12/01/2020 - Special Meeting Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
m
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Advisory Committee Special Meeting
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
Roll Call
Present 7 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Vice Chair Greg Newland, Committee
Member Hoyt Hamilton, Committee Member April Eversole,
Committee Member Frank Hibbard, Committee Member Mark
Bunker, and Committee Member Gregory Record
Also Present - Jennifer Poirrier— Human Resources Director, Patricia O.
Sullivan - Board Reporter, and Robert Klausner—Attorney for the
Committee who attended the meeting using communications media
technology.
1. Call To Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 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 10, 2020 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Hamilton moved to approve minutes of September 10, 2020
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
Stephen Cook, Utility Dispatcher, Gas 8/31/2020
David Race, Police Officer, Police 8/31/2020
Bylynn Hatcher, Police Officer, Police 8/31/2020
Adrian Kwiatkowski, Police Officer, Police 8/31/2020
Brooke Freeman, Accountant, Engineering 8/31/2020
Daniel Cox, Parks Service Tech, Parks & Recreation 8/31/2020
Melissa Napier, Custodial Worker, Police 8/31/2020
Amber Martelli, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 8/31/2020
Savannah Bennett, Solid Waste Specialist, Solid Waste 9/14/2020
Deont'a Henry, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 9/14/2020
Quoi Lamont Lewis. Industrial Electrician. Public Utilities 9/14/2020
Joel Donagan, Parks Heavy Equipment Operator, Parks and Recreation 9/14/2020
Leah Murray, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources 9/14/2020
Page 2
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
Matthew Stoeckicht, Business Systems Analyst, Police 9/14/2020
Alexander Fricas, Gas Technician Apprentice, Gas 9/28/2020
William Collins. Parks Service Technician, Parks and Recreation 9/28/2020
Chris Harrington. Parks Service Technician. Parks and Recreation 9/28/2020
Mercedes Martinez. Police Telecommunicator Operator Trainee, Police 9/28/2020
Lena Trehy, Police Telecom municator Operator Trainee, Police 9/28/2020
Robert Caswell. Police Telecom municator Operator Trainee, Police 9/28/2020
Helen Detore, Police Records Supervisor. Police 9/28/2020
Douglas Seaman, Sr. Professional Engineer, Engineering 9/28/2020
Nicholas Stucker. Fire Medic. Fire 10/12/2020
Julio Bonet. Fire Medic. Fire 10/12/2020
Mason Marty. Fire Medic. Fire 10/12/2020
Gregory Georges. Fire Medic. Fire 10/12/2020
Gabriel David Cerpa. Fire Medic. Fire 10/12/2020
Sebastian Pickens. Fire Medic. Fire 10/12/2020
Samantha Moullet. Recreation Specialist. Parks and Recreation 10/12/2020
Daniel Jablonski, Custodial Worker, Parks and Recreation 10/12/2020
Richard Kelly, Streets & Sidewalks Technician. Parks and Recreation 10/12/2020
Jordan Morang, Neighborhood Services Coor., Planning & Development 10/12/2020
Zachary Zarra, Police Cadet, Police 10/12/2020
Theophilas Alahouzos, Wastewater Treat. Plant Oper. Trainee, Public Utilities 10/10/2020
Kyara Blanchard, Customer Service Representative, Utility Customer Service 10/12/2020
William Spelman, Police Cadet, Police 10/12/2020
Emina Tabak, Police Cadet. Police 10/12/2020
Alexis Kelsey, Police Cadet . Police 10/12/2020
Martin Vilimek. Fire District Commander. Fire 10/26/2020
James Behan, Building & Maintenance Supervisor, General Services 10/26/2020
Payton Schefer, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 10/26/2020
Abin Taraj, Tree Trimmer, Parks and Recreation 10/26/2020
Brooke Donagan, Development Review Technician, Planning & Development 10/26/2020
David Whittington, Custodial Worker, Police 10/26/2020
Teairra Dixon, Customer Service Representative, Utility Customer Service 10/26/2020
Sharon Huskey, Customer Service Representative. Utility Customer Service 10/24/2020
Member Hibbard 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 Reinaldo Alequin, Finance
Department, Steve Berenguer, Public Utilities, Thomas Chaplinsky Jr, Solid Waste, Scott
Fowler, Police Department, Andrew Hawkins, Fire Department, Michael Kachurik,
Theodore Miller III, Police Department, Stephen Reid, Engineering Department, Kerri
Spaulding, Police Department, Stephanie Vilar, Police Department and David Yawn, Fire
Department for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416, 2.417 and 2.424 of the
Employees' Pension Plan.
Page 3
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
Reinaldo Alequin, Senior Accountant, Finance Department, was
employed by the City on October 29, 2007, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2020.
Based on an average salary of approximately $54,789.85 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Alequin's
selection of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$19,595.64 annually.
Steve Berenguer, Utilities Maintenance Foreman, Public Utilities
Department, was employed by the City on August 16, 1999, and his
pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective
September 1, 2020. Based on an average salary of approximately
$44,832.29 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular
pensions and Mr. Berenguer's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor
Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $22,640.64 annually.
Thomas Chaplinsky Jr, Skilled Tradesworker, Solid Waste Department,
was employed by the City on November 9, 1998, and his pension service
credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1,
2020. Based on an average salary of approximately $40,126.78 over the
past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr.
Chaplinsky's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension
benefit will be approximately $21,491.40 annually.
Scott Fowler, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the
City on December 16, 2002, and his pension service credit is effective
October 24, 2003. His pension will be effective November 1, 2020. Based on
an average salary of approximately $85,197.71 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Fowler's selection of the
100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$34,401.00 annually.
Andrew Hawkins, Fire Division Chief, Fire Department, was employed by
the City on October 4, 1999, and his pension service credit is effective on
that date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2020. Based on an
average salary of approximately $103,504.41 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Hawkins' selection of the
100% Joint and Survivor Annuity with a 30% partial lump sum, this pension
benefit will be approximately $41,377.20 annually.
Michael Kachurik, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by
the City on September 24, 1990, and his pension service credit is effective
on that date. His pension will be effective October 1, 2020. Based on an
average salary of approximately $108,684.77 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Kachurik's selection of the
100% Joint and Survivor Annuity with a 20% partial lump sum, this pension
benefit will be approximately $70,588.68 annually.
Page 4
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
Theodore Miller III, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by
the City on April 29, 1996, and his pension service credit is effective on that
date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2020. Based on an average
salary of approximately $99,773.36 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Miller's selection of the 100% Joint and
Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $65,107.08
annually.
Stephen Reid, Survey Crew Leader, Engineering Department, was
employed by the City on October 31, 1994, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2020.
Based on an average salary of approximately $48,284.70 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Reid's selection
of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be
approximately $30,142.08 annually.
Kerri Spaulding, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by
the City on October 9, 2000, and her pension service credit is effective on
that date. Her pension will be effective November 1, 2020. Based on an
average salary of approximately $94,557.12 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Spaulding's selection of the
Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $53,863.80 annually.
Stephanie Vilar, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by
the City on December 20, 1999, and her pension service credit is effective
on that date. Her pension will be effective October 1, 2020. Based on an
average salary of approximately $78,917.48 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Vilar's selection of the Life
Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $45,164.16 annually.
David Yawn, Fire District Commander, Fire Department, was employed
by the City on July 19, 1999, and his pension service credit is effective on
that date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2020. Based on an
average salary of approximately $117,720.33 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Yawn's selection of the 75%
Joint and Survivor Annuity with a 30% partial lump sum, this pension benefit
will be approximately $47,874.96 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. Mr. Alequin, Mr. Berenguer,
Page 5
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
Mr. Chaplinsky and Mr. Reid 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 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. Hawkins, Mr. Kachurik, Mr. Miller, Ms. Spaulding, Ms. Vilar and
Mr. Yawn have met the hazardous duty criteria.
Section 2.417 provides for an early retirement benefit for police officer and
firefighter participants shall be determined in accordance with the provisions
of Section 2.416, and the amount of such benefit otherwise payable shall be
reduced by three percent per year for each year or portion thereof under the
age of 55 upon retirement. Mr. Fowler has met the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Hibbard moved to recommend approval of the following
request of employees Reinaldo Alequin, Finance Department, Steve
Berenguer, Public Utilities, Thomas Chaplinsky Jr, Solid Waste, Scott
Fowler, Police Department, Andrew Hawkins, Fire Department, Michael
Kachurik, Theodore Miller III, Police Department, Stephen Reid,
Engineering Department, Kerri Spaulding, Police Department,
Stephanie Vilar, Police Department and David Yawn, Fire 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 Michele Williams request for job-connected disability pension
Attorney Tonya Oliver said Firefighter Michele Williams had injured her
right knee on May 21, 2019 while on duty responding to a call. She said
Ms. Williams finished her call despite the pain. She said Ms. Williams was
treated conservatively through Workers Comp and assigned to light duty.
She said an MRI revealed serious injury to her knee.
Attorney Oliver said the IME (Independent Medical Exam), performed by
Peter Lopez, MD, indicated Ms. Williams suffered a work related injury
that cannot be repaired and she cannot perform the duties of a firefighter.
She said Ms. Williams was permanently and totally disabled and requested
the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) award her a work-related disability
pension.
Member Hamilton moved to accept into evidence the entire file,
inclusive of the application, personnel file, interrogatories, medical
records, and IME. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Page 6
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes December 1, 2020
Member Hibbard moved that Michele Williams met the requirements
for a job related disability pension as she was disabled by reason of an
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 she is unable,
by reason of a medically determinable physical impairment, to
render useful and efficient service as a firefighter. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Ms. Williams was thanked for her service to the City and offered good
wishes. It was reported that 4 months prior to her injury, Firefighter Williams
had heroically crawled up stairs during a structure fire and located an elderly
victim who was saved; Ms. Williams was honored with the Distinguished Fire
Chief Award for her brave actions.
4.4 Approved amended PAC Policy and Procedures Manual.
Human Resources Director Jennifer Poirrier said the Committee's
Pension Attorney had updated the PAC Policy and Procedures Manual
to codify the committee's decision to allow disability applicants to receive
regular pension benefits while their disability benefit requests are pending.
Member Hamilton moved to amend the PAC Policy and Procedures
Manual to accept this change. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
5. Old Business Items: None.
6. Director's Report
Ms. Poirrier reported 3 pending disability pension applications may be
ready to present during informal hearings at the next meeting.
7. Board Members to be Heard
8. Adjourn
Members offered Holiday greetings.
The meeting adjourned at 9:13 a.m.
V1e.-c--Chair, Pension Ad Ty Committee
Page 7
City of Clearwater