HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Fireman's Relief and Pension Board - 07/06/1993 �7 i
FIREMEN'S RELIEF & PENSION BARD
July 6, 1993
A meeting of the Firemen' s Relief & Pension Board was called to
order at 5: 30 p.m. Present: Boardmembers Dan Kelleher--Mayor,
Christi Houser--Chair of Operations Committee, Brenda Jacober--City
Clerk, Mary Berg--Assistant Fire Chief, and Gary Tilley--Retired
Firefighter. Also present: Tony McCarthy--Chief Administrative
Officer, Roger Lubovich--City Attorney and Dave Haenel--Assistant
City Attorney.
McCarthy noted that a resolution for approval of investment and
payment practices has been prepared and distributed. He explained
that payments need to be made each month and that this resolution
would give the city authority to make investments and pay retirees
with the Board then either concurring or directing staff to make
changes at their next meeting. He noted that if the resolution is
adopted at this time, several years expenditures and investments
could be brought to the Board for approval at the next meeting. He
pointed out that if the Board is unable to meet for some reason, or
if there is not a quorum, payments would still go out to retirees.
Upon a question from Tilley, Lubovich explained that the City needs
some kind of direction so that they are not derelict in their
duties, and that this could be accomplished by authorizing them to
take interim steps within guidelines, or by calling a special
meeting when there is an investment to be made. TILLEY MOVED to
delay action on this issue until the next meeting to allow staff
and Boardmembers an opportunity to see how this is handled in other
cities. Upon Lubovich's question, he amended his motion to
authorize the City to continue operating as they have until the
next meeting. Houser seconded. The motion carried. The Mayor
requested that any alternative proposals be in the form of a
resolution or motion. The City Attorney agreed to work with the
Boardmembers on preparation of such.
Boardmember Berg announced that Gene Grenstad was selected to serve
as the alternate Firefighter member of the Board. Tilley pointed
out that Grenstad can attend all Board meetings, and can vote if
one of the regularly elected firefighters is not present.
Tilley explained that last February he realized he was not being
properly compensated for his disability retirement and contacted
the City. He then received a letter stating that he was being
properly paid. He did further research and still felt he had been
improperly paid for sixteen months. He noted that prior to this
meeting, he was told the City has recalculated his benefits. He
added that approval of that payment is a Board action, as would be
payments to any other persons who may be in arrears. He opined
that the City has misinterpreted the law for the last four years,
and noted that the City of Kelso had to reimburse firefighters
backpay for 27 years, at 5% interest. He MOVED that calculations
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be made by Payroll staff, that any monies due retired firefighters
be paid promptly from the Pension Fund, that 5% interest be paid,
and that it come before the Board for approval. Tilley pointed out
that the staff is aware when firefighters get raises, and they
should make the calculations and notify the Board when a differ-
ential occurs. He noted that the City has been making the changes
for cost of living increases in April, but not in January, which
costs the retirees four months of benefits. Mayor Kelleher
clarified that the motion is to modify the payment practices as
described by Mr. Tilley. Berg seconded. The Mayor noted that he
would prefer that research be done before taking the final vote.
McCarthy noted that staff agrees that there was at least one
erroneous calculation and that they are prepared to recalculate
each case. Tilley suggested that the calculations be done and be
brought to the next board meeting. Houser concurred. Lubovich
added that they should be reviewed by the firefighters. It was
agreed that calculations should be prepared for each firefighter
and the report be presented at the next Board meeting, along with
a report of what the 5% interest would be. It was determined that
this is separate from the union contract.
Berg noted that Firefighter Al Sims had passed away last month and
questioned what action should be taken regarding his checks. The
Mayor felt that there should be some by-laws so that procedures and
options are clear. The Attorney agreed to report on this at the
next meeting.
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It was then determined that the Board meetings will be held at
5: 30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.
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The meeting adjourned at 6 : 00 p.m.
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Brenda Jacobet, 01ty Clerk
Secretary of,./ thelBoard