City of Holyoke Health Benefit Trust Meeting December 4, 2024

City of Holyoke Health Trust Meeting

December 4, 2024

City Hall, Old Tax Collector’s Office

The meeting was called to order by Rory Casey at 5:03PM

In attendance: 

PEC Representatives: Joe O’Connor- Retirees, Chris Butler-Fire Dept, Chris Adams- UFCW

City Representatives: Tanya Wdowiak-City Auditor, Dazhana Argueta- Personnel Specialist, Sean Mangano- HPS CFO

Others: Quentin Donohue-Newly elected member, Steve Corbin- Dowd Insurance

Alternates Not present: Jay Ferreira, HGE & John Roche, Teacher’s Union

Not in Attendance: Jane Mantolesky, Assistant City Solicitor

Review Trust Members, Agenda 

MOTION: Christ Butler moved to approve the minutes of August 29, 2024. Quentin seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Nominations for chair and secretary. Joe nominated Quentin Donohue.  

MOTION: Quentin opened nominations for secretary. Chris Butler nominated Dazhana. Quentin seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.

Quentin brought up Maureen Ross O’Connell retiring as of December 31, 2024 and recommends Dowd become the sole broker for the City of Holyoke. Quentin asked Steve to explain the relationship/partnership. Steve believes it will reduce administrative fees in the future. There is an additional full time employee working with Trust, Rebecca Sutter. She works on Health dental vision and Medex. This would remove the contribution that would normally go to Ross agency. Sean Mangano asked if there is a contract. 

Chris Adams has a question on the legal end. Two agencies working together getting paid.  If we move forward with one agency are we opening up ourselves to get sued from the other agency? The city is not paying the brokers, it is coming from the insurance company as kick backs. 

Administrative fee includes broker compensation.

Sean asked Steve’s role. He explained it and said he will start getting quotes by February 15, 2025. He will do rate setting every year.  Sean asked if the actuarial group contract with Dowd directly.  Steve said yes.

Sean asked if Steve will be providing expense reports?- Steve said, Yes, on a monthly basis. We will get a more detailed report for medical and Rx (What is being put into the trust). In February there is also a performance task. 

MOTION:  Joe O’Connor made a motion that Dowd would be the sole broker of record. Chris Butler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Steve shared reports.  Monthly Claims and Stop Loss Breakdown July – November FY2025.

Sean recommended a fund balance policy.  Three months of balances. Steve said check MGL 33b. Sean said there’s a certain amount you have to have.  Quentin said there’s money from dental. That would help keep minimum balance in there. Rory said whatever the dental balance is, will get merged into the Trust. There’s money we expect from HNE and possibly Health Equity.  Any of the monies received in FY24, once free cash is certified, what’s left will go in front of council for appropriation to go in the trust.

Quentin asked what the account balance is. Rory said “Once the year is closed he will have the final numbers. Employee/employer amounts are still being put in old GL account. There is a newer line that was created by the Auditors. There is also a new account created just for the trust. Becca has access to these accounts”. 

Sean Mangano recommend that we have a fund balance law. Steve said we should look as MGL to see what the law is on that. 

Quentin asked about the dental premium credit- Rory said this amount is a credit and will be included in the money that will be put in the trust account. The dental trust balance will move completely over. Note that there was some money that we are still waiting on and new cash will go into the trust as well. Along with funds from 2024,  once free cash is certified will go in front of council to be moved into the trust account. 

MOTION: Chris made a motion to support the Y pilot program and reevaluate at the next meeting. Chris Butler seconded. Motion carried.  Joe O’Connor voted no.

Invite Joe to Wellness meetings.

Becca put together an escalation/phone. It will be updated and sent out.

City of Holyoke Health Benefit Trust is the official name. Joe asked about a dental update.

MOTION: Chris Butler made a motion for Quentin to send a communication to the head of the Water Department & Water Commissioners to develop a system for billing and payment. Sean Mangano seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Water Dept shouldn’t pay monies to BCBS or Dental fund. Paragraph urgently requesting that the water department utilize Becca to coordinate payments and payroll deduction reports. 

NEW Business – MOTION: Chris moved to invite someone from the solicitor’s office to train the board on the open meeting laws. Joe seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Next meeting dates. Monday, January 6, 2025 5pm Former Tax Collector’s Office & Monday, February 24, 2025 5pm Former Tax Collector’s.  

Steve will send the projections to PEC Chair, Chris Butler by February 15, 2025. Sean asked for an annual timeline so the board can plan. Steve will put together a renewal life cycle.

MOTION: Joe made a motion to adjourn.  Sean seconded.  Motion carried unanimously. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:37

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