09/13/2007
PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 13, 2007
Present: Nathan Hightower Chair
Tom Jensen Vice-Chair
Carlen Petersen Committee Member/Councilmember
John Doran Committee Member/Councilmember
John Schmalzbauer Committee Member
Stephen Sarnoff Committee Member
Paul Gibson Committee Member/Councilmember
Also Present: Joe Roseto Human Resources Director
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3. - Approval of Minutes
Member Jensen moved to approve the minutes of the regular Pension Advisory
Committee meeting of August 9, 2007, as submitted in written summation to each board
member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4. – Employees to be Heard – None.
5. – Action Items:
a. Review and Action on Employee Requests for Regular Pensions:
1. David Malick, Gas
2. Stanley Loveday, Fire
3. Vickie Niemiller, Development & Neighborhood Services
Member Petersen moved to approve the requests for regular pensions for David Malick,
Stanley Loveday, and Vickie Niemiller. The motion was duly seconded.
Discussion ensued regarding the effect of overtime on the pension plan.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
Pension Advisory 2007-09-13 1
b. Approval of New Hires as Plan Members:
Member Petersen moved to accept the following employees into membership in the
Pension Plan:
Pension
Elig.
Name, Job. Class, & Dept./Div. Hire Date Date
Clinton Reeves, WWTP Operator Trainee/Public Utilities 8/6/07 8/6/07
Bryclyn Lawrence, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste Gen. Svc. 5/1/07 8/6/07
Joseph Tincher, WWPT Operator Trainee/Pub. Utilities 8/6/07 8/6/07
Marcus McDougle, WWTP Operator Trainee/Public Utilities 8/6/07 8/6/07
Jon Dion, Air Conditioning Tech./Solid Waste Gen. Svc. 8/6/07 8/6/07
Theodore Dallas, Solid Waste Worker/Solid Waste Gen. Svc. 6/18/07 8/20/07
Kristin Matthews, Police Com. Operator Trainee/Police 8/20/07 8/20/07
Melissa Santomenno, Police Com. Operator Trainee/Police 8/20/07 8/20/07
Bryclyn Lawrence originally was hired as temporary on May 1, 2007; status changed to
permanent and pension eligible as of August 6, 2007.
Theodore Dallas originally was hired as temporary on June 18, 2007; status changed to
permanent and pension eligible as of August 20, 2007.
motioncarried
The was duly seconded and unanimously.
6. – Pending/New Business
a. James Ferro – Job-connected Disability Hearing
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto reviewed James Ferro’s application and the
requirements of the Code. None of the listed exclusions applies.
Member Schmalzbauer moved to accept into evidence the entire file, inclusive of the
personnel file, interrogatories, medical records, and the IME (Independent Medical Exam). The
motionwas duly seconded and carriedunanimously.
Mr. Roseto reported two of three physicians determined that Officer Ferro is unable to
perform the duties of a police officer and is permanently disabled. The City’s IME (Independent
Medical Examination) physician determined otherwise, therefore the City requested a Functional
Capacity Test which indicated the officer was permanently disabled. Mr. Roseto said the City
will not contest the application.
Member Schmalzbauer moved that James Ferro 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 trained to perform. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b. John Moros - Job-connected Disability Hearing – Claim Withdrawn.
Pension Advisory 2007-09-13 2
Mr. Roseto said John Moros had terminated his employment based on a Worker's
Compensation settlement and no longer is eligible for a job-connected disability pension. He
has withdrawn his application.
7. - Director's Report
Mr. Roseto reported a two-day in-house investment training session will be scheduled
that includes a review of proposed changes to the pension ordinance drafted by the pension
attorney. The PAC (Pension Advisory Committee), Pension Trustees, and union officials will be
invited. He welcomed union officials to take the opportunity to provide their visions regarding
changes to the pension plan.
Staff provided a sample cost benefit analysis on retaining a police officer to perform light
duty instead of providing a job-connected disability benefit. Bargaining unit approval would be
required for police officers to fill jobs represented by another bargaining unit. Assigning a police
officer to a light duty position would require maintaining the officer's salary and benefits and
prevent the City from replacing the position with another police officer unless the FTE (full-time
equivalent) count is increased. Mr. Roseto said the City complies with State Statutes regarding
Public Safety employee disability applications.
8. - Committee Members to be Heard
Committee members thanked Mr. Ferro for his service and wished him well.
Member Jensen encouraged the Trustees and PAC members to attend investment
conferences to meet their fiduciary responsibility and gain a better understanding of pension
investments.
Staff reported the City's training sessions will be comprehensive.
Member Petersen said staff is tailoring the upcoming training session being prepared by
staff specifically toward the City's pension plan; it is difficult to attend a three-day conference out
of town; and complimented the City's legal and finance staff.
Member Gibson said in-house investment training is more cost effective than out of town
training.
9. - Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:49 a.m.
{).1)fJ )!a
Chair
Pension Advisory Committee
(An~
~4}J/r7h
Board Reporter
Pension Advisory 2007-09-13
3