07/10/2025 Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 10, 2025
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Advisory Committee
1
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
Roll Call
Present 4 - Chair Nathan Hightower, Vice Chair David Sowers, Committee
Member Ryan Cotton, Committee Member Lina Teixeira, and
Committee Member Corey Lenczden
Absent 2 - Committee Member Juliet Marvenko, and Committee Member Chris
Smaha
Also Present— David Margolis — City Attorney, Tiffany Makras - Human Resources
Director, and Rosemarie Call — 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 May 8, 2025 Pension Advisory Committee meeting as submitted in
written summation.
Member Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2025
Pension Advisory Committee 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 Approve the new hires for acceptance into the Pension Plan as listed.
Name/Job Classification/Department Pension
Eligibility Date
Bethany Walker, Beach Lifeguard I, Fire Department 04/05/2025
Tyler Baldwin, Skilled Tradesworker I, General Support Services 04/07/2025
Reid Ito, Code Inspector I, Planning & Development 04/07/2025
Tyrone McIntosh, Streets & Sidewalks Tech I, Public Works 04/07/2025
Kyle Murrell, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 04/07/2025
Joshua Doria, Beach Lifeguard I, Fire Department !—!E—
Damond
Milan Franko, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities
Andy Liz, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities
Gregory Penney, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation
Ava Schmidt, Planner ll, Planning & Development
Sears, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Recycling 04/21/2025
Leand Skenderasi, Engineering Specialist III, Public Works 04/21/2025
Eric Truitt, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Recycling EEE 04/21/2025
2
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
Alexander Bennett, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 05/05/2025
Joshua�Ho�lloran,, ayroll Tech I, Solid Waste & Recycling 05/05/2025
NathanEngineering Specialist II, Public Works 05/05/2025
Alexis Moore, Wstwtr Trtment Plant Oper Trainee, Public Utilities 05/05/2025
James Spears, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 05/05/2025
Reinaldo Hernandez Jr, CAD &GIS Technician II, Gas System 05/19/2025
Erica Moody, Payroll Tech I, Police Department 05/19/2025
Charles Stokes, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Wyatt Henry, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Kelloch Smith, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Chancellor Kelly, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Caroline Osburn, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Rami Serrai, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Dexter Humphreys, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Logan Short, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Raymond Ligon. Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Tre Furious Sanders, Streets &Sidewalks Tech II, Public Works 06/02/2025
Brian Berg, Gas Technician II, Gas System 06/02/2025
Devin Cushnie, Water Distribution Trainee, Public Utilities 06/02/2025
Steven Tikkanen, Water Distribution Trainee, Public Utilities 06/02/2025
Zachary Smith, Development Review Tech II, Planning & Development 06/02/2025
Morgan Baldino, Pool Lifeguard, Parks & Recreation 06/02/2025
Vice Chair 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 Carlos Andres Cardenas, Planning and
Development Department and Gail Shaloy, Finance Department, to vest their pension as
provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees' Pension Plan.
Carlos Andres Cardenas, Electrical Inspector, Planning & Development
Department, was employed by the City on October 8, 2012, and his pension
service credit is effective on that date. Mr. Cardenas terminated from City
employment on March 7, 2025.
Gail Shaloy, Accountant II, Finance Department, was employed by the City
on October 1, 2018, and her pension service credit is effective on that date. Ms.
Shaloy terminated from City employment on May 30, 2025.
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
3
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
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 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
participant has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years and completed five (5)
years of credited service. Mr. Cardenas will meet the non-hazardous duty
criteria and begin collecting a pension in November of 2032. Ms. Shaloy will
meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in February
1, 2027.
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 Teixeira moved to recommend approval of the following
request of employees Carlos Andres Cardenas, Planning and
Development Department and Gail Shaloy, Finance Department to vest
their pension as provided in Section 2.419 of the Employee Pension
Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Approve the following request of Randy Barnoski, Public Utilities Department, Jeanne
Blaettner, Finance Department, Jaime Cuervo-Garzon, General Services Department,
Keith Farrington, General Services Department, and Natalia Illich-Hailey, Police
Department for a regular pension as provided by Sections 2.416 and 2.424 of the
Employees' Pension Plan.
Randy Barnoski, Lead Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Public
Utilities Department, was employed by the City on March 20, 1995, and his
pension service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective
June 1, 2025.
Based on an average salary of approximately $69,664.66 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Barnoski's selection
of the 75% Joint and Survivor Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$48,647.88 annually.
4
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
Jeanne Blaettner, Accounting Technician II, Finance Department, was
employed by the City on September 23, 2013, and her pension service credit is
effective on that date. Her pension will be effective July 1, 2025.
Based on an average salary of approximately $45,702.06 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Blaettner' s selection
of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately $11,379.12
annually.
Jaime Cuervo-Garzon, Skilled Tradesworker II, General Services
Department, was employed by the City on July 12, 2004, and his pension
service credit is effective on that date. His pension will be effective August 1,
2025.
Based on an average salary of approximately $51,181.39 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Cuervo-Garzon's
selection of the Single Life Annuity, this pension benefit will be approximately
$29,557.32 annually.
Keith Farrington, Electrical Supervisor, General Services Department,
was employed by the City on August 8, 2016, and his pension service credit is
effective on that date. His pension will be effective June 1, 2025.
Based on an average salary of approximately $59,604.26 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Mr. Farrington's
selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity with the 30% partial lump sum,
this pension benefit will be approximately $6,542.28 annually.
Natalia Illich-Hailey, Police Major, Police Department, was employed by the
City on November 1, 2004, and her pension service credit is effective on that
date. Her pension will be effective May 1, 2025.
Based on an average salary of approximately $145,997.82 over the past five
years, the formula for computing regular pensions and Ms. Illich-Hailey's
selection of the 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity with the 30% partial lump sum,
this pension benefit will be approximately $56,710.80 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
participant has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years and completed five (5)
years of credited service. Mr. Barnoski, Ms. Blaettner, Mr. Cuervo- Garzon, and
Mr. Farrington have met the non-hazardous duty criteria.
5
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
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. Ms.
Illich-Hailey has met the hazardous duty criteria.
Member Sowers moved to recommend approval of the following
request of Randy Barnoski, Public Utilities Department, Jeanne
Blaettner, Finance Department, Jaime Cuervo-Garzon, General Services
Department, Keith Farrington, General Services Department, and
Natalia Illich-Hailey, Police 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 Informal hearing for Maria Pita request for job-connected disability pension
A concern was expressed that the disability file was not accessible to
review by one of the Members.
The City Attorney said there is no legal issue proceeding with the hearing
today, but the member who was not able to access the file would be
unable to vote. He explained that four affirmative votes are needed to
approve a disability pension.
It was said that it would be beneficial for more time to elapse between the
procedure and the Independent Medical Exam (IME) to allow the
applicant more time to heal.
Applicant Maria Pita explained she has waited six months for this hearing
and that she is aware the IME was not able to examine her properly but
the IME report states the work restrictions are most likely permanent. She
requested to move forward with the hearing.
Member Sowers moved to continue the hearing to the next scheduled
meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Teixeira moved to send Ms. Pita for a follow-up IME and to
schedule the next hearing after the follow-up IME is complete. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6. Director's Report
Member Sowers said the online app used to review disability pension
6
City of Clearwater
Pension Advisory Committee
7. Adjourn
Attest:
Meeting Minutes July 10, 2025
applications is not user friendly and requested to receive the information
in another format.
In response to a question, the City Attorney explained the new disability
process does not have a role for the Pension Advisory Committee, only
applications that were submitted prior to the process change will come
before this Committee.
Chair Hightower thanked the Committee for voting him in as Chair at the
last meeting when he was absent.
The meeting adjourned at 9:19 a.m.
Chair, Pension Advisory Committee
Board Rep. iter
City of Clearwater
7