04/17/2023 Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 17, 2023
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Trustees
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Brian Aungst Sr., Trustee Katleen Beckman, Trustee Mark
Bunker, Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Lina Teixeira
Also Present—Jennifer Poirrier—City Manager, Michael Delk — Assistant City
Manager, David Margolis - City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City
Clerk, Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk, and Billie Kirkpatrick—
Human Resources Director
1. Call to Order— Chair Aungst, Sr.
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the February 13, 2023 Pension Trustees Meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Beckman moved to approve the minutes of the February
13, 2023 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.
Name/Job Classification/Department Pension Eligibility
Date
Adrian Christian, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 01/03/2023
Andre Stanley, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Wase 01/03/2023
Andre Turner, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 01/03/2023
Brendan West, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 01/03/2023
Dylan Mayeux, Sr. Real Estate Coordinator, Economic Dev. 01/03/2023
Eric Goehring, Traffic Signal Technician, Public Works 01/03/2023
Madison Booth, Police Telecommunicator, Police Department 01/03/2023
Marque Chestine, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Wase 01/03/2023
Monica Pummer, Police Records Specialist, Police Department 01/03/2023
Philopateer Hanna, Sr. Engineering Specialist, Public Works 01/03/2023
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
LCarl
ougham, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 01/03/2023
rdino, Police Cadet, Police Department 01/14/2023
McCafferty, Custodial Worker, Parks & Recreation 01/14/2023
ulla, Parking, Facility& Security Aide, Marine &Aviation 01/14/2023
Alice Kelly, Development Review Technician, Planning & Dev. 01/17/2023
Alvin Pinero, Police Telecommunicator, Police Department 01/17/2023
Austin Repko, Parks Service Technician, Parks & Recreation 01/17/2023
Brian Solka, Management Analyst, Police Department 01/17/2023
Caridas Burchfield, Compliance Coordinator, Public Utilities 01/17/2023
Christopher Elliott, Police Cadet, Police Department 01/17/2023
Erika Escamilla, Neighborhood Coordinator, Office of Innovation 01/17/2023
Fufuoa Vang, Police Cadet, Police Department 01/17/2023
John Riedle, Plumber, General Services 01/17/2023
Kaitlyn Klein„Police Telecommunicator, Police Department 01/17/2023
Kim Rizzo, Personnel/Payroll Technician, Parks & Recreation 01/17/2023
Marissa Myers, Police Telecommunicator, Police Department 01/17/2023
Matthew Hocalar, Skilled Tradesworker, Parks & Recreation 01/17/2023
Matthew Peacock, Police Telecommunicator, Police Department 01/17/2023
Philip Philebaum, Meter Reader, Finance/UCS 01/17/2023
Robert Kasmer, Real Estate Services Coordinator, Public Works 01/17/2023
Rocco Russo, Police Cadet, Police Department 01/17/2023
Thomas Heath, Lead Engineering Specialist, Public Works 01/17/2023
Zaccheus Jammer, Library Assistant, Library 01/17/2023
Brian Palmese, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 01/30/2023
Edmundo Chirinos, Fleet Mechanic, General Services 01/30/2023
Gregory Art, Parking Attendant, Public Works/Parking 01/30/2023
Jamyn Brown, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 01/30/2023
Jordan Bailey, Police Officer, Police Department 01/30/2023
Jose Deleon, Police Officer, Police Department 01/30/2023
Lane Lightfoot, Police Officer, Police Department 01/30/2023
Miguel Marcos, Tree Trimmer, Public Works 01/30/2023
Timothy Lovely, Police Officer, Police Department 01/30/2023
Abraham Adger, Waste Water Treatment Plant Oper Tr, Public Util. 02/13/2023
Adrian Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Senior Engineering Spec., Public Util. 02/13/2023
Anthony Stamatoplos, Librarian, Library 02/13/2023
Courtney Gwyn, Risk Management Specialist, Finance/Risk 02/13/2023
David Spielvogel, Recreation Coordinator, Parks & Recreation 02/13/2023
Domingo Vega, Streets &Sidewalks Technician, Public Works 02/13/2023
Frank Ciafone, WWTP Operator A, Public Utilities 02/13/2023
Jamie Gaubatz, Senior Accountant, Public Works 02/13/2023
Jerome Dennis, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste 02/13/2023
Kerry Vash, Librarian -FT, Library 02/13/2023
Raymond Johnson, Utilities Electronics Technician, Public Utilities 02/13/2023
Troy Schermer, Customer Service Representative, Finance/UCS 02/13/2023
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
Trustee Bunker 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 employees James Benwell, Public Works Department,
Christopher Johnson, Fire Department and Antonio Notardonato, General Services
Department to vest their pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees'
Pension Plan.
James Benwell, CAD & GIS Technician, Public Works Department, was
employed by the City on May 20, 2013, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. Mr. Benwell terminated from City employment on
November 4, 2022.
Christopher Johnson, Fire Medic/LT, Fire Department, was employed by the
City on October 12, 2009, and his pension service credit is effective on that
date. Mr. Johnson terminated from City employment on February 1, 2023.
Antonio Notardonato, Fleet Mechanic Supervisor, General Servies Department,
was employed by the City on March 12, 2012 and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. Mr. Notardonato terminated from City employment on
November 29, 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 (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 55 years and completed 20 years
of credited service; the date on which a participant has reached age 65 years
and completed 10 years of credited service; or the date on which a member
has completed 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 60 years and completed 25 years of credited
service; or the date on which a participant has reached the age of 65 years and
completed 10 years of credited service. Mr. Benwell will meet the
non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in August of 2046.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
Mr. Notardonato will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a
pension in August of 2030.
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 20 years of credited service
regardless of age, or the date on which the participant has reached 55 years
and completed 10 years of credited service. Mr. Johnson will meet the
hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in November of 2029
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the following request of
employees James Benwell, Public Works Department,
Christopher Johnson, Fire Department and Antonio Notardonato,
General Services Department to vest their 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 James Atherholt, Parks and Recreation Department,
William Brown, Parks and Recreation Department, Kevin Boaden, Fire Department,
Catherine Borden, Public Utilities Department, Michael Dellavolpe, Fire Department,
William Fry, Fire Department, Robert Furman, Police Department, Jay Gibson, Public
Works Department, Deborah Lemon, Parks and Recreation Department, Steven
McKinney, Solid Waste Department, Terri Ralat, Solid Waste Department, Edward
Schultz, Fire Department, Michael Whittaker, Public Works Department, Steven
Wilensky, Fire Department and Julie Wykoff, Library Department for a regular pension as
provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
James Atherholt. Recreation Center Manager, Parks and Recreation
Department, was employed by the City on December 14, 1992, and his pension
service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective March 1,
2023. Based on an average salary of approximately $70,604.32 over the past
five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Atherholt's
selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$58,663.80 annually.
William Brown, Senior Parks Service Technician, Parks and Recreation
Department, was employed by the City on April 28, 1986, and his pension
service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective March 1,
2023. Based on an average salary of approximately $47,707.07 over the past
five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Brown's
selection of the Single Life Annuity with the 10% partial lump sum, this pension
benefit will be approximately $42,936.48 annually.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
Kevin Boaden, Firefighter/Driver Operator, Fire Department, was employed by
the City on April 17, 2000, and his pension service credit is effective on that
date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2023. Based on an average
salary of approximately $109,140.15 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Boaden's selection of the Joint and
Survivor Annuity with the 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be
approximately $54,691.32 annually.
Catherine Borden, Wstwtr Trtmnt Plant Oper Chief, Public Utilities Department,
was employed by the City on November 15, 1993, and her pension service
credit is effective on June 23, 2006. Her pension will be effective February 1,
2023. Based on an average salary of approximately $78,645.85 over the past
five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Borden's
selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$35,769.60 annually.
Michael Dellavolpe, Firefighter/Driver Operator, Fire Department, was employed
by the City on March 10, 2003, and his pension service credit is effective on that
date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2023. Based on an average
salary of approximately $87,818.16 over the past five years, the formula for
computing regular pensions and Mr. Dellavolpe's selection of the Single Life
Annuity with the 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be
approximately $38, 940.02 annually.
William Fry, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Department, was employed by the City on
August 7, 1995, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His
pension will be effective February 1, 2023.
Based on an average salary of approximately $108,381.34 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Fry's selection of the
50% Joint and Survivor Annuity with the 30% partial lump sum, this pension
benefit will be approximately $57,782.76 annually.
Robert Furman, Police Sergeant, Police Department, was employed by the City
on July 20, 1998, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His
pension will be effective March 1, 2023. Based on an average salary of
approximately $120,152.86 over the past five years, the formula for computing
regular pensions and Mr. Furman's selection of the Joint and Survivor Annuity,
this pension benefit will be approximately $81,274.32 annually.
Jay Gibson, Traffic Sign & Marketing Technician, Public Works Department,
was employed by the City on February 1, 1999, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2023. Based on
an average salary of approximately $46,205.72 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Gibson' s selection of the
Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $30,485.16
annually.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
Deborah Lemon, Senior Recreation Leader, Parks and Recreation Department,
was employed by the City on April 15, 2002, and her pension service credit is
effective on March 22, 2003. Her pension will be effective March 1, 2023. Based
on an average salary of approximately $38,812.02 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Lemon's selection of the Single
Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $21,269.52 annually.
Steven McKinney, Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Waste Department,
was employed by the City on March 22, 1993, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective April 1, 2023. Based on an
average salary of approximately $55,460.88 over the past five years, the formula
for computing regular pensions and Mr. McKinney's selection of the 10 Year
Certain and Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $45,484.80
annually.
Terri Ralat, Solid Waste Operations Supervisor, Solid Waste Department, was
employed by the City on June 10, 1996, and her pension service credit is
effective on that date. Her pension will be effective February 1, 2023. Based on
an average salary of approximately $57,901.00 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Ralat's selection of the Single
Life Annuity with the 10% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be
approximately $38,083.32 annually.
Edward Schultz, Fire Inspector II, Fire Department, was employed by the City
on June 26, 2006, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His
pension will be effective July 1, 2023. Based on an average salary of approximately
$96,707.52 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and
Mr. Schultz's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit
will be approximately $43,464.12 annually.
Michael Whittaker, Traffic Sign Technician, Public Works Department, was
employed by the City on January 8, 1996, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1, 2023. Based on
an average salary of approximately $60,845.67 over the past five years, the
formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Whittaker's selection of the
Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $45,270.84
annually
Steven Wilensky, Firefighter/Driver Operator, Fire Department, was employed
by the City on March 10, 2003, and his pension service credit is effective on that
date. His pension will be effective March 1, 2023. Based on an average salary
of approximately $80,953.44 over the past five years, the formula for computing
regular pensions and Mr. Wilensky's selection of the 50% Joint and Survivor
Annuity with the 30% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be
approximately $30,466.08 annually.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
Julie Wykoff, Library Assistant, Library Department, was employed by the City
on October 11, 1999, and her pension service credit is effective on that date.
Her pension will be effective February 1, 2023. Based on an average salary of
approximately $35,332.37 over the past five years, the formula for computing
regular pensions and Ms. Wykoff's selection of the Single Life Annuity, this
pension benefit will be approximately $22,617.60 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 55 years and completed 20 years of credited
service; the date on which a participant has reached age 65 years and completed
10 years of credited service; or the date on which a member has completed 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 60
years and completed 25 years of credited service; or the date on which a
participant has reached the age of 65 years and completed 10 years of credited
service. Mr. Atherholt, Mr. Brown, Ms. Borden, Mr. Gibson, Ms. Lemon, Mr.
McKinney, Ms. Ralat, Mr. Whittaker and Ms. Wykoff 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 20 years of credited
service regardless of age, or the date on which the participant has reached 55 years
and completed 10 years of credited service. Mr. Boaden, Mr. Dellavolpe, Mr. Fry,
Mr. Furman, Mr. Schultz, and Mr. Wilensky has met the hazardous duty criteria.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the following request of
James Atherholt, Parks and Recreation Department, William
Brown, Parks and Recreation Department, Kevin Boaden, Fire
Department, Catherine Borden, Public Utilities Department,
Michael Dellavolpe, Fire Department, William Fry, Fire
Department, Robert Furman, Police Department, Jay Gibson,
Public Works Department, Deborah Lemon, Parks and Recreation
Department, Steven McKinney, Solid Waste Department, Terri
Ralat, Solid Waste Department, Edward Schultz, Fire
Department, Michael Whittaker, Public Works Department,
Steven Wilensky, Fire Department and Julie Wykoff, Library
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 Annual review of the Employees' Pension Plan investment performance for the calendar
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees
Meeting Minutes April 17, 2023
and plan year ended December 31, 2022.
Annually a presentation of the Plan's calendar year investment performance is
made to the Trustees. For calendar 2022, the Plan realized an investment
return of negative 14.9%, versus the plan's benchmark of negative 10.41%. It
was a difficult year for markets in general, and some of the plan's typically
strongest performing money managers underperformed during 2022.
For the last three calendar years, the plan had an average annualized return of
3.77%, versus a benchmark of 4.52%; and for the last five calendar years, the
plan had an annualized return of 5.51% versus a benchmark of 5.12%.
The investment committee, with the assistance of the Plan's investment
consultant, CapTrust Advisors, meets on at least a quarterly basis to monitor
asset allocation and money manager performance, and will continue to
recommend money manager terminations, replacements, and/or additions
when appropriate.
Finance Director Jay Ravins reviewed the investment performance for
the calendar and plan year ending December 31, 2022.
In response to questions, Mr. Ravins said Boston Partners are relatively
new and had a -6.98% return, versus their index of -12%. Boston Partners
significantly outperformed in the one year. He said they were hired in
April 2022. Regarding the energy sector, the gains are based on crude
oil and petroleum prices. Over time, renewable energy will be a larger
component for the energy sector. USAA outperformed, as they primarily
invest in govemment-owned office space. USAA have invested in a lot of
federal offices and their values have rebounded significantly.
5. Director's Report - None.
6. Adjourn
Attest
k-CL4-aVt&ec.-
City Clerk
City of Clearwater
The
meeting adjourned at 9:14 a.m.
Chair
Employees' Pension Plan Trustees
Page 9