11/14/2019 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 14, 2019
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
Roll Call
Present 5 - Vice Chair Greg Newland, Committee Member Hoyt Hamilton,
Committee Member Christian Schuele, Committee Member April
Eversole, and Committee Member Jay E. Polglaze
Absent 2 - Chair Nathan Hightower, and Committee Member Bob Cundiff
Also Present - Stuart Kaufman —Attorney for the Committee, Jennifer Poirrier— 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 the Main Library.
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 September 12, 2019 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Schuele moved to approve minutes of September 12, 2019
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
Christopher Clarke, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Waste 09/02/2019
Robert Ashmeade, Senior Staff Assistant, Public Utilities 09/03/2019
Jason Stransky, Public Utilities Technician I, Public Utilities 09/03/2019
Charles Satcher, Parks Streets & Sidewalks Tech. I, Parks & Recreation 09/03/2019
Logan Hinrichs, Gas Apprentice, Gas 09/16/2019
Robert Seay, Gas Apprentice, Gas 09/16/2019
Anthony Sylvester Jr., Gas Apprentice, Gas 09/16/2019
Ryan Poppler, Gas Apprentice, Gas 09/16/2019
Star White, Personnel Payroll Technician, Fire 09/16/2019
Alvin Bushnell, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 09/16/2019
Fred Coker, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 09/16/2019
Ryan Odegaard, Code Enforcement Inspector, Planning & Development 09/16/2019
Angel Lopez, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 09/16/2019
Jayson Wine, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 09/28/2019
Sherrick Cuffie, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 09/28/2019
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Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
Doreen Dreyer, Utility Dispatcher, Gas 09/30/2019
Jason Hauser, Code Enforcement Inspector, Planning & Development 09/30/2019
Coreen Tupponce, Police Telecommunication Trainee. Police 09/30/2019
Adon Chavis, Police Telecommunication Trainee, Police 09/30/2019
Lauren Copley, Police Telecommunication Trainee, Police 09/30/2019
Ryan Kenna, Police Officer, Police 09/30/2019
Carissa Costello, Police Officer, Police 09/30/2019
Nicholas Milillo, Police Officer, Police 09/30/2019
Roxanna Padilla Garibay, Police Officer, Police 09/30/2019
Antonio Knox, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 09/30/2019
Natalie Weppler, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 09/30/2019
Chyna Miller-Robinson, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 10/12/2019
Chandler Dobler, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Cullen Ahearn, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Christopher Collins, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Michael Donovan, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Mason St. Martin, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Stephanie Nuszkowski, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
James Desaulniers, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Kaitlin Homme, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Eric Heisler, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Joal Levendoski, Fire Medic, Fire 10/14/2019
Mark Williamsm Fleet Mechanic, General Services 10/14/2019
Joshua McKillen, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 10/14/2019
Christen Moon, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 10/14/2019
Stephanie Scalos, Economic Dev. Coordinator, Economic Dev. & Housing 10/14/2019
Charles Erwin, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Public Utilities 10/28/2019
Steven Philyaw, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 10/28/2019
Mark Suva, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 10/28/2019
Kacey Nguyen, Senior Systems Programmer, Information Technology 10/28/2019
Dyone Davis, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 10/28/2019
Jariel Candelario, Jr., Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 10/28/2019
Member Hamilton moved to recommend approval of the new hires
for acceptance into the Pension Plan as listed. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.2 Recommend approval of the following request of employees Dominick Briganti, Fire
Department and Lynne Priester, Customer Service Department, to vest their pensions as
provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Dominick Briganti, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Department, was employed by
the City on October 12, 2009, and began participating in the Pension Plan
on that date. Mr. Briganti terminated from City employment on October 15,
2019.
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Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
Lynne Priester, Accounts Program Coordinator, Customer Service
Department, was employed by the City on December 11, 1995, and began
participating in the Pension Plan on that date. Ms. Priester terminated from
City employment on September 14, 2019.
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. Ms. Priester will meet the
non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in December 2023.
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. Briganti will meet the hazardous duty criteria and begin
collecting pension in November 2025.
Member Eversole moved to recommend approval of the following
request of employees Dominick Briganti, Fire Department and
Lynne Priester, Customer Service Department, to vest their
pensions 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 Kimberly DuPont, Economic
Development and Housing Department, Matthew Dupree, Police Department, Willie
Jones, Park and Recreation Department, Susan Marx, Gas Department and Kathleen
Perry, Police Department, for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424
of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Kimberly DuPont, Senior Housing Coordinator, Economic Development
and Housing Department, was employed by the City on October 27, 19977
and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be
effective January 1, 2020. Based on an average salary of approximately
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Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
$49,568.55 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular
pensions and Ms. DuPont's selection of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit
will be approximately $30,193.44 annually.
Matthew Dupree, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by
the City on September 27, 1999, and his pension service credit is effective
on that date. His pension will be effective October 1, 2019. Based on an
average salary of approximately $92,409.23 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Dupree's selection of the
100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$50,146.80 annually.
Willie Jones, Senior Parks Service Tech, Park and Recreation
Department, was employed by the City on September 15, 1998, and his
pension service credit is effective on July 3, 1999. His pension will be
effective November 1, 2019. Based on an average salary of approximately
$33,122.40 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular
pensions and Mr. Jones' selection of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit
will be approximately $18,485.52 annually.
Susan Marx, Customer Service Representative, Gas Department, was
employed by the City on September 2, 1986, and her pension service credit
is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective December 1, 2019.
Based on an average salary of approximately $41,405.06 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Marx's selection
of the 10 Year Certain and Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be
approximately $36,827.52 annually.
Kathleen Perry, Senior Crime Analyst, Police Department, was
employed by the City on May 21, 1990, and her pension service credit is
effective on that date. Her pension will be effective December 1, 2019.
Based on an average salary of approximately $56,621.50 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Perry's selection
of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $45,882.24
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. Ms. DuPont, Mr. Jones, Ms.
Marx, Ms. Perry have met the non-hazardous duty criteria.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
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. Dupree has met the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Eversole moved to recommend approval of the following
request of employees Kimberly DuPont, Economic Development and
Housing Department, Matthew Dupree, Police Department, Willie
Jones, Park and Recreation Department, Susan Marx, Gas Department
and Kathleen Perry, 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.
4.4 Informal hearing for Stephen White request for job-connected disability pension
Attorney for the Committee Stuart Kaufman reviewed Stephen White's
application for a job-connected disability pension and requirements of
the Code. He said the City had received the applicant's interrogatories
and all medical provider records, Dr. Richard Pigeon MD rescinded his
original opinion. He said a medical report indicated Mr. White was disabled
and could not perform his duties as a Police Officer. He said Dr. Michael
Smith performed Mr. White's IME (Independent Medical Exam) in August.
He said the record contained addendums, Mr. White's application reported
his injury occurred when he exited his patrol car. Another incident preceding
that injury primarily affected his cervical spine, knee, and leg. He said the
medical evidence lined up that Mr. White's disability was permanent
but the Committee needed to determine if the injury causing the disability
had occurred on-the-job. He said while 2 committee members were absent,
Mr. White did not object to moving forward with the hearing.
Member Hamilton moved to accept into evidence the entire file,
inclusive of the application, personnel file, interrogatories, medical
records, and the IME. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Attorney Jason Fox, representing Mr. White, provided summary information.
He said Mr. White could not perform the full range of duties necessary to be
a police officer. He said doctors agreed Mr. White was totally and
permanently disabled and met the Pension Plan standard for a hazardous
duty on-the-job disability, the Workers Compensation doctors agreed.
Attorney Fox reviewed Mr. White's career as a police officer with the City,
beginning in 2001. He said in 2009, Mr. White suffered major injuries
requiring surgeries when his marked police car was in a head on collision
on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. He said Mr. White pushed himself through
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Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
rehabilitation to return to work while still in pain instead of accepting
a job-connected disability pension. He said Mr. White had to get clearance
from 2 doctors to return to work.
Attorney Fox said in 2017, Mr. White injured his lower back when his foot
slipped as he quickly exited his police vehicle. He said there was no record
of Mr. White suffering any other back injury. He said degeneration of his
spine shown in a MRI was caused by the culmination of serious injury in
the automobile accident and daily activity throughout his service.
Discussion ensued with comments that the presented facts lined up and
all records indicated Mr. White was permanently disabled as a result of
on-the-job injuries.
Member Hamilton moved that Stephen White met the requirements
for a job-related disability pension as he was disabled by reason of
injuries suffered 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 impairment, to render useful and
efficient service as a police officer. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Mr. White was thanked for his years of service to the citizens of Clearwater.
4.5 PAC Chair Selection Date Discussion
Human Resources Director Jennifer Poirrier said the Committee's
Policies and Procedures Manual stated that each April, the PAC
(Pension Advisory Committee)shall vote for members to serve as Chair
and Vice Chair for the year, the committee's new bimonthly schedule did
not meet in April.
Member Hamilton moved for the PAC to vote for members to serve as
Chair and Vice Chair for the year at the 3rd meeting of the year. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.6 Insurance for cyber fraud, ransomware attack
Risk Manager Rick Osario reviewed the City'insurance for cyber fraud,
ransomware attack, and data recovery, the insurance also covered the
Pension Committee and Pension Plan. Attorney Kaufman suggested the City
carry$2 million in coverage.
5. Old Business Item: None.
6. Director's Report: None.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019
7. Board Members to be Heard: None.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
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City of Clearwater
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Chair
Pension Advisory Committee