05/13/2021 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 13, 2021
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Vice Chair Greg Newland, Committee
Member April Eversole, Committee Member Mark Bunker, and
Committee Member Gregory Record
Absent 2 - Committee Member Hoyt Hamilton, and Committee Member Frank
Hibbard
Also Present - Jennifer Poirrier— Human Resources Director, Patricia O. Sullivan
- Board Reporter
1. Call To Order
The 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 April 15, 2021 Pension Advisory Committee Special meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Record moved to approve minutes of April 15, 2021
Pension Advisory Committee Special 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
Kristina Benton, Marine Facility Operator, Marine & Aviation 02/13/2021
Parker Moody, Police Officer, Police 03/01/2021
Robert Jessup, Police Officer, Police 03/01/2021
Dante Cuomo, Police Officer, Police 03/01/2021
Luke Ohmer, Police Officer, Police 03/01/2021
Brian Rowell, Police Officer, Police 03/01/2021
Bobby Leahy, Stormwater Technician, Engineering /Stormwater 03/01/2021
Michael Cruz, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 03/01/2021
Kathryn Eaddy, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 03/01/2021
Reed Harvin, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 03/15/2021
Derek Terry, Stormwater Technician, Engineering /Stormwater 03/15/2021
Brandon Johnson, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 03/15/2021
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
Quinton Tisdale, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 03/15/2021
Cedric McAffee, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 03/29/2021
Conrad Cummings, Stormwater Technician, Engineering /Stormwater 03/29/2021
Christina Lawson, Utility Dispatcher, Gas 03/29/2021
Aleksander Thorstensen, Utility Dispatcher, Gas 03/29/2021
Javante Scott, Streets & Sidewalks Technician, Parks & Recreation 03/29/2021
Dexter Waters, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 03/29/2021
Jalen Jamison, Meter Reader, Utility Customer Service 03/29/2021
Cassidy Bonovitch, Librarian, Library 03/29/2021
Joshua Engberg, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
Cody Garcia, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
Noah Kidd, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
Braden Martin, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
David Padilla, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
Scott Sims, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
Christopher Vital, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
John Zawojski, Fire Medic, Fire 04/12/2021
Timothy Palmese, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 04/12/2021
Michael Williams, Streets & Sidewalks Technician, Parks & Recreation 04/12/2021
Cathy Romeo, Development Review Technician, Planning & Development 04/12/2021
Nick Vojvodich, Planner, Planning & Development 04/12/2021
Jonathan Swinney, Development Review Technician, Planning & Development 04/12/2021
Jerry Hahn, WWTP Operator, Public Utilities 04/12/2021
Mary-Kaitlyn Arnette, WWTP Operator Trainee, Public Utilities 04/12/2021
Tammy Cummings, Executive Assistant, City Manager's Office 04/12/2021
Samuel Gaston, Police Cadet, Police 04/12/2021
Robert Merck , Police Cadet, Police 04/12/2021
Billy Hooten, Survey Assistant, Engineering 04/26/2021
Jason Goiran, Traffic, Signs & Marking Tech, Engineering/Traffic 04/26/2021
Caelon Booker, Parks Service Tech, Parks & Recreation 04/26/2021
Mackenzie Espinoza, Police Telecom municator, Police 04/26/2021
Monica Stevenson, Police Telecommunicator, Police 04/26/2021
Nicole Warder, Police Telecom municator, Police 04/26/2021
Clinton Harris, Police Telecom municator, Police 04/26/2021
Samuel Lorenczen, WWTP Op Trainee, Public Utilities 04/26/2021
Member Newland 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 Larry Bruce, Parks and
Recreation Department, James Frederick Jr, Police Department and Mary Beth Setter,
Finance Department, to vest their pensions as provided by Section 2.419 of the
Employees' Pension Plan.
Larry Bruce, Parks Service Supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Department, was employed by the City on January 22, 2007, and began
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
participating in the Pension Plan on that date. Mr. Bruce terminated from
City employment on March 12, 2021.
James Frederick Jr, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by
the City on January 19, 2009, and began participating in the Pension Plan
on that date. Mr. Frederick terminated from City employment on April 14,
2021.
Mary Beth Setter, Accounting Manager, Finance Department, was
employed by the City on August 31, 2009, and began participating in the
Pension Plan on that date. Ms. Setter terminated from City employment on
April 9, 2021.
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. Mr. Bruce will meet the
non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in September
2023. Ms. Setter will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin
collecting a pension in December 2022.
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. Frederick will meet the hazardous duty criteria and begin
collecting pension in February 2029.
Member Bunker moved to recommend approval of the following
request of Larry Bruce, Parks and Recreation Department, James
Frederick Jr, Police Department and Mary Beth Setter, Finance
Department, to vest their pensions as provided by Section 2.419
of the Employees' Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
4.3 Recommend approval of the following request of employees James Charon, Public
Utilities Department, Manuel Cordero, Parks and Recreation Department, Laura Damico,
Utility Customer Service, Thomas Dawe, Police Department, Benjamin Hailey, Police
Department, Richard Kelly, Police Department, Anthony Nellis, Solid Waste and
Recycling, Willard Rodgers, Jr, Police Department, Judith Smith, Police Department,
Laura Spelman, Police Department and William Valveri, Police Department for a regular
pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
James Charon, Machinist/Fabricator, Public Utilities Department, was
employed by the City on April 5, 1993, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective May 1, 2021. Based on
an average salary of approximately $57,721.36 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Charon's selection of the 10
Year Certain and Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$43,378.68 annually.
Manuel Cordero, Skilled Tradesworker, Parks and Recreation
Department, was employed by the City on March 10, 2001, and his pension
service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective May 1,
2021. Based on an average salary of approximately $36,969.50 over the
past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr.
Cordero's selection of the 75% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension
benefit will be approximately $17,785.92 annually.
Laura Damico, Senior Business System Analyst, Utility Customer
Service Department, was employed by the City on March 25, 1998, and her
pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective
October 1, 2021. Based on an average salary of approximately $76,534.28
over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms.
Damico's selection of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be
approximately $49,495.32 annually.
Thomas Dawe, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by
the City on March 15, 1999, and his pension service credit is effective on
that date. His pension will be effective May 1, 2021. Based on an average
salary of approximately $105,917.68 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Dawe's selection of the 100% Joint and
Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $63,471.84
annually.
Benjamin Hailey, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by
the City on March 12, 2001, and his pension service credit is effective on
that date. His pension will be effective April 1, 2021. Based on an average
salary of approximately $109,421.32 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Hailey's selection of the 100% Joint and
Survivor Annuity and a 30% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
approximately $41,559.36 annually.
Richard Kelly, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the
City on July 21, 1997, and his pension service credit is effective on that date.
His pension will be effective April 1, 2021. Based on an average salary of
approximately $86,244.24 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Kelly's selection of the 100% Joint and
Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $52,882.68
annually.
Anthony Nellis, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Waste and
Recycling Department, was employed by the City on February 17, 1997,
and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be
effective October 1, 2021. Based on an average salary of approximately
$41,935.83 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular
pensions and Mr. Nellis' selection of the Life Annuity, this pension benefit will
be approximately $28,395.24 annually.
Willard Rodgers, Jr, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed
by the City on May 22, 2000, and his pension service credit is effective on
that date. His pension will be effective May 1, 2021. Based on an average
salary of approximately $106,618.21 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Rodgers' selection of the Life Annuity,
this pension benefit will be approximately $66,260.64 annually.
Judy Smith, Police Social Services Specialist, Police Department, was
employed by the City on September 14, 1987, and her pension service credit
is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective May 1, 2021. Based on
an average salary of approximately $67,470.87 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Smith's selection of the
Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$62,394.60 annually.
Laura Spelman, Police Lieutenant, Police Department, was employed by
the City on May 31, 1994, and her pension service credit is effective on that
date. Her pension will be effective April 1, 2021. Based on an average salary
of approximately $120,358.39 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Ms. Spelman's selection of the Life Annuity
and a 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be approximately
$73,208.04 annually.
William Valveri, Police Major, Police Department, was employed by the
City on March 17, 1986, and his pension service credit is effective on that
date. His pension will be effective April 1, 2021. Based on an average salary
of approximately $124,628.72 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Valveri's selection of the Joint and
Survivor Annuity and a 10% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
approximately $108,045.36 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. Mr. Charon, Mr. Cordero, Ms.
Damico, Mr. Nellis and Ms. Smith 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. Dawe, Mr. Hailey, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Rodgers, Ms. Spelman and Mr.
Valveri have met the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Eversole moved to recommend approval of the following
request of employees James Charon, Public Utilities Department,
Manuel Cordero' Parks and Recreation Department, Laura Damico,
Utility Customer Service, Thomas Dawe, Police Department, Benjamin
Hailey, Police Department, Richard Kelly, Police Department, Anthony
Nellis, Solid Waste and Recycling, Willard Rodgers, Jr, Police
Department, Judith Smith, Police Department, Laura Spelman, Police
Department and William Valveri, Police Department, Public Utilities
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 Election of New Officers
Member Newland moved to reappoint Nathan Hightower as Chair.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Record moved to reappoint Greg Newland as Vice Chair.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5. Old Business Items: None.
6. Director's Report
Human Resources Director Jennifer Poirrier said Attorney for the
Committee Stuart Kaufman apologized for his absence today due to illness.
He will provide the training at the Committee's July 8, 2021 meeting.
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Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021
Ms. Poirrier said an informal disability hearing also may be scheduled for
July 8, 2021.
7. Board Members to be Heard: None.
8. Adjourn
Attest:
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m.
Board Reporte
City of Clearwater
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Chair - Pension visory Committee