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10/02/1995 TRUSTEES OF THE EMPLOYEES' PENSION FUND MEETING October 2, 1995 The City Commission, meeting as the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Pension Fund, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, October 2, 1995 at 9:01 A.M., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Chairperson Sue Berfield Trustee Fred Thomas Trustee J. B. Johnson Trustee William Justice Trustee Also Present were: Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Mary K. Diana Assistant City Clerk ITEM #2 - Minutes: Trustee Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the September 5, 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) Jason Briggs b) Tracey Davis c) Michael Duffey d) Charles Gibson e) Al Hinson f) Elizabeth Hishmeh g) Wilfred Jones h) Trevor Murray i)Julie Phillips j) Frank Pischettola k) Reginald Rutledge l) David Stewart m) Daniel Tupponce n) Glenn Witko o) Greg Zinge Trustee Berfield 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 Joseph Stonelake be granted a job-connected disability pension under Section(s) 2.397 and/or 2.399 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Joseph Stonelake was employed on April 11, 1978, and began participating in the Pension Plan on October 28, 1978. On February 26, 1994, he injured his back while on duty which is the basis for his request for a job-connected disability pension. Mr. Stonelake submitted letters from Dr. Joseph M. Sena, Dr. Nelson M. Smith, Dr. R. W. Springstead, Dr. William Cubides, and Dr. Robert G. Hamilton. The letter from Dr. Smith states, “He was injured while working February 26, 1994 .... MRI from February 2, 1995, showed a central disc herniation at L5-S1 and bulging at L4-5 ... There is demonstrable evidence of disc problems resulting in the pain .... As his low stress, low lifting job is being eliminated, I see no other remedy other than a retirement with disability since this was clearly related to his work. The patient should not engage in anything requiring lifting, prolonged walking or bending.” The letter from Dr. Springstead states, “This is a ... male who was injured on his job on February 26, 1994, while working for the City of Clearwater ... He has previously senn Dr. Hamilton who gave him some permanent restrictions of no excessive standing, walking, bending, no climbing, no lifting more than 25 lbs ... I would doubt that he is going to be able to return to his previous employment at the Marina, which requires him to be quite active. He has to do a certain amount of walking, lifting and fueling boats, inspecting boats ... In addition, in the future he might be able to do some other light duty.” Efforts have been made to locate alternative employment for Mr. Stonelake within his physical limitations without success. Mr. Stonelake's pension was approved by the PAC at its meeting of September 6, 1995, and will be effective on October 3, 1995. Based on an average salary of approximately $28,037 over the past five years and the formula for computing job-connected disability pensions, this pension will approximate $21,027 annually. Charts from Finance which take into consideration mortality rates and age reflect the "present value cost of financing" this pension will be approximately $249,606. The estimated pension cost (cash payout over the life of the pensioner and his spouse) is $504,648. Trustee Justice 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 Emanuel Hutchinson be granted a job-connected disability pension under Section(s) 2.397 and/or 2.399 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Emanuel Hutchinson was employed on September 27, 1972, and began participating in the Pension Plan on March 27, 1973. On June 3, 1994, he injured his shoulder while on duty which is the basis for his request for a job-connected disability pension. Mr. Hutchinson submitted letters from Dr. Donald V. Graham, Dr. Robert Harris, and Dr. Craig Schwartz. Dr. Graham’s impression was “cervacalgia with left upper extremity radiculopathy.” The letter from Dr. Harris states, “He does say that the pain is interfering with his work and he can’t use his upper extremity as well as he used to ... the patient is at maximum medical improvement ....” Dr. Schwartz’ impression was “(L) posterior neck tenderness and (L) upper extremity radicular symptoms status post a work related incident in June 1994 ... He is unable to do any heavy lifting or any manual labor involving eith upper extremity at this time.” Mr. Hutchsinson has been declared totally and permanently disabled by Workers’ Compensation. Mr. Hutchinson's pension was approved by the PAC at its meeting of September 6, 1995, and will be effective on October 3, 1995. Based on an average salary of approximately $24,548 over the past five years and the formula for computing job-connected disability pensions, this pension will approximate $18,411 annually. Charts from Finance which take into consideration mortality rates and age reflect the "present value cost of financing" this pension will be approximately $255,333. The estimated pension cost (cash payout over the life of the pensioner and his spouse) is $764,057. When Mr. Hutchinson was originally employed, pension deductions were not taken for the first six months and employees contributed to Social Security. When employees were given an option to buy back their first six months of service, Mr. Hutchinson chose not to exercise such option. Trustee Berfield moved to accept the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #6 - Request for Pension: The City Manager presented the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee that Thomas P. Coleman be granted a job-connected disability pension under Section(s) 2.397 and/or 2.399 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Thomas P. Coleman was employed on August 27, 1973, and began participating in the Pension Plan on that date. On May 19, 1995, he filed a Workers’ Compensation claim for a blood condition which is the basis for his request for a job-connected disability pension. Mr. Coleman submitted letters from Dr. Luis F. Fernandez and Dr. Jeffrey L. Paonessa and an IME report from Dr. Peter L. Kennedy. The letter from Dr. Fernandez states, “Mr. Coleman was noted ... to have a markedly elevated red blood cell count in 1995 ... His history of chronic smoke inhalation related to his employment was noted, and work-up has demonstrated secondary polycythemia related to chronic smoke inhalation. This condition is due to his employment. In my opinion as long as he continues in this line of employment his condition will persist, and even continue to deteriorate, possibly causing pulmonary or cardiac consequences ... Specifically, my recommendation is that Mr. Coleman be removed from his current job description .. I am aware that Mr. Coleman is a nonsmoker; therefore, the cause of this condition has definitely been ascertained as smoke inhalation due to his employment.” Dr. Paonessa states, “Secondary erythrocytosis is caused by a variety of agents. The most common cause is chronic exposure to smoke ... The illness is likely related directly to his occupation in that the patient is a firefighter and he has well documented exposure to fire and smoke over the past many years. The patient’s diagnosis will definitely prevent his continuing in the position as described in the job description provided to me. He is directly involved in fire fighting activities which would be very detrimental to his health ... The condition is expected to be permanent ... I wholeheartedly believe this patient should be totally and permanently disabled from the fire department. Any continued exposure to smoke and carbon monoxide would certainly accelerate his death.” The letter form Dr. Kennedy states, “He is a nonsmoker ... Polycythemia presumed to be secondary to chronic smoke inhalation.” Mr. Coleman's pension was approved by the PAC at its meeting of September 6, 1995, and is effective on a date to be determined. Based on an average salary of approximately $52,007 over the past five years and the formula for computing job-connected disability pensions, this pension will approximate $39,005 annually. Charts from Finance which take into consideration mortality rates and age reflect the "present value cost of financing" this pension will be approximately $431,484. The estimated pension cost (cash payout over the life of the pensioner and his spouse) is $997,878. Trustee Johnson moved to accept the recommendation of the Pension Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #7 - Other Business: - None. ITEM #8 - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.