DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on November 21, 2019, in the 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
• Michael Bailey, Trustee
• Sandra Fae Brown Brewton, Trustee
• Karen Buffkin, Trustee Michael Carey, Trustee
• Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller, Ex Officio Member (via phone)
• 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
• Angel Quiros, Trustee

The following members of the Commission were absent: 

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

Call to Order 

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. 

Chairman's Report 

The Chairman announced that he is planning a Christmas Party.

Division Director's Report

Division Director Report (11/21/2019)

I.  Disability Retirements

A. Pending Disability Applications for the Initial Review by the Medical Examining Board:  The Division has completed the task of adding additional meetings for the remainder of 2019 in attempt to reduce the wait period.  Currently scheduling for the May 2020 MEB meeting.

•  There are a total of 302 Disability Retirement Applications of which:
  • 16 New Applications received for September  
  •  196 Applications have been scheduled for meetings into May 2020
  •  106 Applications are awaiting additional medical documentation

B. Twenty-Four Month Reviews 

•  225 Cases are due for a 24 month review.
•  53 Cases - Retiree is receiving SSD benefits (Expedited Approval Process)
  • 0 have retirement dates that are beyond 24 months old.
•  172 Cases - Retiree does not appear to be receiving SSD benefits. 77 have retirement dates beyond 24 months old. Of the 77, 19 are scheduled for the next 24 month review meeting which is tentatively scheduled for February 2020.

C. Disability Files Processed:

•  10 Voluntary Pending
• 13 Approved Disability Applications of which
  •  7 Applications were new to payroll
•  5 Applications were changed from Voluntary Pending to Disability.
•  18 Applications were finalized and sent to I & R. The reason for the drop in finalization is due to double the Initial meetings with the MEB in both September and November and the timing of payroll closing.

D. Disability Backlog:  As of today's date of the October Retirement Commission meeting there are approximately 1923 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 147 applications are from July 2016 through the present.

II. Normal Retirement Audits:

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the October 17, 2019 minutes.

i.  At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the October 17, 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 October 17, 2019 minutes.

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

i.  At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:09 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 the October 2019 Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.

i.  At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to accept the October 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 October 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.

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

i.  At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to accept the October 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 October 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.

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

i.  At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to accept the invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of October.

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 October.

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

i.  At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of October 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 October 2019.

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

i.  At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of October 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 October 2019.

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

i.  At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of October 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 October 2019.

Executive Session - discussion and possible action

1.  Tier IV SPD - written legal opinion.
2.  Lena Carter petition for declaratory ruling � pending claim/written legal opinion.
3.  David Carter/Richard Kay � pending litigation.
4.  Town of Thompson - pending litigation.
5.  Ronald Johnson - pending litigation.
6.  Ralph Tedesco petition for declaratory ruling � pending claim/written legal opinion.
7.  Catherine Crandle - pending litigation.
8.  Brian Comerford - pending litigation.
9.  Marianna Grzeszczyk � pending litigation.
10.  Municipal Liaison - personnel/appointment discussion.

At 9:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem 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 Rose 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 9:13 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 9:13 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 2.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 9:19 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 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for the purposes of discussing Item 3. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 9:21 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 9:21 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, and Attorney Rose 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 9:33 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 9:33 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, and Attorney Rose 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 9:34 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 9:34 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 6.  Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:10 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 7.  Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 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 8.  Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:12 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 10:13 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 9.  Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:15 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 10:15 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 10.  Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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. Casella 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 10:25 a.m., Ms. Buffkin moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to accept the proposed settlement agreement with the Town of Thompson and authorize the Chairman to accept a reasonable amount to be transferred that is not less than 1/20th of the amount that the Town of Thompson owes to the plan. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the motion.  

At 10:25 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the recommendations of the legal and personnel subcommittee to accept the declaratory ruling on the Tedesco matter. After some discussion the motion was withdrawn.  At 10:27 a.m., Ms. Brown Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to table Mr. Tedesco�s petition for declaratory ruling until the December meeting. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the motion to table. 

At 10:29 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to issue the declaratory ruling regarding Lena Carter. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the motion.

Adjournment 

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to adjourn at 10:29 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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