City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER/s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the Appointment of a Management Representative and Alternate to the City of Alexandria Supplemental Retirement Board and Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board.
BODY
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ISSUE: There are two similar issues presented for Council consideration: 1) Appointment of a Management Representative and Alternate to the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board (“Fire & Police Board”) and 2) Appointment of a Management Representative and Alternate to the Retirement Board of the City of Alexandria Supplemental Retirement Plan (“Supplemental Board”).
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That City Council replace the following Management Representative on the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board and the Supplemental Retirement Board:
• Nelsie Birch, Former Deputy City Manager with Titania Cross, Deputy Director, Planning, Construction and Facilities, Department of General Services
2. That City Council appoint the following individual to the newly vacant Management Alternate Representative on the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board and the Supplemental Retirement Board:
• Christina Zechman Brown, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney
BACKGROUND: The Fire & Police Board consists of eight members and three alternates. The Supplemental Board consists of eight members and five alternates. Both Boards serve as the trustees and fiduciaries of their respective plans and assets. Both Boards act for the City on matters concerning the Plan’s assets, including selecting and monitoring investment funds and appointing investment managers, custodians, and advisors. Both Boards are also charged with consulting with City management to recommend modifications to the Plan. Both Plans require board meetings to be held quarterly, but meetings are generally held more often.
DISCUSSION: City Council has the authority to appoint Fire & Police Board members. The board members are either nominated by the City Manager or elected by the Voting Participants, which include active sworn Firefighters and Police Officers as well as retired and deferred vested plan participants who were sworn Firefighters or Police Officers. The City Manager nominates four Management Representatives and one Management Alternate to act on behalf of City management. Firefighters nominate and elect through secret ballot two Participant Representatives and one Alternate. Police Officers also nominate and elect through secret ballot two Participant Representatives and one Alternate. In the event that City Council does not appoint a representative nominated by the City Manager or the Voting Participants, the nomination and election process must be repeated until all board member positions are filled.
City Council has the authority to appoint Supplemental Board members. The members are either nominated by the City Manager or elected by the Supplemental Board trustees. The City Manager nominates four Management Representatives and one Management Alternate Representative to act on behalf of City management. The Supplemental Board Employee Representatives include: two General Schedule Employees, one Deputy Sheriff, and one Medic/Fire Marshal. Each Employee Representative has an Alternate. In the event that City Council does not appoint a representative nominated by the City Manager or the Board trustees, the nomination process must be repeated until all Board member positions are filled.
Current Management Representatives for the Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board and the Supplemental Retirement Board are:
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
Titania Cross*, Deputy Director, General Services
Jean Kelleher, Director, Office of Human Rights
Jack Browand, Division Chief, RCPA
Proposed - Christina Zechman Brown, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney - Alternate
* Ms. Cross has been serving as the Management Alternate Representative to Fire and Police Board and the Supplemental Board since 03/24/2015. These appointments will move her from Management Alternate Representative to Management Representative for both Boards.
Current Employee Representatives of the Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board are:
Name Term Expires
Firefighters
Michael Cross, Battalion Chief 12/31/2016
Patrick Evans, Firefighter II 12/31/2018
Ricky Muse, Jr., Firefighter II - Alternate 12/31/2018
Name Term Expires
Police Officers
Edward Milner, Lieutenant 12/31/2018
Albert Tierney, Retired 12/31/2016
Shirl Mammarella, Captain - Alternate 12/31/2018
Current Employee Representatives of the Supplemental Retirement Board are:
Name Term Expires
General Schedule
Shane Cochran, Division Chief, Office of Housing 12/31/2018
Marietta Robinson, Public Safety Operations Manager, DEC 12/31/2016
Lillian Vagnoni - Family Services Supervisor,
DCHS - Alternate 12/31/2018
Brenda D’Sylva, Fiscal Officer III, Police Department - Alternate 12/31/2016
Name Term Expires
Medic /Fire Marshal
Nancy McFadden, Medic II, Fire Department 12/31/2016
Charles Curia, Medic II, Fire Department 12/31/2016
Name Term Expires
Deputy Sheriff
Robert Gilmore, Deputy Sheriff III, Sheriff’s Office 12/31/2018
Valarie Wright, Deputy Sheriff IV, Sheriff’s Office - Alternate 12/31/2018
We are recommending the appointments of both Ms. Cross and Ms. Zechman Brown to both the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board and the Supplemental Retirement Board. Staff requests that City Council appoint these individuals both Boards effective September 9, 2015. Ms. Cross currently serves on the Supplemental Board and the Fire & Police Board as the Management Alternate Representative. Ms. Birch is no longer employed by the City of Alexandria.
After appointment, Ms. Cross will remain on both boards until removed by City Council or ending her employment.
Ms. Zechman Brown worked for the City from 2004-2007 and rejoined the City in 2008. As Assistant City Attorney, Ms Zechman Brown provides legal guidance and expertise on financial matters for the Finance Department. Her financial background also includes an undergraduate degree in business administration. In addition to her employment at the City in the Office of the City Attorney Ms. Zechman Brown worked as an associate of Greehan, Taves Pandak & Stoner, PLLC.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
STAFF:
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
Kendel Taylor, Finance Director, Finance
Kadira Coley, Retirement Administrator, Finance.