RES 03081 - Laserfiche WebLink

coalition of union lobbyists in the State have routinely succeeded in blocking employer and League of California Cities sponsored efforts to analyze and reform the workers' compensation laws to balance these benefit increases with more control and fairness to the employer. Additionally, the cost of injury claims are also impacted by the increases in medical and litigation expenses. In addition, eases that are disputed and/or resolved and approved by the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) are often decided in favor of the applicant (or employee) without any regard to fault or factors that seem to be within the employee's control (such as physical fitness or lifestyle factors). And finally, the State has added several "presumptive" medical conditions to the list of compensible injuries that local governments (cities, counties, etc.) must assume liability for in its public safety classifications (e.g. police officers, firefighters, etc), regardless of family history, physical fitness or lifestyle factors. The types of medical conditions for which a "presumption" exists under California law include: hernia, pneumonia, heart trouble, tuberculosis, lower back impairments, and cancer. g. Significant Projects and Program Changes/Enhancements The City Council adopted its priority projects for 2003-04 on April 15, 2003. A listing of the City Council Priority Projects is provided in Appendix A. Staff has identified in this two-year budget the resources necessary to carry out those projects as well as other program changes and enhancements. Included with each Department budget is a description of 2001-02/2002-03 accomplishments, and 2003-04/2004-05 goals and objectives. The Pleasanton City Council and Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a Youth Master Plan in 2001 that establishes short- and long- term goals and objectives for the development of programs, services and activities for Pleasanton youth. Beginning this year, the Youth Master Plan Implementation Committee (YMPIC), in conjunction with the City Council/School District Liaison Committee, idemified six project priorities to be pursued by the YMPIC in calendar year 2003. The City Council and School Board subsequently approved these six priorities at a joint meeting in March of 2003. In the proposed City Operating Budget for fiscal years 2003-04 and 2004-05, sufficiem funding has been set aside to accomplish these priorities as currently defined. However, additional funding may be necessary throughout the year as these specific project priorities are further refined by the YMPIC and subsequently approved by the City Council and School Board. As a side note, the priority that the City Council and community have given to Pleasanton youth is clearly reflected in the number of existing and new programs/services that staff is recommending for funding, in addition to those that will arise out of the implementation of the Youth Master Plan. Over $3 million is included each year of the budget and that number is expected to rise as additional goals and objectives are implemented from Youth Master Plan. An outline of the xvii