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07/14/2022 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 r Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 14, 2022 9:00 AM Main Library - Council Chambers Pension Advisory Committee Pagel City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 Roll Call Present 6 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Vice Chair Greg Newland, Committee Member Lina Teixeira, Committee Member Mark Bunker, Committee Member Frank Hibbard, and Committee Member Christopher Kakalow Also Present - David Margolis — City Attorney, 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 and welcomed new Committee Member Christopher Kakalow. 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 May 12, 2022 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as submitted in written summation. Member Hibbard moved to approve minutes of May 12, 2022 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2.2 Approve minutes of June 9, 2022 Pension Advisory Special Committee meeting as submitted in written summation. Member Hibbard moved to approve minutes of June 9, 2022 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 Grosso, John, Building Construction Inspector, Planning & Development 06/06/2022 Franklin, Pierce, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 06/06/2022 Towns, Eric, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 05/23/2022 James, Austin, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 04/23/2022 Whiting, Dezmond, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 04/25/2022 Cassady, Noah, Meter Reader, Utility Customer Service 04/25/2022 Page2 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 Clabaugh, Sara, Police Telecom municator, Police Department 04/25/2022 Baird, Melissa, Police Telecom municator, Police Department 04/25/2022 Larry, David, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 04/25/2022 Robishaw, Todd, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Waste & Recycling 04/25/2022 Gregorich, Justin, Gas Tech Apprentice, Gas System 05/09/2022 Auger, Mark, Gas Tech Apprentice, Gas System 05/09/2022 Flynn, Kevin, Survey Assistant, Engineering 05/09/2022 Maimonis, Thomas, Water Distr Operator Trainee, Public Utilities 05/09/2022 Climes, Eric, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste & Recycling 05/09/2022 Sears, Jeffrey, Industrial Electrician, Public Utilities 05/09/2022 Richardson, Antonio, Water Distr Operator Trainee, Public Utilities 05/23/2022 Whitfield, Darquez, Wastewater Collections Tech, Public Utilities 05/23/2022 Nielsen, Austin, Engineering Technician, Gas System 05/23/2022 Lafemina, Kristin, Police Records Specialist, Police Department 05/23/2022 Wade, Colby, Gas Tech Apprentice, Gas System 05/23/2022 Klosinski, Maciej, Traffic Sign & Marking Tech, Engineering 05/23/2022 Diaz, Jose, Streets & Sidewalks Tech, Parks & Recreation 06/06/2022 Duncanson, Christopher, Licensed Electrician, General Support Services 06/06/2022 Lucas, Thomas, Traffic Sign & Marking Tech, Engineering 06/06/2022 Hinkle, Maleah, Recreation Supervisor, Parks & Recreation 05/21/2022 Brown, Paul, Librarian, Library 06/04/2022 Burghardt, Stefan, Customer Service Representative, Customer Service 06/21/2022 Ramirez, Jennifer, Customer Service Representative, Customer Service 06/21/2022 Humphreys, Isaac, Fire Medic, Fire 06/21/2022 Campbell, Logan, Fire Medic, Fire 06/21/2022 Vasquez, Nathan, Fire Medic, Fire 06/21/2022 Hannigan, Glenn, Fire Medic, Fire 06/21/2022 Slone, Nolan, Fire Medic, Fire 06/21/2022 Smith, Alison, Customer Service Representative, Gas 06/21/2022 Green, Robert, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources 06/21/2022 Tarrant, Antanay, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources 06/21/2022 Prior, Gage, Police Records Specialist, Police 06/21/2022 Hewitt. Mindy, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Public Utilities 06/21/2022 Peavler, Jo, Customer Service Representative, Customer Service 06/21/2022 Aboudeib, Amer, Business Systems Analyst, Gas 06/21/2022 Stubleski, Joel, Police Cadet, Police 06/21/2022 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 employee Dale Abdelnour, Parks & Recreation Department to vest his pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Dale Abdelnour, Parks Heavy Equipment Operator, Parks & Recreation Department, was employed by the City on November 10, 2008, and his Page3 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr. Abdelnour terminated from City employment on May 6, 2022. 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. Abdelnour will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in November 2023. Member Bunker moved to recommend approval of the following request of employee Dale Abdelnour, Parks & Recreation 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 Recommend approval of the following request of employees Jeffrey Adkisson, Police Department, David Dalton, Police Department, Janet Dorrough, Gas Department, Michael Hatch, Police Department, Veronica Josef, Engineering Department, Tracy Kimball, Police Department, Jonathon Maser, Police Department, Jada McCree, Library Department, Jeffrey McHughes, Police Department, David Prior, Police Department, Charlie Sims, Public Utilities Department, Steven Squillante, Police Department, Roy Thomen, Planning and Development Department, Joe Trowell, Parks & Recreation Department, Paul Wassen, Engineering Department, and Kevin White, Fire Department for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Jeffrey Adkisson, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on October 26, 1998, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $93,733.68 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Adkisson' s selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $59,480.28 annually. David Dalton, Police Major, Police Department, was employed by the City on September 30, 1996, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective June 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $128,968.94 over the past five years, the formula for Page4 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 computing regular pensions and Mr. Dalton's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $89,195.52 annually. Janet Dorrough, Division Controller, Gas Department, was employed by the City on March 18, 1996, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $75,536.47 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Dorrough' s selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $54,435.60 annually. Michael Hatch, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on April 17, 2006, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective September 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $85,958.96 over the past five years, the formula for computing an early pension and Mr. Hatch's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $34,151.64 annually. Veronica Josef, Senior Staff Assistant, Engineering Department, was employed by the City on April 2, 2004, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective November 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $39,659.15 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Josef's selection of the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $15,725.64 annually Tracy Kimball, Police Communication Manager, Police Department, was employed by the City on March 12, 1990, and her pension service credit is effective on June 11, 1990. Her pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $74,228.44 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Kimball's selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $65,434.32 annually. Jonathon Maser, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on September 9, 2002, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective October 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $93,382.02 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Maser's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $50,580.48 annually. Jada McCree, Senior Staff Assistant, Library Department, was employed by the City on June 3, 2002, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $36,784.49 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. McCree's selection of the 50% Joint Page5 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 and Survivor Annuity with the 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be approximately $17,211.10 annually. Jeffrey McHughes, Police Telecommunicator Supervisor, Police Department, was employed by the City on May 11, 1987, and his pension service credit is effective on February 29, 1988. His pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $73,937.59 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. McHughes' selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $67,509.00 annually. David Prior, Police Records Clerk, Police Department, was employed by the City on May 20, 2002, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective June 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $39,508.16 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Prior's selection of the Single Life Annuity with the 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be approximately $17,410.08 annually. Charlie Sims, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator C, Public Utilities Department, was employed by the City on August 12, 1991, and his pension service credit is effective on April 4, 2005. His pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $41,912.00 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Sims' selection of the 10 Year Certain and Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $18,871.68 annually. Steven Squillante, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by the City on February 6, 1995, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $93,945.29 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Squillante's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $69,318.84 annually. Roy Thomen, Land Development Arborist, Planning and Development Department, was employed by the City on September 29, 1997, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $52,645.63 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Thomen's selection of the 66 2/3% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $34,065.60 annually. Joe Trowell, Rec Facilities Supp Custodian, Parks & Recreation Department, was employed by the City on October 4, 2004, and his pension service credit is effective on February 19, 2005. His pension will be effective June 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $38,744.41 Page6 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Trowell's selection of the 10 Year Certain and Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $17,586.72 annually. Paul Wassen, Stormwater Heavy Equipment Operator, Engineering Department, was employed by the City on July 8, 1996, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective September 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $48,314.86 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Wassen's selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $34,633.68 annually. Kevin White, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Department, was employed by the City on June 3, 2002, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective July 1, 2022. Based on an average salary of approximately $94,963.35 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. White's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity with the 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be approximately $41,295.36 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. 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 (60) years and completed twenty-five (25) years of credited service; or the date on which a participant has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years and completed ten (10) years of credited service. Ms. Dorrough, Ms. Josef, Ms. Kimball, Ms. McCree, Mr. McHughes, Mr. Prior, Mr. Sims, Mr. Thomen, Mr. Trowell, and Mr. Wassen have all 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. Adkisson, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Maser, Mr. Squillante, and Mr. White have met the hazardous duty criteria Sec. 2.417 provides for early retirement benefit for hazardous duty employees, a police officer or firefighter shall be eligible for early retirement Page7 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 upon reaching fifty (50) years old and completed ten (10) years of credited service. Mr. Hatch has met the early retirement criteria. Retirees were thanked for their service. Member Hibbard moved to recommend approval of the following request of employees Jeffrey Adkisson, Police Department, David Dalton, Police Department, Janet Dorrough, Gas Department, Michael Hatch, Police Department, Veronica Josef, Engineering Department, Tracy Kimball, Police Department, Jonathon Maser, Police Department, Jada McCree, Library Department, Jeffrey McHughes, Police Department, David Prior, Police Department, Charlie Sims, Public Utilities Department, Steven Squillante, Police Department, Roy Thomen, Planning and Development Department, Joe Trowell, Parks & Recreation Department, Paul Wassen, Engineering Department, and Kevin White, 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. 4.4 Appoint Ellen Ayo, Kyle Mueller, John Klinefelter, Greg Bowen and Denise Balog to serve as the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) Election Committee with John Klinefelter serving as Chairman. (employee only item) Member Newland moved to appoint Ellen Ayo, Kyle Mueller, John Klinefelter, Greg Bowen and Denise Balog to serve as the PAC Election Committee with John Klinefelter serving as Chair. The motion was duly seconded. Members Newland and Kakalow voted "Aye." Motion carried unanimously 5. Old Business Items: None. 6. Director's Report Human Resources Director Jennifer Poirrier said last month the PAC scheduled a formal hearing for Michael Evans'application for a job- connected disability pension. The case is complicated. Mr. Evans'indicated he has had a difficult time obtaining an attorney. The doctors who treated Mr. Evans have not responded to Attorney Mark Hungate's outreach offering a payment schedule to sit for a deposition. In response to a question, the City Attorney said doctors cannot be subpoenaed without a court case. The PAC could order Mr. Evans to have another IME (Independent Medical Exam). Member Hibbard moved for Attorney Hungate to choose an IME doctor and schedule an IME for Mr. Evans. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ms. Poirier reported 2 disability cases were pending. Page8 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 7. Board Members to be Heard Member Newland expressed concern that without PAC discussion or input the PAC was not represented by outside counsel for a disability case for the first time since 1998. He said the Pension Trustees were scheduled to hire outside counsel to represent the Trustees and questioned why the PAC was losing its outside counsel as the Trustees do not hear disability cases. The City Attorney said the PAC was responsible for deciding if a formal hearing for a disability case was necessary, the Trustees did not review disability cases. He expressed concern that Councilmembers who do not serve on the PAC do not hear committee business. He had initiated the change as it was important that the City Attorney Office not have an adversarial relationship with elected officials. It is untypical for councilmembers to serve on pension advisory committees. It was important that elected officials have an impartial neutral advisor in outside counsel representing the Executive Branch. The Trustees have power over the Employees'Pension Plan and needed outside counsel to choose counsel for formal hearings on disability cases. Member Newland said the Pension Trustees had voted in 1998 to provide outside counsel for the PAC as the Employees'Pension Fund needed representation by an independent body not influenced by the City. He said the City Attorney was representing the City Council as Trustees but not the PAC, which was left with no representation. He said it was a conflict of interest for the City Attorney to represent the PAC when making decisions regarding the Employees'Pension Plan, its membership, and beneficiaries. The City Attorney said Klausner and Kaufman would be kept on retainer for the PAC and Trustees when needed. He said Attorney Stuart Kaufman had offered to serve as an advocate for the executive board. He said outside counsel was not being hired to advise the Trustees but to identify Workers Comp attorneys who would represent the Employee's Pension Plan when making a case during a formal hearing. Chair Hightower said Attorney Mark Hungate was being hired to represent the executive branch of government and expressed discomfort with the change. He felt the City Attorney advising the PAC could appear biased. Member Newland said the Code prohibited terminated employees from applying for disability pensions unless their termination was for medical reasons, however the Human Resources Department had eliminated medical reasons as a reason for termination. Ms. Poirrier said the department sends letters to employees 30 days prior to termination providing them sufficient time to apply for a disability pension. Page9 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee 8. Adjourn Attest: Meeting Minutes July 14, 2022 Member Newland said by its nature, the PAC is an advisory committee. He objected to changes being made without notifying the PAC beforehand and discussing how proposed changes would affect the PAC. Member Newland reported he was resigning from the PAC prior to his September retirement so that only one election would be necessary to appoint 2 new members. He said it had been an honor to serve on the PAC. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 a.m. Bo rd a porte r City of Clearwater Page10 ‘6) l‘l/ Chair, Pension visory Committee