§ 54-52. Administration.

(a)

The general administration and responsibility for the proper operation of the retirement system and for making effective the provisions of this article are hereby vested in a pension board consisting of five persons as follows:

(1)

One public member to be appointed by the city council;

(2)

The city manager or his appointee;

(3)

The city finance director; and

(4)

Two employee members to be elected by a majority of the actively employed members of this retirement system.

(b)

The regular term of office of each employee and of the public member shall be two years. All terms expiring in the months of November or December shall be extended to February 15 of the following year. Employee members shall be elected in the following manner: by vote of all actively employed members who come within the purview of this article at places designated by the city of which all qualified members entitled to vote shall be notified in person or by written notice ten days in advance of the election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for office shall be declared elected and shall take office immediately upon commencement of the term of office for which elected. In the first election held under this article, the candidate with the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of one year only. An election shall be held not more than 30 and not less than ten days prior to the commencement of the term for which a board member is to be elected. The city shall establish and administer the nominating and election procedure for each election. The board shall elect from among its members a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary, annually.

(c)

If a vacancy occurs on the pension board, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the position was previously filled.

(d)

The board shall serve without compensation, but members may be reimbursed from the fund for all necessary expenses which they may actually expend through service on the board.

(e)

Each board member shall, within ten days after his appointment or election, take an oath of office before the city clerk, that so far as it devolves upon him he will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the board, and that he will not knowingly violate or willingly permit to be violated any of the provisions of the law applicable to the retirement system. Such oath shall be subscribed to by the members making it and certified by the clerk and filed in the office of the city clerk.

(f)

Each board member shall be entitled to one vote. Three concurring votes shall be necessary for a decision by the board at any meeting of the board. The chairman shall have the right to one vote only and may not cast proxy votes. No board member may vote on any matter in which he has a personal interest.

(g)

Subject to the limitations of this article the board shall from time to time establish uniform rules and regulations for the administration of the fund created by this article and for transactions of its business, including provisions for expulsion due to nonattendance of its appointed and elected members.

(h)

The board may engage a corporate trustee, and such actuarial, accounting, consulting and other similar services as shall be required to transact the business of the retirement system. The compensation of all persons or firms engaged by the board and all other expenses of the board necessary for the operation of the retirement system shall be paid from the forfeiture account in the fund at such rates and in such amounts as the board shall determine. If required, funds for administration may be disbursed by the city finance department or other disbursing agent as determined by the board, but only upon written authorization by the board.

(i)

Any appointed or elected board member who neglects the duties of his office, as determined by the board, may be removed by four concurring votes among the other board members.

(j)

The duties and responsibilities of the board shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(1)

To construe the provisions of the system and determine all questions arising thereunder.

(2)

To determine all questions relating to eligibility and participation.

(3)

To determine and certify the amount of all retirement allowances or other benefits hereunder.

(4)

To establish uniform rules and procedures to be followed for administrative purposes, benefit applications, and all matters required to administer the system.

(5)

To distribute to members at regular intervals information concerning the system.

(6)

To receive and process all applications for benefits.

(7)

To authorize all payments whatsoever from the fund, and to notify the disbursing agent, in writing, of approved benefit payments and other expenditures arising through operation of the system and fund.

(8)

To have performed annual allocations and make recommendations regarding any and all changes in the provisions of the system.

(9)

To perform such other duties as are specified in this article.

(Code 1981, § 15-26; Ord. No. 1989-33, § 3, 10-17-89)