03-26-1999 - Special
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Edgewater Firefighters' Pension Fund
Special Meeting
Friday, March 26,1999
11:58 a.m.
Call to Order: The Special Meeting of the Edgewater Firefighters' Pension Board was
called to order Friday, March 26, 1999 by Chairman Jollie at 11 :58 a.m. in the Training
Room at Fire Station #55. Members present were: Chairman Jim Jollie, Secretary Jill
Klem, Ms. Laura Reilly, and Mr. Gary Butt. Ms. Patricia Richards was absent. Also
present were City Manager Ken Hooper, Finance Director Karen Rickelman, Personnel
Administrator Debbie Sigler, and Ms. Lisa R. Miller, Recording Secretary.
Minutes: The Minutes from the March 10, 1999 Special Meeting were submitted for
approval. Ms. Klem moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Butt seconded.
Motion CARRIED 4 to O.
Old Business: There was discussion regarding changes that had been adopted by the
State to Chapter 175. It was noted Attorney Sugarman had provided the Board with a
summarized list as to what would affect the Board. Chairman Jollie noted as the plan
currently stands; it is above and beyond most of the minimum changes required by the
State so it shouldn't affect them much.
New Business: There was discussion regarding the proposed changes to the Police
Pension. It was noted they were going to a 20 years and out program that did not have the
option of early retirement unless you were 55 and with 5 years of service. It was noted
member contribution to the fund would increase to 6% of their salary and the multiplier
would increase to 3%. Chairman Jollie stated the Board currently has changes to the
Firefighters' Pension Plan that were required by the State being reviewed by the actuary
at this time. He felt it was best to complete one change to the plan before starting another,
but Mr. Hooper felt that it might be best to go ahead with the additional changes now.
Chairman Jollie stated this meant the Board would be looking at the 20 and out
retirement with no early retirement, changing the contribution from 5% to 6%, and
increasing the multiplier from 2.5 to 3%. There was discussion regarding the actuarial
and attorney costs to get these changes rewritten. There was discussion regarding the
feelings of the membership of the changes. There was discussion regarding retiring after
20 years. There was discussion regarding volunteer pensions. There was discussion
regarding volunteers who were hired being allowed to buy back time towards their
retirement. It was noted that V olusia County and Bunnell had volunteer pension plans
currently in place. It was decided information should be gathered on the volunteer
penSIOns.
There was discussion regarding buying back previous employer or military time. It was
noted there was a provision for it in Chapter 175, however it was unclear as to the
requirements to participate in this option. Chairman Jollie asked Mr. Hooper if he had
any problem with them looking into this option. Mr. Hooper stated the cost would have to
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Edgewater Firefighters' Pension Fund
Minutes 03/26/99
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be determined, and how many people would be eligible for it, including the police, to
keep the benefits the same. There was discussion that if this option was adopted and any
employee wanted to take advantage of it, that employee would have to pay for the
actuarial study themselves, since it would only affect them. It was noted after the changes
were received back from the actuary that the membership would have to vote on the
changes. From there it would go to Attorney Sugarman to be put in the proper legal
wording and then on to City Council. Ms. Klem moved to have an impact study done to
change the benefits to be 20 years and out with no early retirement, up the employee
contribution from 5% to 6% and raise the multiplier from 2.5% to 3%. Also, to do a study
on the impact of buying back military time or previous fire service time for which no
benefit was received. Ms. Reilly seconded. Motion CARRIED 4 to O.
There was discussion regarding lump sum payouts for retirement and for death benefits.
Ms. Klem moved to write to Attorney Sugarman for an opinion regarding lump sum pay
out for normal retirement benefits. Mr. Butt seconded. Motion CARRIED 4 to O.
New Business: There was discussion regarding disability insurance that the City was
considering providing. The insurance would augment the pension disability amount by
raising on line of duty percentage from 42% to 60% and off line of duty from 25% to
60%. It was noted the policy would cover all City employees and off line of duty
payments would begin after 90 days.
There was no more business to come before the Board at this time.
Mr. Butt moved to adjourn. Ms. Klem seconded. Meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Lisa R. Miller
Recording Secretary
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