMENDED, TO ADD A PROVISION FOR RETIREMENT AT AGE 55 <br />WITH 30 YEARS OF SERVICE" was offered and carried over to the <br />next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters, Chairman of the Retirement Commission, <br />stated that she had voted against the proposal because while <br />the argument for public service employees has merit, she does <br />not favor reducing the general retirement age when life <br />expectancy is continuing to increase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe stated that he favored the proposal but would <br />not be able to attend the next Council meeting to vote.on the <br />matter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck recommended .that the second reading of the <br />ordinance be deferred until Mr. Towe is in attendance. Mr. <br />Buck stated that while he does not favOr employees being able <br />to retire and seek employment elsewhere, thereby, receiving <br />two salaries, he recognized the need for some employees to~ <br />retire at age 55 .... <br /> <br /> Mrs. Hendrix~noted that the cost for the proposal has not <br />been included in the recommended-FY 89-90 budget and~if <br />approved by Council, will need to be added. <br /> <br /> The second reading of the ordinance would deferred until <br /> March 20th. <br /> <br />PUBLIC .~ <br /> <br /> . There were no matters by the public. <br /> <br />OTHER BUSINESS <br /> <br /> <br />