09/10/2009
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 10, 2009
Present: Nathan Hightower Chair
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
Also Present: Joe Roseto Human Resources Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The 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
– August 13, 2009
Member Gibson moved to approve the minutes of the regular Pension Advisory
Committee meeting of August 13, 2009, as submitted in written summation to each board
member. 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. Alfred Schaerffer, Solid Waste
Member DeWitt moved to recommend approval of the request for a regular pension for
Alfred Schaerffer. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b. Approval of New Hires as Plan Members:
Member Doran moved to accept the following employees into membership in the
Pension Plan:
Pension Eligible
Name, Job Class, & Dept./Div Hire Date Date
Chris Thorn, Gas Sales Representative/Gas 05/30/95 08/15/09
Steven Sorrells, Senior Accountant/Solid Waste General Services 08/17/09 08/17/09
Chris Thorn originally was employed as an unclassified employee on May 30, 1995;
demoted and pension eligible as of August 15, 2009.
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The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 - Pending/New Business
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto reported that several members cannot attend
the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) meeting in October. Cancelling the meeting would not
have a negative impact.
Discussion ensued regarding whether the meeting should be rescheduled or cancelled.
Member Gibson moved to cancel the October 8,2009, PAC meeting and that it be
rescheduled in October should the committee need to consider an item of importance. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6 - Director's Report
Mr. Roseto said in response to a Pension Trustees' request, the Pension Attorney will
submit recommendations for a second tier of benefits for new hires. The PAC will make
recommendations on the proposals before they are presented to the Pension Trustees.
Proposed changes must be submitted to the State's Division of Retirement. The City is
reviewing impacts of a second tier. Nothing will be adopted that negatively impacts the City.
Finance Director Margie Simmons said an actuarial impact study also would be necessary.
To avoid conflict with State Retirement Plans 175 and 185, it was suggested that
providing non-public safety employees with a different level of benefits may be feasible.
Concern was expressed that the State of Florida has provided no guidance regarding second
tier benefits for those who qualify for state public safety retirement plans.
Mr. Roseto said updated PAC procedures will be distributed for discussion in November.
7 - Committee Members to be Heard
Alfred Schaerffer was thanked for his service to the City.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:13 a.m.
c), ~Ai1
Chair
Pension Advisory Committee
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