HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.f. Workers Compensation/Rehabilitation Program for Employee • , T
(�i� � 2875-145TH ST.WEST
� P.O.BOX 510
�se'�/j/L�u'n� ROSEMOUNT,MINNESOTA 55068-4997
(612)423-4411
���� � � � FAX:(612)423-5203
T0: Mayor Napper
Council Members Klassen, �xborough, Willcox, Wippe�i
City Administrator Jilk
FROM: Don F. Darling, Fin Dir, Insurance Officer
DATE: August 3, 1990
RE: Retraining of Long Term Injured F�nployee
In 1984 Richard Lonnquist was severely and pern�anently injured in an
accident while working for the City. For the many years since he has
attempted a c�ne back froan these injuries but has not been successful
in that come back. In his atterr�ts to remain in the Mainteriance
Department of the City he has repeatedly reinjured himself due to his
weakened physical abilities followinq the 1980 accident.
Please be advised that I have been working wifh Rich for several years
now atte9mpting to determine and convince all concerned that retraining
is the best solutian in Rich's case. Until the most recent problem
that started in April of 1989 and is still ongoing, EBA (IImployee
Benefit Association - our Worl�z's Carcnp Administrative Campany) was
not willing to consider retraining, but at this writing they are
totally convinced that retraining is the best salution to this long
term injury.
Richard Lannquist has almast completed all of the steps required to
return him ta the class rocem for retraining. Ae has returned to
Rosemount High School where he casnpleted an aptitude test under the
direction of Counselor Duncan. We had jointly considered many
retraining opportunities but he kept stating that he would like to
remain with the City if at all possible. Having enjayed considerable
success in Drafting and Mechanical Drawing during his Middle School and
High School years he felt that this would be his best chance ta remain
with the City as a Draftsman or gigineering Technician. Of the four
hundred class choices that Mr Duncan tested him for both of these
subjects survived the cuts as they trimc�ed the listing to twenty four
subjects of interest to Rich.
An EBA Rehabilitation Caunselor has been assigned. to the case and is
directing the further testing and entry into the St Paul Vocational
College for enrollment into an eighteen �nth program. It has been
determined that this is the school that is the closest to Rosemount
tha.t provides the courses needed to successfully retrain Rich. EBA
will pay all costs of the schooling and place Rich on what could be
considered the same as absent due to injury status, thereby paying him
a weekly amount. To add to this Rich has been working with PERA
(Public �loyees Retirement Assaciation) to obtain the benefit that
, , .:�
Page Two - R Lonnquist Retraining Request
August 3, 1990
they provide to long term injured members. All of these benefits do
not add up to the amounts needed for Rich to comfortably maintain his
fanuly and I am requesting you consider further assistance to Rich for
ite�u not covered.
'�'here are three benefits that I am requesting that we continue in force
for Rich during his retraining and the first of those is the minimal
cost life insurance policy that we carry on all of the Maintenance
Union Staff at a cost of $2.80 per month, with the second being another
life insurance policy through PERA at a cost of $9.00 per month and
finally the major item is single coverage Basic Blue Crass Blue Shield
that the City has been carrying on Rich throughout his eznployment at a
current monthly cost of 5105.47. This would be a total monthly cost of
$117.27 and a cost for the entire 18 month period of $2,110.86 or
slightly higher should one or more of the benefits increase in cost to
the City.
7.'he retraining program that Rich has sukxnitted to at this time will
com�nence on September 4th and continue for 18 �nths. He will be on
the City Maintenance Force iuztil that date and froHn that time on will
be considered as off an Worl�.Z's C�rp retraininq.