01/15/2013 Resolutions 2013-15 (B) Resolution #2013-15 (B) was denied by the City Council at their January 15, 2013
meeting.
RESOLUTION 2013-15 (B)
WHEREAS, Article 10 of Chapter 16 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes sets forth
the laws governing the pensions of Police Officers of First Class Cities; and
WHEREAS, Section 16-1007(1) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes requires the
City of Grand Island to provide pension benefits to retired police officers "in the form of a
straight life annuity or any optional form of annuity benefit established by the retirement
committee"; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2005 the Police Pension Committee stopped calculating
police pension benefits based on a straight life annuity and began calculating said benefits based
on a joint life annuity; and
WHEREAS, Section 16-1014 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes states in reference
to police pension benefits, "[t]he governing body of the city shall continue to be responsible for
the general administration of such retirement system unless specific functions or all functions
with regard to the administration of the retirement system are delegated, by ordinance, to the
retirement committee."; and
WHEREAS, the Grand Island City Council as the governing body of the City of
Grand Island has never approved the calculation of police or fire retirement benefits based on a
joint life annuity nor has delegated that authority or function to the Police Pension Committee by
ordinance; and
WHEREAS, Nebraska law generally limits the filing of a suit to four years from
the event that gave rise to the cause of action;
WHEREAS, within the last four years the City has paid police pension benefits to
Rick Ressel, Dennis Osterman, and Roger Philbeck based on a joint life annuity; and
WHEREAS, the issue of police pension benefits was the subject of a Study
Session meeting of the Council on December 11, 2012 and a regular meeting of the Council on
December 18, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined it is not in the City's best interest to
pursue any reimbursement from Messrs. Ressel, Osterman, and Philbeck for monies received
from the City for the pension benefits provided to said retirees,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA, that City staff is directed not to make
demand upon Messrs. Ressel, Osterman, and Philbeck for any reimbursement for monies
received from the City for pension benefits provided to said retirees.
Approved as to Form II 4
January 15,2013 E+ City orney
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, January 15,
2013.
Jay Vavricek, Mayor
Attest:
RaNae Edwards, City Clerk
- 2 -