August 4, 2011

The Board came together for its regularly scheduled meeting.  Directors Bickle and VanGorden reported on their on-going efforts to assist the City in improving its use of technology.  Bickle expressed particular concern about officer safety and the need to have officers be able to remain in the field to write reports.

President Ballesteros discussed the current impact that health care rates are having on our retirees.  As many of our retirees are aware, the City makes no contributions to the individual retirement health care plans of its employees.  As a result, health care costs are exorbitant.  Ballesteros expressed a desire to help retirees understand how they can best plan for these future expenditures.  The Board also discussed its contributions to the employee gym.  The gym, maintained at employee expense, is being used frequently by participants in the City's Wellness program and is in need of new equipment.

The Board also decided to make philanthropic donations for five memorial funds.  The Board further discussed their desire to maintain a high level of donation in favor of GYA, in lieu of splitting these funds between GYA and the City's Rose Float Committee.

Lastly, the Board discussed ongoing discipline issues within the Department.  The Board remains hopeful that the City conduct unbiased investigations, and that it will meet out discipline which is based on the facts developed within the investigations rather than being based on some political calculations unconnected to the process.