DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the �Commission�) was held on July 18, 2019, 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
• Janet Andrews, Trustee
• Sandra Fae Brown Brewton, Trustee
• Michael Carey, Trustee
• Charles Casella, Trustee
• Carl Chisem, Trustee
• Robert D. Coffey, Trustee
• Paul Fortier, Trustee
• Karen Nolen, Trustee
• Claude Poulin, Trustee
• Angel Quiros, Trustee
• Sal Luciano, Trustee
• Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller, Ex Officio Member
• Laurie Martin, Ex Officio Member

The following members of the Commission were absent:

•  Michael Bailey, Trustee
•  Karen Buffkin, Trustee

Also present were:

• Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division
• Bruce Barth, Robinson & Cole
• Natalie Braswell, Retirement Services Division
• Cindy Cieslak, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
• John Herrington, Retirement Services Division
• Colin Newman, Retirement Services Division
• Alisha Sullivan, Robinson & Cole

Call to Order 

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

Chairman's Report

The state is not going to require the Retirement Commission to put out an RFP to rehire a tax attorney. The Chairman asked that the executive session agenda be amended to add a discussion of the current tax attorney and to make sure all the trustees were in agreement with not needing to submit a RFP.  

At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton, to amend the executive session portion of the agenda to add a discussion regarding legal services for tax matters.  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 

At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Herrington provided the Division Director�s Report. This month was a standard month for retirements processed. The Division was able to focus on the increased disability backlog. The Division has also been working on implementing the MERS rate changes. 

July 2019 Division Director Report 

• Pending Disability Applications for the Initial Review by the Medical Examining Board:  The Division continues to analyze the 12 dates that have been scheduled for MEB meetings for the remainder of 2019 in an attempt to add more initial application type meetings so as to reduce the wait period.
  
  •  There are a total of 402 Disability Retirement Applications pending of which:
  •  206 Applications have been scheduled for meetings into January 2020
  • 196 Applications are awaiting additional medical documentation.

• Twenty-Four Month Reviews:
  •  240 Cases are due for a 24 month review.
    •  43 Cases-Retiree is receiving SSD benefits (Expedited Approval Process).
      •  7 have retirement dates that are beyond 24 months old
    •  196 Cases-Retiree does not appear to be receiving SSD benefits.
      •  109 have retirement dates beyond 24 months old
        •  25 have been scheduled on the next 24 month review meeting.
          
•  Disability Files Processed  
  • 7 Voluntary Pending
  •  18 Approved Disability Applications of which
    •  9 Applications were new to payroll
    •  9 Applications were changed from Voluntary pending to Disability
  •  42 Applications were finalized and sent to I & R.

•  Disability Backlog:  As of today's date of the July Retirement Commission meeting there are approximately  disability retirement applications that have yet to be finalized.  1794 are disability retirement applications with a retirement date that is pre-July 1, 2016.  The remaining 166 applications are from July 1, 2016 through the present

Normal Retirement Audits: 

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the June 20, 2019 minutes.

i.  At 9:18 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the June 20, 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 June 20, 2019 minutes.

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

i.  At 9:18 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 Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

i. At 9:18 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee�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's Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

4. Request Commission Acceptance of the July 2019 Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.

i. At 9:18 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the July 2019 billing from Robinson and 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 July 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.

5. Request Commission Acceptance of the July 2019 Billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.

i.  At 9:18 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the July 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.

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 July 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.

6. Request Commission Acceptance of Invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of June.

i.  At 9:18 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of June.

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 June.

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

i.  At 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of June 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 June 2019.

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

i.  At 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of June 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 June 2019.

9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of June 2019.

i. At 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of June 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 June 2019.

10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of June 2019.

i. At 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of June 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 Retroactive Retirements for the Month of June 2019.

11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Employees Retirement System Retirements for the Month of June 2019.

i. At 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Employees Retirement System Retirements for the Month of June 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 Municipal Employees Retirement System Retirements for the month of June 2019.

12. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.

i.  At 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.

ii.  Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was a brief discussion.  Mr. Carey inquired whether the Retirement Services Division is pursuing any possibility of fraud with any of these cases.  Mr. Newman advised that he would follow up.

iii.  There being no further discussion, the Chairman called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.

Executive Session - discussion and possible action

1. Ralph Tedesco petition for declaratory ruling - written legal opinion
2. Town of Thompson - pending litigation
3. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation
4. Catherine Crandle - pending litigation
5. David Carter/Richard Kay - pending litigation
6. James Rizzio - pending litigation Legal Services for Tax Matters - personnel discussion

At 9:20 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, 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 9:22 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 9:22 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, 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 9:24 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 9:24 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 3.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, 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 9:25 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 9:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 4.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, 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 9:26 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 9:26 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 5.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, 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 9:27 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 9:27 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 6.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, 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 9:29 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 9:29 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 7.  Attorney Braswell, John Herrington, and Colin Newman 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 9:35 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. 

In public session the following discussion occurred and motions were made: 

At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to authorize counsel to enter into a settlement agreement with Thompson on behalf of the Commission, if the proposal by the Town does not exceed a cost of $15,000 to the fund. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.

At 9:37 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to authorize counsel to draft a declaratory ruling in response to Mr. Tedesco�s petition for the Commission�s review. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.

At 9:37 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to authorize the legal and personnel subcommittee to enter into negations with Robinson and Cole for a contract for legal services for a duration of 3 years, with the option to renew each of the next 2 years. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.

Adjournment 

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Nolen adjourn at 9:38 a.m.  The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by: 

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

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Prepared by John Herrington
Director Retirement Service Division

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