04/17/1995 TRUSTEES OF THE EMPLOYEES' PENSION FUND MEETING
April 17, 1995
The City Commission, meeting as the Board of Trustees of the Employees Pension Fund, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, April 17, 1995 at 9:17 A.M., with the following members
present:
Rita Garvey Chairperson
Sue Berfield Trustee
Michael R. Dallmann Trustee
J. B. Johnson Trustee
Absent:
Fred Thomas Trustee
Also Present were:
Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
ITEM #2 - Minutes:
Trustee Berfield moved to approve the minutes of the April 3, 1995, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Request for Acceptance into Membership:
The City Manager presented the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee to approve membership for the employee(s) listed below:
a) Jared Bradham
b) Michael Yoder
c) Karen Cunkle
Trustee Johnson moved to accept the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Request for Pension:
The City Manager presented the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee that Albert Alston be granted a regular pension under Section 2.396 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Albert Alston was employed on February 10, 1964, and began participating in the Employees' Pension Plan on that date. His retirement will be effective on March 16, 1995, at the beginning
of the day.
Mr. Alston's pension was approved by the PAC at its meeting of March 16, 1995.
Based on an average salary of approximately $30,037 over the past five years and the formula for computing regular pensions, this pension will approximate $23,279 annually. Charts from
Finance which take into consideration mortality rates and age reflect the "present value cost of financing" this pension will be approximately $266,505. The estimated pension cost (cash
payout over the life of the pensioner and his spouse) is $512,134.
Trustee Deegan moved to accept the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #5 - Request for Pension:
The City Manager presented the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee that Kenneth Castelli be granted a job-connected disability pension under Section(s) 2.397 and/or 2.399
of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Kenneth Castelli was employed on October 21, 1991, and began participating in the Employees' Pension Plan on that date. On March 10, 1994, he suffered an injury to his neck while on
duty which is the basis for his request for this job-connected disability pension.
Mr. Castelli has submitted letters from Dr. Michael D. Slomka, dated March 10, 1995; Dr. William W. Dodson, dated February 20, 1995, and January 25, 1995; Dr. Jeffrey S. Walker, dated
February 17, 1995, and January 31, 1995; and Dr. Gary G. Moskovitz, dated January 27, 1995. The letter from Dr. Slomka states, "I believe that there is a permanent physical impairment
of 9% of the body as a whole ... I think that his return to tree work which involves climbing and placing himself in trees or on ladders would be hazardous and I do not expect that he
would return to this type of employment." Dr. Dodson states, "His official work description includes: climbing trees, using a bucket truck and chain saw, trimming and removing tree
branches, none of which can be done by this patient since that level of upper extremity use is not possible due to his neck pain which increases with exertion and radiates to the left
more than his right shoulder. Within a reasonable degree of medical probability, the inability to do the above activities is permanent." Dr. Walker states, "He is having neck and shoulder
pain radiating into his upper left arm. These symptoms are consistent with post operative C-5 and C-6 discectomy which I feel he is permanently and totally disabled to return to his
profession." Dr. Moskovitz states, "I do not think this man is able to perform the duties of his regular occupation, which was mainly tree cutting. This is very heavy work. I would
recommend that he be retrained for a lighter duty type of occupation."
Mr. Castelli's request for a job-connected disability pension was approved by the PAC at its meeting of March 16, 1995. This pension will be effective at the expiration of his vacation
and sick leave accrual.
Based on an average salary of approximately $18,874 over the past five years and the formula for computing job-connected disability pensions, this pension will approximate $18,402 annually
(including 15% additional for each of two minor children). Charts from Finance which take into consideration mortality rates and age reflect the "present value cost of financing" this
pension will be approximately $243,936. The estimated pension cost (cash payout over the life
of the pensioner and his spouse) is $758,740.
Trustee Berfield moved to accept the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #6 - Other Business: - None.
ITEM #7 - Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.