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He said that he and his fellow workers stand together, and they request a fair contract with affordable health care and wages, and that they have signed and presented to Council signed petitions with over 200 signatures. Molly Spore - Alhadef said she has been an employee of the Redwood City Public Library for 32 years. She spoke about her own health situation, the health care program and concerns with such expenses. She explained the value of the cafeteria plan and impacts on workers if it goes away and how she has no retirement plans. Council Member Foust clarified that the figures explained by Mr. Del Ben were incorrect and the correct amount is $5.6 million (salary and benefit reductions) total over three years, as stated by the Interim City Manager in a memo that was sent citywide. She explained how the target savings figure is related to the total percentage of payroll for each group, and applying that percentage to the target figure. She asked that unions consider the alternatives and work with the Council as she would not like to see more people unemployed. Cheryl Easterbrook said she was not quite sure when the meeting regarding the budget concessions was held nor had she received an invitation to one. She said she votes and lives in Redwood City and opined that asking SEIU (Service Employees International Union) to contribute almost half (of the budget concessions) is not reasonable, particularly from the lowest wage earners. She asked Council to be reasonable and talk with them. Dr. Bell clarified this was explained to all the unions, with representatives from all bargaining groups present, at a meeting in August 2010. He also clarified that there have been 11 meetings with SEIU (Service Employees International Union) as of today. Bernel Mershon, a SEIU member, said she is painfully aware of the suffering from budget cuts since 2007. She opined that there are other areas for concessions and, the cost per employee as noted in a newspaper article does not represent SEIU members. She believes the potential 13% reduction would be unlivable and she asked Council to take care of them as they have taken care of the community. Jason Bergjord said he is a Redwood City employee and SEIU member and they make between thirty and forty thousand a year and that the $9,100 cut per SEIU employee will make medical, dental and vision (coverage) unaffordable. He spoke about the effect on the quality of living, being on food stamps when he was young, and how he does not want anyone to have to go through this. He asked Council to reconsider because he said that those most affected are able to deal with it the least. Mayor Ira explained that there has been misinformation and misstatements about the numbers provided. Dr. Bell explained that he is not clear where the $9,100 figure was derived from and that it did not come from his office. Dr. Bell said that SEIU are the city's employees and the City is committed to stabilizing the budget over the next three years without layoffs. Council Member Foust asked that it be clarified that 13% is incorrect. Dr. Bell explained that what was asked about was a cut of $2 million over the course of three years. Vice Mayor Aguirre said that the numbers mentioned tonight have nothing to do with reality and she wants to clarify that the Council will not balance the budget on their backs. JOINT CITY COUNCIL /REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD March 21, 2011 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 MINUTE BOOK NO. 63 Page No. 289