08/18/2011
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEEMEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 18, 2011
Present: Chair Nathan Hightower, Vice-Chair Tom Jensen, Committee Member/Councilmember
John Doran, Committee Member/Councilmember Paul Gibson, Committee Member Brian De
Witt, Committee Member/Councilmember Bill Jonson, Committee Member Daniel Slaughter
Also present: Joe Roseto – Human Resources Director, Patricia O. Sullivan- Board Reporter
1. Call to Order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the July 14, 2011, Pension Advisory Committee meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Doran moved to approve Item 2.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3. Employees to be Heard: None.
4. Review and Action on Employee Requests for Regular Pension
4.1 Recommend approval of the requests of employee Richard Breest, Police Department;
Michael Waters, Police Department; Sharon Imray, Police Department; John Horning,
Police Department; Randy Holm, Gas Department; Nick Gossman, Police Department;
Tracey Bruch, Engineering Department; and John Schuster, Public Utilities Department,
for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.397 and 2.398 of the Employees
Pension Plan.
Richard Breest, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by the City on
December 12, 1986, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension
will be effective September 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately
$99,967 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions,
and Mr. Breest's selection of the Life Annuity, this pension will approximate $72,651
annually.
Michael Waters, Police Lieutenant, Police Department, was employed by the City on
August 18, 1986, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will
be effective September 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately
$110,229 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions,
and Mr. Waters' selection of the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will
approximate $74,682 annually.
Sharon Imray, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on May 14,
1990, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be
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effective September 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately $67,780 per
year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Ms.
Imray's selection of the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate
$38,838 annually.
John Horning, Police Department, was employed by the City on May 20, 1991, and his
pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective September
1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately $77,720 per year over the past
five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Horning's selection of
the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate $42,905 annually.
Randy Holm, Gas Supervisor, Gas Department, was employed by the City on June 11,
1984, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be
effective November 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately $55,518 per
year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions, and Mr.
Holm's selection of the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity, this pension will approximate
$40,873 annually.
Nick Gossman, Police Communications Supervisor, Police Department, was employed
by the City on June 20, 1989, and his pension service credit is effective on January 18,
1990. His pension will be effective October 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of
approximately $64,636 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing
regular pensions, and Mr. Gossman's selection of the 100% Joint & Survivor Annuity,
this pension will approximate $37,588 annually.
Tracey Bruch, Parking Manager, Engineering Department, was employed by the City on
September 15, 1980, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her
pension will be effective October 1, 2011. Based on an average salary of approximately
$77,868 per year over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions,
and Ms. Bruch's selection of the Life Annuity, this pension will approximate $70,214
annually.
John Schuster, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator B, Public Utilities Department,
was employed by the City on September 8, 1981, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective October 1, 2011. Based on an
average salary of approximately $60,713 per year over the past five years, the formula
for computing regular pensions, and Mr. Schuster's selection of the Joint & Survivor
Annuity, this pension will approximate $50,088 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.
Section 2.397 also 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, and Police Officer as
meeting the hazardous duty criteria. Mr. Holm and Mr. Gossman qualify under the age
55 and twenty years of service criteria. Ms. Bruch and Mr. Schuster qualify under the 30
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years of service criteria. Mr. Breest, Mr. Waters, Mr. Horning, and Ms. Imray qualify
under the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Jensen moved to approve Item 4.1. The motion was duly seconded.
It was commented that these employees are talented and will be severely missed. The
retirees were thanked for their service to the City.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
5. Review and Action on Employee Requests to Vest Pensions
5.1 Recommend approval of the request of employee Colleen Lau, Police Department, to
vest her pension as provided by Section 2.397 of the Employees Pension Plan.
Colleen Lau, Police Information Technician I, Police Department, was employed by the
City on July 16, 2001, and began participating in the Pension Plan on that date. Ms. Lau
terminated from City employment on July 15, 2011.
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.
Ms. Lau would have completed at least 10 years of service and reached age 65 on
November 6, 2015. Her pension will be effective December 1, 2015.
Member Doran moved to approve Item 5.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
6. Approval of New Hires as Plan Members:
6.1 Recommend approval of new hires for acceptance into the Pension Plan as listed.
Hire Date Elig. Date
Charles King, SWEquip. Oper./Solid Waste/General Ser. 3/19/10 7/5/11 *
Frank Ciafone, WWTP Operator Trainee/Pub. Util. 7/2/11 7/2/11
Steve Heppler, WWTP Operator C/Public Utilities 7/18/11 7/18/11
Sean Hailey, Police Communications Operator/Police 7/16/11 7/16/11
Heather Husted, Librarian II/Library 10/26/09 7/16/11 **
Freda Daniels, Customer Service Rep./Customer Service 7/7/10 7/4/11 ***
Charles Lane, Real Estate Coordinator/Engineering 8/1/11 8/1/11
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Valerie Craig, Recreation Leader/Parks & Recreation 8/1/11 8/1/11
Jesse Jones, Utilities Chemist/Public Utilities 8/1/11 8/1/11
*Resigned on 2/11/11; rescinded resignation effective 7/5/11; pension eligible as of that
date since he received a refund of his pension contributions
**Originally hired as part-time on 10/26/09; promoted to full-time position and pension
eligible as of 7/16/11
***Originally hired as part-time 7/7/10; status changed to full-time and pension eligible
as of 7/4/11.
Member DeWitt moved to approve Item 6.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
7. Director's Reports
Daniel McCue’s disability application
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto reviewed disability hearing procedures. The City’s
Pension attorney highly recommended appointing Steve Cypen as PAC (Pension Advisory
Committee) advocate in contesting Daniel McCue’s disability application. Mr. Cypen, of Miami,
has extensive pension experience and can be considered to be a disinterested party as he has
no prior relationship with the Plan, City employees, or City employee groups.
In response to questions, Mr. Roseto said Mr. Cypen’s terms are similar to those of the Pension
attorneys. Mr. Cypen bills hourly at a rate of $300 per hour, plus travel costs. The City does not
pay an hourly rate for travel. The PAC can hire him for this case only. The Plan is not obligated
to pay applicant attorney fees, regardless of the outcome.
It was estimated the case will cost between $2,500 and $10,000. It was felt the difference in
cost between a local attorney and one from Miami would be marginal. Concern was expressed
that costs could escalate significantly if depositions are necessary.
Member Doran moved to hire Steve Cypen as the Pension Plan’s advocate in contesting Daniel
McCue’s disability application. The motion was duly seconded.
A list of local attorneys recommended by the Pension Plan’s attorneys was requested for PAC
review.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
Discussion ensued regarding committee member interest in obtaining additional information
regarding a disability application.
Consensus was for Committee members to review files prior to the PAC’s first consideration of
a disability application. At that point, the Committee can determine if additional information is
needed. All contact with the advocate will be through Mr. Roseto.
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Thomas Stubblefield appeal
Mr. Roseto reported Thomas Stubblefield had appealed the PAC's decision to withdraw his
disability pension and the Circuit Court had sided with the City. Mr. Stubblefield has appealed
that decision. He now qualifies to collect a regular pension from the City.
8. Committee Members to be Heard
Member Slaughter was welcomed.
Committee members said significant institutional knowledge has been lost with the retirement of
many long-term employees, and the City is fortunate to have good, though fewer replacements.
9. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. /
Chair
Attest Pension Advisory Committee
Board Reporter Ar
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