06/12/2008
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 12, 2008
Present: Tom Jensen Vice-Chair
John Schmalzbauer Committee Member
Carlen Petersen Committee Member/Councilmember
John Doran Committee Member/Councilmember
Stephen Sarnoff Committee Member
Paul Gibson Committee Member/Councilmember
Absent: Nathan Hightower Chair
Also Present: Joe Roseto Human Resources Director
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair
Member Petersen moved to re-appoint Member Hightower as Chair. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Schmalzbauer moved to re-appoint Member Jensen as Vice-Chair. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Approval of Minutes of May 8, 2008
Member Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the regular Pension Advisory
Committee meeting of May 8, 2008, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4. Employees to be Heard – None.
5. Action Items
a. Review and Action on Employee Requests for Regular Pensions:
1. Lisa Meagher, Customer Service
2. Patrick Scanlon, Fire
Member Sarnoff moved to approve the requests for regular pensions for Lisa Meagher
and Patrick Scanlon. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b. Review and Action on Employee Requests to Vest Pensions:
1. Michael Hurley, Development & Neighborhood Services
2. Karen Backus, Police
Pension Advisory 2008-06-12 1
Michael Hurley, Development & Neighborhood Services, has resigned his position after
being employed with the City for more than ten years of credited service. He will qualify for his
pension beginning January 1, 2011.
Karen Backus, Police, has resigned her position after more than ten years of credited
service. She will qualify for her pension beginning May 1, 2019.
Member Petersen moved to recommend approval of the request by Michael Hurley and
Karen Backus to vest their pensions. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
c. Approval of New Hires as Plan Members:
Member Schmalzbauer moved to accept the following employees into membership in
the Pension Plan:
Pension
Elig.
Name, Job. Class, & Dept./Div. Hire Date Date
Christopher Hages, Custodial Worker/Marine & Aviation 1/19/08 4/26/08
Michele Curtis, Police Communications Operator Trainee/Police 4/28/08 4/28/08
Margaret Hasty, Police Communications Operator Trainee/Police 4/14/08 4/14/08
Michael Hasty, Police Communications Operator Trainee/Police 4/14/08 4/14/08
Craig Corlis, Police Communications Operator Trainee/Police 4/28/08 4/28/08
Dawn Lucier, Police Communications Operator Trainee/Police 4/28/08 4/28/08
Christopher Hages was originally hired as part-time on January 19, 2008; transferred to
full-time and pension eligible as of April 26, 2008.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6. Pending/New Business
a. Hearing Date for George Agovino’s Request for Disability Pension – Continue to
July 10, 2008
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto requested George Agovino’s hearing date for a
disability pension be continued to July 10, 2008. He said the City is contesting the request. Mr.
Agovino has retained an attorney.
Member Jensen said he would be unable to attend the July meeting. Member
Schmalzbauer was unsure if he would be able to attend. Mr. Roseto said PAC (Pension
Advisory Committee) members unable to attend the next meeting should contact him. He will
ensure Mr. Agovino’s attorney is advised that there may not be a full board at the July meeting.
Mr. Agovino has the option to continue the case until a full board is present.
Member Doran moved to continue George Agovino’s request for disability pension
hearing to July 10, 2008. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Pension Advisory 2008-06-12 2
7. Director's Reports
Mr. Roseto reported that at the August 18, 2008, Pension Trustees meeting and/or the
City Council Work Session, the Pension Attorney and the Pension actuary will provide
information regarding the pros and cons of a defined benefit pension plan as compared to a
defined contribution pension plan.
Discussion ensued. Concern was expressed that pension funds might be used to
perform studies for the next Trustees meeting and other meetings. It was remarked that years
ago, the city of Largo experienced the loss of their employees' pension plan funds when their
financial advisors steered them in another direction and ultimately forced employees to extend
their retirement dates. It was commented that there has been a nationwide movement to try to
eliminate pension plans.
Mr. Roseto said it was not contemplated that guest speakers would be invited to the next
Trustees meeting or that debate would occur at the meeting. He said that the Trustees had
requested staff provide them with detailed information to ensure they understand the specific
types of pension plans, including costs, benefits, other municipalities' pension plans, etc. He
said there has been no discussion regarding eliminating the Employees' Pension Plan. He said
the Pension actuary reports statistics and the PAC attorney represents the employees, not the
City. He said PAC members are welcome to attend the Trustees' meeting.
8. Committee Members to be Heard
Member Sarnoff said the PAC election is drawing near and he did not know if he would
be re-elected. He thanked everyone and said it has been a pleasure serving with them.
Member Jensen reminded everyone to complete their disclosure forms.
9. Adiournment
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The meeting adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
Chair
Pension Advisory Com
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Board Reporter
Pension Advisory 2008-06-12
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