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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - RENEWAL CJPIA GEN PROPTY LIABILITY WORKERS COMP EQ COVERAGEAgenda Item: 11 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Li ' DATE: June 25, 2024 SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE RENEWAL OF THE CITY' S GENERAL LIABILITY, PROPERTY LIABILITY AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND APPROVE EARTHQUAKE COVERAGE DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services PRESENTER: Melody Bartlette RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Authorize the renewal of the City's general liability, property liability and workers' compensation insurance coverage through the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority at a total premium cost of $2,830,334. 2. Authorize Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., to bind earthquake coverage on behalf of the City of Santa Clarita for Fiscal Year 2024-25 for various City facilities with Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc., for a policy limit of $45 million, for a total premium fee of $600,300. 3. Authorize an ongoing budget appropriation from Self Insurance Fund (Fund 721) to expenditure account 7212306-516101 for $480,234 for ongoing general liability, property liability, and earthquake coverage renewals commencing in Fiscal Year 2024-25. 4. Authorize an ongoing budget appropriation from Vista Canyon Wastewater Standby Fund (Fund 368) to expenditure account 3687413-516101 for $29,185 for ongoing property and earthquake coverage renewals commencing in Fiscal Year 2024-25. 5. Authorize an ongoing budget appropriation from Cooper Street Parking Structure Fund (Fund 369) to expenditure account 3697409-516101 for $22,629 for ongoing property and earthquake coverage renewals commencing in Fiscal Year 2024-25. 6. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. Page 1 Packet Pg. 229 BACKGROUND The City of Santa Clarita (City) has been a member of the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) for general liability, workers' compensation, property liability, and other various lines of coverage since 2021. CJPIA was established in 1978 for the purpose of providing liability protection for its members. Today, they are one of the largest municipal self- insurance pools in the state of California, with over 120 member cities and other governmental agencies. Insurance pools, also known as Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) offer many advantages to insurance coverage and risk management practices that traditional insurance coverage does not offer, such as policy review, employee training, and facility and risk assessments. Risk pools help lower the risk of loss amongst its members by spreading the potential losses amongst its members. By joining CJPIA, the City committed to three years of membership, which commenced on July 1, 2021, and will expire on June 30, 2024. During the initial three years, the City experienced stable pricing with minimal escalations, as the total cost of claims incurred had not yet reached a substantial level. However, for the upcoming FY 2024-25 renewal term, the City's premium is expected to rise 17.4 percent, for a not -to -exceed cost of $2,830,334, due to a variety of reasons related to increasing payroll, increasing loss runs from claims, and higher insurable values due to expanded coverage for more property, vehicles, and equipment. In addition to the aforementioned program, staff worked with the City's earthquake insurance broker, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. (Alliant), to analyze the City's current property schedule and determine which facilities should be considered for earthquake coverage. Various factors contribute to the decision -making process, including facility replacement value, operational importance, and location. In an effort to secure the lowest cost renewal premium, Alliant solicited bids from the earthquake insurance marketplace. Following correspondence with multiple carriers, Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc., the City's incumbent carrier, provided a competitive proposal. Staff evaluated the costs and elements of the proposal, and recommends renewing the City's earthquake insurance policy for FY 2024-25 with Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc., for a total policy amount of $45 million, with a 15 percent deductible for a total premium cost of $600,300. This is an increase to the previous policy limit of $35 million, driven by the City's ongoing growth, expansion, and acquisition of new properties over the years. The coverage will ensure that 20 of the City's critical facilities, including the Sheriff's Station, City Hall, The Cube, Transit Maintenance Center, Vista Canyon Parking Structure and Water Factory, Libraries, Community Centers, and recently acquired Citrus Building and Valencia Community Center, are protected in the event of a significant earthquake. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other direction as determined by the City Council. Page 2 Packet Pg. 230 FISCAL IMPACT The recommended actions require an ongoing appropriation of $532,048 from the Self Insurance Fund (Fund 721), the Vista Canyon Wastewater Standby Fund (Fund 368) and from the Cooper Street Parking Structure Fund (Fund 369), beginning in Fiscal Year 2024-25, to support the renewal of the City's Liability (general liability, property liability, workers' compensation programs), and earthquake coverage for an annual premium amount of $2,830,334 and $600,300 respectively. Funding for future years is contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such fiscal year. Page 3 Packet Pg. 231