DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the ?Commission?) was held on June 21, 2018, in 7th Floor Conference Room at 55 Elm Street, Hartford Connecticut. The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. and the following members of the Commission were present:

• Peter Adomeit, Chairman
• Sandra Fae Brown Brewton, Trustee
• Michael Carey, Trustee
• Charles Casella, Trustee
• Robert D. Coffey, Trustee
• Richard M. Cosgrove, Trustee
• Paul Fortier, Trustee
• Sal Luciano, Trustee
• Ronald McLellan, Trustee
• Claude Poulin, Trustee
• Angel Quiros, Trustee
• Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller & Interim Director of Retirement Services, Ex Officio Member
• Laurie Martin, Ex Officio Member

The following members of the Commission were absent:

• Laila Mandour, Trustee
• Michael Bailey, Trustee

Also present were:

• Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division
• Bruce Barth, Robinson & Cole
• Cindy Cieslak, Rose Kallor
• John Herrington, Director Retirement Services Division
• Colin Newman, Retirement Services Division
• Karen Nolen, Office of Policy & Management
• Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
• Alisha Sullivan, Robinson & Cole

Call to Order

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.

Chairman's Report

The Chairman congratulated Attorney Barth and Attorney Sullivan on their hard work to complete the compilation. Dan Livingston and Ms. Brown Brewton were instrumental in pushing it forward. Mr. Cosgrove has submitted his resignation and this will be his last meeting.

Division Director's Report

The ARP to Hybrid transfers is at 318 that are in the final stage of being audited and waiting for an invoice to be generated. The invoices are being generated for the Division by Cavanaugh McDonald.

Division Director's Report

Disability Retirements

Deputy Comptroller Carlson explained to the Commission that just like the Tier 4 changes that needed to be made in Core the SAG award is also bringing changes. The few Accenture consultants that are still involved in the project will roll off on June 30th. If the consultants cannot stay and they leave, the Division will not be able to get them back.

At 9:18, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to amend the agenda to add, ?Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.?
i. At 9:18, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to add ?Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters? as item 17.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was no discussion.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to add Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the May 19, 2018 minutes.
i. At 9:25, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve May 19, 2018 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the May 19, 2018 minutes as amended.

 

2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:25, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.

 

3. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
i. At 9:25, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Per Diem and Travel Expense.
ii. Mr. Poulin abstained.
iii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor, with Mr. Poulin abstaining, to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

 

4. Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2018 Invoices from Rose Kallor.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Invoices from Rose Kallor.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Invoices from Rose Kallor.

 

5. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of May 2018.

 

6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of May 2018.

 

7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of May 2018.

 

8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of May 2018.

 

9. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of May 2018.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the May 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the month of May 2018.

 

10. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Denied by the Medical Examining Board.

 

11. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
i. At 9:26, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.

 

12. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials.
i. At 9:27, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion regarding the denials of Paul Cicarella, Erskine Edwards, and Karen Zelvin, and the definition of suitable and comparable work. The Commission amended the motion to exclude the named individuals in order to submit the matters to the Legal & Personnel Subcommittee.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials, with the exception of Paul Cicarella, Erskine Edwards and Karen Zelvin.

 

13. Request Commission Approval of the State?s Attorney?s Retirement System for June 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.
i. At 9:34, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the State?s Attorney?s Retirement System for June 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the State?s Attorney?s Retirement System for June 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.

 

14. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for June 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.
i. At 9:34, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for June 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for June 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.

 

15. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for June 2018 (Attached)
i. At 9:34, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for June 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for June 2018.

16. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period April 13, 2018 through May 10, 2018.
i. At 9:34, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay April 13, 2018 through May 10, 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period April 13, 2018 through May 10, 2018.

 

17. Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
i. At 9:35, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to accept the Billing from Robinson & Cole for federal tax matters.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Billing from Robinson & Cole for federal tax matters.

Before the Commission went into executive session, Mr. Luciano brought up two items. Under old business, he wanted the record to reflect that he had been corresponding with Mr. David Dalpe regarding his request for records indicating when the decision was made to apply the 415(b) limitation and who authorized it. The second item was for the good and welfare of the Commission, and he was hoping that they could have Commission Holiday Party and invite past Trustees to it. The Chairman indicated that he would work on organizing it.

Executive Session

1. Compilation - written legal opinion - discussion.
2. 100% Survivor Option - written legal opinion - discussion.
3. Prior Military Service and double credit - written legal opinion - discussion.
4. City of New London Police and Fire Survivors Benefit Fund - written legal opinion - discussion.
5. Member inquiry regarding time limitation for disability retirement application - written legal opinion - discussion
6. Jeremy Wiganowske - pending litigation - discussion.
7. Catherine Crandle - pending claim - discussion.
8. David Carter- pending litigation ? discussion.
9. Richard Kay - pending litigation discussion.
10. Thompson - pending litigation - discussion.
11. Carol Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
12. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation - discussion.
13. Gary Soracchi - pending litigation - discussion.

At 9:37, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to suspend the regular meeting and go into executive session for the purpose of discussing Item 1. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 1.

At 9:40 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 9:40 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 2. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 2.

At 9:54 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 9:54 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 3. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 3.

At 9:58 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 9:58 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to go into executive session to discuss Item 4. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 4.

At 10:06a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:06 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to go into executive session to discuss Items 5, 6 and 7. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Items 5, 6 and 7.

At 10:12a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:12 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 8. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 8.

At 10:14a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:14 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 9. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 9.

At 10:15a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:15 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 10. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 10.

At 10:17a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:17 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 11. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 11.

At 10:18a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:18 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 12. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 12.

At 10:19a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.
At 10:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session to discuss Item 13. Attorney Barth, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session for Item 13.

At 10:20a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.

Public Session

At 10:21, Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to accept the recommendation of the Legal and Personnel Subcommittee that the Commission request that its actuary calculate an estimation of the amount that would be lost to the plan if New London only paid contributions on full salary prospectively to the Police and Fire Survivors Benefit Fund.

i. At 10:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to amend the agenda to add the Connecticut Probate and Judges Employees Retirement System Report of the Actuary on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 2017 to item 18.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was no discussion.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to add the Connecticut Probate and Judges Employees Retirement System Report of the Actuary on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 2017.
iv. At 10:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the Connecticut Probate and Judges Employees Retirement System Report of the Actuary on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 2017.
v. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was no discussion.
vi. The Commission voted unanimously to accept the Connecticut Probate and Judges Employees Retirement System Report of the Actuary on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 2017.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to adjourn at 10:22 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by:

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

___________________________________
Prepared by John Herrington, Retirement Services Division Director
 

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