08/18/2025 Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library - Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 18, 2025
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Pension Trustees
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Bruce Rector, Trustee Ryan Cotton, Trustee Michael Mannino,
Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Daniel Slaughter—Assistant City
Manager, David Margolis — City Attorney, Nicole Sprague — Deputy
City Clerk, and Tiffany Makras — Human Resources Director
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Unapproved
1. Call to Order — Chair Rector
The meeting was called to order at 1:41 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the June 2, 2025 Pension Trustees meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2025
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 Legal services agreement relating to pension disability claims.
Pursuant to recent negotiations with FOP and IAFF, the City has updated the
process for resolving pension disability claims. The new process requires a
legal evaluation of the merits of the application, which will be provided to the City
Manager as a non-binding recommendation. The City's long-time worker's
compensation attorney, Mark Hungate, has agreed to provide this service for the
City. Assigning these cases to Mr. Hungate will promote efficiency because the
vast majority of pension disability claims also dovetail with worker's
compensation.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this agreement is available in cost code 6467410-530100
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Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
Professional Services, funded by the employee pension fund.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approved legal services agreement relating
to pension disability claims. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4.2 Approve pension plan administrative expenditures for fiscal year 2026 totaling
not-to-exceed $443,800.
The Employees' Pension Plan does not have a legally required budget.
However, all expenditures must be approved by the Trustees. The following are
routine administrative expenditures that staff is requesting approval of for
administrative efficiency.
The recommended expenditures for fiscal year 2026 reflect a $73,900, or
20.0%, increase over the approved fiscal 2025 expenditures. This net increase
is primarily due to a $60,000 increase in the budget for pension attorney
services, resulting from the new practice of using State special hearing officers
for the review of disability claims.
Training and travel are the estimated costs of pension training and related
travel, including fiduciary training for the Trustees and Pension Advisory
Committee (PAC) members. This is a not-to-exceed amount given uncertainty
regarding the number of Trustees and PAC members that may elect to pursue
training.
Expenditures for physicals are per the pension ordinance requirement that new
employees must pass a comprehensive physical exam to be accepted into the
pension plan.
Reimbursements to the General Fund and Central Insurance Fund are for the
cost of oversight and administration of the Plan. The reimbursements are for
services provided by Human Resources, Payroll, and Finance personnel, along
with related operating expenditures.
The firm of Klausner, Kaufman, Jensen and Levinson currently serves as the
Plan's pension attorneys, while the firm of Banker, Lopez, Gassler currently
provides legal services for PAC disability pension claims. The pension plan has
recently contracted with the State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings
to provide hearing officers for the review of disability pension applications and
issuance of recommended orders. Annual attorney fees also include medical
bills for medical services authorized by the PAC.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
Money manager, performance measurement consulting, custodial/safekeeping,
and actuary fees (other than actuary hourly consulting and special projects) are
all governed by contracts separately approved by the Trustees, and are not
included in this agenda item total.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
6467410-5xxxxx (various pension plan expenditure codes)
Trustee Mannino moved to approve pension plan administrative
expenditures for fiscal year 2026 totaling not-to-exceed $443,800.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Approve Alan Ryan's request for job-connected disability pension.
The City of Clearwater Employees' Pension Plan governs the payment of
retirement benefits for City employees. Employees may receive a disability
retirement benefit if their claim meets the criteria as set forth in Clearwater
Ordinance Section 2.418.
In February of 2025, now-former employee Alan Ryan applied for a disability
retirement benefit. In accordance with Section 2.418(8), the City Manager, after
consideration of all relevant factors, recommends approval for Mr. Ryan's
disability retirement benefit. This agenda item seeks approval from the Pension
Trustees for Mr. Ryan's disability retirement benefit.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve Alan Ryan's request for
job-connected disability pension. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
4.4 Approve Martin Vilimek's request for job-connected disability pension.
The City of Clearwater Employees' Pension Plan governs the payment of
retirement benefits for City employees. Employees may receive a disability
retirement benefit if their claim meets the criteria as set forth in Clearwater
Ordinance Section 2.418.
In March 2025, now-former employee Martin Vilimek applied for a disability
retirement benefit. In accordance with Section 2.418(8), the City Manager, after
consideration of all relevant factors, recommends approval for Mr. Vilimek's
disability retirement benefit. This agenda item seeks approval from the Pension
Trustees for Mr. Vilimek's disability retirement benefit.
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Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve Martin Vilimek's request for
job-connected disability pension. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
4.5 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 Ins ector I, Planning & Development 04/07/2025
Tyrone McIntosh, Streets & Sidewalks Tech I, Public Works 04/07/2025
K le Murrell, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 04/07/2025
Joshua Doria, Beach Life uard I, Fire Department 04/19/2025
Milan Franko, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 04/21/2025
And Liz, Utilities Mechanic, Public Utilities 04/21/2025
Gre o Penne , Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 04/21/2025
Ava Schmidt, Planner II, Planning & Development 04/21/2025
Damond Sears, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Rec clin 04/21/2025
Leand Skenderasi, Enqineerinci Specialist III, Public Works 04/21/2025
Eric Truitt, Solid Waste Worker I, Solid Waste & Recycling 04/21/2025
Alexander Bennett, Parks Service Technician I, Parks & Recreation 05/05/2025
Joshua Holloran, Payroll Tech I, Solid Waste & Recycling 05/05/2025
Nathaniel Jozefik, Engineering 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, Pa roll 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, Firefi hter, Fire De artment 06/02/2025
Caroline Osburn, Firefighter, Fire Department 06/02/2025
Rami Serrai, Firefillhter, 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
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Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
Zacha Smith, Develo ment Review Tech II, Plannin & Develo ment 06/02/2025
Mor an Baldino, Pool Lifeguard, Parks & Recreation 06/02/2025
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the new hires for acceptance
into the Pension Plan as listed. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4.6 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
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 55 years and completed 20 years of
credited service; the date on which a participant has reached age 65 years and
completed five 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 five years of credited service. Mr. Cardenas will meet the
non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in November of
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Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
2032. Ms. Shaloy will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting
a pension on 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 20 years of credited service
regardless of age, or the date on which the participant has reached 55 years
and completed ten years of credited service.
Trustee Mannino moved to 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. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.7 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.
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
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025
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 55 years and completed 20 years of
credited service; the date on which a participant has reached age 65 years and
completed five 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 five years of credited service. Mr. Barnoski, Ms. Blaettner, Mr.
Cuervo- Garzon, and Mr. Farrington 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 ten years of credited service. Ms. Illich-Hailey has met the
hazardous duty criteria.
Trustee Cotton moved to 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. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5. Director's Report — None.
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City of Clearwater
Pension Trustees
6. Adjourn
Meeting Minutes
The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
August 18, 2025
Chair
Employees' Pens an Trustees
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City of Clearwater