DRAFT

CITY OF PALMETTO GENERAL EMPLOYEES

PENSION PLAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES

November 29, 2010  -  8:35 A.M.

 

Present:

 

JF

RD

AT

MB

EL

KS

JT (Absent)

 

 

1.  CALL TO ORDER by Chair Dielman

 

   2.  DISABILITY – INITIAL HEARING FOR CARLTON RAMSEY

Scott Christian explained the procedure in processing disability claims, review of criteria to consider in awarding or denying a disability claim.

 

Claimant William Carlton Ramsey’s application for permanent disability was considered by the Board of Trustees.  Dr. Johnson, independent medical examiner, expertise is an giving occupational opinion about individuals performing jobs.  Reviewing records collected and based on records collected, will determine if evidence is sufficient to grant disability.  Options:  Records sufficient to support criteria, one or more have not been established by recorcs, can deny one or more criteria have not been established; third option would be based on a piece of information is missing, can recess, request add info and come back to consider the disability.  If deny, second proceeding would be formal evidenciery hearing stage, add evidence would be sought.  If deny at formal evidenciary can request an appellate process before circuit court judge.

 

SC job is same fiduciary claim as Trustees, normal job to advise board with regard to legal issues.  Burden of proof is collected by atty, burden of proof to establish the pension lies with the claimant.

Standard of proof , with regard to criteria have to use, is prponderence of the evidence. 

 

RD:  Board can ask questions of the claimant.  Majority vote is required. 

 

 

CRITERIA:  22-88; Totally and permanent disabled to perform duties assigned or another position or job insimilar classification & rank and unable to perform employment with another employer.

 

Total & Permanent disabled:  Toally; meet all 3 criteria; can’t do gainful employment

Permanent:  Condition from medical definition is can’t perform gainful employment; if condition can be fixed, cured or corrected, not permanent.  If permanent:  disqualifying conditions. 

 

COLLECTED Records: recving SS disability 2010; 26 years of employment

Blake Medical, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Sergio Perez, primary physician; Dr. Ropppp……….

Indepdent Dr. Richard Johnson Lakeside Occupational-information reviewed with the Board; not disabled, weight loss would cure existing conditions;

 

Mr. Ramsey:  Applied for disability, family medical leave for 3 months; at time no other job available, applied for medical disability.  Approved by SS disability.  (SS disability subject to review; not sure of all the criteria, criteria is also unable to perform gainful employment;  Board look only at ordinance to make determination. In event will not grant is eligibile for early retirement

 

In line/off line not relevant to this case.

 

AT:  Worked at PW; because of sleep disorder, had to remove did not have any other jobs,

 

EL:  Any efforts made to determine if suitabvle for employment in any other department of the city;

 

JF:  Statement had no desire to return to work; if able to find position would he return?  Mr. Ramsey would return if give me a job, wouldn’t be very much; wouldn’t be able to drive because of FDOT, on machine & still fall asleep, sill have medical conditions, missed work from asthma; have always only driven a truck

 

AT:  History, had solid waste, ran garbage truck, when contracted service out, remained with the city

 

KS:  Weight loss surgery not covered by insurance; what process did Ramsey apply – with BCBS wouldn’t pay that operation.  Check with prior medical insurance carrier, switched to BCBS

 

JF:  Normal retirement:  30 yeas/55

Can retire at 55 with reduction

SC:  Option is not germain to consideration for disability pension

 

SC:  May well be unable to do any job; Board has to focus if this a permanent situation; nothing can be done to improve his condition; can’t require him to have surgery; is there a non surgical way to improve his condition

 

Approve, disapprove, need add information

 

   EL::  To deny or disapprove based upon factor criteria has not been met and claiminant has not

JF second 

 

Claimant has right to reques forman evidencary hearing  5-0

 

SC:  Will do order to state has been denied.  Ramsey can request or apply for early retirement.  If apply todaym, can begin first of December. 

 

BOARD: 

 

   3.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES                                                                                                        (TAB 1)

Action Request:            Motion to approve the August 30, 2010 minutes.  JF

 

   4.  INVESTMENT REVIEW

Smith Barney will review the investment performance for the quarter ending September 30, 2010. 

 

Charlie Mulfinger:  Much better this quarter 

Strong July; housing and employment high, bid Aug; Sept

QE2 buy gov’t securities, best Sept since 1939

Fundamentals of economy GDP 2.5%,

ISM Mfg, above expectation

Job:  151,000 in private sector

 

Reviewed has market performed SP 11.3, DOW 11, Russell 13 Rusel valu 10

Intl 16.5 emerging 18.2

 

Plan’s value at September 30, 2010 is $8,370,391.49, a gain

Make a motin to rebalance because o9ut of range of 62.5%

Reviewed managers; Eli Saltzman, se port mgr for Lord Abbot resigned, will perform due diligence to make determination about keeping as mgr ;  discussed Saltzman’s reason for resignation, liked ability to direct how research structure; taking a year off to spend more time with family  Anticipate will put LA on watch

 

Not recommending replace Renaissance but performed a search; have only had since 9/07.

 

Up 8.8 for quarter; bm 9.2 up less because of high quality mgrs; above assumption for year.

 

Compliance checklist:

 

Up 4.5% since last year, thru 11/24

 

UBS has que, about a year before can enter the real estate mgr.  Private r/e as a compliment to fixed income; Minimum $1,000,000 – by time in que could be $10,000 which would be 10%; have ability to decline to invest in the quet

 

JF:  What about Golden?  Since 3/07; Not recommend change because no change in people or process.

 

Institutional or private real estate (page 3) much lower volatility; does well in econ gwith & job creation, GDP growth; low inflation; job grwth, strong consumer spending.  Will be considering CORE properties, looking for cash flow in 4% range

UBS presenting education because of $1mill deposit requirement; US portfolio

 

   US Trumbull Property Fund Wayne Zorger presented organization & investment process. 30 year of experience on investment committee 14. Billion in assets under management

Value added and core investments since 1978 ;32 year performance track record, diversification; qty cash distribution; low leverance

 

Can w/d with notice w/I 60 days provided no block; The que is out one year, to allow portfolio mngment team to perform due diligence to benefit portfolio.

 

AT:  Could work will with hedge funds to stabilize & remove volatility; can w/d with notice; only twice since 1978 have blocked w/d; most recent block 2-3 quarters

Requested breakdown of investors

 

CM recommend investment of a portion from the bond portfolio.

 

Would have to changed Investment Police to reflect a 10% investment range;

UBS Real Estate is being sued in connectiuon with Madoff hedge fund case.

 

MOTION:          AT Authorize rebalancing of portfolio to target. El  5-0

 

MOTION:           Join the que with USB 

JF:  Can decide and discuss before the que is up; no fee, but paperwork must be completed; attorney fees involved;  not big as ordeal; CM-=Morgan Stanley not investment agent

RD:  Don’t oppose cuing up; would like more opinion on this approach; want more info 

EL:  Lowest leverage at 16%; track record since 1978.  Experience of people; process, operation

 

MOTION:          initiate procee to apply to USB… to be placed in their cue and direct SC to redirect docs.  EL/KS  5-0

 

   5.  APPROVAL OF EXPENSES                                                                                                   

A)  Christiansen & Dehner:  July (disability expense), August, September, October, 2010

B)  Foster & Foster:  November 11, 2010

C)  Florida Municipal Insurance Trust

 

Action Request:            AT/KS  Motion to ratify payment of the expenses as presented.

JF:  Scott-disability claim total $

Medical pass through from SC office; total about $4,000; $1500 medical exam    5-0

 

   6.  PROPOSED 2011 MEETING DATES                                                                            (TAB 3)

 

Action request: Motion to approve the 2011 meeting schedule as presented.  JF/EL  5-0

 

   7.  APPROVAL:  DROP PARTICIPATION                                                                           (TAB 4)

 

Action Request:            Motion to acknowledge and approve the entry of George A. David into the Plans’ Deferred Retirement Option Plan.  JF/KS  5-0

 

   8.  DISCUSSION:  IRS DETERMINATION LETTER                                                             

Talked about at last mtg about whether or not to apply to IRS to determine if Plan meets IRS requirements for tax qualified pension plan; not legally required to make application.  IRS changed position regarding governmental pension plans to provide assistance to gov’t plans.  SC the Plan has all the requirements to meet the IRS tax qualifications, but may be issues to timeliness of the changes that have been made.  Of 60 meetings, only 8 have made determination to do application; will share info on the 8 that have received the letter or issues with any of the 8 clients, that info will be shared among all the firm’s clients.  Currently in cycle E expiring 1/31/11; If don’t do now will have another chance in 2013.  ICE Miller Law Firm will assist.  Range 10-20 include atty fees, IS filing fee and any potential penalties. 

 

If Plan found to be not tax qualified, will pay taxes on employee contributions and benefit accruals.  Voluntary application takes care of issues; ultimately city would pay penalties

 

Motion:            Application for tax determination letter or revisit in 2013. 

JF Defer submittal of IRS letter to future date deter by this Board. EL  5-0

 

9.  ATTORNEY’S REPORT

 

Investment Policy amended 8/30;

Terms expiring RD, EL, JT expiring 2011 get reappointed EL on next agenda

Summary Plan description required every 2 years; by mext mtg. 

MOTION:  To auth counsel to update SPD  JF/AT

Physical year end rpt Pension Letter #2  (Get from CM)

 

10.  OTHER BUSINESS

A)  DROP statement update.                                                                                                     

B)  Appointed officer’s opt-out notification letter.

 

JF:  DROP Statement all participats select the fixed rate option at 6.5% vs market.  Is language consistent with what other plans have; FRS still has 6.5% as well.  Couple of plans that have changed or are considering changing to a lower rate. 

 

JF:  During budget discussed defined benefit vs defined contribution; looking longer term.  SC:  Have had cities that have done studies to look at other options, some have closed db and gone to dc plans; leaving current in & putting new in dc plans; couple have closed.  DC not nearly as good for employees at DB plans.

 

Meeting adjourned at 11:05 am.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at

 

11.  ADJOURN

 

If any person desires to appeal any decision of the Board of Trustees, that person will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based (F.S. 286.0105)

 

The City of Palmetto does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status or handicapped status in employment or in the provision of services.  Handicapped individuals may receive special accommodation in services on 48 hours’ notice (F.S. 286.26).  Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation for this meeting as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the City Clerk at 941-723-4570, fax 941-723-4576 or email dponder@palmettofl.org.

 

 

POSTED AND DISTRIBUTED:   NOVEMBER 23, 2010

 

 

NEXT MEETING:                       FEBRUARY 28, 2011