AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date:           November 13, 2006

From:                          J. Cunningham Perry, Human Resources/Safety Director

Subject:                      Resolution approving contract with “Weight Watchers at Work of  North America, Inc.”  and authorization to add this program to the the City Of Leesburg’s Wellness Benefit Program

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval to add Weight Watchers at Work as a new wellness benefit program for City employees.

Analysis:

Employees have requested that the Weight Watchers at Work be added to the City’s wellness program.  Currently the City’s wellness program includes LRMC’s Wellness Center, Bodies-N-Motion, Xtreme Fitness and Curves.  The City pays 50% of the monthly membership for our employees to participate.  Once an employee enrolls in one of the current programs, they are obligated to commit to the selected program, financially, for the full fiscal year.  An employee may join a program anytime, but can only “opt out” during an open enrollment period.  If an employee desires to discontinue participating in a selected program during the year, he/she must continue to pay the contracted fee amount through the end of the fiscal year (September 30th).  At the end of the fiscal year, the employee may opt out of the program and all City and employee deductions will stop.

The Weight Watchers at Work program requires a minimum number of participants for their 12 week (15 participants) and 17 week (20 participants) programs.  As with all current wellness programs, participants will be required to commit to the full number of weeks (12 or 17) with no option to drop out.  Employees are requesting the City pay for one-half (1/2) of the program participation costs.

            12 week series = 144.00 ($72.00 city - $72.00 employee)

            17 week series = 186.00 ($93.00 city - $93.00 employee)

We will not start a program series until the minimum number of participants/employees commit in writing to participate.  We propose the following employee deduction schedule, if approved.

12 Weeks Series 17 Week Series

$25/$25/$22                                                   $25/$25/$25/$22

(3 pay periods)                                                 (4 pay periods)

Options:        

1.         Authorize the Weight Watchers at Work program be added as a wellness benefit for City of Leesburg employees with the proposed fee schedule above.  One half paid by the City and one half paid by the employee.

2.         Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate.

Fiscal Impact: 

Although funds were not specifically appropriated in accordance with the budget policy, funding should be available within the overall category budgets.  The Weight Watchers at Work wellness initiative is similar to other types of wellness programs currently offered by the City where participation is unknown until the beginning of the fiscal year.  The budget process incorporates and anticipates fluctuations in participation.  Impact on the budget is expected to be minimal.  At the end of FY 2007 the budget will be reviewed and if it is determined that an amendment is necessary it will be recommended at that time.

Submission Date and Time:    11/9/2006 12:22 PM11/8/2006 3:41 PM____

Department: ______________________ Prepared by:  ______________________                      Attachments:         Yes____   No ______ Advertised:   ____Not Required ______ Dates:   __________________________                      Attorney Review :       Yes___  No ____ _________________________________            Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________ Finance  Dept. __________________                                    Deputy C.M. ___________________                                          Submitted by: City Manager ________RS___________

Account No. _________________ Project No. ___________________ WF No. ______________________ Budget  ______________________ Available _____________________

RESOLUTION NO._______________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH "WEIGHT WATCHERS AT WORK; "AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

            THAT the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute an agreement  with Weight Watchers North America, Inc., whose address is P. O. Box 223295, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 15251-2295,  “Weight Watchers at Work” program facilitation .

 THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the 13th day of November, 2006

                                                                            __________________________

                                                                             Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk