08-18-1998
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Edgewater Firefighters' Pension Fund
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 18, 1998
6:35 p.m.
call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Firefighters' Pension Board was called to
order Tuesday, August 18, 1998 by Acting Chairman Patricia Richards at 6:35 p.m. in the
Fire Department Training Room. Members present were: Acting Chairman Patricia
Richards, Mr. Jim Jollie, Mr. Gary Butt, Ms. Laura Reilly, and Ms. Jill Landreville. Also
present were Mr. Tim Nash from STI Capital Management, and Lisa R. Miller, Recording
Secretary. Acting Chairman Richards welcomed Ms. Reilly as the new member to the
Board.
Minutes: The Minutes from the April 21, 1998, Regular Meeting were submitted for
approval. Ms. Landreville moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Butt seconded.
Motion CARRIED 5 to O.
Investment Report: Mr. Tim Nash from STI Capital Management made a presentation
to the Board. He stated STI received the funds from Smith Barney on 3/30/98 in the
amount of $527,363 and they were invested on the following day. He added the money
was in common trust funds and they are only valued twice a month on the 15th and the last
day of the month. Those are the only times they can buy or sell funds. Mr. Nash stated the
fund assets were 60% in equity and 40% in growth stocks. Mr. Nash stated the Fund had
$568,252.21 in it as of 06/30/98. He went over how each type of investment had done for
the first full quarter. There was discussion regarding how the payment of STI's bill would
work and it was agreed for STI to debit the amount from the account. It was noted the
Board would be billed on a quarterly basis on the market value at the end of the quarter and
they would be charged 1 % annually (1/4 of a percent each quarter). The fee is on a sliding
scale and once the funds reach $1 million it goes down to .75 basis points (.75%). Mr.
Nash stated he was still working on the numbers from Smith Barney for a reconciliation
but the numbers didn't match. It was noted the Board was looking for the rate of return, the
fees charged, and any losses incurred in moving the fund from Smith Barney to STI. Mr.
Nash stated he would have those answers for the next meeting. The Board thanked Mr.
Nash for his presentation and he left at this time.
Old Business: There was discussion regarding ordinance changes that were required by
the State Division of Retirement that addressed ADA requirements. There was discussion
regarding the ordinance changes that were still in the City Attorney's office. It was noted
there was another clarification that needed to be done before she could finish. There was
discussion regarding the process by which the Board Attorney could expect payment from
the Board. It was noted the Board Attorney should only take direction from the Board. Any
questions from the City Attorney's office should be addressed to the Board and the Board
would request information from the Board Attorney. Ms. Landreville moved to write
Attorney Sugarman advising him that our policy is that he should not do business with
anyone but the Chairman of the Board or any Board Member acting at the direction of the
Board. Mr. Jollie seconded. Motion CARRIED 5 to O. There was discussion regarding
Attorney Sugarman's bill. It was noted that there was a new bill from Attorney Sugarman
that attempted to correct a billing error where the Police Pension Board was billed for time
spent working on the Fire Pension's Ordinance. Ms. Landreville moved to write a letter to
Mr. Sugarman respectfully requesting that he clarify his bill from 4/20 onward. Mr. Jollie
seconded. Motion CARRIED 5 to O. There was discussion regarding requesting Mr.
Sugarman to come to the next meeting as none of the Board members had met him. It was
noted it should be checked to see if he is scheduled to come to a Police Pension Board
meeting in the near future and they could call a meeting at the same time.
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Firefighter Pension Fund
Regular Meeting 08/18/98
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New Business: There was discussion regarding the election of officers. Mr. Butt
nominated Mr. Jollie as Chairman. Ms. Landreville seconded. Motion CARRIED 5 to O.
There was discussion regarding the office of Secretary. Mr. Butt nominated Ms.
Landreville as Secretary. Mr. Jollie seconded. Motion CARRIED 5 to O. There was
discussion regarding the Sunshine Law.
There was discussion regarding changes to Chapter 175 that had been approved by the
State. These go into effect October 1, 1998 and include: 1) Investments can be made in
state or federally chartered credit unions 2) Bonds must still hold a rating in the three
highest classifications, stocks no longer have this restriction 3) Aggregate equity
investment parameters have been changed from 30% to 50% 4) Investments may include
10% of the plans assets in foreign securities 5) A majority vote is required for all board acts
and decisions 6) The secretary shall keep a record of all persons receiving retirement
payments under the plan 7) At least once every three years the board shall retain an
independent consultant to evaluation the performance of their money manager 8) The board
is authorized to hire its own attorney, actuary, or any other professional technical advisors
as it deems necessary 9) Use of the employer's attorney, actuary or other professional or
technical advisors shall be provided only under terms and conditions acceptable to the
Board. There was discussion regarding actuarial valuations and the summary plan. There
was discussion regarding the need in two years to start interviewing for an independent
consultant to evaluate the money manager. It was noted that Foster & Foster may be able to
do it. There was discussion regarding having Mr. Foster come and speak to the Board.
There was discussion regarding the revised ordinance.
There was discussion regarding upcoming pension schools. There was discussion
regarding the annual report. Mr. Jollie asked the Board members to take the Summary Plan
Description and compare it Chapter 175. He added they should look at disability and the
way retirement is figured, and the death benefit prior to retirement. There was discussion
regarding pension beneficiaries. There was discussion regarding the idea of a 50/50 split if
the plan was making over the 7.5 assumption rate.
There being no more business to come before the Board at this time, Ms. Landreville
moved to adjourn. Mr. Butt seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted.
Usa R. Miller
Recording Secretary
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