HomeMy WebLinkAboutRetirement Committee - Minutes - 02/08/1985CITY OF FORT COLLINS
• FINANCE ADMINISTRATION
GENERAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting, February 8, 1985
Council Information Center
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Jim Harmon
Don Botteron
Deb McClurkin
Mollie Mercer
Angie Powell
None
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Botteron.
A review of the Retirement Plan was requested by Mollie Mercer
in the areas of Credited Service, Death Benefits, and Part -Time
Benefits.
A. Credited Service - Mollie's question was whether the Board
makes any determination if a break in service occurred prior
to 1981 or prior to 1971 when the first Pension Plan was
adopted. Don Botteron referred Board Members to VI-2, Section
• 6, Accrued Credits and Vested Benefits Under the Previous
Plan Preserved and IV-1, Section 2, Breaks In Service.
Ruling that the Plan specifically answered Mollie's question,
there was no vote by Board Members. As a future reference
for clarification purposes, employees who retire but who
have breaks in service, a specific memo relating to the
breaks in service will be filed in the Pension file.
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Death Benefits - Mollie was interested in-hearing.a summary
of how the age of 55 came to be the second determinant for
death benefits. Don Botteron provided a summary expressing
that prior to the 1981 Plan revision, death benefits for
employees who were 55 were not provided because the City
provided a life insurance benefit instead. Don continued,
explaining death benefits under our current Plan, Article
VIII, Section,l, Death Benefits. Jim added that if the
Member's spouse is more than 5 years younger than the Member,
the monthly benefit to, the spouse will be reduced actuarially
to reflect the age difference.
Part -Time Benefits - A discussion regarding part-time benefits
FINANCE ADMINISTRATION
300 LaPorte Ave.. P.O. Box 580 . Fort Coll1r5, Colorado 80522 . 1303) 221-6788
General Employees' Retirement Committee
•February 8, 1985
Page 2
was had. Part-time benefits are not stated in the General
Employees' Retirement Plan, but according to Resolution
81-120, a restatement was made in the Plan by A.S. Hansen.
Jim suggested staff support Carolyn Jones investigate into
the matter with the City Clerk's office and contact A.S.
Hansen. This item will be tabled until the next meeting.
Discussion regarding Investment Specialist/Summary of Investment
Fund was had. This topic was being discussed as a follow-up
regarding an investment consultant. The discussion commenced
with Angie Powell expressing concern whether investments were
being handled as well as they could be. A memo written by Revenue
Officer Gwyn Strand, which was distributed to Board Members
prior to this meeting, summarized the Investment Program's
objectives and types of investments, and included a spreadsheet
describing the book values, coupon rates, and estimated annual
income. Board Members were referred to this memo by Jim Harmon.
Angie expressed that she was hoping for a statement with
comparative figures that were in -line with market conditions.
• She was interested in investments "going aggressive with an
overall conservative portfolio". Angie would like to see more
time and money spent on the Investment Fund, possibly hiring
an outside consultant as discussed a couple of years ago. Don
Botteron interjected that years ago the City had an Investment
Advisory Committee who managed the Retirement Fund, but the
Committee disbanded because City personnel started managing
it. Jim Harmon gave an explanation of the City's portfolio
as well as a summary of how the City invests its monies. Jim
also explained that the Pension Fund is just a small piece of
a big investment "pie" and that the investments were securely
managed, with two to four staff members working daily on the
City's portfolio.
Angie questioned if staff was reviewing past investments. Jim's
answer was affirmative, and he gave a review of past investment
actions.
Don Botteron requested that Board Members receive more
information, for example, Quarterly Reports, etc., so that they
may know current investments and their return, investment
strategy, and soundness of investment. It was mentioned that
while Ron Wood was on the Board, no reports had been made
available to Board Members. Jim Harmon assured Board Members
would receive all pertinent and necessary information.
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Based on the information provided in these reports, Board Members
General Employees' Retirement Committee
February 8, 1985
• Page 3
voted that the Board review the documents and evaluate the current
situation. Discussion of hiring an outside investment firm
will be discussed following Board Members' evaluation.
The next item on the Agenda was discussion of the election of
a new chairperson. Don Botteron felt he should step down from
that role and give someone else a chance. Don has been serving
in the capacity of Chairperson since 1982.
Jim Harmon nominated Deb McClurkin as Chairperson until her
term is up (Summer of 1985), with Angie Powell acting as
co -chairperson. Nomination for Deb McClurkin seconded by Angie
Powell; nomination for Angie Powell seconded by Mollie Mercer.
Other items not on the agenda included whether the General
Employees' Retirement Plan be redone altogether. Don asked
for Board Members' input. Deb McClurkin suggested that should
the Board decide on redoing the Plan, that it be approached
by looking at the Plan in segments versus the whole Plan. Angie
suggested exploring the policies as provided by A.S. Hansen.
• Jim Harmon mentioned that research be done on various pension
plans and changes and then proceed accordingly. Board Members
agreed, and the item was tabled until further investigation
is completed.
Board Members voted unanimously that the General Employees'
Retirement Committee would meet quarterly or as needed.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED:
Jan
s H. Harmon, CPA
Director of Finance
Don Bott oyairman
Secretary's Note: Photographs were taken for the Boards &
Commissions meeting to be held on February 22, 6:00 pm.
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Attachment
cc: John Arnold, City Manager