HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Fire Pension 072922 Special MeetingCITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
FIREFIGHTERS' PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
INITIAL DISABILITY HEARING MINUTES
City Hall, Council Chambers
10600 North Military Trail Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Friday, July 29, 2022, at 10:OOAM
TRUSTEES PRESENT: Rick Rhodes
Mike Zingaro
Thomas Topor
TRUSTEES ABSENT: Jon Currier
Eric Bruns
OTHERS PRESENT: Siera Feketa, Foster & Foster
Pedro Herrera, Sugarman and Susskind (Via Phone)
Patty Snider, City Clerk
1. Call to Order— Rick Rhodes called the meeting to order at 10:OOAM.
2. Roll Call — As reflected above.
3. Public Comments — None.
4. New Business
a. Initial disability hearing — Richard Wolnewitz
i. Pedro Herrera reviewed the standard process for a disability. Pedro commented
in certain instances the courts have determined that the Board could expedite the
process if there was an apparent disability. Pedro reviewed some examples of an
apparent disability.
ii. Pedro Herrera reviewed the eligibility requirements for disability commenting they
must be totally and permanently disabled to the extent that they cannot render
useful and efficient service as a firefighter.
iii. Pedro Herrera reviewed the letter from Mr. Wolnewitz's oncologist commenting the
Board could use that as a basis of their determination as he has stage IV cancer
and was apparently disabled.
iv. Pedro Herrera commented the Board could accept, deny, or table the application.
v. Pedro Herrera commented his recommendation was to approve the application.
Pedro reviewed the disability presumptions in the Florida Statutes commenting the
form of cancer was listed as one of the presumptions. Pedro commented the
Florida Statutes require that they approve the application. Pedro commented for
these reasons their recommendation was to approve the application for In -Line -of -
Duty (ILOD) Disability.
vi. Rick Rhodes commented they all reviewed the records and Pedro Herrera
confirmed that this was one of the presumptions under State Statute and therefore
they should approve the ILOD disability.
vii. Patty Snider stated members of the public could not participate in the meeting if
they dialed in. The Board agreed Pedro already provided the information needed.
Note: Pedro Herrera left the meeting at 10:09AM.
The Board voted to approve an In -Line -of -Duty Disability Application for Brian Wolnewitz upon
motion by Mike Zingaro and second by Thomas Topor• motion carried 3 0
Adiournment — The meeting was adjourned at 10:11AM.
6. Next Meeting — October 26, 2022, at 1:OOPM.
Respectfully submitted by:
S' ra Feketa, Plan Administrator
Date Approved by the Pension Board
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