CITY OF KNOXVILLE PENSION BOARD

 MINUTES

OCTOBER 13, 2005

8:15 A.M.

917B E. 5TH AVENUE

 

 

The regular meeting of the City of Knoxville Pension Board was held in the Pension Board Conference Room, 917 E. 5th Avenue at 8:15 a.m. on October 13, 2005.

 

Present were:  Mayor Bill Haslam, Mr. Kent Bates, Mr. Buddy Harrell, Mr. Stephen King, Mr. Christopher Kinney, Ms. Barbara Pelot, Mr. Michael Cherry and Attorney Bud Gilbert.

 

Also present: Deputy Chief Don Green, representing Knoxville Police Department in consideration of the Rebecca Belprez disability application, Mr. Dan Holmes, Summit Strategies, Mr. Scott Becker and Mr. Craig Mauri with Calamos Investments.

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

            Mr. Bates presided and called the meeting to order at 8:24 a.m.

 

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR September 8, 2005

Motion:  Ms. Pelot made a motion to approve the September 8, 2005, meeting minutes.  Mr. Harrell seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

APPROVAL OF REVISED AGENDA:  Exhibit 1

 

            The Revised Agenda was adopted without objection.

 

CONTRACTS:

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

 

            Pension Board Representative Elections

 

Mr. Cherry informed the Board about the upcoming Pension Board Representative Elections for General Government representative – Seat A and Police Department (uniformed) Representative – Seat A.  Mr. Cherry told the Board that the nomination process was currently underway for the Police Department seat A, and that the deadline for accepting nominations is Friday, October 21, 2005.

 

Mr. Cherry also informed the Board that he would be sending a letter to Vice-Mayor, Mark Brown, informing him that a City Council representative would need to be named before the end of year, when the current City Council representative term expires.

 

Retiree Benefits

 

Mr. Cherry informed the Board that the pension funds had finally been dispersed for Ms. Ophelia Martin.

 

Mr. Cherry informed the Board about a request he had received from a certified Schools – Plan A retiree, Ms. Nancy Pressley, who was a disability not-in-line of duty benefit recipient.  Mr. Cherry explained to the Board that Ms. Pressley had requested retroactive pension benefits back to the date when Ms. Pressley began a medical leave.  Mr. Cherry told the Board that pension benefits were typically not started until an employee had officially terminated from their employer.  Mr. Cherry informed the Board that he is continuing to consider the request and with assistance of board counsel is researching the charter language and the IRS rules. He will advise the Board upon completion of this review.

 

Willis Insurance Policy Litigation

 

Mr. Cherry informed the Board about a litigation notice he had received regarding a worker’s compensation policy with Willis Insurance.  Mr. Cherry asked for the Board’s permission to sign the document allowing the Pension System to receive their share of the distribution in the approximate amount of $88.50.  The Board agreed to have Mr. Cherry sign the paperwork to receive the settlement distribution.

 

           

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS:

           

ATTORNEY COMMENTS:  None

 

ENROLLMENTS:

 

The following General Government employees have filed applications to become members of the Plan G1 pension system.

 

            Mary Ann Blankenship

James E. Chesney

            Willa L. Essie

            Mitchell E. Greene

            Ronald J. Hickman

            Ginger H. Huskey

            Steven L. Moses

            William D. Provine

            Ernest A. Sealey

            Tony J. Shirk

            Vincent E. Turner

 

Motion:  Mr. Harrell made a motion to approve these applications for enrollment in the Plan G1 pension system.  Mr. Kinney seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

           

WITHDRAWALS:

The following employee(s) have filed applications to withdraw employee pension contributions plus 4% interest and the supplemental retirement account as applicable in Plan G Option 1.

 

            Bennie Joe Anderson, General Government, G-1, Non-vested

Samuel Byrd, Jr., Police Department, Plan C, Vested

Clarence Gipson (estate), Fire Department, Plan C, Vested

Brian K. Hubbs, General Government, G-2, Vested

Chris Ingersoll, General Government, G-1, Non-vested

Barbara Johnson, General Government, G-1, Non-vested

Josh Munday, Police Department, Plan C, Vested

Michael A. Pope, General Government, Plan G-1, Non-vested

Johnnie Ratliff, General Government, Plan G-1, Non-vested

            Chad T. Riggs, Police Department, Plan C – Vested

            John-Michael Scott, Police Department, Plan C – Non-vested

Beverly D. Solomon, General Government, Plan G-1, Vested (refund of supplemental account only)

 

Motion:  Ms. Pelot made a motion to approve these applications for withdrawal of employee contributions.  Mr. Kinney seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

APPEALS: None

 

Attorney Gilbert arrived at 8:33 a.m.

 

RETIREMENTS:

 

APPLICATION FOR INJURY IN LINE OF DUTY RETIREMENT:  PLAN C

CHARTER SECTION 1390.11

 

            Rebecca L. Belprez, Police Department – Uniformed                 Option A-9

                                                                                                                        100% with reinstatement

            Date of birth, April 26, 1975:  30 years of age

            Total credited service:  5 years 10 months 26 days

            Average monthly salary for 2 highest – 12 month periods, $2,716.52 x 50% =

$1,358.26.  Ms. Belprez chose Option A-9 – 100% with reinstatement to Michele Goldsberry.  $1,358.26 x .9595 =

$1,303.25 pension effective November 1, 2005.

 

Motion:  Mr. Kinney made a motion to approve this application for an injury in line of duty pension, based on Dr. Cooper’s report, to be reviewed in two years.  Ms. Pelot seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

APPLICATION FOR DEFERRED RETIREMENT:  PLAN A

CHARTER SECTION 1360.28

 

            Sonja R. McNeely, Schools Certified                                             No Option

            Date of birth, March 24, 1946:  59 years of age

            Total City credited service:  16 years 2 months

            Total County credited service:  14years 6 months

            Total credited service:  30years 8months

            Last date of employment with City:  June 1987

            Last date of employment with County:  December 2003

            Average base earnings for 4 years, $400.00 x 75% = $3.00

            Average excess earnings for 4 years, $1,333.01 x 1.50% = $20.00

            making a total of $23.00 benefit per year of service.  $23.00 x 16.1667 =

            $371.83 x ER factor .8250 =

$306.76  pension effective October 1, 2005.

 

The City benefit payment is determined using City only salaries and City service time. 

The City benefit does not include any County service.

The total amount of the combined City and County benefit is $1,943.55.

 

Motion: Mr. Harrell made a motion to approve this application for a Deferred Retirement.  Mr. King seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

Roger L. Stanfill, General Government                                           No Option

            Date of birth, September 30, 1943:  62 years of age

            Total credited service, 11 years 3 months

            Average base monthly salary for 2 years, $400.00 x .75% = $3.00

            Average excess monthly earnings for 2 years, $690.66 x 1.50% = $10.36

            making a total of $13.36 benefit per year of service.  $13.36 x 11.250 =

            $150.30 pension effective October 1, 2005.

 

Motion:  Mr. Harrell made a motion to approve this application for a Deferred Retirement.  Mr. King seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

APPLICATION FOR DEFERRED RETIREMENT:  PLAN C

CHARTER SECTION 1390.16

 

            Paul E. Smiddy, Police Uniformed                         Option C - Cash Refund

            Date of birth, September 30, 1955:  50 years of age

            Total credited service, 19 years 5 months

            Average monthly salary $3,267.20 x 2.0% = $65.34 x 25 =

            $1,633.50.  $1,633.50 x 19/25 =

$1,241.46.  Mr. Smiddy chose Option C – Cash Refund to Deborah G. Smiddy, spouse.  $1,241.46 x .9714 =

            $1,205.95 pension effective October 1, 2005.

 

Motion:  Ms. Pelot made a motion to approve this application for a Deferred Retirement payable under Option C.  Mr. Kinney seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE DELAYED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP): PURSUANT TO CHARTER SECTION 1390.22 – PLAN C.

The following employee has chosen a Delayed Retirement Option and will receive a one-time payment of the accumulated monthly benefits on termination of employment with the City of Knoxville.

 

            Joe G. Milsaps, Fire Department Uniformed                     Option A-6

                                                                                                            100% without reinstatement

            Date of birth, March 10, 1949:  56 years of age

            Total credited service:  30 years 2 days

            Average monthly salary for 2 highest 12 month periods, $3,814.88 x 2.5% =

$95.37 x 30 = $2,861.10.  Mr. Milsaps chose Option A-6 – 100% without reinstatement to Ruth Ann Milsaps, spouse.  $2,861.10 x .9205 =

            $2,633.64 pension effective October 1, 2005.

            DROP complete September 30, 2007.

 

Motion:  Mr. Harrell made a motion to approve this application for DROP retirement payable under Option A-9.  Mr. King seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE DELAYED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP): PURSUANT TO CHARTER SECTION 1371.8 – PLAN G2.

The following employee has chosen a Delayed Retirement Option and will receive a one-time payment of the accumulated monthly benefits on termination of employment with the City of Knoxville.

 

            Gloria L. Genta-Welch, General Government                                No Option

            Date of birth, May 25, 1950:  55 years of age

            Total credited service:  28 years 10 months 25 days

            Average monthly salary for 2 highest 12 month periods, $2,681.16 x 2.1% =

            $56.30 x 28.90183 =

            $1,627.17 pension effective October 1, 2005.

            DROP complete September 30, 2007.

 

Motion:  Ms. Pelot made a motion to approve this application for DROP retirement.  Mr. King seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

APPROVAL OF INVOICES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:    

           

Bryan, Pendleton, Swats & McAllister – Actuary (June 2005)               $10,146.00

Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley – Attorney (General, Aug. 2005)              3,208.50

Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley – Attorney (G. Fields, Aug. 2005)                 87.50

Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley – Attorney (General, Sept. 2005)             1,312.10

Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley – Attorney (G. Fields, Sept. 2005)           2,345.00

            Summit Strategies Group – Investment Consultant (3rd Qtr. 2005)     31,250.00

State Street – Custodial – August 2005                                                    14,166.67

State Street – Custodial – September 2005                                             14,166.67

 

Mr. Cherry, Executive Director, has reviewed the bills and certifies that they are consistent with the services provided and are within the budgeted figures of the system’s financial plan.

 

Motion:  Mr. Kinney made a motion to pay these invoices.  Ms. Pelot seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS – Cont’d.

 

Actuary Study – Retired Uniformed Officers

           

Mr. Cherry and Attorney Gilbert discussed with the Board the request made by retired Fire Department uniformed employee, Mr. Bill Warwick, for an actuarial study regarding proposed amendments to the trust for uniformed retirees.  Attorney Gilbert informed the Board that existing trust case law and an IRS requirement that trust assets may be used solely for the benefit of beneficiaries of a trust and for the reasonable expenses of administering the trust. Attorney Gilbert advised the Board that an actuarial study for proposed amendments to the trust provisions are best handled by the trust sponsor.

 

Charter Amendment List Discussion – Exhibit 2

 

Mayor Haslam arrived at 8:50 a.m. and presided

 

Mr. Cherry and Attorney Gilbert led a discussion with the Board regarding each item on the proposed charter amendment list. Further discussion with the Board will be held.

 

Final Investment Policy – Exhibit 3

 

Attorney Gilbert distributed to the Board an Amended and Restated, November 2005, Investment Policy, which he, along with Investment Consultant, Dan Holmes,

discussed with the Board.  Mr. Holmes and Mr. Gilbert will incorporate the recommended changes to the Investment Policy and present the final draft policy to the Board at the Thursday, November 10, 2005, Pension Board meeting.

 

Mayor Haslam left the meeting at 10:19 a.m. and Mr. Bates presided again.

 

OTHER:

 

INVESTMENT MATTERS:

 

Money Manager Review  

 

Calamos Asset Management

 

Mr. Scott Becker and Mr. Craig Mauri with Calamos Asset Management made a presentation and distributed a written report.  A copy of the report is on file in the Pension Office.

 

                        Dan HolmesSummit Strategies

 

Mr. Holmes made a presentation to the Board and gave a preliminary performance report on the quarter ended September 30, 2005.  Copies of Mr. Holmes report are on file in the Pension Office.

 

           

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  None

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            There being no further business, the following motion was made:

 

Motion:  Mr. King made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:29 a.m.  Mr. Harrell seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously by the members present.

 

           

 

                       

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________

                                                                                    Chair

 

 

                                                                                    _______________________

                                                                                    Date

 

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