Police & Fire Pension Board Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette-Urban County Government Police and Fire Retirement Fund Board convened on December 11, 2024, with the Mayor presiding over the session. The board addressed eight agenda items during the meeting, focusing primarily on retirement benefits, military service purchases, and medical evaluations for current and former public safety personnel.

The board took action on 10 motions throughout the meeting, approving all items that came before them. Key business included processing military service purchases for three individuals (Levi Bergens, Steven Dabkoski, and Christopher Vera), approving widow's annuities for Carolyn True and Ruby Myers, and authorizing December disbursements. The board also handled routine retirement matters, including service retirements and disability applications.

Medical reports were reviewed and approved for three individuals: Charles Farley, Joshua Thomas, and James Aikie, indicating ongoing evaluation of disability or health-related benefit claims. The meeting also included consideration of standard administrative matters such as monthly disbursements and service retirement approvals.

Three members of the public provided comments during the meeting, though the specific topics of their remarks were not detailed in the available records. The comprehensive agenda and unanimous approval of all items suggests the board addressed both routine administrative functions and individual benefit determinations that are central to the retirement fund's operations for Lexington's police and fire personnel.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the Board meeting:

• Mayor
• Chief Weathers
• Chief Wells
• Susan
• Chad
• Rock

No members were reported as absent or late for this meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The Board conducted ten voice votes during the meeting, with all motions passing unanimously.

Financial Matters • [00:30] Rock motioned to accept the Treasurer's Report and approve the Transfer Letter, which passed by voice vote • [01:00] The Board approved the November meeting minutes by voice vote • [02:30] Chief motioned to approve December disbursements, which passed by voice vote

Military Service Credits • [01:30] The Board approved military purchase credits for Levi Bergens, Steven Dabkoski, and Christopher Vera by voice vote

Survivor Benefits • [02:00] A motion seconded by Chief to approve widow's annuity benefits for Carolyn True and Ruby Myers passed by voice vote

Service Retirements • [03:00] The Board approved service retirements for Officer Joe Durson, Sergeant Thomas Johnston, and Lieutenant Marcus Sell, with Chief providing the second to the motion

Disability Applications • [03:30] Applications for total and permanent occupational disability benefits for Steven Buxton and Dustin Dunn were approved by voice vote

Medical Reports • [04:00] Medical reports for Charles Farley were approved, with Chief seconding the motion • [04:30] Medical reports for Joshua Thomas were approved by voice vote • [05:00] Medical reports for James Aikie were approved by voice vote

All votes were conducted as voice votes with no recorded opposition, abstentions, or individual vote tallies. The meeting demonstrated efficient processing of routine pension board business including financial approvals, benefit determinations, and administrative matters.

Public Comment

The public comment portion of the meeting focused on honoring retired officers and those who have passed away, with three speakers sharing tributes and condolences.

Tommy 6:00 opened the comments by sharing personal memories and tributes for retired officers who have died. He highlighted their individual contributions to the department and spoke about their unique personalities, providing a personal perspective on their service and impact on colleagues.

Chief Weathers 7:00 followed with official remarks congratulating recent retirees on their service to the department. He also expressed formal condolences to the families of deceased officers, emphasizing the lasting impact these officers had on both the department and the community they served. His comments acknowledged both the professional achievements and personal qualities of those being honored.

Chief Wells 8:00 concluded the public comment period by echoing Chief Weathers' sentiments. He thanked the retirees for their years of dedicated service and offered additional condolences to the families of officers who had passed away, reinforcing the department's appreciation for their contributions.

The public comment session was entirely dedicated to honoring the service and memory of current and former department personnel, with no other topics or concerns raised by speakers. All three speakers focused on recognizing the professional legacy and personal impact of retired and deceased officers on the department and community.

Military purchase for Levi Bergens, Steven Dabkoski, and Christopher Vera

1:30

The board considered a resolution regarding military purchases for three individuals: Levi Bergens, Steven Dabkoski, and Christopher Vera. Susan served as the key speaker presenting this agenda item to the board.

The discussion focused on approving military purchase arrangements for the three named individuals, though the specific details of the purchases, their nature, or monetary amounts were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

The board proceeded to vote on the resolution without recorded debate or concerns raised during the discussion period. The item was presented as a standard procedural matter requiring board approval.

Outcome: The resolution was approved by the board.

The brevity of discussion suggests this was considered a routine administrative matter, with the board moving efficiently through the approval process for the military purchases involving Bergens, Dabkoski, and Vera.

Widow's annuity for Carolyn True and Ruby Myers

2:00

The Board considered agenda item 2, a resolution regarding widow's annuity benefits for Carolyn True and Ruby Myers. Susan served as the key speaker presenting this item to the Board.

The discussion focused on approving widow's annuity payments for these two beneficiaries, though the specific details of their circumstances, benefit amounts, or eligibility criteria were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Board voted to approve the widow's annuity resolution for both Carolyn True and Ruby Myers. The resolution passed, authorizing the annuity benefits for these individuals.

Disbursements for December

2:30

The board reviewed and approved the disbursements for December during agenda item 3. Susan presented the disbursement information to the board for consideration.

The board discussed the December disbursements and ultimately approved them as presented. No specific concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of this agenda item.

The resolution to approve the December disbursements was passed by the board.

Service retirements

3:00

The board considered a resolution to approve service retirements for three police officers during the meeting. Susan presented this agenda item to the board members.

The resolution addressed the retirement of three officers from the police department, though specific details about the individual officers, their years of service, or retirement dates were not provided in the available meeting materials.

The board approved the service retirements without recorded discussion or debate. No concerns were raised regarding the retirements during the proceedings.

Outcome: The resolution was approved by the board.

Disability applications

The board addressed disability applications for two fire division members during this agenda item 3:30.

Susan presented the matter to the board, requesting approval to send the disability applications to appropriate medical professionals for evaluation. The applications involved two members of the fire division, though specific details about the nature of their disabilities or injuries were not provided in the available materials.

The board approved the resolution to forward both disability applications to the designated doctors for proper medical assessment. This procedural step is necessary for the disability evaluation process to proceed according to established protocols.

The approval allows the fire division members' cases to move forward in the disability determination process, with medical professionals conducting the required evaluations to assess their conditions and eligibility for disability benefits.

Medical reports for Charles Farley

4:00

The board reviewed and discussed medical reports for Charles Farley during this agenda item. Susan served as the key speaker presenting information related to the medical reports.

The board's discussion centered on evaluating the medical documentation provided for Charles Farley and determining the appropriate rate to be set based on the medical findings. While specific details of the medical reports were not elaborated upon in the available materials, the board conducted their review and reached a decision on the matter.

Following their review and discussion of the medical reports, the board voted to approve the medical reports for Charles Farley. As part of this approval, they also established what they determined to be the appropriate rate associated with the case.

The agenda item was resolved with the board's approval, indicating consensus among the members regarding both the acceptance of the medical reports and the rate determination for Charles Farley.

Medical reports for Joshua Thomas

4:30

The board reviewed and discussed medical reports for Joshua Thomas during this agenda item. Susan served as the key speaker presenting information related to the medical documentation.

The board's consideration of the medical reports resulted in approval of the documentation and the establishment of an appropriate rate associated with Joshua Thomas's case. While the specific details of the medical conditions, treatment recommendations, or rate amount were not detailed in the available materials, the board found the medical reports satisfactory for their purposes.

The agenda item was handled as a resolution matter, indicating it required formal board action and approval. The board ultimately voted to approve both the medical reports for Joshua Thomas and to set what they determined to be the appropriate corresponding rate.

No concerns or objections were noted during the discussion of this item, and the resolution passed with the board's approval.

Medical reports for James Aikie

5:00

The board reviewed and considered medical reports for James Aikie during this agenda item. Susan served as the key speaker presenting information related to the medical documentation.

The board's discussion focused on evaluating the medical reports and determining the appropriate rate to be set in connection with James Aikie's case. While the specific details of the medical conditions or circumstances were not elaborated upon in the available materials, the board conducted their review and deliberation based on the medical documentation provided.

Following their consideration of the medical reports, the board voted to approve the medical reports for James Aikie. As part of this approval, they also established what they determined to be the appropriate rate associated with his case.

The agenda item was resolved with the board's approval, indicating that the medical reports met the necessary standards and requirements for acceptance. The rate setting component suggests this may have been related to compensation, benefits, or other financial considerations tied to James Aikie's medical situation.

No concerns or objections were noted during the discussion of this matter, and the item proceeded to approval without apparent controversy or extended debate.