04/10/1997 PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 10, 1997
Present: Rita Garvey Chair/Mayor
J. B. Johnson Vice Chair/Commissioner
Richard Breest Committee Member
Pat Greer Committee Member - arrived 9:03 a.m.
Dick Fitzgerald Committee Member
Pat Shepler Committee Member - arrived 9:03 a.m.
Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Michael Laursen Human Resources Director
Debbie Ford Human Resources Technician
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
Absent: Robert Clark Committee Member/Commissioner
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the City Offices (Old Chamber of Commerce Building).
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes
Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 1997, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each Member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Employees to be Heard - None.
ITEM #4 - Action Items
a.) Review and Action on Employee Requests for Years of Service Pension
1) Alvin E. Washington - Solid Waste Equipment Operator, Solid Waste Department
Member Johnson moved to approve a Years of Service Pension for Alvin E. Washington. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
2) James Powell - Custodial Worker, Library Department
Member Fitzgerald moved to approve a Years of Service Pension for James Powell. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3) Arthur Keating - Police Officer, Police Department - hazardous duty provision
Member Breest moved to approve a Years of Service Pension for Arthur Keating. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b) Approval of New Hires as Pension Plan Members
Human Resources Director Mike Laursen said he had reviewed all physician recommendations and reported all listed new hires meet Pension Plan criteria.
Member Johnson moved to accept the following employees into membership in the Pension Plan:
Date of Pension
Employment Elig. Date.
Alison Abritis, Police Comm. Operator Police Department 03/31/97 03/31/97
Lisa Hall, Recreation Supervisor Parks & Recreation Dept 03/17/97 03/17/97
Billie Jo Shaw, Library Assistant Library Department 03/17/97 03/17/97
Lizette Rivera, Utilities Chemist Engineering Department 03/17/97 03/17/97
William Wargin, Firefighter Fire Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Anthony Sammartano, Firefighter Fire Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Lesli Bland, Firefighter Fire Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Brian Ludiker, Meter Reader Finance Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Phyllis Austin-Archie, Staff Assist. II Economic Development 03/24/97 03/24/97
Rachel Perry, Police Comm. Operator Police Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Christopher Trapnell, Pol. Comm. Oper Police Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Craig Schaper, Utility Mechanic Engineering Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
Darren Hogg, Meter Reader Finance Department 03/03/97 03/03/97
David Stoner, Librarian I Library Department 11/28/94 09/14/95
The motion was duly seconded carried unanimously.
c) Pension Service Credit and Waiver of Current Vested Pension Right
1) Joseph Egger - Police Officer, Police Department
Joseph Egger was credited pension service for time served with the City from August 20, 1979, to May 1, 1992. He has requested said pension service time be credited with his current
pension service time as a Police Department employee and to continue for such time as he is employed by the City and participates in the employees’ Pension Plan. He has agreed to waive
his rights to a vested pension with the City based on the original period of employment from 1979 to 1992.
Mr. Laursen said Joseph Egger had vested his pension when he resigned in 1992. He has been rehired by the Police Department and cannot have two pension accounts. Assistant City Attorney
Leslie Dougall-Sides had concurred with previous legal opinion that this action is appropriate.
Member Johnson moved to credit Joseph Egger his pension service for the time he served the City from August 20, 1979, to May 1, 1992, with his current pension service time as a Police
Department employee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #5 - Pending/New Business
a) Notice of Receipt of the Request of Patricia Renner for Job-Connected Disability Pension Re: Jeffrey A. Renner and Hearing to be Scheduled
Mr. Laursen reported Patricia Renner had submitted a formal disability pension application for Jeffrey Renner. It is anticipated the request will be agendaed for May 8, 1997. Legal
staff has the right to prepare interrogatories for the surviving spouse regarding issues the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) needs to consider. The City likely will engage a medical
expert to review the file in place of an IME (Independent Medical Examination). Ms. Renner is aware of the process. It was suggested members contact Mr. Laursen with questions. Ms.
Dougall-Sides will distribute copies of the interrogatories when she receives them.
b) Discussion of New Fire Department Job Classes Relative to Issue of Hazardous Duty Designation - Assistant Training Chief and Assistant Fire Marshall
Mr. Laursen requested this item be continued.
Member Fitzgerald moved to continue Item #5b. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #6 - Director's Reports
a) Review of Basic Florida Statutes and the Role of PAC Members
Mr. Laursen indicated a review of member obligations under Florida’s Sunshine Law and conflicts of interest is being discussed. The Legal and City Clerk departments have plans to develop
a video and written materials for review by all advisory boards. Ms. Dougall-Sides indicated 2 members can speak about matters not before the board. It is best to be cautious rather
than unintentionally create the perception that members privately are discussing matters before the board. Questions regarding this issue should be directed to Mr. Laursen or Ms. Dougall-Sides.
Pension Entitlement Forms
Mr. Laursen reported three regular pensioners who had not returned their entitlement forms or responded to follow-up requests are in jeopardy of having their checks withheld.
Donald McMullen
In response to a question, Mr. Laursen reported Deputy Chief Paul Maser is continuing to review Donald McMullen’s employment situation.
Mayor Garvey’s Reappointment
It was noted the Mayor had been reappointed to the PAC.
Employee Election for Expiring Seat
Mr. Laursen reported the employee election process is underway.
May 8, 1997, Meeting
The May 8, 1997, meeting will be held at City Hall.
ITEM #7 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:26 a.m.
_________________________________
Chair
Pension Advisory Committee
Attest:
_______________________________________
Board Reporter