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MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM
LOCAL BOARD STUDY SESSION
Friday, October 22, 2010
KACHINA CONFERENCE ROOM
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
CALL TO ORDER - at 9:02 a.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: General John Wickham, Chair
Betty Dickens, Member
Dan Horetski, Member (9:09 a.m.)
Richard Tracy, Member
EXCUSED: Wes Helvig, Member
Also Present: Lauri Keyes, Human Resources Department
Joe Andrews, Legal Department
Barb Harnisch, Human Resource Department
Diane Little, Police Department
Stephanie Pella, Human Resource Department
Catherine Hendrix, Police Department
1. LEGAL OVERVIEW
Chief Civil Deputy Town Attorney Joe Andrews presented this item.
A. OPEN MEETING LAW
Mr. Andrews confirmed to Betty Dickens that even if the four members emailed do not
respond to the original author, it is still an open meeting law violation.
Ms. Dickens further asked if the same rules for emails apply to verbal communication.
Mr. Andrews agreed; emails just have a trail of evidence.
Chair General John Wickham confirmed that the open meeting laws only apply when
discussing board-type discussions. It does not include communication unrelated, such as
the farmer's market.
Ms. Dickens asked where the agendas need to be posted besides the outside-designated
area.
Oro Valley PSPRS Board Study Session
Mr. Andrews replied the internet is also sufficient.
Chair Wickham verified that a binding vote could not take place in an executive session.
The Board has to exit out of Executive Session and vote publicly.
B. INDEPENDENT ATTORNEY VS. TOWN OF ORO VALLEY ATTORNEY
Richard Tracy stated that the Board could not go into Executive Session without the
Board's attorney.
Mr. Andrews confirmed that they may discuss retirement issues without legalities in
executive session; however, the items are intertwined and that it is best to have the
Board's attorney present.
Ms. Dickens asked if the Board's attorney could appear by phone.
Mr. Andrews noted that the Board could have the attorney appear telephonically if they
had to; however, they would have to ask the Board attorney.
C. COURT REPORTER AND/OR GRANICUS
This item was not discussed.
2. MODEL UNIFORM RULES OF LOCAL BOARD PROCEDURE
Employment Specialist Lauri Keyes presented this item.
A. ARS § 38-847
B. OFFICERS
I. ROLES
II. CONTACT INFORMATION
III. TERM LIMITS COMPLIMENTARY TO BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS
Mr. Tracy asked if only three members are present, do they all have to vote the same in
order for a majority to rule.
Mr. Andrews responded only the majority of the members present.
Chair Wickham stated that they could not have a member telephonically because there is
no verification that is the member.
Mr. Andrews answered the law allows telephonically, but it is best if they are in person. If
there was a lawsuit, it could be an issue.
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Oro Valley PSPRS Board Study Session
Mr. Andrews responded Mr. Tracy's question stating the executive session is not recorded;
however, minutes are taken.
C. STANDARD AGENDA
I. MEETING DATES AND TIMES
II. PACKETS
Chair Wickham asked when it was appropriate to hear from people outside the Board.
Mr. Andrews replied that it was Robert's Rules of Order - it is the Chair's determination to
hear from someone besides the applicant.
Diane Little asked if the applicant is included in the executive session.
Mr. Andrews responded that they may not want to exclude the applicant, but they should
ask their attorney, Thomas Benavidez, for his advice for the Board.
Officer Dan Horetski asked if the applicant could invite someone in executive session.
Mr. Andrews stated the applicant cannot invite someone into executive session, but they
can prevent the Board from going into executive session. If the applicant has an attorney,
that person would be included.
Chair Wickham questioned how to invite the applicant into the executive session and how
the applicant would know his/her right to go into executive session.
Mr. Andrews suggested they not invite the applicant into executive session. The applicant
does not have the right to be in executive session, but the applicant has the power to stop
an executive session.
Ms. Keyes informed the applicant receives a letter stating their right to stop an executive
session.
Officer Horetski noted that the applicant did not have a deadline to decide if the Board may
go into executive session. It is up to the applicant to know their rights.
3. DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN (DROP) OVERVIEW
Benefits Specialist Barb Harnisch presented this item.
4. DISABILITY RETIREMENT OVERVIEW
Benefits Specialist Barb Harnisch presented this item.
A. ACCIDENTAL
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Oro Valley PSPRS Board Study Session
Officer Horetski asked the difference between medical conditions versus medical
evidence.
Mr. Andrews replied the doctor diagnosis the medical condition and medical evidence are
other medical records/documentation. The Board cannot change the doctor's diagnosis.
However, they can argue medical evidence that may not have been provided to the doctor
for consideration. The Board may ask the doctor what medical evidence was used to
making his decision. The Board may compare their notes to ensure he considered
everything.
B. OTHER DISABILITIES
Mr. Andrews stated the doctors would show if the statutory criteria is met for disability.
Whether or not they considered all of the evidence is something to ask.
Officer Horetski confirmed that you ask the doctor on the evidence used and challenge the
applicant to still do their job based on the doctor's disability diagnosis. The reasonable
range of duties applies as a police officer, not by assignment.
5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS — Board Members can suggest future agenda items, but
they cannot be discussed at this meeting.
Mr. Tracy stated that the items were very well presented and very informative. Since the
Board deals with different types of cases, it is hard to know what items need to be
addressed. He asked if a member's employment is terminated at the end of their DROP
period.
Ms. Harnisch responded that they lose their interest earned in DROP, but they are not
automatically terminated.
Ms. Dickens noted that the Board is required to meet twice a year. At the next meeting,
there should be another area to review concerning PSPRS responsibilities.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Dickens, seconded by Mr. Tracy, moved to adjourn the meeting at
10:13 a.m.
MOTION carried, 4-0.
LaLkreit),
Prepared By:
Catherine Hendrix, Office Specialist
October 22, 2010 Page 4 of 4