Sec.6-37-1. 2011 Amendment to the 1978 Pension Act , Pension Reform Plan for FY2012 was signed by Mayor Kasim Reed in to Law once the plan was officially approved on June 29, 2011. City of Atlanta Council approved the Ordinances by unanimous votes of (15-0)

The new pension reform included Ordinance 11-O-0950, General Employee Pension Fund, http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:zliMG89eGvIJ:citycouncil.atlan... and 11-O-0672 Retirement Benefits Offered by the City of Atlanta, 11-O-0951 Firefighters Pension Fund Act, and 11-O-0952 Police Officers Pension Fund.

Section 1.of the Ordinance states “Permanent, full-time, active officers and employees hired before January 1, 1984, shall be exempt from and shall not be subject to the provisions of this amendment.

Atlanta’s City Council President, Ceasar C. Mitchell called a Special Meeting (above picture) to thank Mayor Kasim Reed, the City of Atlanta Council members, and Union Representatives, on what he says was an historic vote, stating “I commend every member of Council for their tremendous dedication and hard work in creating a pension reform plan that the entire Atlanta community can confidently embrace”.

This popular act was carried by several news groups such as my Fox Atlanta (http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/Atlanta-Pension-Plan-Bec... ) Atlanta 11 Alive( by Michael King ) http://www.11alive.com/rss/article/196256/3/Atlanta-City-Council-approve... and Public Sector Inc, (by Eileen Norcross) http://www.publicsectorinc.com/forum/2011/06/atlanta-passes-pension-refo... .

Atlanta City Council worked out an Employee Pension Plan that included a little for everyone. Excited by the proposed plan were Mayor Kasim Reed, Council President, Ceasar Mitchell, Councilwoman Felicia Moore, and Finance Committee Chairman Councilwoman Yolanda Adrean. Other Council Members who contributed to the proposed Employee pension plan were; Lee Young, H. Lamar Willis, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Aaron Watson, and Howard Shook. The newly proposed Employee Pension Plan received a unanimous vote by the City Council= 14 yeas 0 nays.

To achieve the proposed plan there were committee meetings, presentations, workshops, and employee sessions. Participants included PACE and IBPO Unions, other Employee group representatives, City Council Members, and Mayor Reed’s Administration. The new proposed plan would save the City of Atlanta over 25 Million annually according to City of Atlanta announcement. (http://www.atlantaga.gov/media/nr_budgetapproved_062311.aspx)

Contributions by Council Members such as Felicia Moore had inputs such as: current employees would increase participation at a rate of 5% more to keep their original benefits as vested employees after 10 years of service and contributions into the plan. Yolanda Adrean added to the amendment with other Council members and the Reed Administration stating the following changes for new employees at payroll grade 18 and below; and, that are hired on or after November 1, 2011 can be viewed at the City of Atlanta Website hyperlink above.

A Special Called Full Council Meeting on Pension Reform, Thursday June 23, 2011 at 10:am

was scheduled on Monday June 20, 2011 during the Full Council Meeting by the City Council to delay voting on the Employee Pension Plan. The Special Session will be held for voting, giving council members time to review the plan introduced by Yolanda Adrean. Union members and City Employee’s attended the City Council Session on Monday June 20, with special interest to see how City Council members would vote.

The City of Atlanta budget by law has to pass by June 30, 2011 to avoid decisions that may cause lay offs of City employees. The pension plan created by Felicia Moore will also be reviewed by council members before the Special Session is held on Thursday June 23, 2011. Mayor Reed according to news sources stated he will veto any plans that come across his desk from Employees or Councilwoman Felicia Moore (Per WSBTV Channel 2 news video 06/15/2011)

PACE is asking members /employee’s to be present at the Special Call Full Council Meeting to continue showing interest in the Pension Reform, however; specific leave request are necessary to attend the session. Full Council Video Sessions are also available for public review at: http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/video.htm