05/14/2009
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 14, 2009
Present: Tom Jensen Vice-Chair
John Schmalzbauer Committee Member
Carlen Petersen Committee Member/Councilmember
John Doran Committee Member/Councilmember
Paul Gibson Committee Member/Councilmember
Brian De Witt Committee Member
Absent: Nathan Hightower Chair
Also Present: Joe Roseto Human Resources Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 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
– April 9, 2009
Member Schmalzbauer moved to continue approval of the April 9, 2009 minutes to June
11, 2009. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Employees to be Heard
– None.
4 – Action Items
:
a. Review and Action on Employee Requests for Regular Pensions:
1. Clarence Jones, Public Services
2. Glen Bahnick, Engineering
3. Louis Dacey, Parks & Recreation
4. Kenneth Anderson, Public Services
5. Mary Case, Public Services
6. Robert Wile, Solid Waste
7. Arlene Heger, Library
8. James Seymour, Parks & Recreation
9. William Phillips, Development & Neighborhood Services
10. Cristofor Focsan, Engineering
11. Jennie Keegan, Finance
12. Michael Kohn, Public Services
13. Margo Walbolt, Parks & Recreation
14. Jerald Davis, General Services
15. Paul Hoven, General Services
16. Terry Schmidt, Parks & Recreation
17. Mary K. (Sue) Diana, Official Records & Legislative Services
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18. Ronald Hamm, Gas
19. Susan Phillips, City Manager
20. Joe Lain, Marine & Aviation
21. Milton Bradley, Gas
22. Bernard Revelia, Fire
23. Christopher Menendez, Fire
24. James Ruggiero, Fire
25. David Hogan, Fire
26. Nancy Miller, Police
27. Dewey Williams, Police
Member Petersen moved to recommend approval of the requests for regular pensions
for Clarence Jones, Glen Bahnick, Louis Dacey, Kenneth Anderson, Mary Case, Robert Wile,
Arlene Heger, James Seymour, William Phillips, Cristofor Focsan, Jennie Keegan, Michael
Kohn, Margo Walbolt, Jerald Davis, Paul Hoven, Terry Schmidt, Mary K. (Sue) Diana, Ronald
Hamm, Susan Phillips, Joe Lain, Milton Bradley, Bernard Revelia, Christopher Menendez,
James Ruggiero, David Hogan, Nancy Miller, and Dewey Williams. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
b. Review and Action on Employee Requests to Vest Pensions:
1. Gwen Hollander, Legal
Gwen Hollander, Legal, has resigned her position after being employed by the City for
more than 10 years. She will qualify to receive her reduced pension beginning January 1, 2010.
2. Donna M. Tormeno, Legal
Donna M. Tormeno, Legal, has resigned her position after being employed by the City
for more than 10 years. She will qualify to receive her reduced pension beginning April 1, 2011.
3. Larry Leffler, Gas
Larry Leffler, Gas, has resigned his position after being employed by the City for more
than 10 years. He will qualify to receive his reduced pension beginning May 1, 2010.
4. Vincent Mazza, Public Services
Vincent Mazza, Public Services, has resigned his position after being employed by the
City for more than 10 years. He will qualify to receive his reduced pension beginning January 1,
2010.
Member Doran moved to recommend approval of the requests by Gwen Hollander,
Donna M. Tormeno, Larry Leffler, and Vincent Mazza to vest their pensions. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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c. Approval of New Hire as Plan Member:
Member Petersen moved to recommend acceptance of the following employee into
membership in the Pension Plan:
Pension Eligible
Name, Job Class, & Dept./Div Hire Date Date
Carol Mathieson, WWTP Operator Trainee/Public Utilities 05/15/09 05/15/09
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6 – Pending/New Business
a. Hearing Re Status of Thomas Stubblefield’s Disability Pension
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto requested that this item be continued to June.
As part of City due diligence efforts, an expert is reviewing Thomas Stubblefield’s job
description to determine if his current duties are similar to those he performed for the City. The
Attorney’s Office is scheduling depositions for the physician who performed Mr. Stubblefield’s
pre-employment physical for his current position and the IME (Independent Medical Exam)
physician. Staff cannot guarantee that all outstanding issues will be concluded prior to June’s
meeting.
Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that this process has lasted too long while
Mr. Stubblefield continues to receive a benefit and Mr. Stubblefield’s attorney may request
additional time to review hearing documents.
Member Doran moved to continue the hearing regarding Thomas Stubblefield’s disability
pension to June 11, 2009. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b. Pension Election
Mr. Roseto reviewed the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) election process; each
employee group appoints a representative to the election committee prior to elections.
Appointed representatives: 1) CWA - Roberta Gluski; 2) SAMP - Diane FitzGerald; 3) Police
Supervisors - Dan Slaughter; 4) Police Officers - Matt Dupree; and 5) Firefighters - John
Klinefelter. The committee will appoint a chair from its members. The Attorney’s Office
requested PAC approval of the process.
Member Schmalzbauer moved to affirm the current Pension Plan election process. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6 – Director’s Report
Mr. Roseto encouraged employee Pension Plan members to attend the May 18, 2009,
Pension Trustees meeting when the Plan’s Actuary will discuss options to maintain or change
the current plan, and alternatives. Costs for different plans will be presented. Pension Plan
Attorneys will be in attendance to respond to questions and concerns.
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In response to questions, Mr. Roseto reviewed future savings and costs related to early
retirement incentives accepted by 56 employees. A number of positions have been eliminated.
Staff is working to place other employees whose positions have been eliminated.
7 - Committee Members to be Heard
Members thanked retirees for their service, noting that retirees' years of history and
knowledge will take years to replace.
8 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9: 18 a.m.
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Pension Advisory Committee
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