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11/14/2024 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 e Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 14, 2024 9:00 AM Main Library - Council Chambers Pension Advisory Committee 1 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 Roll Call Present 6 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Vice Chair David Sowers, Committee Member Lina Teixeira, Committee Member Juliet Marvenko, Committee Member Chris Smaha, and Committee Member Corey Lenczden Absent 1 - Committee Member Ryan Cotton Also Present— David Margolis — City Attorney, Tiffany Makras - Human Resources Director, and Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Main Library. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve minutes of September 12, 2024 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as submitted in written summation. Member Sowers moved to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2024 Pension Advisory Committee 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 Approve the new hires for acceptance into the Pension Plan as listed. Pension Name/Job Classification/Department Eligibility Date Amanda Beatty, Police Telecommunicator I, Police Dept. 08/26/2024 Robert Chmura, Traffic Signal Tech II, Public Works 08/26/2024 Jackie Dombrowski, Licensed Electrician, General Supp. Services 08/26/2024 Ryan Green, Planner II, Planning & Development 08/26/2024 Zakkery Holzhauer, Parking, fac &sec aide, Public Works 08/26/2024 Maria Kadau, Police Telecommunicator I, Police Department 08/26/2024 Kevin Mattocks, Code Inspector I, Planning & Development 08/26/2024 Erin McGrath, Recreation Specialist, Parks & Recreation 08/26/2024 Angela Runyon, Police Officer, Police Department 08/26/2024 Joseph Sauro, Police Officer, Police Department 08/26/2024 Ricky Timbrook, Police Officer, Police Department 08/26/2024 Danielle Tipton, Marine Facility Operator, Parks & Recreation 08/26/2024 Angel Bravo, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Recycling 09/07/2024 Michael Blake, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 09/09/2024 2 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 Dominic Chasse, Police Cadet, Police Department 09/09/2024 Joshua Coxwell, Police Cadet, Police Department 09/09/2024 Sage Lamparelli, Police Cadet, Police Department 09/09/2024 Anna Mendoza, Police Cadet, Police Department 09/09/2024 Kennan Murray, Meter Reader I, Utility Customer Service 09/09/2024 Robert Robicjeau, Land Development Arborist, Planning & Dev. 09/09/2024 Raymond Stewart, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Recycling 09/21/2024 Tristan Broome, Gas Technician I, Gas System 09/23/2024 Adrian Higgins, Water Distr Oper Trainee, Public Utilities 09/23/2024 Michael Marino, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Recycling 09/23/2024 Charles Maxson, Gas Technician I, Gas System 09/23/2024 Adrian Young, Planner I, Planning & Development 09/23/2024 Austen Dole, Planner II, Planning & Development 10/07/2024 Parker Duryea, Police Officer, Police Department 10/07/2024 Lothario Washington, Fleet Mechanic, General Support Services 10/07/2024 Kelly Peterich, Engineer II, Public Works 10/14/2024 Sedwick Moore, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreationffl210/ff21/2024Daunte Asberry, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & RecyclingPeyton Munson, Recreation Leader I, Parks & Recreation Sean Austin, Solid Waste Accounts Coord., Solid Waste & Recycling Elias Trejo Cruz, Gas Tech Apprentice , Gas System 10/21/2024 Willem Slater, Recreation Leader I, Parks & Recreation 10/21/2024 Ryan Swannack, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 10/21/2024 Rob Tenney, Parking Enforcement Specialist, Public Works EEE10/21/2024 Member Sowers 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 Approve the following request of employees Ramon Pires, Parks and Recreation Department to vest his pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Ramon Pires, Recreation Center Manager, Parks & Recreation Department, was employed by the City on August 10, 2015, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr. Pires terminated from City employment on October 14, 2024. 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 five or more years (non-hazardous duty) and ten or more years (hazardous duty) 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. 3 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 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 (5) 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 (5) years of credited service. Mr. Pires will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in September of 2040. 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. Member Sowers moved to recommend approval of the following request of employee Ramon Pires, Parks and Recreation 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 Scott Ehlers, Fire Department, Leann Holbrook, Police Department, Erick Swinton, Solid Waste and Recycling Department, Kent Walker, Library Department, Stephen Wannos, Police Department, and Michael Williams, Police Department for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan. Scott Ehlers, Fire Chief, Fire Department, was employed by the City on March 17, 2014, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective February 1 st, 2025. Based on an average salary of approximately $150,352.01 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Ehler's selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $42,417.96 annually. Leann Holbrook, Police Office Specialist, Police Department was employed by the City on April 17, 2006, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Her pension will be effective October 1, 2024. Based on an average salary of approximately $41,420.65 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Holbrook's selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $21,012.72 4 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 annually. Erick Swinton, Solid Waste Supervisor II, Solid Waste & Recycling Department, was employed by the City on August 22, 1994, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective September 1, 2024. Based on an average salary of approximately $64,583.54 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Swinton's selection of the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity with the 20% partial lump sum, this pension benefit will be approximately $40,149.00 annually. Kent Walker, Librarian II, Library Department,was employed by the City on October 17, 1994, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective May 1, 2025. Based on an average salary of approximately $78,871.71 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Walker's selection of the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $59,896.32 annually. Stephen Wannos, Police Lieutenant, Police Department, was employed by the City on January 5, 1998, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2024. Based on an average salary of approximately $130,363.04 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Wannos' selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $92,802.00 annually. Michael Williams, Police Officer, Police Department, was employed by the City on October 4, 2004, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective November 1, 2024. Based on an average salary of approximately $96,835.97 over the past five years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Williams' selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $57,601.20 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 five (5) 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 5 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 participant has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years and completed five (5) years of credited service. Ms. Holbrook, Mr. Swinton, and Mr. Walker 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. Ehlers, Mr. Wannos and Mr. Williams have met the hazardous duty criteria. Member Teixeira moved to recommend approval of the following request of Scott Ehlers, Fire Department, Leann Holbrook, Police Department, Erick Swinton, Solid Waste and Recycling, Ken Walker, Library Department, Stephen Wannos, Police Department, and Michael Williams, Police Department for a regular pension as provided in Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the Employees' Pension Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.4 Informal hearing for Jeremy Jenkins request for job-connected disability pension The City Attorney reviewed Jeremy Jenkins'application for a job-connected disability and hearing requirements as detailed by code. Mr. Jenkins was hired as a police officer in March 2005. He went out on FMLA in July 2023 and received a couple medical extensions and his FMLA concluded in November 2023. Mr. Jenkins applied for a job-connected disability in November 2023 claiming PTSD caused by cumulative effects of police service. Mr. Jenkins retired in December 2023. He said an independent medical exam (IME) was performed in February 2024. Member Sowers moved to accept into evidence the entire file, inclusive of the application, personnel file interrogatories, medical records, and the Independent Medical Examiner. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Attorney Jason Fox, representing Jeremy Jenkins, said Mr. Jenkins suffered a concussion in 2014 trying to subdue a suspect. In 2015, Mr. Jenkins responded to a call where someone shot a family member and when he responded, was shot at and was grazed by a bullet. He discharged his firearm shooting the suspect. He returned to work after seeing a psychiatrist who felt Mr. Jenkins was fit to return to work. On May 9, 2022, Mr. Jenkins'family was threatened by a sovereign citizen suspect and he suffered a panic attack. Mr. Jenkins was treated for a 6 City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 period of time for PTSD symptoms by different doctors since 2020. He also saw a counselor in 2021 who felt Mr. Jenkins exhibited PTSD symptoms. His primary care physician felt Mr. Jenkins could not return to work as a law enforcement officer. The same psychiatrist who cleared Mr. Jenkins in 2015 opined eight years later that Mr. Jenkins could not return to police work. Mr. Fox said that the IME mistakenly thought Mr. Jenkins was participating in a peer support program through Clearwater Police and speaking with a professional counselor through the program and because of that, Mr. Jenkins could return to police work. Mr. Fox said he believes if the IME doctor was made aware of this fact, he would change his opinion on Mr. Jenkins'ability to return to work. Mr. Fox said several attempts were made to try to contact the IME but were unsuccessful. He said Mr. Jenkins saw the IME several months after leaving the job and was not exhibiting PTSD symptoms to the degree that the IME would consider prohibitive from returning to work. Mr. Fox said that time away from the job and medication has helped Mr. Jenkins better cope with the diagnosis and symptoms. He said the IME provided his opinion based on wrong information. A concern was expressed that there was no medical information provided earlier than 2020. It was said that if the committee were to take the 2014 and 2015 incidents into consideration, there should be medical records referencing those events. In response to questions, Mr. Fox said some doctors in the file were seen only once and it was for the worker's compensation claim, which was included in the disability paperwork as part of the file. He said Mr. Jenkins continues to receive treatment from his current doctors. Discussion ensued with comments made that page numbers referenced by Mr. Fox are different than the page numbers the Committee is looking at. It was determined that after addendums to the file were provided, the applicant was provided a different book than the Committee. A concern was expressed that a member of the Committee worked with Mr. Jenkins and was at the scene when he was injured in 2015. The City Attorney said there was no conflict of interest and there is no legal issue with a Committee member having more insight than others and that they are not testifying in the proceedings. Member Teixeira moved to schedule this application for a formal hearing. The motion was duly seconded and carried with the following vote: City of Clearwater Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2024 Ayes: 5 - Chair Hightower, Committee Member Smaha, Committee Member Marvenko, Committee Member Sowers, and Committee Member Teixeira Nays: 1 - Committee Member Lenczenden 5. Old Business Items: None. 6. Director's Report: None. 7. Board Members to be Heard: None. 8. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m. Attest: Boar• R -porter City of Clearwater 8 7 -1 ?).-: Chair, Pension Adviry Committee