11/12/2015 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015
City of Clearwater
City Hall
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 12, 2015
9:00 AM
Council Chambers - City Hall
Pension Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015
Roll call
Present7 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Committee Member Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Committee
Member Hoyt Hamilton, Committee Member Greg Newland, Committee Member Laura Damico,
and Vice Chair Tom Jensen
Absent1 - Committee Member Bill Jonson
Also present - Joe Roseto — Human Resources Director, Nicole Sprague — ORLS Coordinator
1. Call To Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve minutes of October 8, 2015 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as submitted in
written summation.
Member Jensen moved to approve minutes of October 8, 2015 Pension Advisory Committee
meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Recommend approval of the new hires for acceptance into the Pension Plan as listed.
Name, Job Classification, Department Pension Eligibility Date
Vikki Engelson, Paralegal, Legal 09/28/2015
Colin Knowles, Traffic Signal Technician, Engineering 09/28/2015
Jennifer Lozano *, Librarian I, Library 10/03/2015
Keith Law **, Library Programming Specialist, Library 10/03/2015
Monica Serrano *** Librarian Assistant, Library 10/03/2015
Lisa Baughman **** Librarian I, Library 10/03/2015
Thomas Murray, Public Utilities Technician I, Public Utilities 10/05/2015
James Warman, Fire Inspector II, Fire Department 10/05/2015
Daniel St. Clair *****, Recreation Leader I, Parks and Recreation 10/05/2015
Karen Freytag ******, Buyer, Finance 10/14/2015
Mary Sutton *******, Police Officer, Police Department 10/17/2015
Michelle Chapman, Customer Service Representative, Customer Service 10/19/2015
Richard Say, Customer Service Representative, Customer Service 10/19/2015
D'Averick Spencer, Parks Streets & Sidewalks Tech I, Parks and Recreation 10/19/2015
Caleb Mello ******** Parks Service Technician I, Parks and Recreation 10/19/2015
Justin Reynolds, Gas Technician I, Gas Department 10/19/2015
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015
O'Neil Bonner, Gas Technician I, Gas Department 10/19/2015
Adam Mirro, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 10/19/2015
Troy Younce, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 10/19/2015
Steven Chambers, Police Officer, Police Department 10/19/2015
Justin Hennis Police Officer, Police Department 10/19/2015
Matthew Milazzo, Police Officer, Police Department 10/19/2015
Meeghan Ramos, Police Officer, Police Department 10/19/2015
Keaton Zerby, Police Officer, Police Department 10/19/2015
Morgan Sullivan ********* Beach Lifeguard, Parks and Recreation 10/19/2015
* Jennifer Lozano was employed as a student intern from 8/23/2011 to 4/06/2012 and then in a
temporary position from 4/07/2012 to 8/09/2012. She was hired as a part time librarian 8/13/2012,
and then transferred to a full time position 10/03/2015. She will be eligible for pension as of
10/03/2015.
** Keith Law was hired into a part time position 2/24/2014 and promoted to a full time position
effective 10/03/2015. He will be eligible for pension effective 10/03/2015.
*** Monica Serrano was hired as a part time Library Assistant 5/18/2015 and then hired into a full
time position effective 10/03/2015. She will be eligible for pension as of 10/03/2015.
**** Lisa Baughman was hired into a part time position on 8/25/2014 and then transferred to a full
time position effective 10/03/2015. She will be eligible for pension as of 10/03/2015.
***** Daniel St. Clair was employed in a temporary part time position from 5/16/2015 to 10/2/2015.
He was hired into a full time position effective 10/05/2015, and will be eligible for pension as of
10/05/2015.
****** Karen Freytag was employed in a temporary part time position from 3/30/2015 to 9/26/2015,
and then hired into a full time position effective 10/14/2015. She will be eligible for pension as of
10/14/2015.
******* Mary Sutton was hired as a Police Cadet 9/21/2015, and promoted to a Police Officer
position effective 10/17/2015. She will be eligible for pension as of 10/17/2015.
******** Caleb Mello was employed in temporary part time positions from 4/05/2014 to 8/29/2014
and 5/09/2015 to 10/16/2015. He was hired into a full time position effective 10/19/2015, and will be
eligible for pension as of 10/19/2015.
********* Morgan Sullivan was hired into a temporary assignment 06/06/2015, and transferred to a
part time position 8/08/2015. She was promoted to a full time position effective 10/19/2015 and
will be eligible for pension effective 10/19/2015.
Member Damico moved to recommend approval of the new hires for acceptance into the
Pension Plan as listed. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015
4.2 Recommend approval of the following request of employee Bradley Keating, Fire Department,
to vest his pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Bradley Keating, Fire Medic, Fire Department, was employed by the City on October 31, 2005,
and began participating in the Pension Plan on that date. Mr. Keating terminated from City
employment on October 31, 2015.
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 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for non-hazardous duty employees hired
prior to the effective date of this reinstatement (1/1/13), a member shall be eligible for retirement
following the earlier of the date on which a participant has reached the age of fifty-five (55)years and
completed twenty (20) years of credited service; the date on which a participant has reached age
sixty-five (65) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service; or the date on which a
member has completed thirty (30) years of service regardless of age. For non-hazardous duty
employees hired on or after the effective date of this restatement, a member shall be eligible for
retirement following the earlier of the date on which a participant has reached the age of sixty (60)
years and completed twenty-five (25) years of credited service; or the date on which a participant
has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service.
Section 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for hazardous duty employees, a member
shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date on which the participant has
completed twenty (20) years of credited service regardless of age, or the date on which the
participant has reached fifty-five (55) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service. Mr.
Keating will meet the hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting pension in November 2025.
Member Jensen moved to recommend approval of the following request of employee
Bradley Keating, Fire Department, to vest his pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the
Employees' Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Recommend approval of the following request of employees Scott Ballard, Police Department,
Eddie Blackshear, Public Utilities Department and Gregory Smith, Police Department for a regular
pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Scott Ballard, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on February 6, 19957
and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1,
2015. Based on an average salary of approximately$73,400.06 over the past five years, the formula
for computing regular pensions and Mr. Ballard's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity,
this pension benefit will be approximately $40,853.76 annually.
Eddie Blackshear, Public Utilities Tech II, Public Utilities Department, was employed by the
City on December 10, 1984, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will
be effective April 1, 2016. Based on an average salary of approximately $48,565.32 over the past
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015
five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Blackshear's selection of the Life
Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $41,769.24 annually.
Gregory Smith, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on May 31, 1994,
and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1,
2015. Based on an average salary of approximately$73,009.76 over the past five years, the formula
for computing regular pensions and Mr. Smith's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity,
this pension benefit will be approximately $42,102.24 annually.
Section 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for non-hazardous duty employees hired
prior to the effective date of this reinstatement (1/1/13), a member shall be eligible for retirement
following the earlier of the date on which a participant has reached the age of fifty-five (55)years and
completed twenty (20) years of credited service; the date on which a participant has reached age
sixty-five (65) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service; or the date on which a
member has completed thirty (30) years of service regardless of age. For non-hazardous duty
employees hired on or after the effective date of this restatement, a member shall be eligible for
retirement following the earlier of the date on which a participant has reached the age of sixty (60)
years and completed twenty-five (25) years of credited service; or the date on which a participant
has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service. Mr.
Blackshear has met the non-hazardous duty criteria.
Section 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for hazardous duty employees, a member
shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date on which the participant has
completed twenty (20) years of credited service regardless of age, or the date on which the
participant has reached fifty-five (55) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service. Mr.
Ballard and Mr. Smith have met the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Jensen moved to recommend approval of the following request of employees Scott
Ballard, Police Department, Eddie Blackshear, Public Utilities Department, and Gregory
Smith, Police Department for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416
and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4.4Continue informal hearing for Matthew Anderson for job-connected disability pension
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto said last month the City had presented to the Committee
background information re Matthew Anderson, a former Police Officer who applied for a
job-connected disability pension. Several Committee members did not receive background material
early enough to review and the informal hearing was continued to today. Medical documentation
indicated that Mr. Anderson was disabled, the IME (Independent Medical Exam) opined that the
disability was not job-connected. Mr. Anderson retained an attorney, who was present.
Mr. Roseto read Code disability provisions into the record. Mr. Anderson no longer was employed
by the City. Job-connected disability pension benefits were significantly higher than non
job-connected benefits. The Pension's Attorney said the Committee could reach a decision during
today's informal hearing or schedule a formal hearing.
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Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015
Joseph A. Corsmeier, attorney for Matthew Anderson, said the IME doctor had only seen Mr.
Anderson one time. He said the Workers Compensation Settlement included a disclaimer by the
City that Mr. Anderson's injury was not job-connected. He urged the Committee to consider voting to
approve a service-connected disability.
In response to questions, Mr. Roseto said he knew of no other documents. Workers Compensation
was separate from this process. The Pension's Attorney and City will not provide an opinion re the
merits of this case. He said the Committee must have definitive medical documents to make a
decision.
Attorney Corsmeier said Officer Anderson had submitted documentation from his doctor that he was
disabled from a job-connected injury. He said the IME physician had reported that Mr. Anderson
could not perform his duties but the injury was not job-connected.
Member Jensen moved to accept into evidence the entire file, inclusive of the personnel file,
interrogatories, medical records, and the IME. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Attorney Corsmeier said Mr. Anderson had no income and requested that the process by expedited
and a quick hearing be scheduled.
Member Hock DiPolito moved to schedule a formal hearing for job-connected disability
Pension application by Matthew Anderson. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4.5 Informal hearing for Andrea Wells for non job-connected disability pension
Mr. Roseto said former employee Andrea Wells had applied for a non job connected disability
pension. The IME did not indicate a permanent disability. Ms. Wells and/or her representative will be
present next month when an informal hearing regarding this application will be scheduled for the
committee to evaluate the information.
5. Old Business Item: None.
6. Director's Report: None.
7. Committee Members to be Heard: None.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:16 a.m.
Attest:
Bo: rd Reporte
City of Clearwater
November 12, 2015
Chair
Pension Advisory Committee
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