May 6, 2020, Meeting Minutes

The Springfield Retirement Board Meeting Scheduled for May 6, 2020 will be held via Conference Call as a result of COVID-19 and in accordance with PERAC Memo #15-2020. The Public can attend the meeting via conference call.
Conference Call: 413-784-4951
Conference Code: 690666

MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON MAY 6, 2020 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Robert Moynihan, Patrick Burns, Thomas Scanlon, Haskell Kennedy, Philip Mantoni, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Judy Dziobek, Recording Clerk

Chairman Moynihan called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Mantoni to approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 8, 2020, second by Kennedy. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2 Superannuations
Motion made by Burns to accept the following Superannuation: Jules Rivard, Working Foreman 1, Water and Sewer Commission with 26 years as of 4/19/2020, second by Mantoni. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Motion made by Burns to accept the request to rescind a Superannuation Application from Robert C. Browne, Police Officer, Police Department, second by Scanlon. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the following warrants: Warrant #19 Expenses in the amount of $111,315.30, Warrant #20 Refunds in the amount of $111,593.51, Warrant #21Refunds in the amount of $66,449.01, Warrant #22 Refunds in the amount of $32,462.47, Warrant #23 Expenses in the amount of $1,243,595.20, Warrant #24 Retiree payroll in the amount of $6,859,754.75, and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,000,000.00, Warrant #25 Transfers in the amount of $134,024.96, Warrant #26 Expenses in the amount of $2,028.10, second by Scanlon. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Burns to approve the nine (9) requests for refunds and transfers to other systems. The names have been submitted to their particular Department, the Law Department and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, second by Mantoni. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes

Agenda Item #5-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Burns to approve the makeup of contributions to: Maria L. D’Angelantonio, Senior Administrator, School Department, for 6 months of employment with the School Department, second by Kennedy. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Motion made by Burns to approve the redeposit of refund to: Dana Higgins, Paraprofessional, School Department for the refund from Springfield Retirement System in 2014, second by Kennedy. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Benefits under Section 12(2)(d)
Motion made by Mantoni to approve the election of 12(2)(d) benefits from the beneficiary of Jeffrey Brown of the Water & Sewer Commission-Deceased, second by Burns. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the election of survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Joseph M. Assad of the Police Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Burns to approve the election of survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Albert Labroad of the Department of Public Works-Deceased, second by Scanlon. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriation-PERAC Memo #22
Board Member Patrick Burns addressed the Board regarding the yearly appropriation payments. Burns stated that historically the City and the other Member Units, the Water and Sewer Commission and the Springfield Housing Authority, have made their appropriation payments on July 1st, but due to the recent Pandemic they are experiencing cash flow issues. Burns stated that the City would like to make twelve monthly payments instead of the upfront payment like they have done in the past. Burns also suggested to the Board that they waive the interest on these payments. Motion made by Mantoni to accept the monthly payment schedule for the Fiscal Year 2021for a period of six months and to revisit this issue at the December meeting, second by Burns. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion was also made by Burns to waive the interest accrued due to the monthly appropriation payments for a period of six months and to revisit the issue at the December meeting, second by Kennedy. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar spoke to the Board regarding the current pandemic and future Board Meetings. Director Baltazar gave details regarding a GoToMeeting subscription, which would give the capability to hold remote, virtual meetings, and that it would also be possible to hold Executive Sessions during the monthly Board Meetings when there are disabilities on the Agenda. GoToMeeting could also be used when members are looking to retire during the pandemic and after the pandemic. They could be done by a virtual meeting or by telephone, which we are currently doing. Motion made by Scanlon to allow Ms. Baltazar to sign up for a GoToMeeting subscription, second by Burns. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes. Regarding the scheduling of medical panels for our disability applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic, PERAC has agreed to arrange for a review of medical records and teleconference exams in place of physical exams. The Retirement Board, Employer and the member need to agree to this and it is voluntary. Motion made by Mantoni to approve the use of the teleconferencing exams for the Disability retirements on a temporary basis and to revisit the issue at the October Meeting, second by Kennedy. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion was also made by Burns to retroactively approve the waivers for Members Juan Flores, Bonnie Watson, Darrin Fitzpatrick and Xavier Cody, second by Scanlon. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes. Ms. Baltazar stated that PERAC has issued some guidance regarding Board Member signatures on documents during the pandemic. Board Members will continue to sign documents in the same manner as before the pandemic. Executive Director Baltazar informed the Board that the PERAC disability approvals were received for Edward Seder-Police Department, and Kris Brown-Department of Public Works-Solid Waste. The PERAC approval for 12(2)(d) benefits of Thomas Tabb-School Department, the approval for Section 9 Benefits of Kevin Welz-Fire Department, as well as the approval for Section 101 Benefits of Michael Nutting-Police Department were also received.

Agenda Item #11-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio stated that he had two matters pending at DALA; Lori Lefebvre which was continued until June 30th, at which time they will have to file a pre-hearing memo, and Brian Devivo, which is still on track for the original date. Attorney ViVenzio reported that he recently had a teleconference with the trustee of the bankruptcy case for Michael Basile, at which time they asked Mr. Basile additional questions, as well as what had happened to the settlement he received. Attorney ViVenzio stated that he hoped they would provide him with additional documents. He requested copies of Mr. Basile’s bank statements to show how the money was used. Attorney ViVenzio informed the Board that the motion to have them taken out of the stay order and their objection to Mr. Basile’s bankruptcy plan has been extended until May 27th. At that time, if taken out of the stay, they would continue to receive the monthly amount of $1,000.00, and if that fails, it is possible that they would only get approximately 70% of the amount which is owed. Attorney ViVenzio will continue to keep the Board updated on this matter.

Agenda Item #12-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #13-New Business
None

F. Y. I. PERAC Memos #22-Delayed FY21 Appropriations, March PRIT Fund Update, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts, Disbursements and General Ledger for the month of March, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the months of December, January and February, Budget Balances as of April, Monthly Transfers for April, Recent Retiree Deaths, Monthly Cash flow

The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and the Executive Director.

Motion made by Scanlon to adjourn at 5:40 P.M. second by Burns. Mantoni, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Scanlon, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Minutes of the May 6, 2020 Board Meeting (continued)

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Robert P. Moynihan, Chairman

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Thomas M. Scanlon, Elected Member

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Haskell Kennedy, Appointed Member

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Patrick S. Burns, Appointed Member

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Philip J. Mantoni, 5th Member