HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023.11.16 - 40996OAKLAND COUNTY EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION BOARD MINUTES
The Oakland County Retirement and Deferred Compensation Board meeting was held
November 16, 2023 at 1:35 p.m. in the East Conference Room of the Executive Office Building.
I. Call to Order/ Roll Call
Members Present: Joseph Rozell, Jeff Phelps, James Van Leuven, Dion Stevens,
Gwen Markham, Sheryl Johnson, Robert Wittenberg, Dave
Woodward
Members Absent: Brian Partogian
with notice
Others Present:
Carly Webster, Human Resources
Kelly Pena, Human Resources
Lisa Villella, Human Resources
Aaron Castle, VanOverbeke, Michaud & Timmony, P.C. (Remote)
Stephanie Biddle, Empower (Remote)
Rob Luciano, Empower
Thomas May, Empower
John Krakowiak, Graystone
Amy Cole, Graystone
Paul Zelenak, Treasurer's Office
Curtis Childs, Sheriff's Office
Terri Meiers, Retiree
II. Approval of the Agenda
A. Moved by Wittenberg, seconded by Markham to approve the agenda, as
submitted. Motion carried.
III. Public Comment
None
IV. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of the October 19, 2023, Regular Board and Closed Session Meeting
Minutes
B. Approval of the Amended September 21, 2023, Investment Subcommittee
Meeting Minutes — Section 5. Reports
C. Approval of the Amended October 18, 2023, Investment Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes — Section 5. Reports
D. Pension Payroll — 11/30/23
E. Investment Manager Invoices
F. Service Provider Invoices
G. Fiduciary Insurance Invoices and Policies
Moved by Van Leuven, seconded by Phelps to approve the consent agenda.
Motion carried.
V. Regular Agenda
A. Moved by Johnson, seconded by Wittenberg to approve the following Defined
Contribution retirement applications. Motion carried.
Defined Benefit retirement applications - None
Oakland County Employees' Retirement and Deferred Compensation Board Minutes
November 16, 2023
Page 2
Defined Contribution retirement applications
Name Department Effective
Phyllis Cary WRC 10/02/2023
Ronald Chatterson Jr. 1 Sheriff's Office 11/07/2023
Connie Srogi I Board of Commissioners 11/02/2023
Georger Wooley Sheriff's Office 11/02/2023
Frank Lenz Sheriff's Office 1 10/14/2023*
*Date Correction
VI. Reports
A. Empower
i. Rob Luciano and Stephanie Biddle from Empower discussed the
progress and issues related to the migration. Discussion followed.
Empower will continue to work on improving the user experience.
ii. Stephanie Biddle of Empower presented the 3rd Quarter 2023 Oakland
County Plans Summary and provided comments summarizing highlights
contained in the report. Thomas May, Empower Retirement Counselor,
reviewed the outreach efforts and statistics with the trustees.
iii. Stephanie Biddle of Empower confirmed that fund changes approved at
the August 17, 2023, meeting, will be made effective December 18, 2023.
B. Aaron Castle of VanOverbeke, Michaud & Timmony, P.C. (VMT) reviewed his
legal report.
i. The Medicare Director RFP was issued, due date for submission is
November 30, 2023, interviews will be conducted in December.
ii. A review of the Boards Policies is almost complete and meetings with the
Policy Committee for review will be upcoming. Chairperson Rozell will
appoint the committee at the December meeting.
iii. The legal review of the November 1, 2023, formal request for hearing
from James Brennan, Defined Benefit retiree, as it relates to the
provisions of the plan document, was presented. Discussion followed
under New Business item A.
C. John Krakowiak and Amy Cole of Graystone Consulting presented the 3rd
Quarter 2023 401 a/457b and PTNE Plan Investment Review and provided
comments summarizing highlights contained in the report.
D. Secretary Webster did not have any updates to share for the Administrator's
Report.
VII. Unfinished Business
A. Moved by Woodward, seconded by Wittenberg to receive and file and deny
James Brennan's November 1, 2023, formal request for hearing on the
calculation of the pop-up retirement benefit, as it was determined that he is not
eligible for a hearing because he has not been denied a claim for benefits from
the retirement system. Motion carried.
Oakland County Employees' Retirement and Deferred Compensation Board Minutes
November 16, 2023
Page 3
VIII. New Business
A. Chairperson Rozell appointed trustees Wittenberg, Stevens, and Van Leuven to
the Election Board to oversee the Employee Election.
B. Moved by Van Leuven, seconded by Johnson to receive and file the Election
Committee Statement, certifying that Jeff Phelps will serve as the Employee
Representative Member for term ending December 31, 2027. Motion carried.
C. Moved by Van Leuven, seconded by Stevens to receive and file the Required
Employer Pension Contribution Memo for Fiscal Year 2023. Motion carried.
D. Moved by Phelps, seconded by Van Leuven to accept the Investment
Subcommittee's recommendation to enter into agreement for a $10 Million
allocation of the OCERS fund with Marathon Asset Management, L.P for
Distressed Debt, pending legal review. Motion carried.
IX. Trustee Comment
A. Chairperson Rozell noted the next meeting of this Board will be Thursday,
December 14, 2023, in the Pernick Aaron Room - Board of Commissioners.
B. Trustee Van Leuven noted his absence from the December meeting.
X. Without objection, Chairperson Rozell adjourned the meeting at 3:11 p.m. Motion
carried.
Joseph Rozefl, Chairperson
Respectfully submitted,
1/A4*—m
Carly WebstEir! Secretary