City Approval Ushers in Pension Reforms on Police Officer Contracts

The Glendora City Council unanimously approved a new employee contract that would require officers from the Police Officer Association to pay their full employee contribution of their retirement plans.

Members of the city council applauded the agreement during a special meeting Tuesday. Under the contract, sworn officers will be responsible for the full 9 percent of  the employee share of the CalPERS pension plan by July 2013. The three-year contract is expected to save the city $129,331. The 9 percent contribution would be reached through three 3 percent steps.

Previously,  the city had been paying 100 percent of officers’ contributions. Police Chief Rob Castro had been the only sworn officer paying the full retirement contribution when he was appointed police chief earlier this year.

“We appreciate [the POA’s] understanding of the situation the community is in and for them stepping up and contributing  to us balancing our budget,” said City Councilman Joe Santoro.

Coming off of a five-year contract, the Police Officers Association is the first of two sworn police bargaining units to reach a new contract agreement with the city, said Interim Human Resources Director Bob Blackwood.

Blackwood said second tier plans under the new contract may not go into effect until the city comes to an agreement with city’s second police bargaining unit the following year.

“Under CalPERS laws, you can’t have various plans for similar groups,” said Blackwood.

Four of the five city council members approved the contract. Mayor Doug Tessitor was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, although Mayor Pro Tem Gene Murabito read a statement from Tessitor, who called the new contract a “significant” change in city pension plans.

“The recognition of the city’s financial realities and willingness to be partners with us in finding solutions is greatly appreciated by all of us,” Tessitor’s statement read.

“These changes have been painful for all involved and have been achieved because of a solid partnership of our employee family. “