02/14/2022 Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
m
Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 14, 2022
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Trustees
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Frank Hibbard, Trustee David Allbritton, Trustee Hoyt Hamilton,
Trustee Kathleen Beckman, and Trustee Mark Bunker
Also Present—Jon Jennings—City Manager, Micah Maxwell — Assistant City
Manager, Michael Delk — Assistant City Manager, David Margolis -
City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk, Nicole Sprague —
Deputy City Clerk, and Jennifer Poirrier— Human Resources
Director
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Chair Hibbard
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the December 13, 2021 Pension Trustees Meeting as submitted
in written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Hamilton move to approve the minutes of the December
13, 2021 Pension Trustees Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk. 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 Approve the new hires for acceptance into the Pension Plan as listed.
LAST NAME/FIRST NAME/JOB CLASS/DEPARTMENT PENSION
ELIGIBILITY DATE
Johnson, Keron, Water Distribution Oper, Public Utilities 10/25/2021
Taraj, Abin, Tree Trimmer, Parks & Recreation 10/25/2021
Pinell, Charles, Parking Enforcement Spec, Engr- Parking 10/25/2021
Castleberry, Torey, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 10/25/2021
Domanico, Eric, Plumber, Gs - Mechanical/Plumbing 10/25/2021
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
Drelick, Philip, Storeskeeper, Fire Department 10/25/2021
Faison, Tyre, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 10/25/2021
Kopke, Mark, Water Distr Oper Trainee, Public Utilities 10/25/2021
Coyle, Colin, Fire Medic 106hr, Fire Department 11/08/2021
Debose, Marquis, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 11/08/2021
Deuel, Lindsey, Wstwtr Trtmnt Plant Oper Trn, Public Utilities 11/08/2021
Feaster, Edward, Industrial Electrician, Public Utilities 11/08/2021
Hiller, Scott, Industrial Pretrmnt Inspector, Public Utilities 11/08/2021
Kemry, Brian, Fire Medic 106hr, Fire Department 11/08/2021
Sowers, Kathy, Contracts & Procurement Spec, Engineering 11/08/2021
Mathews, Paul, Storeskeeper, Fire Department 11/08/2021
Ryan, Austin, Fire Medic 106hr, Fire Department 11/08/2021
Skopis, Panagiotis, Fire Medic 106hr, Fire Department 11/08/2021
O'connell, Kathryn, Library Assistant, Library 11/22/2021
Heine, Thomas, Aquatics Coordinator, Parks & Recreation 11/22/2021
Kramer, Suzanne, Real Estate Services Coord, Engineering 11/22/2021
Dowd, Ryan, Solid Waste Technical Oper, Solid Waste& Recycling 12/06/2021
Mcdowell, Hubert, Building Constructn Inspector, Planning & Development 12/06/2021
Perez, Dania, Housing Specialist, Economic Development & Housing 12/06/2021
Ayotte, Shelby, Police Telecommunicator, Police Department 12/06/2021
Paradowski, Jordan, Library Assistant, Library Department 10/23/2021
Dressel, Kaitlin, Library Assistant, Library Department 11/20/2021
Avgoustis, Anna, Customer Service Rep, Planning & Development 12/06/2021
Toney, Georgia, Beach Lifeguard, Fire Department 12/06/2021
Steen, Adam, Beach Lifeguard, Fire Department 12/06/2021
Taylor, Donald, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 10/25/2021
Jacobs, Colton, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 10/25/2021
Hutfilz, Emily, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation 10/25/2021
Cooper, Ahmad, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 12/20/2021
Floyd, Antonio, Wastewater Treatment Plant Op. Trainee, Public Utilities 12/20/2021
Murray, Shaun, Street Sweeper, Engineering Stormwater 12/20/2021
Teuber, Travis, Public Utilities Asst Manager, Public Utilities 12/20/2021
Thomas, Bradley, Gas Technician Apprentice, Gas 12/20/2021
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the new hires for acceptance
into the Pension Plan as listed. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
4.2 Approve the following request of employee Bennett Elbo, Engineering Department to vest
his pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Bennett Elbo, Senior Engineering Specialist, Engineering Department, was
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
employed by the City on February 3, 2003, and began participating in the
Pension Plan on that date. Mr. Elbo terminated from City employment on
December 13, 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 (January 1,
2013), a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date
on which a participant has reached the age of fifty-five years and completed
twenty years of credited service; the date on which a participant has reached
age sixty-five years and completed ten years of credited service; or the date on
which a member has completed thirty years of service regardless of age. For
non-hazardous duty employees hired on or after the effective date of this
restatement, a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the
date on which a participant has reached the age of sixty years and completed
twenty-five years of credited service; or the date on which a participant has
reached the age of sixty-five years and completed ten years of credited service.
Mr. Elbo will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a
pension in April 2025.
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 years of credited service
regardless of age, or the date on which the participant has reached fifty-five
years and completed ten years of credited service.
Trustee Beckman moved to approve the following request of
employee Bennett Elbo, Engineering Department to vest his
pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension
Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Approve the following request of employees Paul Bosco, Police Department, Suzanne
Melton, Engineering Department, Denis O'Connor, Fire Department, Fatos Pojani, Public
Utilities Department, and Karen Wiseman, Parks and Recreation Department for a
regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension
Plan.
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Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
Paul Bosco, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on
April 28, 1997, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His
pension will be effective February 1, 2022.
Based on an average salary of approximately $112,325.13 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Bosco's selection of
the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$74,318.52 annually.
Suzanne Melton, Staff Assistant, Engineering Department, was employed by
the City on November 5, 2001, and her pension service credit is effective on that
date. Her pension will be effective February 1, 2022. Based on an average
salary of approximately $33,219.17 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Ms. Melton's selection of the Single Life
Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $18,483.72 annually.
Denis O'Connor, Firefighter, Fire Department, was employed by the City on
September 24, 2001, and his pension service credit is effective on that date.
His pension will be effective February 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of
approximately $78,118.20 over the past five years, the formula for computing
regular pensions and Mr. O'Connor's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor
Annuity with a 30% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be approximately
$29,849.40 annually.
Fatos Pojani, Utilities Electronics Technician, Public Utilities Department, was
employed by the City on June 11, 2007, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2022. Based on
an average salary of approximately $47,918.66 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Pojani's selection of the Single
Life Annuity this pension benefit will be approximately $19,243.08 annually.
Karen Wiseman, Senior Parks Service Technician, Parks and Recreation
Department, was employed by the City on August 18, 1997, and her pension
service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective February 1,
2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $34,624.55 over the past
five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Wiseman's
selection of the Single Life Annuity this pension benefit will be approximately
$12,625.80 annually.
Section 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for non-hazardous duty
employees hired prior to the effective date of this reinstatement (January 1,
2013), a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date
on which a participant has reached the age of fifty-five years and completed
twenty years of credited service; the date on which a participant has reached
age sixty-five years and completed ten years of credited service; or the date on
which a member has completed thirty years of service regardless of age. For
non-hazardous duty employees hired on or after the effective date of this
restatement, a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the
date on which a participant has reached the age of sixty years and completed
twenty-five years of credited service; or the date on which a participant has
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
reached the age of sixty-five years and completed ten years of credited service.
Ms. Melton, Mr. Pojani, and Ms. Wiseman 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 years of credited service
regardless of age, or the date on which the participant has reached fifty-five
years and completed ten years of credited service. Mr. Bosco and Mr.
O'Connor have met the hazardous duty criteria.
Trustee Bunker moved to approve the following request of
employees Paul Bosco, Police Department, Suzanne Melton,
Engineering Department, Denis O'Connor, Fire Department,
Fatos Pojani, Public Utilities Department, and Karen Wiseman,
Parks and Recreation 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 Approve beneficiary Ryan Webb to be granted a death benefit as provided by Clearwater
Code of Ordinances Sections 2.420 and 2.455 of the Employee' Pension Plan.
Donna Light-Cowley, Customer Service Department, was employed by the City
on January 19, 2021, and her pension service credit is effective on that date.
Ms. Light-Cowley passed away on September 27, 2021, due to an injury that
occurred on the job. Ms. Light- Cowley named Ryan Webb as her
pre-retirement beneficiary. Based on an average salary of approximately
$19,478.32 over the year, this pension benefit will be approximately $5,042.16
annually. Mr. Webb will begin collecting effective October 1, 2021.
Sec. 2.420. - Death benefit.
(1)a.ln the event of the death of a participant who is vested in his accrued
benefit prior to his termination of employment, his beneficiary (as described
below) shall be entitled to receive a death benefit. Said death benefit shall be in
an amount equal to the accrued benefit of such participant as of the date of his
death.
(3) The participant's surviving spouse shall be deemed to be the beneficiary
designated to receive the death benefit payable under the plan, and if none, his
children under the age of 18 who are the participant's dependents (within the
meaning of Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) at the time of his death.
Sec. 2.455. - Beneficiaries.
(1) Each member or retiree may, on a form provided for that purpose, signed
and filed with the board, designate a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) to receive the
benefit, if any, which may be payable in the event of his death. Each designation
may be revoked or changed by such member or retiree by signing and filing with
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
the board a new designation-of-beneficiary form. Upon such change, the rights
of all previously designated beneficiaries to receive any benefits under the
system shall cease.(2)lf a deceased member or retiree failed to name a
beneficiary in the manner prescribed in subsection (1), or if the beneficiary (or
beneficiaries) named by a deceased member or retiree predeceased the
member or retiree, the death benefit, if any, which may be payable under the
system with respect to such deceased member or retiree, shall be paid to the
estate of the member or retiree.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve beneficiary Ryan Webb to be
granted a death benefit as provided by Clearwater Code of
Ordinances Sections 2.420 and 2.455 of the Employee' Pension
Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.5 Approve beneficiaries Edith Sterling and Robbin Beem to be granted a death benefit as
provided by Code of Ordinances Sections 2.420 and 2.455 of the Employees' Pension
Plan.
Stacey Sterling, Parks and Recreation Department, was employed by the City
on April 14, 1997, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr.
Sterling passed away September 30, 2021. Mr. Sterling named Edith Sterling as
his pre-retirement beneficiary. Based on an average salary of approximately
$43,878.67 over the past five years, this pension benefit will be approximately
$25,953.24 annually. Mrs. Sterling will begin collecting effective October 1,
2021.
Louis Beem, Solid Waste and Recycling Department, was employed by the City
on July 14, 2003, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr.
Beem passed away October 20, 2021. Robbin Beem is the spouse of Louis
Beem. Based on an average salary of approximately $40,874.91 over the past
five years, this pension benefit will be approximately $17,758.68 annually. Mrs.
Beem will begin collecting effective November 1, 2021.
Sec. 2.420. - Death benefit.
(1)a. In the event of the death of a participant who is vested in his accrued
benefit prior to his termination of employment, his beneficiary (as described
below) shall be entitled to receive a death benefit. Said death benefit shall be in
an amount equal to the accrued benefit of such participant as of the date of his
death.
(3) The participant's surviving spouse shall be deemed to be the beneficiary
designated to receive the death benefit payable under the plan, and if none, his
children under the age of 18 who are the participant's dependents (within the
meaning of Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) at the time of his death.
Sec. 2.455. - Beneficiaries.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees
5. Adjourn
Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022
(1) Each member or retiree may, on a form provided for that purpose, signed
and filed with the board, designate a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) to receive the
benefit, if any, which may be payable in the event of his death. Each designation
may be revoked or changed by such member or retiree by signing and filing with
the board a new designation -of -beneficiary form. Upon such change, the rights
of all previously designated beneficiaries to receive any benefits under the
system shall cease.(2)If a deceased member or retiree failed to name a
beneficiary in the manner prescribed in subsection (1), or if the beneficiary (or
beneficiaries) named by a deceased member or retiree predeceased the
member or retiree, the death benefit, if any, which may be payable under the
system with respect to such deceased member or retiree, shall be paid to the
estate of the member or retiree.
Trustee Beckman moved to approve beneficiaries Edith Sterling
and Robbin Beem to be granted a death benefit as provided by
Code of Ordinances Sections 2.420 and 2.455 of the Employees'
Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.
it..-, /c/119---ev/
Chair
Employees' Pension Plan Trustees
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City of Clearwater