HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2007-11-19 Item 2A - Ordinance - Domestic Partner Benefits
City of Tukwila
6200 Southcenter Boulevard. Tukwila} Washington 98188
Steven M. Mullet} Mayor
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Tukwila City Council
FROM:
Viki Jessop, Administrative Services Director
Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney
DATE:
November 13, 2007
RE:
Domestic Partners
Earlier this year the Council asked Mayor Mullet to have a review done by staff regarding
domestic partner benefits and to prepare recommendations as to benefits for all full-time and part-
time regular employees of the City. These benefits would be available as they relate to domestic
partners of the same or opposite sex, and dependent children on the same basis as provided to a
spouse and dependent children.
Since that time, the Personnel Department and City Attorney's Office have worked together to
assess the viability of developing policies and practices, and to make an assessment of the cost to
provide these benefits. It was determined that if every eligible employee were to take advantage
of the benefits, the additional cost to the City to provide these benefits would be approximately
3%. The benefit package that has been developed includes:
*Medical- Under the City of Tukwila Self-insured Medical Plan or Group Health.
*Dental- Under the City of Tukwila Self-insured Dental Plan.
**Vision
**Sick Leave
* *Bereavement Leave
* * Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
*Domestic Partners are not eligible for COBRA benefits.
** As referenced in policy, procedure and/or specific collective bargaining agreements.
Attached for Council consideration is the Ordinance extending certain benefits to domestic
partners and dependents. A Personnel Policy and Procedure, with appropriate forms that will be
used for signing up for domestic partners, has also been prepared for approval by the Mayor's
Office and Personnel. The policy will be signed after the Council has approved the Ordinance.
The Personnel Department will also be looking at its current policies and procedures to update
them to include domestic partner benefits.
As provided under the City's policies, practices, and procedures; specific collective bargaining
If you have any questions regarding this new program, Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney, and I,
will be available to discuss them with you.
Cc: Steve Mullet, Mayor
Rhonda Berry, City Administrator
Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney
Phone: 206-433-1800 · City Hall Fax: 206-433-1833 · www.cUukwila.wa.us
DRAFT
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUIGVILA,
WASHINGTON, EXTENDING CERTAIN BENEFITS TO DOMESTIC
PARTNERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Tukvdla wishes to provide benefits for its employees
comparable to those offered by other major employers, including medical, dental, and
vision coverage, as well as sick leave, bereavement, and F1\1LA benefits to qualified
domestic partners; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila is self-insured for healthcare benefits; and
WHEREAS, the benefit coverage for domestic partners ,vill be reflected in the City
of Tukwila Personnel Policies; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to authorize the extension of these benefits
now, prior to any other recommended revisions to the City's Personnel Policies;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUIGVILA,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Domestic Partner Benefits. The City of Tukwila self-insured healthcare
plan extends dependent eligibility to employees' domestic partners and their children.
The City will provide benefit coverage to a domestic partner of the same or opposite sex
and dependent children on the same basis as provided to a spouse and dependent
children.
Section 2. Eligibility. Eligibility for domestic partnership status ",rill be established
by presentation of proof of a registered domestic partnership of the State of Washington
or the submission of an affidavit and documentation as required by the City's Personnel
Policies as currently written or hereinafter amended.
Section 3. Revisions to Personnel Policies. Revisions to the City's Personnel
Policies will be necessary to fully integrate the Domestic Partner Benefit Policy into
related provisions. These revisions ,,,,ill be presented to the City Council at a later date.
The extension of benefits to domestic partners shall not be conditioned upon the
revision of the City's Personnel Policies, but upon compliance with Section 2 of this
ordinance.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause
or phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held
to be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of
the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or
situation.
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Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force January I,
2008 for emollment purposes with a February I, 2008 benefit date.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of ,2007.
ATIEST / AUTHENTICATED:
Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
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