RECOM (Retired Employees City of Mesa) - Minutes of September 20, 2006, Meeting

Board Members Present: Kathy Barrett, John Gendron, Frank Mizner.
Board Members Absent: Lin Adams, Fred Conway, Barb Seperich, Chuck Wennerlund, Walter Switzer.
Members Present: John Ashley, Don Ayers, Donna Brinton, Bob Butcher, Dean Childs, Jo Ferguson, John Ferguson, Joan Gregory, Peggy Haney, Patrick Hinshaw, Wayne Korinek, Nancy Mumpton, Marilyn Pitman, Genie Pritchard, John Schleff, Pat Schultz, Nancy Skalitsky, John Smoyer, Marilyn Warden, Bev Watt.

(Several attendees did not sign in.) Guest: Vera Walters.

Introductions: The meeting was called to order by John Gendron at 9:00 AM. First-time attendees were introduced.

Speaker: John introduced Vera Walters, Central Arizona Lifelong Learners (CALL) Program Specialist at Central Arizona College. Vera presented an entertaining look at the CALL program, an enrichment program providing a variety of informal, low-cost classes, field trips, and travel. Over 150 classes are offered each year. An $89 annual membership fee entitles you to attend an unlimited number of classes for the year. Non-members may register for classes by paying the non-member fee ($20 - $35 per class). The location for classes depends on the topic; some are held in various parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area; others in Casa Grande, Tucson, and other areas. Course categories are Arts, Crafts, Music, and Performances; Living in Arizona; It's All About Food; Air and Space; The Way of Birds; Water in the West; and others. In addition to the courses, CALL also offers educational travel. Upcoming trips include Oaxaca, Cuernavaca, and Copper Canyon, Mexico, and a Grand Canyon boat trip. To register for the classes or for information about their programs, call Joel Beck at 480-677-7723. The course catalog is available on-line at: http://www.centralaz.edu/documents/Academics/Other_Programs/call/Fall2006CALLcatalog.pdf

Treasurer's Report: Kathy, reporting for Chuck, stated the current checking account balance is $7,010.59.

Bylaws Subcommittee: Kathy reported the subcommittee, composed of Tanya Collins, Jo Ferguson, John Gendron, and Kathy Barrett, has met twice. Existing bylaws and bylaws of similar organizations have been reviewed. The next meeting is October 17th, and the committee plans to have a draft to the Board fairly soon.

Legislative Update: John Smoyer provided a summary of the legislation passed relating to ASRS retirees. Most of the legislative changes are effective September 21, 2006. A summary of the bills follows:

House Bill 2082 - If the Retiree's spouse is the beneficiary or contingent annuitant, and the retiree wants to change that designation to someone else, the spouse must first be notified.
Senate Bill 1359 - This legislation relates to the ASRS investment managers appointed by the Board. It requires either investment management or the individual retained by management to have at least 3 years experience managing investments of at least $250 million. Previously, the statute required only investment management to meet this requirement.

Senate Bill 1167 - A member whose original date of retirement is on or after the effective date of this amendment to this section may exercise a one-time election to rescind the joint and survivor annuity option elected by the member if the contingent annuitant dies or ceases to be a contingent annuitant pursuant to the terms of a qualified domestic relations order. This legislation does not become effective unless the ASRS obtains a letter from the IRS by July 1, 2009 regarding compliance with existing IRS regulations governing minimum distribution rules. Members are advised to consult their retirement system (ASRS/PSPRS) before taking action on any issue related to retirement - and not to contact RECOM or the City of Mesa.

Announcements: The membership was informed of the appointment of Frank Mizner to the Board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Albright.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 AM.

Future Meeting: October 18, 2006 - 9:00 AM, Community Room, Mesa Fire Station 201, NW corner of 1st St. and Mesa Drive. The speaker will be Jody Topping, City of Mesa Employee Benefits Administrator.
Future Meetings: November 15 - Long-Term Care; December 20 - Open House Social.