AMENDED DRAFT

MINUTES OF THE MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
55 ELM STREET
7TH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
HARTFORD, CT 06106
9:00 a.m.

December 18, 2014

TRUSTEES PRESENT
Peter R. Blum
Robert Baus
Sandra Fae Brown-Brewton
Michael Carey
Charles Casella
Robert Coffey
Richard Cosgrove
Paul Fortier
Steven Greatorex
Sal Luciano
Laila Mandour
Ronald McLellan
Claude Poulin

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller
Lee Ann Palladino, CIO, State Treasury

MUNICIPAL LIAISON
Thomas Landry

OTHERS PRESENT
Brenda Halpin, Director, Retirement Services Division
Colin Newman, Asst. Director, Retirement Services Division
Natalie Braswell, Assistant Comptroller
Peggy Gray, Exec. Secretary, Retirement Services Division
Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission
Kishore Solanki, Asst. Director, Retirement Services Division
Tynan Cooney - Court Reporter

GUESTS
Alice Sexton
Rudolph Kamm
Attorney Andrew Morrissey
Edward Dobbins
Attorney Lawrence Sgrignari
Loren Casertano
Michael Quintilliano

CALL TO ORDER

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we are missing an important member of this Commission who has vast knowledge in the matters that come before this body. We will all miss her input and contributions to this Commission in the future.

I have followed up with Attorney Leonard Boyle on the LaChance matter on the issue of property or assets he may have. He has not been able to speak with Agent Jack to get further information that Commission Trustees have requested. When that information becomes available I will certainly let you know.

As to the matter of my resignation, I have spoken with the Governor's office to change the date of my resignation, to allow enough time to find a replacement.

DIVISION DIRECTOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

For the December retirement payroll we had 105 new retirees (85 normal, 10 disabilities, 4 voluntary pending and 6 Hybrid). I have provided the finalization information that I have as of November 2014.

On the ARP to Hybrid transfers we have 236 retirees, 9 waivers, 4 prospective I do not have the total number of transfers because our computer system is down however we did receive in 78 applications during the month. Since November 17th the ARP to Hybrid SWAT Team has clearer through 80 requests. We sent a letter to all current ARP members to advise them that the cost of the transfer will be increasing effective January 1, 2015 due to the change in the breakpoint and the actuarial factors. There has been a slight increase in of applications however we are expecting these last two weeks of December to see a larger volume.

Pending Disability Applications as of November 30, 2014

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
 

The next available meeting for scheduling is June 2015. The Disability Ombudsman, Toni Alt was able to clear through 100 older cases contacting the individuals directly and the files are currently in various stages of completion. We continue to have a backlog of 24 month reviews due to the pending decision on the definition of "suitable and comparable".

On MERS we have been working with five towns to compare our records with their active payroll information to determine if there are individuals that are receiving a MERS retirement benefit and working in a MERS town. We are currently drafting a questionnaire to send to all MERS retirees to request information regarding employment information.

NEW MATTERS

1. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 20, 2014 MINUTES. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the November 20, 2014 Minutes. All voted in favor Ms. Mandour abstained

Unanimous Decision

2. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN'S PER DIEM EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman's Per Diem expenses reimbursements. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

3. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION MANAGEMENT TRUSTEES PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustees Per Diem and Travel expenses reimbursements. All voted in favor Mr. Baus abstained

Majority Decision

4. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION UNION TRUSTEES PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustees Per Diem and Travel expenses reimbursements. All voted in favor Mr. Poulin abstained

5. a. REVIEW OF BILLING FROM THE OFFICE OF ROSE KALLOR FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014. For Review only

b. FROM ROSE KALLOR A SUMMARIZATION OF ACTIVITIES AND PENDING LEGAL MATTERS DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2014. For Review only

6. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM SERVICE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service retirements for the month of November 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

7. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Disability retirements for the month of November 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

8. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM VOLUNTARY PENDING RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending retirements for the month of November 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

9. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM PRE RETIREMENT DEATH BENEFIT RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement System Pre Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the month of November 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

10. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Employee Retirement System retirements. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

11. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE RECCOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD FROM ITS MEETING ON DECEMBER 5, 2014 RELATIVE TO APPLICATIONS FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT RECEIVED FROM THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the recommendations of the Medical Examining Board from its meeting on December 5, 2014 relative to applications for Disability Retirement received from the Municipal Employees Retirement System Retirements. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

12. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE JUDGES, FAMILY SUPPORT MAGISTRATES AND COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System retirements. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

13. a. REQUEST COMMISSION REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF CONNECTICUT POLICEMAN AND FIREMENS' SURVIVORS FUND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2014 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Connecticut Policeman and Firemen's Survivors Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

b. REQUEST COMMISSION REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONNECTICUT POLICEMAN AND FIREMENS SURVIVORS FUND Balance Sheet as of JUNE 30, 2014 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Policeman and Firemans Survivors Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014

Unanimous Decision

14. a. REQUEST COMMISSION REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND B STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2014 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to review and accept the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations for fiscal year ending June 30, 2014. All voted in favor.

Unanimous Decision

b. REQUEST COMMISSION REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND B BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 2014 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement Fund B Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

15. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE LEGAL AND PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Recommendations from the Legal and Personnel Subcommittee. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

16. COMMISSION REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ACTUARIAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE MERS ACTUARIAL REPORT AND THE GASB 67 REPORTS FOR SERS AND JFSMCC FROM THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2014 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the recommendations of the Actuarial Subcommittee on the MERS Actuarial Report and the GASB 67 Reports for SERS and JFSMCC from the meeting on November 19, 2014. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

17. REQUEST OF EDWARD DOBBINS THAT THE COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECONSIDER ITS JUNE 19, 2014 DECISION TO DENY HIS REQUEST TO HAVE HIS EFFECTIVE DATE OF RETIRMET ADJUSTED FROM NOVENBER 5, 2012 TO MAY 20, 2012. Attorney Morrissey spoke about his client's situation. After his presentation Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to table this item until the January meeting. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

18. REQUEST OF MR. LOREN CASERTANO FOR THE COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND RECONSIDER ITS APRIL 17, 2014 DECISION TO DENY HIS REQUEST TO HAVE HIS EFFECTIVE DATE OF RETIREMENT TO ADJUSTED FROM NOVEMVER 5, 2012 TO MAY 20, 2012. Attorney Walsh's office had called the afternoon prior to the meeting to cancel and move to a different date. HEARING CANCELED - DATE TO BE DETERMINED

19. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF TWO NEW DOCTORS TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the two new doctors to the Medical Examining Board. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

ITEM TABLED FROM THE OCTOBER 2014 MEETING:

Rudolph Kamm requested to be placed on the December agenda to bring forth additional information to the Commission:

Alice Sexton attended with Mr. Kamm to represent his case. Following the presentation and discussion by Commission members Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to vote on the matter. Commission members voting to approve Mr. Kamm's request to purchase his military time: Mr. Casella, Mr. Fortier, Mr. Greatorex, Mr. Luciano, Mr. McLellan and Mr. Poulin. Commission members voting to deny Mr. Kamm's request: Mr. Baus, Ms. Brown-Brewton, Mr. Carey, Mr. Coffey, Mr. Cosgrove. With an agreement to even the table the voted was tie. Chairman Blum voted to approve Mr. Kamm's request to purchase his military time.

Majority vote for approval

ITEM TABLED FROM THE NOVEMBER 2014 MEETING:

Commission Request and Reconsideration of its July 18, 2013 decision to deny Lorraine Montesi's Request for Waiver of Overpayment

Attorney Braswell was to be in touch with Attorney Stacey D. Lafferty to clarify some information for the Commission. After repeated phone messages back and forth Attorney Braswell was unsuccessful in speaking with Attorney Lafferty. The Commission has directed Attorney Braswell to put in writing the information they are seeking and get back to the Commission for the January meeting. Ms. Brown-Brewton moved to table the discussion until January, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove. All voted in favor

Item tabled until the January 22, 2015 meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Counsel Opinions (CMERS)
i. East Haven
ii . Mansfield
iii. Montville
iv. Thompson

All the above towns were tabled to the January 22, 2015 meeting

Request from Auditors of Public Accounts - Robinson and Cole to write letter - Ms. Brown-Brewton moved to approve as amended, seconded by Mr. Greatorex. All voted in favor. Commission General Counsel will communicate the changes with Attorney Barth of Robinson and Cole.

Maturo Matter - Mr. Luciano moved to place this item on the agenda, Ms. Mandour seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Attorney Sgrignari was invited to speak to this issue. Following discussion Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Declaratory Ruling as drafted. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

Fieldhouse Matter - Ms. Brown- Brewton moved to place this item on the agenda, Mr. Luciano seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to issue the Declaratory Ruling as written. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

ADJOURNMENT

At 11:17 a.m. having no further business before the Commission, Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Ms. Mandour to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor.

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