HomeMy WebLinkAboutPension General_Documentation_Tab 01_02/04/2008SYNPOSIS OF GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION BOARD QUARTERLY MEETING
MINUTES OF 11.5.07
•
1. New member Michael Rhodes was sworn in.
2. Approved minutes of 8.6.07 quarterly meeting as submitted
3. Mike Dana of Dana Investment Advisors, Inc, provided their semiannual report.
4. David West of Bogdahn Consulting LLC provided their quarterly report.
5. Requested each member receive the Salem Trust statement monthly; the full
annual statement would be available in the Village Clerk's office.
6. Voted to allow Salem Trust to open an additional account for the purpose of
investing in growth stocks and authorize Dana Investment Advisors, Inc., to move
funds between the two accounts.
7 There was consensus to add equities detailed analysis to the quarterly Bogdahn
report.
8. Voted to allow Bogdahn Consulting in the future to open accounts as needed
with Salem Trust and do portfolio rebalancing as necessary without granting
authority to transfer funds.
9. Accepted reports made by Dana and Bogdahn.
• 10. Authorized Chair Harding to write a letter to the Manager and Village Council that
would be signed by all members of the board expressing the board's unanimous
desire to pay 3% on mandatory employee contributions held in the pension fund
11. Approved the following items on the consent agenda:
Ratification Of Invoices Paid Since Last Quarterly Meeting:
• Business Services Connection, Inc. -
Recording and Minutes of 8.6.07 meeting $ 282.37
• Hanson, Perry & Jensen, P.A. $ 722.00
• Gabriel, Roeder & Smith Company $ 4,332.00
Payments To Be Reviewed And Approved:
• Hanson, Perry & Jensen, P.A. $ 85.60
• Bogdahn Consulting, LLC $ 1,125.00
• Dana Investment Advisors $ 1,377.01
• Gehring Group
Fiduciary Liability Insurance Policy
Policy Period 10/1/07 - 10/1/08 $ 801.33
• Approval of new applicants for participation in Pension Plan:
Kenneth Kandefer, Maintenance Worker, Recreation Dept. 10/1/07
SYNPOSIS OF GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION BOARD QUARTERLY MEETING
MINUTES OF 11.5.07
•
Deanna Mayo, Office Assistant, Village Clerk's Office 10/1 /07
Debra S. Espinosa, Communications Specialist 10/1/07
Statement of Activities and Budget Report
12. After discussion, approved withdrawal of contribution:
Truman Blanchard 9/25/07 $3,711.98 (Rollover)
13. Accepted the statements from Salem Trust as presented.
14. Members who attended the FPPTA trustee school held at PGA National reported
they were impressed; Board Member Reid expressed concern with a possible
conflict with being HR Director as well as a Board Member.
15. Attorney Jensen responded to a list of questions presented by new Board
Member Michael Rhodes.
16. Voted to hold an election annually in February to elect a Chair and Secretary.
END OF SYNOPSIS
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TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION
TRUST FUND
MINUTES OF REGULAR QUARTERLY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
The Tequesta General Employees' Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees held a
regular quarterly meeting in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 345 Tequesta
Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on November 5, 2007. The meeting was called to order at
10:53 a.m. by Chair Catherine Harding. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur,
Recording Secretary. Board members in attendance at the meeting were:. Chair
Catherine Harding, Secretary Archie C. Mangum, Jr., Board Member Merlene Reid,
Board Member Carl Hansen, and Board Member Michael D. Rhodes. Also in
attendance were Monitoring Consultant Dave West from Bogdahn Consulting, LLC,
• Mike Dana from Dana Investment Advisors, Inc., Attorney Bonni Jensen, and
Pension Coordinator Lori McWilliams.
II. Approval of Agenda
Board Member Hansen requested item 7 on the consent agenda be pulled for
discussion.
MOTION:
Board member Hansen made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.
Secretary Mangum seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0
vote.
III. Swearing in New Member
Village Clerk Lori McWilliams swore in new Board Member Michael D. Rhodes (stn
member position). Ms. McWilliams advised she would swear in the rest of the board
at the February meeting.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Tequesta General Employees' Pension Trust Fund Board Of Trustees
• Quarterly Meeting Minutes -August 6, 2007
MOTION
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 2
Secretary Mangum made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 6,
2007 quarterly meeting as submitted. Board Member Hansen seconded the
motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
V. PRESENTATIONS
2. Semiannual Presentation by Investment Manager
Dana Investment Advisors, Inc. Representative Mike Dana provided the semiannual
report, advising that their firm invested in every single sector, weighted to the
indicies. Mr. Dana reported the effect of sub-prime housing loans was affecting
many unexpected areas, including municipalities. Standard adjustable-rate
mortgages were now resetting, which would continue pressuring the housing
market until at least next summer. Mr. Dana reported 16% return on the fund
• portfolio this year, but indicated he doubted that number would be matched next
year. The Fed had recently again cut interest rates, which stimulated multi-national
business; inflation was a concern, and the Fed was trying to correct the housing
situation first. Mr. Dana reviewed his report booklet, described their company's
investment strategy, answered questions from the board, and predicted more
impacts from housing-affecting municipality insurance companies and taking on the
municipal bond market.
3. Presentation By Monitor
David West, Bogdahn Consulting, LLC, reviewed his company's report booklet.
Results for the year were reported, which showed the required actuarial rate of
return had been exceeded and investment performance was only one-half percent
under the benchmark, and a good peer ranking had been achieved. Among the
other items discussed were cash flows, bond pricing, and returns on equities.
Mr. West discussed value stock, which had driven the market for some time;
recommended Dana should now also utilize growth stock, and the only change
needed would be to direct the custodian to open an additional account for Dana to
manage so that they could allocate between growth and value products. Mr. Dana
indicated this would provide more consistent investment returns to accommodate
the market change to growth stocks. Discussion ensued.
• Attorney Jensen advised it would be appropriate, if the Board so desired, to make a
motion to follow through with the request from the investment manager to open an
account so that he could have the opportunity to invest in growth stock. Mr. Dana
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 3
advised he would stay within the 60% investment policy stock allocation. Board
Member Rhodes requested a list of stocks printed out, based on sectors and
whether growth or value. It was noted that was included in the custodian's
statement; the board requested that each member receive the custodian's
statement, sent out monthly; the full annual statement was kept available in the
Village Clerk's office. Mr. West advised he had prepared a letter to Salem Trust
requesting the additional account be opened.
MOTION:
Secretary Mangum made a motion to authorize taking the necessary steps to
start investing in growth stocks. Board Member Hansen seconded the
motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
Mr. West advised that the Public Safety Officers' pension board had requested a
more detailed analysis on equities and asked if this board would like that included
in the quarterly report. Consensus of the board was to have Bogdahn Consulting
add the equities detailed analysis to the quarterly report.
Mr. Dana responded to a question from Chair Harding regarding Merrill Lynch's
problems reported in the news. Mr. Dana explained that Merrill Lynch was a very
large company, going through a couple of hard quarters, and expressed his opinion
that they would be okay. Mr. West advised that going into companies with a more
global reach would further diversity the portfolio.
Attorney Jensen noted the motion needed to give Bogdahn Consulting authority to
open additional portfolios and to rebalance.
MOTION:
Secretary Mangum made a motion to allow Bogdahn Consulting in the future
to open accounts as needed with Salem Trust and do portfolio rebalancing as
necessary; and that they do not have authority to transfer funds. Board
Member Hansen seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
MOTION:
Secretary Mangum made a motion to accept the reports from Dana Investment
Advisors, Inc. and Bogdahn Consulting, LLC. Board Member Rhodes
seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
• VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
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4. Status Report on Village Council discussion on 10/12/07 regarding paying
interest on employee contributions
Pension Coordinator Lori McWilliams reported the Village Council had agreed to put
this matter forth as a union negotiation tool. Chair Harding commented she thought
this was slippage on the part of the Village Council, that they did not truly
understand the board's request, and this had been the second time this was
presented, along with the ordinance for approval; the first time was just informative.
Ms. Harding read from the Village Council minutes some of the comments made
when this item was presented, and stated as Chair of this Board she saw no
correlation in why required employee contributions would not get any interest on
them. Chair Harding stated she did not agree with it being merged with negotiations
with the union; and she did not think there should be any correlation between the
two. Whatever negotiations went on with the union were between the union
members and what went on with this board was a separate subject, in her opinion.
• Secretary Mangum stated he was astounded when he read the Council's comments
because he felt this was not a negotiable matter; the Board had made a
recommendation and it was up to the Village Council to say yea or nay. Secretary
Mangum commented he believed the Mayor and some other members of the
Council had misunderstood. Board Member Hansen asked if the other members
felt this should be brought up to the Council again; Chair Harding indicated she
would like to speak to the Council on this matter because she felt there was
misunderstanding, possibly with the confusion of union negotiations. Attorney
Jensen advised the Village Clerk had reported at this same Village Council meeting
where the Firefighters had proposed using State dollars to reduce their contributions
into the plan and the Council had deferred that decision to collective bargaining.
Attorney Jensen advised the Board that pension benefits were a mandatory subject
of collective bargaining, so either party could bring pension benefits to the table, so
that if there were union members in the pension plan, they could negotiate this
issue; however, this was a very small cost issue and was not the same thing
proposed by the Firefighters, but under Florida law pension benefits were a
mandatory subject of collective bargaining. So in principle, they could table this for
negotiation; however from the minutes it looked like they had not understood there
was a distinction between the Public Safety Officers pension board request and the
request from this board. Village Clerk McWilliams stated she agreed they probably
did not understand, but this was brought up in August as well, and Council had
asked that it be brought back after the budget was finished, and in the current
financial climate did not want to spend more money, but she felt they had not
• understood the difference between this request and that of the Public Safety
Officers board. Board Member Reid asked how it would work with having non-union
employees in the same pension plan. Attorney Jensen responded that they could
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 5
not act on behalf of non-union employees but could act for the union employees to
supply benefits; in most places where there was a pension program and a union,
the unionized employees were the bulk of the participants. Board Member Reid
stated in the Public Safety Officers' plan the bulk were unionized; in the General
Employees plan they would also be in the majority. Attorney Jensen advised that
generally speaking, non-unionized employees were a part of the group who
received the benefit of the negotiations, and confirmed that there was no distinction
when there were members not in the union for purposes of collective bargaining.
Chair Harding expressed her opinion that it seemed a man's money should earn
some interest if it was being taken from him, and called for comments on this item.
Board Member Reid asked where the Board went now; did this just go to
negotiation as requested by the Council. Attorney Jensen responded this board
should receive some notification that the Village had requested to negotiate this
particular item, that there already was a drafted ordinance the Board had already
developed, the cost value of it, and that could be considered in the course of
• collective bargaining. Board Member Reid advised collective bargaining had
commenced. Chair Harding asked Board Member Reid to take care of this as
Human Resource Director since she was the only one who had contact with the
unions and negotiations. Board Member Reid responded that was fine but there
was an issue coming up where she needed to understand her role on the board
versus her role as Human Resources Director, and that would be discussed under
the item about the pension seminar.
Attorney Jensen advised there was nothing wrong with talking to the Village Council
and explaining to them what the Board was really looking for here-just interest on
the refund of contributions which Mr. Palmquist had said was $100 to $200 per year
cost to the fund. Board Member Hansen noted Chair Harding had volunteered to
talk to the Council on this subject, and asked if it could be on the Council agenda.
Pension Coordinator McWilliams advised it would need to be done before the
December Council meeting since the agenda had already been set for November.
Chair Harding commented this whole thing started innocently as a matter of
recognizing there was no interest being paid on pension money that employees
were required to put in; it had nothing to do with unions or negotiating, and had
been generated from the General Employees Pension Board and not out of a union
negotiating matter. She felt it should be presented to Council in that innocence;
they were not trying to get the most out of the municipality, but to get the most out of
their own money.
• Pension Coordinator McWilliams noted one of the Council members had expressed
that their interest was in keeping employees here and not to pay employees to
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 6
leave. Secretary Mangum responded the board was not paying them to leave;
stated he was a very strong supporter of this, because this is a mobile world. You
might not be planning to leave tomorrow, but did not know what might happen--you
might have to move through no fault of your own before you were vested, and it was
not fair for the fund to have had your money all this time. It was not a matter of
keeping you or not keeping you, it was only fairness when somebody had to move,
had to leave, or had to quit work that they get something for the money they had to
put in over the years. Secretary Mangum stated he felt very, very strongly about
this. Ms. McWilliams responded she thought some of the Council members did not
understand this was mandatory. Board Member Reid advised she had been at the
first Village Council meeting where this was presented and the Finance Director had
given a very good explanation, that this money belonged to the staff and it was
mandatory. Ms. McWilliams commented she fully backed this since it was
mandatory. Chair Harding commented that to her it was just fairness. Discussion
ensued regarding how to proceed. Ms. McWilliams suggested the whole board
attend the Council meeting possibly in December since the agenda had already
. been set for November, to answer questions and present how they saw it. Ms. Reid
commented there were three unions as well as a group of non-unionized
employees, and it had not yet been brought up to the union.
Attorney Jensen advised that pensions were a mandatory subject of collective
bargaining, which meant either party could bring items to the table. Board Member
Reid commented she saw chaos coming because then it would not be limited just to
interest on the funds but could be every group and every union wanting certain
changes. Chair Harding asked if there would be any harm letting them sort through
it and then the Board bringing it back to Council the beginning of the year. Ms.
McWilliams noted Council had received the minutes back to when this discussion
first started, over a year ago, so they had all the backup and she didn't know what
more could possibly be provided. Chair Harding commented this was now more
political than just a nice gesture of good faith and loyalty; by being a part of
negotiations with the unions it became political to her, and she did not want this
Board to get involved in anything that smacked of politics. Ms. Harding asked if
after the unions were finished whether the Board could go back for reconsideration
if this were not settled for the Board. Attorney Jensen indicated she believed it
would be closed until collective bargaining happened again.
Board Member Hansen commented this was only to pay interest on money
employees had invested into the pension plan, and asked if any union would object
• to that, and pointed out that Mr. Palmquist had confirmed that although it was not
required, the vast majority of plans did pay interest. Attorney Jensen responded
the union could waive bargaining on that item if Council said they had seen the light
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
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NOVEMBER 5, 2007
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and now wanted to pay interest. Secretary Mangum commented the Mayor wanted
to hold this in his back pocket so he could say we will give this to the people if the
union capitulates on something else. It was a bargaining chip.
Discussion ensued regarding writing a letter to the Village Council, composing their
thoughts as to the true nature of what was intended and why, and communicating
that to the Council to separate this from the concept of union negotiations. Chair
Harding saw this as more of a moral issue than a political issue. Board Member
Rhodes expressed his opinion the Board owed resolution of this matter to the
participants; with all due respect to Mayor Humpage, this Board was to serve the
participants, and stated he liked the idea of a letter. Secretary Mangum asked Chair
Harding to prepare a letter, which she agreed to do and to send it to all the
members of the Board for input and for everyone to sign.
It was pointed out there was no motion by the Village Council to use this as a
negotiating tool-it was by consensus. Chair Harding commented they also said in
• that statement they were going to use the pension request as a bargaining tool, so
when this Board's item came back up, it was just swept up in the package. The
distribution of the letter would be coordinated through the office of the Village Clerk
to avoid conflicts with the Sunshine Law. Logistics of obtaining a signature from a
member who was out of town were discussed.
MOTION:
Board Member Hansen made a motion to prepare a letter as a Board and sign
it as a Board in favor of paying 3% interest on mandatory monies from
employees held in the pension fund. Secretary Mangum seconded the
motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
VI1. CONSENT AGENDA
Board Member Hansen made a motion to approve the consent agenda with
Item 7 pulled for discussion. Secretary Mangum seconded the motion,
which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
Board Member Hansen advised he wanted to discuss item 8, not item 7. The
motion was withdrawn.
Board Member Hansen made a motion to approve the consent agenda with
• Item 8 pulled for discussion. Secretary Mangum seconded the motion,
which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 8
Therefore, the following items were approved on the consent agenda:
5. Ratification Of Invoices Paid Since Last Quarterly Meeting:
• Business Services Connection, Inc.
Recording and Minutes of 8.6.07 meeting $ 282.37
• Hanson, Perry 8~ Jensen, P.A. $ 722.00
• Gabriel, Roeder 8 Smith Company $ 4,332.00
6. Payments To Be Reviewed And Approved:
• Hanson, Perry 8 Jensen, P.A. $ 85.60
• • Bogdahn Consulting, LLC $ 1,125.00
• Dana Investment Advisors $ 1,377.01
• Gehring Group
Fiduciary Liability Insurance Policy
Policy Period 10/1107 -10/1/08 $ 801.33
7. Approval of new applicants for participation in Pension Plan:
Kenneth Kandefer, Maintenance Worker, Recreation Dept. 10/1/07
Deanna Mayo, Office Assistant, Village Clerk's Office 10/1/07
Debra S. Espinosa, Communications Specialist 10/1/07
9. Statement of Activities
10. Budget Report
Discussion of Item 8:
8. Approval of withdrawal of contributions:
• Truman Blanchard 9/25/07 $3,711.98 (Rollover)
Board Member Hansen asked for an explanation of this item, and asked the
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 9
percentage that would be withheld for the Village. Board Member Reid
explained this was the exact amount Mr. Blanchard had paid in and he was
receiving it back, with no interest. The Village was contributing about 7%,
which remained in the fund; after six years he would be vested and entitled
to a pension, and no employee ever took with them the Village's contribution.
Council Member Hansen commented Mr. Blanchard was taking this as a
rollover to a new employer and asked if the Village had experienced a new
employee coming in and bringing with them a rollover from someplace else;
and was advised that the rollover went into a financial institution, probably
into an IRA account. Attorney Jensen explained the place where most
public sector plans would see roll-ins was where people were allowed to buy
time in the plans, such as military time. This was not the type of plan where
that would be done unless people were allowed to buy time; generally it cost
more to do that. Board Member Reid explained there was a 457 plan which
the Village facilitated for people who had funds they needed to place when
they were employed.
• M TION:
O
Board Member Hansen made a motion to approve Item 8. Board
Member Reid seconded; the vote on the motion was unanimous 5-0.
Chair Harding asked if Mr. Blanchard had stayed seven years and was fully
vested before he left, whether he would get his total contribution plus what
had been paid in by the Village. Board Member Reid responded he would
not get anything because he would then be eligible to receive a pension
upon reaching retirement age. At no time could one receive a lump sum
after being vested of both their contribution and the Village's contribution.
Attorney Jensen explained that the benefit anticipated from this fund was a
monthly payment upon attaining retirement age. If vested, at 62 he could
begin to collect his pension, even if working somewhere else. The amount
of payment was based on a formula, and paid every month for the rest of his
life. If he died before 120 payments had been made then a beneficiary could
receive payments. Also, payments could be reduced in order to receive
something for a longer period of time to a beneficiary. Attomey Jensen
advised that members did have the opportunity to buy back military time.
VIII. FINANCIAL REPORTS
• 11. Account Statements (October 1, 2006 -September 30, 2007)
Attorney Jensen reported at the Public Safety Officers' meeting they had
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 10
decided they did not want to receive the statement information in their
meeting books on a quarterly basis, it would be on the agenda stating it was
available in the Village Clerk's office if anyone wanted to see it. Attorney
Jensen advised that this board had actually requested earlier in the meeting
to receive the reports on a monthly basis. Attorney Jensen explained that
Bogdahn Consulting's quarterly report reflected the same information; and in
the statement of activities, which was Item 9, the Finance Department
actually reconciled the custodian statements to their records and the bank
records, so the board was receiving the information at their meetings from
these sources.
MOTION:
Board Member Hansen made a motion to accept the account
statements from Salem Trust as presented. Board Member Rhodes
seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
. IX. NEW BUSINESS
12. Reports/discussion by members of the board who attended FPPTA
school at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens October 7-10, 2007 -
Board Member Carl Hansen, Board Member Merlene Reid, Board
Member Michael Rhodes
Board Member Hansen reported he was quite impressed with the school,
thankful to the Village for paying the registration fee, and he had learned a
lot, and recommended it for anyone who did not attend.
Board Member Reid agreed, indicated she learned the meaning of many
terms, and came away with many ideas. Board Member Reid recommended
an information package for new employees including the contracts for the
consultants and the summary plan. She was concerned that as Human
Resources Director and a member of the board that she might be directing
herself. Attorney Jensen advised that in other municipalities if the Human
Resources Director was involved with the pension board it was as a
consultant; usually the person on the board was from the Finance
Department. The issue of whether there was a conflict of interest was a
personal decision of whether she was placing herself in a conflicting role.
Board Member Reid commented she saw herself as administering the fund
• but was unsure of where her role began and ended.
Board Member Rhodes thanked the Board for letting him go to the trustee
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 11
school, and felt it had been a great learning experience and liked the
flexibility of being able to choose the classes to attend since the Board
attendees were not going through the certification program. Board Member
Rhodes noted he had come up with a list of items he would like to know
more about and had made a copy for each member. Board Member Reid
felt it should be mandatory to provide this information. Chair Harding asked
that Pension Coordinator McWilliams and Attorney Jensen review the list.
Board Member Hansen commented although this was an independent
Board, it was somewhat tied to the Public Safety Officers' Pension Board,
utilizing the same attorney and monitor, and holding meetings the same day
so that it would be convenient for the consultants to attend; and advised
Board Member Rhodes as to his question about replacing them that it would
be somewhat in concert with the Public Safety Officers' Board. Board
Member Rhodes commented on the importance of educating the
participants.
Attorney Jensen res onded with answers to Board Member Rhodes'
P
questions to which she knew the answers. Although there was not a public
calendar the meetings were set annually; she sent a report annually in about
May to let members know about Form 1. The pay to play questionnaire was
completed by the monitor during their selection process. Regarding the
E&O policy, today the Board had approved the liability policy, and
traditionally this Board had split that with the Public Safety Board, which was
split between Fire and Police. There was a provision in the plan stating the
members were not liable except when acting outside the scope of their ability
as a trustee; the State law also had that same provision. The policy was
purchased through the municipality; she was not sure if defense costs were
included. There were no disputes currently, and no potential contingencies
that might develop into claims. The Village had already sent Attorney
Jensen the annual letter requesting information for the auditors, and she had
already responded. Attorney Jensen explained there had been an ongoing
issue with the Florida Retirement System; after opting out, some employees
were still in the FRS plan, and although the issue had been resolved, it would
be coming up in the next actuarial report because the Village had put money
into this plan which they should not have so there would be some employer
credits against their contributions. The amount was approximately $30,000-
$40,000. The Board did not have a current formula or set formal evaluation
• period for outside professionals. The Board was a member of FPPTA,
required in order to participate in their seminars. They were not members of
the other organization about which Board Member Rhodes asked. Attorney
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• TEQUESTA GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 12
Jensen expressed her opinion that the benefit to attending conferences was
the networking and talking to others with the same problems. Regarding the
history of the retirement plan, the Village had opted out of FRS, and it was a
young plan. Attorney Jensen explained she had been with the Board since
inception of the split from Public Safety, December 2002. Board Member
Hansen also provided history information. Attorney Jensen explained
documents were kept in the Village Clerk's and Finance Department offices.
The plan was not administered by a third party. There was an investment
policy statement and summary plan description, meeting minutes and
outside service contracts were kept in the Village Clerk's office and she had
electronic copies. There was not a proxy voting policy. Attorney Jensen
explained Dana's proxy voting policy. The investment monitor certified they
had no relationship with the money managers. Attorney Jensen discussed
the pay to play issue. Updated investment portfolio information was provided
in advance of the meetings. A small seminar had been held with participants
to explain the plan and a total of eleven had attended.
• 13. Discussion of holdin an annual election each November for Chair and
9
Secretary
Pension Coordinator Lori McWilliams commented there was no consistency
as to when the Chair and Secretary were elected; and she wanted to provide
consistency such as in the Public Safety Board where an annual election
was held each November, and asked for the Board's opinion. Board
Member Hansen commented it was a good idea to bring it up annually, which
did not mean the officers needed to change, and suggested February.
Secretary Mangum noted he was elected Secretary at his first meeting over
two years ago; Chair Harding was appointed when Mr. Garlo left which was
in February, 2007. Discussion ensued regarding which month to hold an
annual election.
MOTION:
Board Member Hansen made a motion to hold an annual election as a
matter of policy to elect officers Chairman and Secretary, at the Board's
regular February meeting. Secretary Mangum seconded the motion,
which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
14. Election of Chair and Secretary
• MOTION:
Secretary Mangum made a motion to table election of Chair and
• BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
PAGE 13
Secretary to the February 2008 regular meeting. Board Member Hansen
seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
X. ANY OTHER MATTERS
Attorney Jensen reported she had responded to the auditing inquiry letter; asked
the Secretary sign the Policy for Trustee Expenses.
Chair Harding stated she would compose the letter to the Village Council as
directed by the Board.
XI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
There was no communication from citizens.
• XII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
,,
<_ .mac
~;
Betty Laur
Recording Secretary
•