At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Fire and Police Pension Fund held on the 3rd day of April 2014, President Chris Willmore presided. The meeting was held at the Pension Office, 6009 John Douglass Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
The meeting convened at 0908 hours with board members Chris Willmore, Phillip McClain, Mark Coffman, Shawn O’Kelley, Less Lee, Jerome Halbert, Craig Joel and Brent Goldberg. Attorney Bill Robinson was also present.
Motion by Brent Goldberg and seconded by Shawn O’Kelley to approve the minutes from the March 20, 2014 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Police Sergeant Kevin Kincer appeared before the Board to present an application for Job Related Disability.
Police Sergeant Austin LeBron Garrett appeared before the Board to request an adjusted Pension participation date and credit for service in which his academy (Police 93-2) was sworn-in on December 7, 1993, worked as sworn officers during the holidays and then returned to the academy for training until early February 1994 when 93-2 academy graduated. The members of the academy did not become participants of the Pension or begin making contributions to the Fund until February 1994. Sgt. Garrett reports that Police Academy 94-2 is similarly situated. Motion by Less Lee and seconded by Phillip McClain to form a sub-committee of the Board to further study the request of Sgt. Garrett; determine liabilities associated with the request; examine impact of request on other members of the Plan; and clarify/develop Board policy regarding when an employee becomes a Plan participant. Motion carried unanimously.
President Willmore appointed a sub-committee consisting of Phillip McClain, Brent Goldberg, and Mark Coffman with direction to report back to the Board by June 5, 2014.
Motion by Brent Goldberg and seconded by Jerome Halbert to approve the following membership changes:
REMOVE FROM THE ROLLS:
Doris B. Thomas, surviving spouse of Retired Firefighter H.B. Thomas, effective 03/31/2014, died 03/20/2014 (2-411)
June H. McReynolds, surviving spouse of Retired Fire Commander Aaron McReynolds, effective 03/31/2014, died 03/25/2014 (2-411)
ADD TO THE ROLLS:
Battalion Chief Stephen Swanson, retiring with 28 years of service, reduced to a 25 year pension and a 36 month DROP, effective 04/01/2014, participation date of 02/28/1986 (2-411 and 2-422)
Police Sergeant Nicholas Allen, vesting with 13 years of service, effective 04/01/2014, participation date of 01/26/2001, benefit to commence 08/01/2033 (2-415)
REFUND CONTRIBUTIONS:
Police Sergeant Nicholas Allen, refund of additional 1%, terminated effective 04/01/2014 (2-423(d))
The motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Shawn O’Kelley and seconded by Less Lee to pay the bills. Motion carried unanimously.
Michael Dewayne Davenport asked about the status of his disability application. Katrina Abbott reported that the Fund office has not yet received the records from the additional providers named by Mr. Davenport last week. After discussion with the Board, Mr. Davenport stated that he wishes seek an opinion from an orthopedic specialist before the Board hears his case. He will provide the name of his specialist to the Board after receiving a diagnosis.
Motion by Brent Goldberg and seconded by Phillip McClain to adjourn at 1021 hours. Motion carried unanimously.
Note: Received City Court fees for February 2014.
Note: Received repayment of employee contribution for Matthew Rorex, reinstated on 03/28/2014 with an adjusted participation date of 04/04/2008.
