DRAFT STATE OF CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION Minutes January 16, 2020

DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on January 16, 2020, in the 3rd Floor Conference Room at 165 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT. 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
Karen Buffkin, Trustee
Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller, Ex Officio Member
Charles Casella, Trustee
Carl Chisem, Trustee
Robert D. Coffey, Trustee
Paul Fortier, Trustee
Sal Luciano, Trustee
Laurie Martin, Ex Officio Member
Karen Nolen, Trustee
Claude Poulin, Trustee

The following members of the Commission were absent:

Janet Andrews, Trustee
Michael Carey, Trustee

Also present were:

Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division
Bruce Barth, Robinson and Cole
Natalie Braswell, Office of the State Comptroller
Cindy Cieslak, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
John Herrington, Retirement Services Division
Colin Newman, Retirement Services Division
Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
Alisha Sullivan, Robinson and Cole

Call to Order

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:14 a.m.

Chairman's Report

A candidate to be the MERS liaison has been found. His name is Mr. Mark Sciota. He is an attorney, and he has been the town manager of Southington since 2017. He is very familiar with MERS because all of the bargaining units in the Town of Southington participate in MERS. He plans to attend an upcoming Retirement Commission meeting.

At 9:16 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to amend the agenda to include items 13, 14, 15 and 16; GASB 67 & GASB 68 Reports for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System and the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.

Division Director's Report

There was a high amount of retirements in January.

Division Director Report (1/16/2020)

I. Disability Retirements

Pending Disability Applications for the Initial Review by the Medical Examining Board: The Division is in the process of adding additional meetings for 2020 in attempt to reduce the wait period. Currently scheduling into July 2020.

There is a total of 291 Disability Retirement Applications of which:

18 New Applications received for December 2019.
184 Applications have been scheduled for meetings into July 2020
107 Applications are awaiting additional medical documentatio

	7/2019	8/2019	9/2019	10/2019	11/2019	12/2019	1/2020
Pending Disability Retirement Applications:	401	366	369	310	302	272	291

A. Twenty-Four Month Reviews

288 Cases are due for a 24-month review.
- 90 Cases - Retiree is receiving SSD benefits (Expedited Approval Process)
  - 15 have dates that are beyond 24-months old which will be scheduled at the next 24 month review meeting in February 2020.
- 198 Cases - Retiree does not appear to be receiving SSD benefits.
- 105 have dates beyond 24 months old. Of the 105, 36 are ready to be scheduled for the next 24 month review meeting which is tentatively scheduled for February 2020 and April 2020.

B. Disability Files Processed:

10 Voluntary Pending
9 Approved Disability Applications of which
- 4 Applications were new to payroll
- 5 Applications were changed from Voluntary Pending to Disability.
9 Applications were finalized and sent to I & R.

	7/2019	8/2019	9/2019	10/2019	11/2019	12/2019	1/2020
Disability Retirement Processed:	85	73	52	82	41	57	26

C. Disability Backlog: As of today's date of the December Retirement Commission meeting there are approximately 1922 disability retirement applications that have yet to be finalized. 1776 are disability retirement applications with a retirement date that is pre-July 2016. The remaining 146 applications are from July 2016 through the present.

	7/2019	8/2019	9/2019	10/2019	11/2019	12/2019	1/2020
Disability Backlog:	1960	1958	1953	1941	1923	1927	1922

II. Normal Retirement Audits:

	7/2019	8/2019	9/2019	10/2019	11/2019	12/2019	1/2020
Retirements Processed:	186	193	175	162	151	100	178

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the December 19, 2019 minutes.

i. At 9:23 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the December 19, 2019 minutes.

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 December 19, 2019 minutes.

2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman�s Per Diem Expenses.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton 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�s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin�s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

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 Claude Poulin�s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

4. Request Commission Acceptance of Invoices from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters rendered for the month of December.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the Invoices from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters rendered for the month of December.

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 Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters rendered for the month of December.

5. Request Commission Acceptance of Invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of December.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of December. 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 rendered for the month of December.

6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of December 2019.
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 December 2019.

7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of December 2019. 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 December 2019.

8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

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 December 2019.

9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Municipal Employees Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Municipal Employees Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

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 Municipal Retirements for the Month of December 2019.

10. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approvals by the Medical Examining Board.

i. At 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approvals 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 Approvals by the Medical Examining Board.
: 11. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System (Omitted from the December meeting).

i. At 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the GASB 67 Report for the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.
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 GASB 67 Report for the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.

14. Request Commission Acceptance of the GASB 68 Report for the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.

i. At 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the GASB 68 Report for the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.
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 GASB 68 Report for the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.

15. Request Commission Acceptance of the GASB 67 Report for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.

i. At 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the GASB 67 Report for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.
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 GASB 67 Report for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019.

16. Request Commission Acceptance of the GASB 68 Report for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019 Measurement Date for June 30, 2020 Reporting Date.

i. At 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to accept the GASB 68 Report for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019 Measurement Date for June 30, 2020 Reporting Date.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor accept the GASB 68 Report for the Connecticut State Employees� Retirement System Prepared as of June 30, 2019 Measurement Date for June 30, 2020 Reporting Date.

Executive Session - discussion and possible action

VCP application - written legal opinion
SERS Compilation - written legal opinion
David Carter/Richard Kay v. SERC - pending litigation
Town of Thompson v. SERC - pending litigation
Ronald Johnson v. SERC - pending claim/litigation
Catherine Crandle v. SERC - pending litigation
Scott Barton appeal - written legal opinion
Jeffrey Heser appeal - written legal opinion
Gary Fredericks request for reconsideration - written legal opinion
Thomas Roberts request for reconsideration - written legal opinion
Brian Comerford v. SERC - pending litigation

At 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to suspend the regular meeting and go into executive session for the purposes of discussing Item 1. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 1.

At 9:28 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 9:28 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 2. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 2.

At 9:32 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 9:32 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to go into executive session for the purposes of discussing Item 3. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 3.

At 9:39 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:39 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 4. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 4.

At 9:47 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:47 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 5. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 5.

At 9:49 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:49 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 6. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 6.

At 9:50 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:50 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 7. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 7.

At 9:57 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 8. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 8.

At 10:07 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:07 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 9. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 9.

At 10:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 10. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 10.

At 10:22 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:22 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 11. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 11.

At 10:23 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 12. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, 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 to discuss Item 12.

At 10:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:28 a.m., Ms. Brown- Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano with respect to the Town of Thompson, that the actual dollar amount is the amount counsel shall provide to Thompson as the amount that shall be paid within 30 days with the understanding that there is an escalator of 0.5% if not paid within 30 days. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor.

At 10:28 a.m., Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano, that with respect to Mr. Heser�s appeal that the Commission direct the Division to reinstate Mr. Heser�s pay retroactively and to pursue additional questions and absent satisfaction proceed to discontinue the pay with due process provided to the individual. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor.

At 10:29 a.m., Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano with respect to Mr. Roberts� request for reconsideration that counsel reject the settlement offer made by Mr. Roberts� estate and pursue the matter accordingly. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor.

At 10:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to deny Mr. Fredricks� request for reconsideration. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor.

At 10:30 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the recommendation from the Legal and Personnel Subcommittee and accept the recommendation from Counsel that Mr. Barton�s appeal has not presented any legal arguments which would support a reversal of the Division�s decision in this matter, and therefore, deny the appeal. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to adjourn at 10:31 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by:

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

___________________________________
Prepared by John Herrington
Director Retirement Service Division

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DRAFTSTATE OF CONNECTICUTSTATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION