CITY OF ARCATA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Council Chamber
736 F Street, Arcata
Special accommodations for the disabled who attend City meetings can be made in advance by contacting the City Clerk at 822-5953. Assistive listening devices are available. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.5, all writings or documents relating to any item on this agenda which have been provided to a majority of the City Council, including those received less than 72 hours prior to the City Council meeting, will be made available for public inspection in the agenda binder located on the counter in the lobby at Arcata City Hall, 736 F Street, during normal business hours, and on the City's website at www.cityofarcata.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Speakers wishing to distribute materials to the City Council at the meeting are requested to provide 10 copies to the City Clerk.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ How to Observe and Participate in the Meeting:
Observe:
Members of the public can attend the meeting in person.
Public Comment Participation in Person:
Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and give public comment.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
3. ROLL CALL
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
During special meetings, public comment is only taken at the beginning of the meeting. Pursuant to the Brown Act Section 54954.3(a), the public comment period provides an opportunity for people to address the Council only on items that are listed on the Special City Council Meeting Agenda.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and are enacted in one motion. There is no separate discussion of any of these items. If discussion is required, that item is removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. At the end of the reading of the Consent Calendar, Council members can request that an item be removed for separate discussion. a. Adopt Resolution Nos. 256-57, 256-58, 256-59, 256-60, and 256-61 for the City of Arcata to Elect to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act as Part of the City’s Transition to the City Sponsored CalPERS Medical Insurance Plan.
6. ADJOURNMENT
April 22, 2026 - City Council Agenda
STAFF REPORT – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Keira A. Vink, Human Resources and Administrative Services Director PREPARER: Keira A. Vink, Human Resources and Administrative Services Director DATE: April 22, 2026
TITLE: Adopt Resolution Nos. 256-57, 256-58, 256-59, 256-60, and 256-61 for the City of Arcata to Elect to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act as Part of the City’s Transition to the City Sponsored CalPERS Medical Insurance Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council:
1) Adopt Resolution No 256-57, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for unrepresented City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
2) Adopt Resolution No 256-58, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Arcata Police Association City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
3) Adopt Resolution No 256-59, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for PERS Elected Officials City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
4) Adopt Resolution No. 256-60, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Non PERS Elected Officials City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
5) Adopt Resolution No. 256-61, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Operating Engineers City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants; and
6) Authorize the City Manager to approve and execute all related documents.
INTRODUCTION:
The City of Arcata has had a long term partnership with the Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund (REMIF) to offer medical insurance to the City of Arcata full-time employees and select annuitants. This plan has served the City well for more than fifteen years. As the insurance market changes and medical costs increase, a smaller pool of municipalities is not able to survive the volatility of the market. The REMIF medical insurance plans will be terminating as of June 30, 2026. The City of Arcata has completed a diligent search for medical insurance plans to begin effective July 1, 2026, for all eligible employees and annuitants. CalPERS medical insurance plans were chosen by the City as the city sponsored medical insurance plan.
DISCUSSION:
The California Public Employees Retirement system has the largest medical insurance program in the State of California. Their plans cover one and a half million Californians. One thousand, one hundred and forty eight public entities partner with CalPERS to offer their employees and annuitants medical coverage. CalPERS medical plans are the choice of several large employers in Humboldt County. There are local provider networks already in place and used to working with the insurance plans offered by CalPERS.
In Humboldt County, CalPERS offers six medical plans. General members will be eligible for five of the six plans and safety members will be eligible for all six plans. The plans being offered are a mix of Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) with established provider networks.
CalPERS will be the only medical plans offered to City of Arcata Bargaining Units and Officials listed and will be the exclusive City sponsored medical insurance plans. The City of Arcata Bargaining Units and Officials who will receive these benefits are: Unrepresented Employees, Arcata Police Association, PERS Elected Officials, Non PERS Elected Officials, and Operating Engineers.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
CalPERS is an exclusive medical insurance plan meaning that all members in the bargaining unit will have the CalPERS medical insurance plans as their exclusive choice. No outside or alternate plans may be offered to the bargaining unit by the City or an employee labor organization. This includes active employees and annuitants.
If a represented bargaining unit elects in accordance with their bylaws, choses to offer a Non CalPERS medical plan, all bargaining unit members (employees and annuitants) will be removed from the CalPERS medical plans and cannot re-enter the CalPERS medical plan for five years after withdrawal.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of medical insurance for full-time employees is charged to their corresponding City Department’s budget which is funded by the general fund, enterprise funds, and State and Federal grants.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Motion to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 256-57, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Unrepresented City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 256-58, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Arcata Police Association City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
3. Adopt Resolution No. 256-59, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for PERS Elected Officials City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
4. Adopt Resolution No. 256-60, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Non PERS Elected Officials City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants;
5. Adopt Resolution No. 256-61, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Electing
to be Subject to the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act for Operating Engineers City of Arcata Employees and Annuitants; and
6. Authorize the City Manager to approve and execute all related documents.
Consent Calendar vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution 256-57 PERS Medical Unrepresented
B. Resolution 256-58 PERS Medical Arcata Police Association C. Resolution 256-59 PERS Medical PERS Elected Officials D. Resolution 256-60 PERS Medical Non PERS Elected Officials E. Resolution 256-61 PERS Medical Operating Engineers
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 256-57
ELECTING TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
AT AN UNEQUAL AMOUNT FOR EMPLOYEES AND ANNUITANTS
WITH RESPECT TO A RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION
001 UNREPRESENTED
WHEREAS, (1) A contracting agency meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Government Code Section 22920, may obtain health benefit plan(s), as defined under Government Code Section 22777, by submitting a resolution to the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (the “Board”), and upon approval of such resolution by the Board, become subject to the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (the “Act”); and WHEREAS, (2) City of Arcata is a contracting agency eligible to be subject to the Act under Government Code Section 22920; and
WHEREAS, (3) Government Code Section 22892(a) provides that a contracting agency subject to the Act shall fix the amount of the employer contribution by resolution; and WHEREAS, (4) Government Code Section 22892(b) provides that the employer contribution shall be an equal amount for both employees and annuitants, but may not be less than the amount prescribed by Section 22892(b) of the Act; and WHEREAS, (5) Government Code Section 22892(c) provides that, notwithstanding Section 22892(b), a contracting agency may establish a lesser monthly employer contribution for annuitants than for employees, provided that the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and WHEREAS, (6) City of Arcata desires to obtain for its employees and annuitants who are members of Unrepresented the benefit of the Act and to accept the liabilities and obligations of an employer under the Act; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, (a) City of Arcata elects to be subject to the provisions of the Act; and be it further RESOLVED, (b) That the employer contribution for each employee shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of the PEMHCA Minimum per month, plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (c) That the initial employer contribution for each annuitant shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of $1.00 per month,
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (d) That the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and be it further
RESOLVED, (e) That this annual adjustment to the minimum monthly employer contribution for annuitants shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00); and be it further RESOLVED, (f) City of Arcata has fully complied with any and all applicable provisions of Government Code Section 7507 in electing the benefits set forth above; and be it further
RESOLVED, (g) That the participation of the employees and annuitants of City of Arcata shall be subject to determination of its status as an “agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State” that is eligible to participate in a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, upon publication of final Regulations pursuant to such Section.
If it is determined that City of Arcata would not qualify as an agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State under such final Regulations, CalPERS may be obligated, and reserves the right to terminate the health coverage of all participants of the employer; and be it further RESOLVED, (h) That the executive body appoint and direct, and it does hereby appoint and direct, Merritt Perry, City Manager to file with the Board a verified copy of this resolution, and to perform on behalf of City of Arcata all functions required of it under the Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, (i) That coverage under the Act be effective on July 1, 2026.
Adopted at a special meeting of the City Council at City Hall Council Chamber, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521, this 22nd day of April, 2026.
Signed: ____________________________
Kimberley White, Mayor
Attest: __________________________________
Rhea Varley, City Clerk
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 256-58
ELECTING TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
AT AN UNEQUAL AMOUNT FOR EMPLOYEES AND ANNUITANTS
WITH RESPECT TO A RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION
002 ARCATA POLICE ASSOCIATION
WHEREAS, (1) A contracting agency meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Government Code Section 22920, may obtain health benefit plan(s), as defined under Government Code Section 22777, by submitting a resolution to the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (the “Board”), and upon approval of such resolution by the Board, become subject to the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (the “Act”); and WHEREAS, (2) City of Arcata is a contracting agency eligible to be subject to the Act under Government Code Section 22920; and
WHEREAS, (3) Government Code Section 22892(a) provides that a contracting agency subject to the Act shall fix the amount of the employer contribution by resolution; and WHEREAS, (4) Government Code Section 22892(b) provides that the employer contribution shall be an equal amount for both employees and annuitants, but may not be less than the amount prescribed by Section 22892(b) of the Act; and WHEREAS, (5) Government Code Section 22892(c) provides that, notwithstanding Section 22892(b), a contracting agency may establish a lesser monthly employer contribution for annuitants than for employees, provided that the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and WHEREAS, (6) City of Arcata desires to obtain for its employees and annuitants who are members of Arcata Police Association the benefit of the Act and to accept the liabilities and obligations of an employer under the Act; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, (a) City of Arcata elects to be subject to the provisions of the Act; and be it further RESOLVED, (b) That the employer contribution for each employee shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of the PEMHCA Minimum per month, plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (c) That the initial employer contribution for each annuitant shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of $1.00 per month,
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (d) That the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and be it further
RESOLVED, (e) That this annual adjustment to the minimum monthly employer contribution for annuitants shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00); and be it further RESOLVED, (f) City of Arcata has fully complied with any and all applicable provisions of Government Code Section 7507 in electing the benefits set forth above; and be it further
RESOLVED, (g) That the participation of the employees and annuitants of City of Arcata shall be subject to determination of its status as an “agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State” that is eligible to participate in a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, upon publication of final Regulations pursuant to such Section.
If it is determined that City of Arcata would not qualify as an agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State under such final Regulations, CalPERS may be obligated, and reserves the right to terminate the health coverage of all participants of the employer; and be it further RESOLVED, (h) That the executive body appoint and direct, and it does hereby appoint and direct, Merritt Perry, City Manager to file with the Board a verified copy of this resolution, and to perform on behalf of City of Arcata all functions required of it under the Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, (i) That coverage under the Act be effective on July 1, 2026.
Adopted at a special meeting of the City Council at City Hall Council Chamber, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521, this 22nd day of April, 2026.
Signed: ____________________________
Kimberley White, Mayor
Attest: __________________________________
Rhea Varley, City Clerk
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 256-59
ELECTING TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
AT AN UNEQUAL AMOUNT FOR EMPLOYEES AND ANNUITANTS
WITH RESPECT TO A RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION
004 PERS ELECTED OFFICIALS
WHEREAS, (1) A contracting agency meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Government Code Section 22920, may obtain health benefit plan(s), as defined under Government Code Section 22777, by submitting a resolution to the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (the “Board”), and upon approval of such resolution by the Board, become subject to the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (the “Act”); and WHEREAS, (2) City of Arcata is a contracting agency eligible to be subject to the Act under Government Code Section 22920; and
WHEREAS, (3) Government Code Section 22892(a) provides that a contracting agency subject to the Act shall fix the amount of the employer contribution by resolution; and WHEREAS, (4) Government Code Section 22892(b) provides that the employer contribution shall be an equal amount for both employees and annuitants, but may not be less than the amount prescribed by Section 22892(b) of the Act; and WHEREAS, (5) Government Code Section 22892(c) provides that, notwithstanding Section 22892(b), a contracting agency may establish a lesser monthly employer contribution for annuitants than for employees, provided that the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and WHEREAS, (6) City of Arcata desires to obtain for its employees and annuitants who are members of PERS Elected Officials the benefit of the Act and to accept the liabilities and obligations of an employer under the Act; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, (a) City of Arcata elects to be subject to the provisions of the Act; and be it further RESOLVED, (b) That the employer contribution for each employee shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of the PEMHCA Minimum per month, plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (c) That the initial employer contribution for each annuitant shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of $1.00 per month,
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (d) That the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and be it further
RESOLVED, (e) That this annual adjustment to the minimum monthly employer contribution for annuitants shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00); and be it further RESOLVED, (f) City of Arcata has fully complied with any and all applicable provisions of Government Code Section 7507 in electing the benefits set forth above; and be it further
RESOLVED, (g) That the participation of the employees and annuitants of City of Arcata shall be subject to determination of its status as an “agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State” that is eligible to participate in a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, upon publication of final Regulations pursuant to such Section.
If it is determined that City of Arcata would not qualify as an agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State under such final Regulations, CalPERS may be obligated, and reserves the right to terminate the health coverage of all participants of the employer; and be it further RESOLVED, (h) That the executive body appoint and direct, and it does hereby appoint and direct, Merritt Perry, City Manager to file with the Board a verified copy of this resolution, and to perform on behalf of City of Arcata all functions required of it under the Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, (i) That coverage under the Act be effective on July 1, 2026.
Adopted at a special meeting of the City Council at City Hall Council Chamber, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521, this 22nd day of April, 2026.
Signed: ____________________________
Kimberley White, Mayor
Attest: __________________________________
Rhea Varley, City Clerk
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 256-60
ELECTING TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
AT AN UNEQUAL AMOUNT FOR EMPLOYEES AND ANNUITANTS
WITH RESPECT TO A RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION
700 NON-PERS ELECTED OFFICIALS
WHEREAS, (1) A contracting agency meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Government Code Section 22920, may obtain health benefit plan(s), as defined under Government Code Section 22777, by submitting a resolution to the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (the “Board”), and upon approval of such resolution by the Board, become subject to the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (the “Act”); and WHEREAS, (2) City of Arcata is a contracting agency eligible to be subject to the Act under Government Code Section 22920; and
WHEREAS, (3) Government Code Section 22892(a) provides that a contracting agency subject to the Act shall fix the amount of the employer contribution by resolution; and WHEREAS, (4) Government Code Section 22892(b) provides that the employer contribution shall be an equal amount for both employees and annuitants, but may not be less than the amount prescribed by Section 22892(b) of the Act; and WHEREAS, (5) Government Code Section 22892(c) provides that, notwithstanding Section 22892(b), a contracting agency may establish a lesser monthly employer contribution for annuitants than for employees, provided that the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and WHEREAS, (6) City of Arcata desires to obtain for its employees and annuitants who are members of Non-PERS Elected Officials the benefit of the Act and to accept the liabilities and obligations of an employer under the Act; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, (a) City of Arcata elects to be subject to the provisions of the Act; and be it further RESOLVED, (b) That the employer contribution for each employee shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of the PEMHCA Minimum per month, plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (c) That the initial employer contribution for each annuitant shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of $1.00 per month,
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (d) That the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and be it further
RESOLVED, (e) That this annual adjustment to the minimum monthly employer contribution for annuitants shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00); and be it further RESOLVED, (f) City of Arcata has fully complied with any and all applicable provisions of Government Code Section 7507 in electing the benefits set forth above; and be it further
RESOLVED, (g) That the participation of the employees and annuitants of City of Arcata shall be subject to determination of its status as an “agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State” that is eligible to participate in a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, upon publication of final Regulations pursuant to such Section.
If it is determined that City of Arcata would not qualify as an agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State under such final Regulations, CalPERS may be obligated, and reserves the right to terminate the health coverage of all participants of the employer; and be it further RESOLVED, (h) That the executive body appoint and direct, and it does hereby appoint and direct, Merritt Perry, City Manager to file with the Board a verified copy of this resolution, and to perform on behalf of City of Arcata all functions required of it under the Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, (i) That coverage under the Act be effective on July 1, 2026.
Adopted at a special meeting of the City Council at City Hall Council Chamber, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521, this 22nd day of April, 2026.
Signed: ____________________________
Kimberley White, Mayor
Attest: __________________________________
Rhea Varley, City Clerk
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 256-61
ELECTING TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
AT AN UNEQUAL AMOUNT FOR EMPLOYEES AND ANNUITANTS
WITH RESPECT TO A RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION
003 OPERATING ENGINEERS UNIT
WHEREAS, (1) A contracting agency meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Government Code Section 22920, may obtain health benefit plan(s), as defined under Government Code Section 22777, by submitting a resolution to the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (the “Board”), and upon approval of such resolution by the Board, become subject to the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (the “Act”); and WHEREAS, (2) City of Arcata is a contracting agency eligible to be subject to the Act under Government Code Section 22920; and
WHEREAS, (3) Government Code Section 22892(a) provides that a contracting agency subject to the Act shall fix the amount of the employer contribution by resolution; and WHEREAS, (4) Government Code Section 22892(b) provides that the employer contribution shall be an equal amount for both employees and annuitants, but may not be less than the amount prescribed by Section 22892(b) of the Act; and WHEREAS, (5) Government Code Section 22892(c) provides that, notwithstanding Section 22892(b), a contracting agency may establish a lesser monthly employer contribution for annuitants than for employees, provided that the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and WHEREAS, (6) City of Arcata desires to obtain for its employees and annuitants who are members of Operating Engineers Unit the benefit of the Act and to accept the liabilities and obligations of an employer under the Act; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, (a) City of Arcata elects to be subject to the provisions of the Act; and be it further RESOLVED, (b) That the employer contribution for each employee shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of the PEMHCA Minimum per month, plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (c) That the initial employer contribution for each annuitant shall be the amount necessary to pay the full cost of his/her enrollment, including the enrollment of family members, in a health benefits plan up to a maximum of $1.00 per month,
CalPERS Health Resolution (New), Revised September 2023 plus administrative fees and Contingency Reserve Fund assessments; and be it further
RESOLVED, (d) That the monthly employer contribution for annuitants is annually increased to equal an amount not less than the number of years the contracting agency has been subject to this subdivision multiplied by five percent of the current monthly employer contribution for employees, until the time that the employer contribution for annuitants equals the employer contribution paid for employees; and be it further
RESOLVED, (e) That this annual adjustment to the minimum monthly employer contribution for annuitants shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00); and be it further RESOLVED, (f) City of Arcata has fully complied with any and all applicable provisions of Government Code Section 7507 in electing the benefits set forth above; and be it further
RESOLVED, (g) That the participation of the employees and annuitants of City of Arcata shall be subject to determination of its status as an “agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State” that is eligible to participate in a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, upon publication of final Regulations pursuant to such Section.
If it is determined that City of Arcata would not qualify as an agency or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision of a State under such final Regulations, CalPERS may be obligated, and reserves the right to terminate the health coverage of all participants of the employer; and be it further RESOLVED, (h) That the executive body appoint and direct, and it does hereby appoint and direct, Merritt Perry, City Manager to file with the Board a verified copy of this resolution, and to perform on behalf of City of Arcata all functions required of it under the Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, (i) That coverage under the Act be effective on July 1, 2026.
Adopted at a special meeting of the City Council at City Hall Council Chamber, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521, this 22nd day of April, 2026.
Signed: ____________________________
Kimberley White, Mayor
Attest: __________________________________
Rhea Varley, City Clerk