Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend January 6, 2006 Medford hires lawyer for health-insurance flap The City Council postpones any disiplinary actions against City Manager Mike Dyal ‘pending the outcome of the investigation’ By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The Medford City Council on Thursday hired a Eugene attorney to "evaluate, investigate and defend if necessary" possible lawsuits against the city over lack of continued health insurance for retirees. The council voted to hire Robert E. Franz Jr. after meeting in closed session with Franz and City Attorney John Huttl. It also decided to "postpone any discipline pending the outcome of the investigation," according to the motion read by Councilman Jason Anderson. "Robert was hired by our (liability) insurance company to represent the city," said Huttl after the meeting. "He represents the city of Medford." Councilman Greg Jones, who retired as the city’s Parks and Recreation director in 2002, excused himself from the meeting. "Greg has declared a conflict of interest," said Huttl. "He falls within the category of individuals who could make a claim." Advertisement City Manager Mike Dyal and Deputy City Manager Bill Hoke did not attend the closed session. The council called the executive session to discuss litigation likely to be filed by retired city employees concerning health care benefits and to discuss a complaint brought against Dyal. The meeting was a continuation of a Dec. 15 executive session. Dyal has been criticized by current and former city employees and officials for his management style, and former City Attorney Ron Doyle has accused Dyal of breaking the law by denying city retirees access to employee health insurance. Current and former council members have defended Dyal, saying he is following the direction the council gave him. In September, Doyle filed a tort claim, or notice to sue, accusing the city of breaking state law by denying continued insurance to some retirees. Similar claims have been filed by other retirees since then. Dyal has maintained that the city is following the law by providing access to a separate, albeit more expensive, insurance option to retirees through the Public Employee Retirement System. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Medford hires lawyer for health-insurance flap ">[email protected] . Councilman Skip Knight named council president The Medford City Council selected new council officers during their noon meeting Thursday: Skip Knight was voted the new council president, and Jason Anderson was voted council vice-president. In 2005, Claudette Moore was president and Knight was vice president, and in the previous year those positions were flipped. The council elects a president and vice-president at its first meeting each year. In the mayor's absence from a council meeting, the president, or in the president's absence the vice-president, presides over the meeting. Whenever the mayor is unable to perform the other functions of the office, the president, or in the president's inability the vice-president, acts as mayor. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s