MINUTES OF MEETING - STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION - SUBCOMMITTEE ON HAZARDOUS DUTY SERVICE CREDIT

MINUTES OF MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HAZARDOUS DUTY SERVICE CREDIT

May 23, 2013

MEMBERS PRESENT
James Dzurenda
Sal Luciano
Linda Yelmini

OTHERS PRESENT
Colin Newman, Assistant Director, Retirement Services Division
Brenda Halpin, Director, Retirement Services Division
Peggy Gray, Executive Secretary, Retirement Services Division
Tracy Butler, Human Resources Director, Department of Correction
Doug Kulmacz, Director, DOC Volunteer Services Unit, Department of Correction
Mary Dunn, Volunteer Programs Manager, DOC Volunteer Services Unit, Department of Correction
Mary Marto, Health Services Administrator II, University of Connecticut Health Center

The meeting was called to order at 2:17 PM by Mr. Luciano.
The first items on the agenda were requests from the following employees:
Constantine Alleyne
Brian Liebel
Rikel Lightner

These employees were requesting that their employment at the University Of Connecticut Health Center in the classification "Health Services Administrator II" be covered under the hazardous duty provisions of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS).

This classification has not been designated as hazardous duty and does not appear on the hazardous duty appendix formulated pursuant to the 1988-1994 Pension Arbitration Award (PAA). However, at its May 17, 2004 meeting the Commission adopted the recommendation of its Subcommittee on Hazardous Duty Service Credit to approve Sharon Brown, Richard Bush, Brian Hicock, Mary Marto and Frederick Watton'S request for coverage under the hazardous duty provisions of SERS for their service at UCHC in this classification.

The hazardous duty provisions of SERS provide that DOC employees in classifications exempt from collective bargaining must engage in custodial or instructive duties in order to receive hazardous duty retirement credit for such employment.

UCHC provided a written summary in support of the employees however there was no indication that the employees engaged in custodial or instructional duties. The employees themselves did not appear to present their cases before the Subcommittee.

Ms. Yelmini moved, seconded by Mr. Dzurenda that the subcommittee recommend denial of the requests by Constantin Alleyne, Brian Liebel and Rikel Lightner for hazardous duty retirement plan coverage for their service at UCHC in the classification of Health Services Administrator II as the documentation provided in support of the claims was insufficient.

The Subcommittee unanimously approved the motion.

The next item on the agenda was a request from Mary Dunn, a DOC employee and current member of SERS, Tier II retirement plan who has requested coverage under the hazardous duty provisions of SERS for her employment with DOC from August 3, 1992 to the present as a Volunteer Programs Manager. This classification has not been designated as hazardous duty and does not appear on the hazardous duty appendix formulated pursuant to the 1988-1994 Pension Arbitration Award (PAA). The hazardous duty provisions of SERS provide that DOC employees in classifications exempt from collective bargaining must engage in custodial or instructive duties in order to receive hazardous duty retirement credit for such employment.

A copy of Ms. Dunn'S claim was provided to Tracy Butler, DOC Human Resources Director, in order to obtain agency comments regarding the representations made by Ms. Dunn; Ms. Butler concurred with Ms. Dunn'S representation that the duties she performed meet the standard for hazardous duty coverage as defined in the Connecticut General Statutes governing SERS.

Ms. Dunn appeared before the Subcommittee and reiterated what had already been written as well as provided additional materials. Ms. Butler and Mr. Kulmacz also appeared before the Subcommittee and provided testimony that concurred with Ms. Dunn'S representations. Ms. Yelmini advised Ms. Dunn Ms. Butler and Mr. Kulmacz that the duties of the Volunteer Programs Manager classification as described by the three of them meet the hazardous duty standards, those duties are not reflected in the Department of Administrative Services Class Specification for this position.

Mr. Dzurenda moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano that the subcommittee recommend approval of Ms. Dunn'S request for hazardous duty service credit from August 3, 1992 through the present provided she is willing to pay all required retirement contributions and interest due.

The Subcommittee unanimously approved the motion.

The last item on the agenda was a request from Mary Marto, a UCHC employee and current member of the SERS Tier II hazardous duty retirement plan who has requested coverage under the hazardous duty provisions of SERS for her employment with DOC May 29, 1992- August 28, 1997 as a Correctional Health Services Regional Administrator.

A copy of Ms. Marto'S claim was provided to Tracy Butler, DOC Human Resources Director, in order to obtain agency comments regarding the representations made by Ms. Marto; Ms. Butler concurred with Ms. Marto'S representation that the duties she performed had met the standard for hazardous duty coverage as defined in the Connecticut General Statutes governing SERS.

Ms. Marto provided testimony as to the duties that she performed at DOC. When questioned by the Subcommittee her responses did not reflect that she had provided instructional or custodial duties.

Ms. Yelmini moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to recommend denial of Ms. Marto'S request for hazardous duty retirement plan coverage for her service at DOC as a Correctional Health Services Regional Administrator.

The Subcommittee unanimously approved the motion.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:11 p.m.

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