STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
LEGAL AND PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING

DATE:  December 11, 2019

PRESENT:
Chairman Peter Adomeit Trustee
Charles Casella (via phone) Trustee
Robert Coffey Trustee Michael Carey
Commission Counsel Michael Rose (Rose Kallor, LLP)
Commission Counsel Cindy Cieslak (Rose Kallor, LLP)
Commission Tax Counsel Bruce Barth (Robinson & Cole LLP)
Commission Tax Counsel Alisha Sullivan (Robinson & Cole LLP)
John Herrington, Retirement Services Division Director

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m.

At 8:33 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Charles Casella to approve the agenda. All voted in favor.

At 8:33 a.m., Chairman Adomeit called for new business. 

At 8:34 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Charles Casella, to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing Items 1-16 on the agenda for executive session.  All voted in favor.  Michael Rose & Cindy Cieslak were invited into executive session for the purposes of discussing all items. Bruce Barth & Alisha Sullivan were invited into executive session for purposes of discussing Items 1-3 and 6-7.  John Herrington was invited into executive session for purposes of discussing Items 1-10. Mike Rose, Bruce Barth and Alisha Sullivan exited the meeting at 9:31 a.m.  John Herrington exited the meeting at 10:43 a.m., except as further provided below.

Executive Session - discussion and possible recommendation

1. VCP application - written legal opinion.  
2. Summary Plan Description Update - written legal opinion.
3. Interest Crediting - written legal opinion.  
4. Policy for suspending benefits for failure to respond to surveys/provide required documentation/information - written legal opinion.  
5. Policy for disability retirees who do not comply with the 2017 SEBAC Agreement�s requirement to apply for Social security disability benefits - written legal opinion.  
6. Ralph Tedesco petition for declaratory ruling - pending claim/written legal opinion.  
7. Lena Smith Carter petition for reconsideration - pending claim/written legal opinion.  
8. Brian Sinclair - written legal opinion.
9. James Rizzio petition for declaratory ruling - pending claim/written legal opinion.  
10. Breakpoint Analysis - written legal opinion.  
11. Ronald Johnson v. SERC - pending litigation.  
12. Catherine Crandle v. SERC - pending litigation.  
13. Brian Comerford v. SERC - pending litigation.  
14. Marianna Grzeszczyk v. SERC - pending litigation.  
15. David Carter/Richard Kay v. SERC - pending litigation.  
16. Town of Thompson v. SERC - pending litigation. 

The Trustees took a break from 10:21 to 10:30 a.m.

At 10:54 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Michael Carey to come out of executive session.  All voted in favor.

At 10:55 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Michael Carey to recommend to the Commission that it approve the draft declaratory ruling in the matter of Ralph Tedesco. All voted in favor.

At 10:55 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Michael Carey to recommend to the Commission that it reconsider Lena Carter�s matter. All voted in favor.

At 10:56 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Charles Casella to recommend to the Commission that, pursuant to Regs., Conn State Agencies, � 5-155a-2(i), it permit an exception for Brian Sinclair regarding its policy of a two year limit on completion of submission to the Medical Examining Board and that this exception be limited to the specific facts of this case. All voted in favor.

At 11:00 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Michael Carey, to enter executive session for the purpose of further discussing Item 10 on the agenda for executive session.  All voted in favor.  John Herrington & Cindy Cieslak were invited into executive session for the purposes of discussing Item 10.

At 11:09 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Michael Carey to come out of executive session.  All voted in favor.

At 11:09 a.m., the Chairman called for Old Business. Cindy Cieslak and John Herrington discussed that the probate court was holding a hearing tomorrow regarding the Commission�s claim against Thomas Roberts� estate regarding an overpayment of pension benefits paid to Thomas Roberts.

MEETING ADJOURNED:  With no further business before the Subcommittee, at 11:14 a.m., Michael Carey moved, seconded by Robert Coffey, to adjourn.  All voted in favor.  Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Coffey

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