TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a presentation by management of Governor Brown's pension reform proposal.
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach has made considerable progress regarding pension reform. Last year, police and fire employees agreed to significant reforms that will help minimize future service reductions, prevent layoffs, and ultimately keep police and fire personnel on the street. Those employees should be commended for their sacrifice for the greater public interest, which has made Long Beach a leader among cities on pension reform. However, our need for pension reform is far from complete, as we have so far been unable to reach agreement with our other city employee associations. Absent such agreement, we will soon be forced to make further deep cuts in valued services, such as our police department, parks, and libraries.
Recently, Governor Brown revealed a twelve-point pension reform proposal for consideration by the legislature and for possible submission to the voters (See attached proposal.) These proposed reforms would affect cities as well as the state. Among other provisions, the proposal includes a statewide ban on retroactive pension increases, which have cost the City hundreds of millions of dollars, and which Long Beach became the first city known to go on record formally opposing. Additional details are included in the attached memorandum from the Governor.
If enacted, statewide pension reform could have profound impacts on Long Beach as well as cities statewide. Therefore, it is requested that City Council receive a short presentation from staff regarding the proposed reforms.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant cost for this presentation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMEMBER JAMES JOHNSON
SEVENTH DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER GARY DELONG
THIRD DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER DEE ANDREWS
SIXTH DISTRICT