Retirement Services Division August 12, 2015 Minutes of the Retirement Commission Legal & Personnel Subcommittee

STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
LEGAL AND PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING

August 12, 2015

TRUSTEES PRESENT
Peter Adomeit, Chairman
Michael Carey
Charles Casella
Paul Fortier
Michael Rose, Counsel for Commission
Bruce Barth, Counsel for Tax Issues
Cynthia Christie, Robinson & Cole

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Public Session:

1. Zimberlin FOIA Request - Attorney Rose provided an update on the status of gathering documents that are responsive to the request made under the Freedom of Information Act, and on the process for responding to the request. No motion was taken.

2. Revision of SERC Regulations - Attorney Rose provided an update on review subjects for which regulations may be reviewed and/or refreshed. No motion was taken.

3. Status of Codification - Attorney Barth reported that efforts on codification of the retirement plan are ongoing. Once Robinson & Cole have completed its draft of the codification, a review will be necessary. No motion was taken.

4. Status of 24 Month Reviews - Chairman Adomeit provided an update that SEBAC has agreed with the State on language regarding the application of terms "suitable and comparable" in connection with disability retirement. No motions were taken.

5. Status of Division Reemployment review - Attorney Rose recommended that the Office of the State Comptroller continue advising the Commission on the status of individual MERS retirees who have been reemployed. No motion was taken.

6. Resolution re: Payment of Retirement Benefits - Attorney Rose recommended the Commission engage in a discussion with the Office of the State Comptroller regarding the process and sequence for the approval and payment of pension benefits, as noted in the report by the Auditors of Public Accounts. No motions were taken.

7. In the Chairman's Report, Chairman Adomeit noted that there have been recent requests from legislators to appear before the Commission. Chairman Adomeit is preparing a written response regarding procedures for appearing before the Commission. No motions were taken.

At 3:21 p.m. Mr. Fortier moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing written advice from Counsel on the review of the report from the Auditors of Public Account. All voted in favor, Attorneys Rose, Barth and Christie were invited to attend.

At 3:43 p.m. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on the matter.

At 3:44 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion the Alston pending litigation. Attorneys Rose, Barth and Christie were invited to attend.

At 3:45 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on the matter.

At 3:46 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Bouchard pending litigation. All voted in favor. Attorneys Rose, Barth and Christie were invited to attend.

3:47 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on this matter.

3:48 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing written advice from Counsel regarding the Quintiliano petition. All voted in favor. Attorneys Barth, Rose and Christie were invited to attend.

3:57 p.m. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on this matter.

3:58 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing written advice from Counsel regarding the Sampieri matter. All voted in favor. Attorneys Barth, Christie and Rose were invited to attend.

4:10 p.m. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on this matter.

4:11 p.m. Mr. Fortier moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the written opinion from Counsel on the matter regarding the Connecticut Conference on Municipalities intervention on the Thompson matter. All voted in favor. Attorneys Barth, Christie and Rose were invited to attend.

4:11 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on this matter.

4:12 p.m. Mr. Fortier moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing written advice from Counsel regarding Dr. Johnson's request to appear before the Commission. All voted in favor. Attorneys Rose, Barth and Christie were invited to attend.

4:16 p.m. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on this matter.

4:16 p.m. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing written advice from Counsel regarding IRS matters, specifically including the status of the SAG Award Working Group, repayment of death benefits, and providing SERS members with information pertaining to Section 415 limits. All voted in favor. Attorneys Barth, Christie and Rose were invited to attend.

4:35 p.m. Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to come out of Executive Session. All voted in favor. There were no motions taken on this matter.

4:35 p.m. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to adjourn. All voted in favor.

Meeting adjourned.

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