08/09/2007
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 9, 2007
Present: Nathan Hightower Chair
Tom Jensen Vice-Chair
Carlen Petersen Committee Member/Councilmember
John Doran Committee Member/Councilmember
Stephen Sarnoff Committee Member
Paul Gibson Committee Member/Councilmember
Absent: John Schmalzbauer Committee Member
Also Present: Joe Roseto Human Resources Director
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. – Selection of New Chair
motion
Member Petersen moved to re-elect Chair Hightower. The was duly seconded
carried
and unanimously.
3. - Approval of Minutes
Member Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the regular Pension Advisory
Committee meeting of July 12, 2007, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
motioncarried
The was duly seconded and unanimously.
4. – Employees to be Heard – None.
5. – Action Items:
a. Review and Action on Employee Requests for Regular Pensions:
1. Thomas Stein, Police
2. Robert Smyth, Police
Member Doran moved to approve the requests for regular pensions for Thomas Stein
motioncarried
and Robert Smyth. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
Pension Advisory 2007-08-09 1
b. Review and Action on Employee Request to Vest Pensions
1. David Laatsch, Information Technology
David Laatsch, Information Technology, has resigned his position after being employed
by the City for more than 10 years. He will qualify to receive his pension beginning June 1,
2017.
2. Linda Byars, Economic Development
Linda G. Byars, Economic Development, has resigned her position after being employed
by the City for more than 12 years. She will qualify to receive her pension beginning July 1,
2012.
3. William Kleinsorge, Finance
William Kleinsorge, Finance Department, has resigned his position after being employed
by the City for more than 20 years. He will qualify to receive his pension beginning February 1,
2017.
4. Gregory Hewett, Public Utilities
Gregory Hewett, Public Utilities, has resigned his position after being employed by the
City for more than 20 years. He will qualify to receive his pension beginning January 1, 2016.
Member Petersen moved to approve the requests by David Laatsch, Linda Byars,
motion
William Kleinsorge, and Gregory Hewett to vest their pensions. The was duly seconded
carried
and unanimously.
c. Approval of New Hires as Plan Members:
Member Jensen moved to accept the following employees into membership in the
Pension Plan:
Pension
Elig.
Name, Job. Class, & Dept./Div. Hire Date Date
Joel Ojeda, WWTP Operator Trainee/Public Utilities 7/9/07 7/9/07
Michael Gitchell, Gas Technician/Gas 7/23/07 7/23/07
Bradley Webster, Police Officer/Police 6/11/07 6/11/07
motioncarried
The was duly seconded and unanimously.
Pension Advisory 2007-08-09 2
6. – Pending/New Business
a. Chase Vaccaro – Job-connected Disability Hearing
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto reviewed Chase Vaccaro’s application for a job-
connected disability and reviewed the requirements of the Code. None of the listed exclusions
apply.
Member Doran moved to accept into evidence the entire file, inclusive of the personnel
motion
file, interrogatories, medical records, and the IME (Independent Medical Exam). The
carried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
Mr. Roseto reported two of three physicians determined that Officer Vaccaro is unable to
perform the duties of a police officer and is permanently disabled. The City’s IME (Independent
Medical Examination) physician determined otherwise. Mr. Roseto said compelling evidence by
medical professionals who conducted the tests indicate the applicant cooperated with the tests
and is not fabricating his condition. The City will not contest the application.
Police Officer Chase Vaccaro stated the truth is in the record.
In response to a comment, Mr. Roseto said the City complies with State Statutes
regarding disability applications from Public Safety employees. It was remarked that assigning
Public Safety employees to light duty positions could increase exponentially over time and
decrease the number of full-service public safety positions. It was felt that employees should be
able to continue working for the City in another capacity if they choose.
In response to a request from one PAC member, staff will undertake a cost benefit
analysis comparing the use of Police Officers to perform light duty functions versus using non-
public safety employees. Bargaining unit approval would be required if Police Officers fill jobs
represented by another bargaining unit.
Member Jensen moved that Chase Vaccaro is disabled due to a job-connected sickness
or injury, such disability is likely to be continuous and permanent from a cause other than those
listed as general disability exclusions, and such disability renders the participant unable to
perform any useful, meaningful, and necessary work for the employer in an available position for
which the participant is reasonably qualified or for which the participant may be reasonably
motioncarried
trained to perform. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
Mr. Vaccaro was thanked for his years of dedicated service.
7. – Director’s Report
Mr. Roseto requested a disability hearing be scheduled for Officer James Ferro at the
next meeting.
Consensus was to schedule a disability hearing for Officer James Ferro on September
13, 2007.
Pension Advisory 2007-08-09 3
Mr. Roseto encouraged the PAC to attend the Special Pension Trustees meeting on
August 13, 2007, when the Pension Plan attorney will discuss plan investments.
Mr. Roseto recommended a Special PAC and Trustees Workshop be scheduled to
discuss proposed amendments to the Pension Plan. He suggested that assigning police
officers to light duty administrative jobs also could be discussed at that time.
8. - Committee Members to be Heard
Member Doran reported he would not be able to attend the November PAC meeting.
Member Petersen reported she would not be able to attend the October PAC meeting.
9. - Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
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Chair l
Pension Advisory C mmlttee
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Board Reporter
Pension Advisory 2007-08-09
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