04/24/2023 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 24, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 24, 2023
9:00 AM
Special Meeting
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 24, 2023
Roll Call
Present 6 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Committee Member Christopher Kakalow,
Committee Member David Sowers, Committee Member Mark Bunker,
and Committee Member Lina Teixeira
Also Present— David Margolis — City Attorney, Billie Kirkpatrick— Human Resources
Director, Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk
1. Call To Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda
3. New Business Items
Informal hearing for James Reilly request for job-connected disability pension
The City Attorney reviewed James Reilly's application for a job-connected
disability pension and hearing requirements as detailed in the Code. James
Reilly was hired by the city as a Police Officer in November 2004. On June
26, 2022, Mr. Reilly witnessed a suicide by firearm. Mr. Reilly applied for
disability pension on October 17, 2022. He was separated from the City on
June 30, 2022.
Member Teixeira moved to accept into evidence the entire file, inclusive of
the application, personnel file, interrogatories, medical records, and the
Independent Medical Exam (IME). The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Attorney Ryan Shaw, representing James Reilly, said Mr. Reilly involved
himself in this call because he previously served as a crisis intervention
negotiator with the city. Mr. Reilly spent two hours on the phone with the
individual and was face to face with her when she took her own life. Mr.
Reilly immediately sought mental health assistance and was diagnosed with
PTSD. All medical reports and evidence indicate that Mr. Reilly is totally and
permanently disabled to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer.
In response to a question, Mr. Shaw said it is common to see patient
improvement with this type of disability after an officer has been separated
from employment. There is nothing in Mr. Reilly's file that indicated he would
get to the point of providing effective service to the city. Mr. Reilly still attends
all doctor appointments and remains on medication for the disability.
Member Sowers moved that James Reilly met the requirements for a
job-connected disability pension as he was disabled by reason of
injury suffered in the line of duty, such disability is likely to be
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City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes April 24, 2023
continuous and permanent from a cause other than those listed as
general disability exclusions, and he is unable, by reason of a
medically determinable physical impairment, to render useful and
efficient service as a police officer. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Mr. Reilly thanked the Board for hearing his case and said it has been a
long process.
The PAC thanked Mr. Reilly for his service and wished him the best.
4. Director's Report: None
5. Board Members to be Heard: None
6. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m.
Attest:
Board Reporter
City of Clearwater
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Chair, Pension q(dvisory Committee