02/09/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e the Risk program, noting that the program had included changes in the City's method of financing losses and implementation of loss control measures. Ms. Wagner said that in 1979 the City had changed from a fully insured program to a program of self-insurance for the first $100,000 and outside coverage beyond that amount to $5 million. She said the City had then initiated an employee education program to protect the base $100,000. She said that there had been a significant drop in number of claims in 1982 and that the average cost per claim had decreased since 1979. Ms. Wagner made special recognition of the efforts of the Police Department for its work in reducing the number of general liability and false arrest claims. Ms. Wagner said that in 1980 the City had changed the funding mechanism for workers' compensation, with self-insurance for the first $200,000 and unlimited insurance above that amount. She said that performance in this area could be measured by monitoring changes in the standard premium amount. She noted that this amount had dropped from $1,100,000 to $300,000 as a result of the program. She said that the success of this effort could be attributed to all departments and divisions but in particular to the Public Works Maintenance division, which, as a result of increased safety efforts and initiation of a health and fitness program, had shown outstanding progress in reduced workers' compensation claims. She noted that as a result of this program the average number of working days lost per claim had dropped dramatically and the average cost per claim had dropped from $1,465 in 1980 to $529 in 1982. Ms. Wagner said that, as a result of these programs, the cost of risk, expressed as a percent of the City's annual budget had dropped from 3 percent in 1977 to 1.14 percent in 1982. She said that the success of the Risk program was a e tribute to all City departments and divisions. Mayor Keller thanked Ms. Wagner for the excellent job and asked her to convey his appreciation and that of the council to all City employees. Mr. Whitlow said that in addition to the financial savings, the Risk program also regained lost work time which employees could then spend serving citizens. VII. EMERALD CANAL FEASIBILITY TASK FORCE REPORT (memo, entire report distributed) Mr. Whitlow said that Councilor Lindberg, who had served on the task force, would present the report on this item. Mr. Lindberg said that the council was being asked to accept the report and direct staff to schedule a public hearing. He said that the work of the task force was terminated with production of the report. Mr. Lindberg said that the task force found that the Emerald Canal was feasible and recommended that it be considered further. He said that the task force had identified a number of possible unresolved problems, including financial issues, yet to be addressed and therefore further consideration and referral of the report to existing public bodies, such as the Downtown Commission. Mr. Lindberg said that the task force had recognized that the next phases involved in the canal proposal--implementation and design--were very costly and had therefore recommended establishment of a coordinating body to seek funds for these phases from outside sources. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 9, 1983 Page 7