DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the ?Commission?) was held on May 17, 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
• Michael Bailey, Trustee
• 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
• Laila Mandour, Trustee
• Ronald McLellan, Trustee
• Claude Poulin, 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:

• Angel Quiros, Trustee

Also present were:

• Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division
• Bruce Barth, Robinson & Cole
• Natalie Braswell, Office of the State Comptroller
• Cindy Cieslak, Rose Kallor
• 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 9:09 a.m.

Chairman's Report

The Chairman congratulated Mr. Luciano on his retirement from his job but reassured the Commission that he will stay on the Retirement Commission. He also told the Commission that Ms. Eagan?s responsibilities have shifted to Ms. Brown- Brewton.

Division Director's Report

The Division continues to focus on the SAG award. The Division has held 21 informal sessions at schools reaching approximately 700 employees. The Division has also been having weekly meetings with the board of regents. The Division has also been focusing on the Customer Service center and has recently gotten approved for new positions.

Division Director's Report

Disability Retirements

At 9:14, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Mandour to amend the agenda to add, ?Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials.?

i. At 9:14, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to move item 13 from April.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was no discussion.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials

 

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the April 19, 2018 minutes.
iv. At 9:20, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve April 19, 2018 minutes.
v. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
vi. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the April 19, 2018 minutes as amended.

 

2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:20, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey 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 9:20, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey 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 May 2018 Invoices from Rose Kallor.
i. At 9:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey 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 Acceptance of the April 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
i. At 9:21, 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.

 

6. Request Commission Acceptance of the May 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
i. At 9:21, 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.

 

7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of April 2018.
i. At 9:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of April 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 April 2018.

 

8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of April 2018.
i. At 9:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 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 April 2018.

 

9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of April 2018.
i. At 9:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of April 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 April 2018.

 

10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of April 2018.
i. At 9:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of April 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 April 2018.

 

11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of April 2018.
i. At 9:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the April 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 April 2018.

 

12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved 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 Approved by the Medical Examining Board.

 

13. Request Commission Approval of the Retirement Services Division Request to Discontinue the Disability Applications Due to the One Year Deadline Associated with the Right to Ask for a Reconsideration of the Medical Examining Board Denial. (Attached)
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Retirement Services Division Request to Discontinue the Disability Applications Due to the One Year Deadline Associated with the Right to Ask for a Reconsideration of the Medical Examining Board Denial.
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 Retirement Services Division Request to Discontinue the Disability Applications Due to the One Year Deadline Associated with the Right to Ask for a Reconsideration of the Medical Examining Board Denial.

 

14. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for May 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for May 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 May 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.

 

15. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for May 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for May 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 Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for May 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.

16. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for May 2018 (Attached)
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for May 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 May 2018.

 

17. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period March 16, 2018 Through April 12, 2018.
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay March 16, 2018 Through April 12, 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 March 16, 2018 Through April 12, 2018.

 

18. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Period Ending December 31, 2017 and the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017
i. At 9:22, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to review and accept the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Period Ending December 31, 2017 and the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017
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 review and accept the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Period Ending December 31, 2017 and the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017

Executive Session
At 9:23, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to suspend the regular meeting and go into executive session for the purpose to discuss SAG Award Update. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.

1. SAG Award Update/implementation - written legal opinion - discussion.
3. Thompson/CMERS-pending litigation - discussion.
4. Carol Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
5. David Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
6. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation - discussion.
7. Candle, et al.- Petition for Declaratory Ruling

Public Session
No motions were made

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to adjourn at 10:30 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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