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11/10/1987 Proceedings oC the Pension Advisory Committee Meeting oC November 10. 1987 Pa gc 1 ., ('J Prescnt: ~...).t:f Charles Dunn, Chairman Micbael Stuart, Member Jphn Nicholson. Member / I '. , H. Michael Laursen, Personnel Director Deborah Lally. Personnel Depanment Cynthia Climan, Personnel Department Nancy Degner, City Nurse Milton Cason, Safety Specialist Daniel Deignan, Finance Director Tina Wilson, Payroll Services Manager Samuel McBride, Public Service Division. John Perzola, Firefighter Richard Griesinger, Attorney for John Ferzola The meeting was called to order at 9:41 A.M. Michael Stuart moved to approve the minutes of the meeting. of October 20, 1987. The motion was duly seconded by John Nicholson and carried unanimously. ,I ~:-. ~ '. ; " , '.. t' c.:-, '>', John Nicholson read the names of the following employees to' be accepted into membership ,in the Pension, Plan: '...c.. :.cl ',:'" . . ~~' .,.. Date of . Employment Pension Elii. Qate \.:, '...., . '. Michael Pryor; Sanitation Worker Margaret Williams, Clerk Typist II .~ " , Eddy, ' McKinn.ey, Maint. Worker II '\' " Beth Weaver, Dispatcher I '(, " Dale Fitzpatrick" Tradesworker I "" : "Jeffrey D. Outwater, Maint. Worker I ~:/~> .loan Key, Laboratory Technician ~:~.' ..:' . Eddie, Hunter, Jr., Maint. Worker I )- , . Uti1./Sanitation 11/2/87 Uti1./ Accounts 10/21/87 Pub. Works/Pub. Ser. 10/26/87 Util./Accounts 10/28/87 Cen. Ser./Bldg. & Maint. 10119/87 Parks & Recreation 9/29/86 Pub. Works{WPC 11/9/87 Parks & Recreation 9/29/86 11/2/87 10/21/87 10/26/87 10/28/87 10/19/87 6/22/87 11/9/87 1/5/87 " '. .., ". . .:. :..:t. , : ,', , :'.'\': . .,.'t ":1' '~', "',:. Michael Stuan moved to accept into membership the seven (7) employees listed above. The 'motion was duly seconded by John Nicholson and carried unanimously. No new .information has been received on John Welch. The Committee is waiting for word from Cary Singletary, attorney for Mr. Welch. in order to schedule a hearing on this matter. '.:' No new information has been received on Lenard ,Dixon. i ~. - . ",. + , e, C..: .:<, ::...., , .. ~ ~) . I.:.. ~. .i, ~ :> 'OJ The report from Frederick Woodard's doctor bas not been received. Chairman 'Dunn questioned what basis the City Commission Steve Zimmerman's request to buy back time after he had taken pension fund. and what basis they arc using for consideration of Lois 'f used in approving his monies from the Maroon's request. .'..... :'.,'j.! 'r'" II . .: ~. , " .. ,'":' '" ',;", , , . . . '~ " ' " ': .~.,; ~ "'.. . ~~', : "/ 'l . ,c .'c Proceedings of tbe Pension Advisory Committee Meeting of November 10. 1987 Page 2 tJ Secretary Laursen advised the Committee the City Commission has made no ruUng regarding '..~ Lois Maroon. Her attorney has appeared before the Commission at t~e suggestion of the Pension Advisory Committee. No action was taken at that time, llnd this matter again has been listed on the agenda for the next Trustees' meeting. In reference to Steve Zimmerman, the arbitrator ruled he should not have been put in position to leave pension plan in the first place. However, it was Mr. Zlmmennnn's option to take his monies out; Ilnd according to the ordinance, his benefit date cannot be made retroactive. The consensus was tbat exceptions to the ordinance cannot be made. Daniel Deignan, Finance Director stated it would be impossible to compute how much the City paid into the pension fund for Ms. Maroon or Mr. Zimmerman. Chairman Dunn would like Secretary Laursen to get with the Trustees and ask them to give the Pension Advisory Committee their interpretation in writing. Daniel Deignan suggested the Trustees might like to consult with him or the actuary on this matter. " . With respect to John Ferzola, Firefighter, Michael Stuart spoke with Drs. Schneider and Feldman. Both of these doctors arc, of the opinion Mr. Fenala is totally disabled and cannot perform the duties of a firefighter due to his back injury. John Nicholson read a letter from Dr. Logue. who first treated Mr. Fenala. which fitated Mr. FerzoIa is not pennanently. disabled and could eventually return to. work as a firefighter. This letter was written in response to a telephone caU from Mr. Nicholson. .~;:. 0," Ri~~ard Griesinger, atto~ey for. john ~erz?la, q.u~stioncd Dr. Logue's letter. ~.' .'.;, OplDlOD that Dr. Logue did not give a fair dIagnOSIS. 'Secretary Laursen questioned whether or not there was other infonnation on John Ferzola 'in his worker's compensation file. It was his At this point, Milton Cason, Safety Specialist, informed the CommittCie that Risk Management 'and the Legal Depanment have devised a release form to be signed by employees requesting a disability pension. Once they sign this form, a member of the Pension Advisory Committee could see the worker's compensation file and detennine what items should be copied for the Committee to review. After some discussion, it was decided this release form could be made a condition of applying for disability pensions. The members agreed to make no decision at this time and send Mr.' Ferzola to another doctor for a third opinion. The City Nurse will supply Mr. Ferzola with a list of three or four board-cenified doctors from which to choose. '; Due to the doctors' conflict of opinion. John Nicholson moved that John Ferzola be examined by another doctor before a decision is made in this case. The motion was duly seconded by Michael Stuart and carried unanimously. lobn Nicholson moved to make the signing of the new release form a requirement for application for disability pension. The motion was duly seconded by Michael Stuart and carried unanimously. ~,\: ~:\a'.' ',' t ,c ;". ' ", '. .... " .,~.~ .-' . , -,' ) [ ~ ' '. ;' Proceedings of the Pension Advisory Committee Meeting of November 10, 1987 Page 3 ~ Chairman Dunn advised the Committee he rccci~ed a memorandum. from Do~ Petersen, Risk , Manager. with regard to William \Vidner, Firefighter. Accordmg to thIs memorandum, there is evidence that Mr. Widner is not disabled. Chainnnn Dunn feels he should have an examination by an orthopedic surgeon. Michael Stuart moved to table this matter until the December meeting since he is not familiar with this cnse. The motion was duly seconded by John Nicholson and carried unanimously. The n~xt meeting of the Pension Advisory Committee will be held on Monday, November 30. 1987, at 9:30 A.M. The Committee considered the request of Samuel McBride, Tradcsworker II, Public Servicc. for a job~conncctcd disability pension. Mr. McBride explained to the Committee how his injury was incurred. In February, 1986, while helping to break up a concrete driveway, the backhoe operator pulled up too hard while lifting some concrete, thrBwing Mr. McBride off balance and into the' street landing on his back. Since that time he has worked a total of about three weeks and is receiving workers compensation. He did have surgery on his back in February, 1987. Michael Stuan statcd he was dissatisfied with the letters since one doctOr said Mr. McBride is temporarily totally disabled until he has surgery. Chairman Dunn asked Mr. McBride if he planned to have additional surgery. Mr. McBride stated he would not have surgery unless he could not go on without it. :: () Chairman Dunn advised Mr. McBride the Committee would have to ~ontact the doctors. New letters will need to be submitted by Dr. Seik and Dr. Logue. Milton Cason advised the Committee Mr. McBride was scheduled for an arthogram and a cr scan.- He stated he would release the worker's compensation files to the Committee once Mr. McBride signs the authorization form. Mr. McBride was advised by the Committee that if he is granted a pension and his condition improves. he may have to rcturn to work. Mr. McBride understood this condition. John Nicholson questioned the status of Christopher Kingsley. Secretary Laursen stated it was his understanding the Trustecs were going to schedule a meeting with the Pension Advisory Committee to discuss this matter. Tina Wilson, Payroll Services Manager, spoke to thc' Committee regarding a memorandum received from Mr. Laursen regarding the possibility of computing pensions before an employee receives a final paycheck. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee members that the letter will be revised to show no calculation and will be signed by the Chairman of the Pension Advisory Committee only. All requests for pension will be submitted to the Trustees for approval immediately upon approval by the Pension Advisory Committee. Payroll will calculate the amount of the pension after the employee receives a final paycheck,' but it will not be nccessary for the Trustees to approve this amount. J lohn Nicholson submitted to Mr. Laursen a copy of Terence Gerace'stHealth Project report ;:, () which is funded by the State of Florida and the Professional Firefighters of Florida. This .. t' , " ..'. <' .:". {,':-' : C. " '1' . .~, ~ . ,',> ~r,a program was devised to determine the causes for thc various health problems that affect :,~: ..j,.w:, firefighters. He would .llke Personnel to submit this report to the Fire Department for :'i,: ' consideration. Proceedings of the Pension Advisory Committee Meeting, of November 10. 1987 Pagc 4 '! " >, , ',' .;. c ~"<" . . Mr. Laursen made reference to a memorandum received from Ream Wilson regarding the 'possibility of executlve"level personnel participating in the pension plan. It was the opinion of the Trustees that this mattcr should bc presented to tbe Pension Advisory Committee for consideration. The Pension Advisory ,Committee can make a recommendation to the, Trostees regarding' this mattcr but the final decision should be made by theTrustee~. The meeting adjoumed at 10:52 A.M. H;, i:': : . ' "\ ~ : ,. ~. I ' ' ~ ;'l C i'. ..., " j. espcctfully submitted. \::;;,:"~"" '~~' l,' '. ' :;,'" : : .. . . '- r ' :, H.Mlcbael ~au cn ,',' '.. ': Personnel. DIre tor and :c;rc' " " . . ;,;~:';:' ,Secretary. Pension AdVISOry Committee F;:~/ ~ .. . . 'i;.., , \1" . k).:',,' ~\,:',:.::, ," ~0~ l~'t\ ' ~ ~ ,. ff:;i~':"'~',.1"" ," ,,' '", I\;(i~:::"'.'" .. . . ." ;1.,1,@"., , ':l~ ,:"'-/. ';. 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