11/12/2009
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 12, 2009
Present: Nathan Hightower Chair
Tom Jensen Vice-Chair
John Schmalzbauer Committee Member
John Doran Committee Member/Councilmember
Paul Gibson Committee Member/Councilmember
Brian De Witt Committee Member
Absent: Carlen Petersen Committee Member/Councilmember
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
– September 10, 2009
Member Jensen moved to approve the minutes of the regular Pension Advisory
Committee meeting of September 10, 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. James Quinlan, Police
Member Schmalzbauer moved to recommend approval of the request for a regular
pension for James Quinlan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b. Review and Action on Employee Requests to Vest Pensions:
1. Nathaniel McAbee, Public Services
Nathaniel McAbee, 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, 2012.
2. Christopher Hall, Public Communications
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Christopher Hall, Public Communications, has resigned his position after being
employed by the City for more than 10 years. He will qualify to receive his reduced pension
beginning February 1, 2020.
Member Doran moved to recommend approval of the requests by Nathaniel McAbee
and Christopher Hall 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 Eligible
Name, Job Class, & Dept./Div Hire Date Date
Mary Beth Setter, Senior Accountant/Economic Development08/31/09 08/31/09
Dominick Briganti, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Aaron Campbell, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Robert Finke, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Jarett Hood, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Christopher Johnson, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Douglas Kellin, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Casey Matz, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Christian Miller, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Kyle Mueller, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Steven Peters, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Alan Ryan, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
David Sowers, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
Hieu Tran, Firefighter/Fire 10/13/09 10/13/09
James Ingram, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 10/13/09 10/13/09
Reginald Jackson, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 09/14/09 09/14/09
Timothy Jones, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 09/14/09 09/14/09
Albert Alexander, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 09/14/09 09/14/09
Terrance Scott, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 09/14/09 09/14/09
Ian Shollenberger, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 09/28/09 09/28/09
Charles Lawrence, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 09/28/09 09/28/09
Leroy Bostick, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste 09/28/09 09/28/09
Jacqueline Lewis, Service Dispatcher/Gas 09/28/09 09/28/09
Daniel Hardesty, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 09/28/09 09/28/09
Timothy Jennings, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 09/28/09 09/28/09
John Hunter, Field Service Representative I/Customer Service 09/28/09 09/28/09
Deborah Cruz, Service Dispatcher/Gas 10/12/09 10/12/09
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 – Pending/New Business
a. Revisions to PAC Policies and Procedures Manual
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Human Resources Director Joe Roseto said the Pension Attorney had recommended
deleting the entire section related to physicals as that information is in the ordinance. All eligible
employees are required to participate in the Pension Plan. Pre-existing conditions are identified
when new hires undergo mandatory physicals.
Mr. Roseto reviewed procedural changes regarding disability applications. At a
preliminary hearing, the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) will be provided all documentation,
including the IME (Independent Medical Exam), and determine if it will grant or contest the
request. Witnesses will not provide testimony at this time. It the committee supports approval
of the disability, a formal hearing will be scheduled for the next meeting. If the committee
decides to contest the application, an outside attorney representing the plan will prepare for a
formal hearing. In response to a question, Mr. Roseto said staff will report if financial
disclosures submitted by Councilmembers satisfy PAC requirements.
Member Jensen moved to approve the new procedures in the PAC manual. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6 – Director’s Report
Mr. Roseto said the Pension Trustees had directed the Pension Attorney to report on
second tier pension plan alternatives; he will present options on December 14, 2009. The plan
cannot withdraw benefits already earned. Collective bargaining will be necessary before
changes can be presented for referendum vote. The Police unions have agreed to a Back Drop
plan, which would permit police retirees to reduce their lifetime annuity by receiving a maximum
of 20% of their benefit at the time of retirement. The City Council must approve the change by
the end of December for referendum consideration in March 2010. This change would have no
cost to the City. Also, a survivor would be permitted to choose an option should the employee
die prior to retirement. Staff has requested that the change be retroactive for impacted
survivors.
7 – Committee Members to be Heard
Member Jensen recommended the City adopt a State law that would provide public
safety retirees with up to $3,000 of pretax pension benefits to pay toward health insurance. Mr.
Roseto said the City of Tampa is the only local government which has adopted the benefit and
limits its use to Tampa’s health insurance plan. It was stated that while the change could save
participants $450 annually, concern was expressed that the State cannot change tax law.
Finance Director Margie Simmons reviewed complications with the change that could take
significant staff time. Mr. Roseto said he will review the request.
Member Jensen said the presentation to the Pension Trustees that compared pension
benefits with supplemental plans was inaccurate as it lumped together defined contribution and
defined benefit plans which have no equivalency.
Member Schmalzbauer thanked Member Jensen for his detailed review of pension plan
issues.
Member Doran thanked James Quinlan for his service to the City and Nathaniel McAbee
and Christopher Hall for providing good and loyal service, wishing them all the best.
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In response to a question, Mr. Roseto said Thomas Stubblefield's appeal of the PAC
decision is still pending.
8 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 a.m.
Pension Advisory 2009-11-12
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Pension Advisory Committee
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