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02/10/2011 PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER February 10. 2011 Present: Nathan Hightower Chair John Doran Committee Member/Councilmember Paul Gibson Committee Member/Councilmember Brian De Witt Committee Member Absent: Bill Jonson Committee Member/Councilmember Tom Jensen Vice-Chair John Schmalzbauer 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 – January 13, 2011 Member Doran moved to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2011, Pension Advisory Committee meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – Review and Action on Employee Requests for Regular Pension 3.1. Recommend approval of the requests of employee George Elfter, Solid Waste/General Services Department and Gordon Grandi, Gas Department, for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.397 and 2.398 of the Employees’ Pension Plan. George Elfter, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Waste/General Services Department , was employed by the City on September 7, 1993, and his pension service credit is effective on March 7, 1994. His pension will be effective March 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately $41,835 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Elfter’s selection of the Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate $19,488 annually. Gordon Grandi, Gas Specialist, Gas Department , was employed by the City on January 6, 1986, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective March 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately $53,742 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Grandi’s selection of the 50% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate $39,135 annually. Section 2.397 provides for normal retirement eligibility when a participant has completed thirty years of credited service, has reached age 55 and completed twenty years of credited service, or has reached age 65 and completed ten years of credited service. Mr. Elfter qualifies Pension Advisory 2011-02-10 1 under the age 65 and ten years of service criteria. Mr. Grandi qualifies under the age 55 and 20 years of service criteria. Member Gibson moved to recommend approval of the requests of employee George Elfter, Solid Waste/General Services Department and Gordon Grandi, Gas Department, for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.397 and 2.398 of the Employees’ Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 – Review and Action on Employee Requests to Vest Pensions 4.1. Recommend approval of the request of employee Stephen Agathos, Solid Waste/General Services Department, to vest his pension as provided by Section 2.397 of the Employees’ Pension Plan. Stephen Agathos, Plumber, Solid Waste/General Services Department, was employed by the City on November 20, 2000, and began participating in the Pension Plan on that date. Mr. Agathos terminated from City employment on December 28, 2010. 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 2.397 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. Agathos would have completed at least 20 years of service and reached age 55 on June 16, 2023. His pension will be effective July 1, 2023 . Member Dewittrecommended approval of the request of employee Stephen Agathos, Solid Waste/General Services Department, to vest his pension as provided by Section 2.397 of the Employees’ Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5 – Approval of New Hires as Plan Members Recommend approval of new hires for acceptance in the Pension Plan as listed. Paul Hayes, WWTP Operator Trainee/Public Utilities 12/20/10 12/20/10 James Doucette, Maintenance Worker/Solid Waste-General Svcs 12/20/10 12/20/10 Michael Scanlon, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 12/20/10 12/20/10 Edward Bryant, SW Equipment Oper./Solid Waste-General Svcs. 12/20/10 12/20/10 Matthew Anderson, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Rec. 12/20/10 12/20/10 Barbara Soderlund, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Rec. 12/20/10 12/20/10 Patsy McCain, WWTP Operator Trainee/Public Utilities 01/04/11 01/04/11 Victoria Boston, Customer Service Rep./Customer Service 01/03/11 01/03/11 Jonathan Anderson, Graphics Designer/Public Communications 01/03/11 01/03/11 Dustin Dulek, Parks Service Technician I/Parks & Recreation 01/18/11 01/18/11 Pension Advisory 2011-02-10 2 Member Doran moved to recommend approval of new hires for acceptance in the Pension Plan as listed. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6 - Director's Report Human Resources Director Joe Roseto reported the IME (Independent Medical Exam) is completed for Darrell Folk's disability application. He requested that a hearing be scheduled for March 10, 2011. Member Doran moved to agenda a hearing re Darrell Folk's disability application for March 10, 2011. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Roseto reported discussions continue with the unions regarding pension changes. The City cannot change an earned benefit. 7 - Committee Members to be Heard Chair Hightower questioned if attendance by telephone is permitted to meet quorum. 8 - Adjourn 0 Chair V Pension Advisory Committee Pension Advisory 2011-02-10 3 The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.