911 Telecommunicators pension workgroup day one

 Introductions were made among the members and myself as advisor.

Chad Burkitt laid out expectations, of concern is that there is an expectation to consider adding Telecommunicators to the Correction Plan because Senator Bingham had that in the original Bill. It doesn’t have to be recommended but it’s expected to be discussed.

He said that’s why there’s Corrections people on the committee.

The vote was taken among the Committee (I am just an advisor) and they elected Dar Pankoine as Chair. She’s from Washington County and with APCO a Dispatch organization. She immediately took over as chair.

Pera Executive Director Doug Anderson made PERA's Presentation.

Erin Leonard Executive Director of MSRS (State Retirement) made their presentation.

I pointed out a couple of things. The PERA General fund of which the Dispatchers are currently in has $22.63 Billion, yes Billion in Assets, the PERA Correctional Plan has only $787.32 Million. Wouldn’t their current plan be better able to absorb an increase in their Pension?

Couldn’t moving the 911 Dispatchers into our Pension cause our Plan to go below 80% funding (we are at 100% according to Doug) and reduce our COLA (Cost of living adjustment) from max of 2.5% to 1 to 1.5% permanently?

This of course would be determined by the legislature if it gets that far.

 At the end I pointed out the PERA Correctional Plan requires 95% inmate contact and the State Correctional MSRS Plan 75%. I asked Dar (the chair) If any dispatchers at Washington County had 95% inmate contact. She said no they’re separated. I then asked how many Washington County Dispatchers had been assaulted. She said that wasn’t a fair question. I reiterated that our plan is based on 95% inmate contact and the physical dangers inherent with that. She said we could discuss that later as well as the additional stress the dispatchers have.

Agenda for 911 Telecommunicators Pension Benefit Working Group

 This is the Agenda for the first meeting on 7/30/21

Agenda 07.30.21 911 Work Group.docx

911 Telecommunicators Pension Benefit Working Group

Friday, July 30, 2021, 10:00 a.m.

1st Meeting

Remote Meeting via Zoom

AGENDA

1. INTRODUCTIONS

• Chad Burkitt, Analyst, Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement

− List of Member, Advisors, and Other Attendees

2. OVERVIEW

• Chad Burkitt

− 2021 session law directing the formation of the working group 

(Laws 2021, Chapter 22, Article 9, Section 1)

3. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORKING GROUP

• Chad Burkitt

− Staff Memo

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON PENSION BENEFITS FOR 911 TELECOMMUNICATORS

a. Legislative History and 2003 Report

• Chad Burkitt

− Mandated Study of Retirement Coverage for Emergency Dispatchers, February 28, 2003

b. Overview of 911 telecommunications in MN

• Darlene Pankonie, ENP | 9-1-1 Communications Division Manager, Washington County Sheriff’s Office

− PSAP TRACKING_PENSIONS_06.15.2021

c. Pension plan overview

• Doug Anderson, Executive Director, Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)

https://www.lcpr.leg.mn/documents/911WorkGroup/07.30.2021_PERA_911_Telecommunicators_Meeting_Presentation.pdf

• Erin Leonard, Executive Director, Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)

5. SCHEDULING UPCOMING MEETINGS

• Chad Burkitt

6. ADJOURNMENT

This is a Public Meeting. To attend via zoom click HERE

Meeting begins at 10AM

911 Telecommunicators Working Group Update

If you've been following along you know there's a 911 Telecommunicators Working group going on at the State Level.

I applied to be the member representing the PERA Correctional plan, but another person was chosen by PERA.

I then contacted the Executive Director of the LPCR (Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement) in the hopes of being added by them. They did not add me to the Workgroup but they agreed to put me on as an advisor. I can make our concerns known as a  PERA Correctional Plan Member and Retiree and be a resource for the Committee.

The First meeting is Friday July 30, I will attend and update all of you.

Many of you are already members of our E-Tree open to PERA Correctional Plan members and Retirees and can read more in depth what's happening there.

If you are not email pera.watchdog@gmail.com  Type ADD ME in the subject line. Include who you are and where you work or retired from. 

Watch this site for a big announcement either this Friday or Monday.

SC CO raped on the job

 The Post and Courier is reporting: 

MCCORMICK — An officer at a maximum-security correctional prison was sexually assaulted by an inmate on July 23, authorities said.

The assault happened at McCormick Correctional Institution when an officer was getting ready to leave work in the late afternoon, Chrysti Shain, S.C. Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said in a press release.

“An inmate who worked in the area grabbed her, forced her back into her office and sexually assaulted her twice,” Shain wrote. The officer is being treated at a local hospital.

Slain Stillwater CO Joseph Gomm's family forced to sue

Joseph Gomm was murdered in his capacity as a Correctional Officer at Stillwater Prison MCF. Beat to death with a hammer while other inmates held the doors to keep help out.

After 3 years Minnesota Lawmakers failed to approve a $3 million settlement. Contrast that with the $27 million paid to George Floyd's family!

Now the family is suing MINNCOR industries for $50,000. According to the Star Tribune MINNCOR had a long record of prioritizing production over Corrections Officers rights. There were no security cameras in the shop area and it was understaffed.

This is a dark stain of injustice on the State of Minnesota.