03/16/2009
TRUSTEES OF THE EMPLOYEES' PENSION FUND MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 16, 2009
Present: Frank Hibbard Chair
Carlen Petersen Trustee
John Doran Trustee
George N. Cretekos Trustee
Paul Gibson Trustee
Also Present: William B. Horne, II City Manager
Jill S. Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes
2.1 - Approve the minutes of the February 17, 2009 Pension Trustees meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the Pension Trustees meeting of
February 17, 2009, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each
Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Pension Trustee Items
3.1 Accept the employees listed below into membership in the City of Clearwater's Employees'
Pension Plan.
Pension
Name, Job Class, & Dept./Div Hire Date Eligible Date
Efthalia Smith, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 12/22/08 12/22/08
Christopher Miller, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 12/22/08 12/22/08
Charles Wilson, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 12/22/08 12/22/08
Owen McGovern, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 12/22/08 12/22/08
Loretta Emery, Customer Svc. Representative/Customer Service 01/05/09 01/05/09
Morris Williams, Librarian II/Library 01/05/09 01/05/09
Lea Seville, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 01/05/09 01/05/09
James Frederick, Police Cadet/Police 01/19/09 01/19/09
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Trustee Doran moved to accept the listed employees into membership in the City of
Clearwater's Employees' Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3.2 Alan Whitacre, Police Department; James Ennis, Fire Department; Craig Cramer, Fire
Department, and Vernon Packer, Development and Neighborhood Services Department, be
granted regular pensions under Section(s) 2.393 and 2.397 of the Employees’ Pension Plan as
approved by the Pension Advisory Committee.
Alan Whitacre, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by the City on
February 1, 1988, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be
effective February 1, 2009. Based on an average salary of approximately $76,473 per year
over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Whitacre’s
selection of the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate $43,472 annually.
James Ennis, Firefighter Driver/Operator, Fire Department, was employed by the City
on October 13, 1980, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will
be effective February 1, 2009. Based on an average salary of approximately $66,020 per year
over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Ennis’ selection
of the 75% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate $51,799 annually.
Craig Cramer, Firefighter, Fire Department, was employed by the City on October 13,
1980, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective
February 1, 2009. Based on an average salary of approximately $56,106 per year over the
past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Cramer’s selection of the
100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate $43,307 annually.
Vernon Packer, Plans Examiner, Development & Neighborhood Services Department,
was employed by the City on August 18, 1978, and his pension service credit is effective on
that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2009. Based on an average salary of
approximately $52,289 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular
pensions, and Mr. Packer’s selection of the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will
approximate $42,941 annually.
These pensions were approved by the Pension Advisory Committee on February 12,
2009. Section 2.393 provides for normal retirement eligibility when a participant has
completed twenty years of credited service or has reached age 55 and completed ten years of
credited service in a type of employment described as “hazardous duty” and further defines
service as a Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant, Firefighter Driver/Operator, and Firefighter as
meeting the hazardous duty criteria. Section 2.393 also provides for normal retirement
eligibility when a participant has reached age 55 and completed twenty years of credited
service, has completed thirty years of credited service, or has reached age 65 and completed
ten years of credited service. Mr. Whitacre, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Ennis, and Mr. Cramer qualify
under the hazardous duty criteria. Mr. Packer qualifies under the thirty years of service criteria.
Trustee Cretekos moved that Alan Whitacre, Police Department; James Ennis, Fire
Department; Craig Cramer, Fire Department, and Vernon Packer, Development and
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2.397 of the Employees' Pension Plan as approved by the Pension Advisory Committee. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3.3 Thomas Sewell. Gas System Assistant Director, Gas Department. be allowed to vest his
pension under Section(s) 2.397 and 2.398 of the Employees' Pension Plan as approved by the
Pension Advisory Committee.
Thomas Sewell, Gas System Assistant Director, Gas Department, was employed by the
City on January 6,1997, and began participating in the Pension Plan on that date. Mr. Sewell
terminated from City employment on January 16, 2009.
The Employees' Pension Plan provides that should an employee cease to be an
employee of the City of Clearwater or change status from full-time to part-time after completing
ten or more years of creditable service (pension participation), such employee shall acquire a
vested interest in the retirement benefits. Vested pension payments commence on the first of
the month following the month in which the employee normally would have been eligible for
retirement.
Section 2.393 (p) provides for normal retirement eligibility when a participant has
reached age 55 and completed twenty years of credited service, has completed 30 years of
credited service, or has reached age 65 and completed ten years of credited service. Mr.
Sewell would have completed at least 10 years of service and reached age 65 on August 6,
2011. His pension will be effective September 1, 2011. This pension was approved by the
Pension Advisory Committee on February 12, 2009.
Trustee Gibson moved that Thomas Sewell, Gas System Assistant Director, Gas
Department, be allowed to vest his pension under Section(s) 2.397 and 2.398 of the
Employees' Pension Plan as approved by the Pension Advisory Committee. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 . Other Business - None.
5 . Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.
,~~
Chair
Employee's Pension Plan Trustees
Attest:
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