DISCUSSION
Now that the PEPRA cost sharing mandates are in effect, the City must ensure that our PERS contract reflects any prior cost sharing agreements with it’s safety members.
All PERS agencies must ensure that MOU language affecting a PERS provision be consistent within each represented union at an agency so that it may be included in the PERS contract. Consequently, the City began the contract amendment process by meeting and conferring with the Garden Grove Police Officers Association, Garden Grove Police Management Association, Garden Grove International Association of Fire Fighters, Garden Grove Fire Management Association, and the Garden Grove Employees’ Association. The goal was to update and standardize the MOU language to ensure compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement Law regarding cost sharing for “Classic” safety members. As of February 2018, all affected bargaining units have agreed via MOU negotiations and/or a side letter to the modifications in the MOU language.
As the final step in the PERS contract amendment process, it is required that the City Council adopt the Resolution of Intent and an Ordinance, and that staff conduct an election affirming the bargaining groups’ approval.