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12-04-1998 '-' ....., Edgewater Police Pension Plan Board of Trustees P.O. Box 489 Edgewater, Florida 32132 Minutes A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City of Edge water Retirement Board was called to order by Chairman Gary Conroy at 3:03 p.m. on December 4, 1998, at the Edgewater Community Center. ROLL CALL: Chairman Gary Conroy Bret Teitelbaum Jeanne Delnigro Ron Prekup, Sr. Ruth Garvey Present Present Present Present Present Also present were Lt. Joseph McEver, Officer Ray Frazee, Kenneth Hooper, City Manager, Deborah Sigler, Personnel Administrator, Jack Ascherl, Consulting Agent of Record, Karen Rickelman, Finance Director, and JoAnn Richard, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Ron Prekup and seconded by Ruth Garvey to approve the minutes of July 30, 1998 as presented. Motion CARRIED 5-0. NEW BUSINESS Implementation of a Disability Process. Gary Conroy explained that the City Manager, Ken Hooper wants the Board to take over the responsibility of the process of determining disability of the Police Officers. The Firefighter's Pension had been previously distributed as an example to see how they determine their disability. Bret Teitelbaum suggested that from the last conference he attended that the information was pretty standard and that they should gather sample disability policies from other cities of our size around the State. Gary Conroy said he would call other agencies and suggested that all the Board Members should do some research and come to the next meeting with something workable. Discussion with City Manager Gary Conroy asked Ken Hooper if he would like to address the Board. Mr. Hooper explained that discussions have taken place about whether to negotiate the previous pension benefits with the Union Contracts. The result was to separate the two. The Pension Plan changes will be handled by this Board and he supplied the members with copies of the Fire Pension Plan, so their plan could be consistent with other employee benefits. "'-' ......, Lt. McEver asked Mr. Hooper exactly what the Fire Pension had. He responded that they had a statutory plan with 42% if hurt in the line of duty and 25% if not hurt in the line of duty. Their Board establishes the disability that is brought before them using outside consultants to determine the rate. He understood that the Police Pension Board is different in as much as disability is determined through Social Security. Mr. Ascherl explained the difference to be aware of is whether it integrates with Social Security or other disability benefits, some plans do some don't. Our Police Retirement currently does not. Our money is paid in addition Social Security benefits. As far as the procedure is concerned, State guidelines would be followed without anything specifically written in our Plan. The party applying for disability would have two (2) doctor's confirming that they are unable to perform their duties. The key point, would be the definition of disability in your plan. The Board would be the one determining whether they met that qualification. Some cities say that the person cannot do a job within the department. Some plans say unable to perform any occupation. Gary Conroy explained that he wanted it to read as simply as possible. Jeanne Delnigro asked why they needed two (2) doctors to state the person was disabled. Jack Ascherl replied that the State outlines within their rules indicates two doctors, to ensure objectivity. The Board would have the option to send them to a third doctor. Mr. Ascherl said he would check into this language. Ron Prekup suggested that they set aside the Fire Department's Pension Plan and work on Police only. He also suggested they contact compatible cities of our size and get the information on disability from them. He questioned the 42% disability and said he didn't agree with that percentage. He also asked regarding the "Heart Bill". Gary Conroy explained that the 42% and 25% is a State plan. He feels that the officers need to contribute more because they only give 1 %. Jack Ascherl explained that there are no other cities in the State that pays more than the 42% of pay. Where the confusion lays is that the 42% is not counting Social Security which pays between 32% - 60% along with some potential tax advantages. Ken Hooper stated that the 42% - 25% is by Statute and he is not willing to recommend to Council that the number be increased above that. If it changes by Statute then they will comply, but he feels that is the number to be targeted. Jeanne Delnigro feels that Social Security has nothing to do with retirement. Gary Conroy explained that you can't pay someone more on disability then if they were working. Gary Conroy will make copies to be distributed to the Board of a publication from the Division of Retirement that list every municipality in the State of Florida, every plan and every benefit the City gives to their employees. Gary Conroy asked Mr. Hooper ifthe City would consider the "Heart Bill" and be receptive to it ..... ..."", being included in the plan. Lt. McEver explained how our City was a very desirable City to be employed by, and how our Pension Plan needs to be improved. Ron Prekup expressed his concern of Edge water being a "training ground" for officers to get their education and go on to other departments, etc. He wants to make Edgewater an appealing City to work for and to bring their families to stay for the endurance of their career by offering better benefits, etc. Jeanne Delnigro asked Mr. Hooper if they could prove to him that the percentage should be higher, would he present it to the Council. Mr. Hooper replied that whatever "they" as a group or a Board come up with will be presented. He will make the recommendation on what they are requesting, but whatever they are requesting will go before the Council unpolished. He said that he would get a listing of other cities and their benefits. Even ifit appears that the City of Edge water offers less than others he is not convinced that is true. It is different in the way it is described. If they show him that other cities of our size are doing something different he would be open to it. Jeanne Delnigro feels that Social Security is a separate issue. Mr. Hooper explained that Social Security plays a very significant role. OLD BUSINESS: Summary of Accounts: Jack Ascherl went over the summary of accounts. Mrs. Delnigro questioned the "Small Company Growth". Jack Ascherl explained that we are in this for long term and we can't be too concerned over a small loss. Mr. Ascherl told her we were just getting into it when the market went down. Our big companies gained monies. Gary Conroy explained that one has to look at the overall picture of accounts. He added the Board could make changes to the way the monies were invested. Mr. Ascherl said approximately one year ago this Board voted to accept the service from Principle giving us a three year plan in which we would move our assets so we would be more diversified in our investments in order to take advantage of equities. We use to be prohibited from going into International Stocks and now after this last legislative session the law changed that we now can go into International Stocks. When Principle prepared this asset allocation for us we said at that time that we would have to put at least fifty percent (50%) into General Investment Accounts and secondly, we prohibited them from putting into International Stocks. Mr. Ascherl said we could take that restriction off and invest in International Stocks. 'w' .....", Gary Conroy suggested that the Board look at the three year plan and make appropriate changes. Communication from Board Attorney: Mr. Conroy asked Karen Rickelman if the bill for services rendered by Mr. Sugarman had been paid. Ms. Rickelman stated the questions is this appeared to be a personal expense to complete Larry Westfall's taxes and it was questionable ifit was a City expenditure or a personal expenditure. Mr. Conroy stated that he thought it would fall upon the Board to pay for a bill for someone on disability. Ms. Rickelman explained as long as it falls within the guidelines of it being a legitimate expense the City cold pay it. Mr. Hooper stated he would get back with Ms. Rickelman that he would be glad to let them know. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Mr. Conroy asked about attendees to the upcoming conference in January, 1999. There was a motion made by Bret Teitelbaum to send Ron Prekup to Trustee School January 18th through January 20, 1998 with second by Ruth Garvey. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Mr. Conroy suggested having a Workshop Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 1 :00 p.m. for the purpose of determining the process in which the trustees determine the disability of a Police Officer. Mr. Conroy stated that Bill Lenz had resigned from the Board due to personal reasons and Bret Teitelbaum would be filling in for him for the duration of his term. Mr. Conroy expressed the need to elect a Board Secretary. Mr. Prekup motioned to make Jeanne Delnigro the Board Secretary with second by Ruth Garvey. Motion CARRIED 5-0. ADJOURNMENT: Ruth Garvey motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jeanne Delnigro. Meeting was adjourned at 4: 11 p.m. Minutes submitted by: JoAnn Richard