01/12/2017 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes January 12, 2017
City of Clearwater
City Hall
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 12, 2017
9:00 AM
Council Chambers - City Hall
Pension Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes January 12, 2017
Roll Call
Present 6 - Vice Chair Tom Jensen, Committee Member Bill Jonson,
Committee Member Hoyt Hamilton, Committee Member Greg
Newland, Committee Member Bob Cundiff, and Committee Member
Diane Devol
Absent 1 - Chair Nathan Hightower
Also Present - Joe Roseto — Human Resources Director, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board
Reporter
1. Call To Order
The Vice 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
2.1 Approve minutes of December 8, 2016 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Hamilton moved to approve minutes of December 8, 2016
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
Joshua Maxey, Parking Assistant, Engineering 11/28/2016
Rino Landa, Librarian II, Library 11/28/2016
Tammy Winkler, Librarian II, Library 12/12/2016
Logan Davis, Parks Service Technician I, Parks and Recreation 12/12/2016
Zaeinulabddin Adam, Senior Planner, Planning and Development 12/12/2016
Daniel Rowland, Electro-Mechanical Tech, Public Utilities 12/12/2016
Ila Petrov, Utilities Chemist, Public Utilities 12/12/2016
Member Jonson 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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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes January 12, 2017
4.2 Recommend approval of the following request of employees Michael Blake, Public
Utilities Department, Donald Melone, Engineering Department, Kevin O'Connor, Fire
Department and Mary Weaver, Planning and Development Department, for a regular
pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Michael Blake, Public Utilities Technician II, Public Utilities Department,
was employed by the City on January 19, 1987, and his pension service credit
is effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2017. Based on
an average salary of approximately $51,065.73 over the past five years, the formula
for computing regular pensions and Mr. Blake's selection of the 50% Joint and
Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $39,705.60 annually.
Donald Melone, Engineering Specialist I, Engineering Department, was
employed by the City on February 17, 1981, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2017. Based on an
average salary of approximately $66,493.76 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Malone's selection of the 75% Joint and
Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $65,530.68 annually.
Kevin O'Connor, Firefighter/Driver Operator, Fire Department, was
employed by the City on May 28, 1996, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2017.
Based on an average salary of approximately $68,940.67 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. O'Connor's
selection of the 10 Year Certain and Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be
approximately $39,197.04 annually.
Mary Weaver, Sign Inspector, Planning and Development Department,
was employed by the City on June 27, 1994, and her pension service credit is
effective December 9, 1996. Her pension will be effective February 1, 2017.
Based on an average salary of approximately $47,467.32 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Weaver's selection
of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $26,259.36
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. Blake, Mr.
Melone and Ms. Weaver have 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
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes January 12, 2017
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.
O'Connor has met the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Newland moved to recommend approval of the following
request of employees Michael Blake, Public Utilities Department,
Donald Melone, Engineering Department, Kevin O'Connor, Fire
Department and Mary Weaver, Planning and Development
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.
4.3 Informal hearing for Jonathan Walser forjob-connected disability pension
Member Hamilton moved to accept into evidence the entire file,
inclusive of the application, personnel file, interrogatories, medical
records, and the IME (Independent Medical Exam). The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Police Officer Jonathan Walser said it was his great honor to serve
Clearwater. He said he did all he could to stay but always would walk
with a limp. He expressed gratitude to the community and City staff who
were a great family.
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto reviewed requirements of the
Code for a job-connected disability pension. None of the listed
exclusions applied.
It was stated the IME doctor had determined Officer Walser was totally
and permanently disabled from performing hazardous duties, the
disability was service-connected and not treatable, and there was no
expectation that Officer Walser would return to work.
Discussion ensued with comments that the Committee appreciated
Officer Walser's words and service, regretted he had to retire in spite of
his best intentions to stay, that the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) would
continue to receive his support, and he would continue to make Clearwater
a great place.
Officer Walser complimented Police Chief Slaughter's efforts to help the less
fortunate and underserved community in Clearwater, and regretted he could
not participate in the Chief's efforts to build a better, safer community.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes January 12, 2017
Member Jonson moved that Jonathan Walser met the requirements
for a job - related disability pension as he was disabled by reason of
a injury suffered or an illness contracted in the line of duty, such
disability is likely to be continuous and permanent from a cause
other than those listed as general disability exclusions, and he is
unable, by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental
impairment, to render useful and efficient service as a police officer
or firefighter. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
5. Old Business Item: None.
6. Director's Report
Mr. Roseto said he had known Officer Walser throughout his career at
the City and complimented Officer Walser's collegial manner when they
sat at opposite ends of the bargaining table. Officer Walser's dedication
to the City will be missed but he will continue to be an asset to the City,
community, and Police Officers.
7. Board Members to be Heard
Members wished all a Happy New Year.
8. Adjourn
Attest:
Members complimented Officer Walser's commitment to the City,
thanked him for his service, and wished him well.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
Bo rd Reporter
City of Clearwater
t) i)7.9
Chair
Pension Advisory Committee
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