DATE: October 7, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt Resolutions to Execute the following Side Letter of Agreements between the City of Hayward and the Hayward Fire Chiefs’ Association (“HFCA”): Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Plan Side Letter of Agreement; Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), Section 12.01 Fire Education Incentive Program Side Letter of Agreement; MOU, Sections 13.06 and 13.07 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification/Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (E.M.T.P.) Side Letter of Agreement
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts the resolutions (Attachments II, III, and IV) for the side letter of
agreements amending Hayward Fire Chiefs’ Association (HFCA) VEBA participation p; MOU, Section 12.01 Fire Education Incentive Program; MOU, Section 13.06 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification; and MOU, Section 13.07 Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Certification (E.M.T.P.).
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SUMMARY
A recent review of the MOU between the City and the HFCA, covering the contract term from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029, identified several discrepancies requiring updates. Specifically, revisions are needed to the VEBA side letter of agreement, an extension of the Education Incentive coverage period beyond the current contract, and the removal of expired language related to Paramedic Pay.
The update to the VEBA side letter of agreement is required to ensure compliance with IRS rules. The City has also identified discrepancies in MOU Section 12.01 (Fire Education Incentive Program), Section 13.06 (Emergency Medical Technician Certification), and Section 13.07 (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Certification). These appear to be oversights, as the original intent was to update the language during the most recent contract negotiations for the term July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029. To address this, the City proposes correcting these provisions to ensure that eligible HFCA members are not negatively impacted upon retirement.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution - VEBA Side Letter
Attachment III Resolution - Education Incentive
Attachment IV Resolution - Paramedic Pay
Attachment V Side Letter of Agreement - VEBA
Attachment VI Side Letter of Agreement - Education Incentive Pay
Attachment VII Side Letter of Agreement - Paramedic Pay