HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket-03-01-2007Page 1 of 2
Milton City Hall
City Council Chambers
13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100
Milton, GA 30004
CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA
Joe Lockwood, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL
Karen Thurman - District 1
Julie Zahner Bailey - District 2
Bill Lusk - District 3
Neal O’Brien - District 4
Tina D’Aversa-Williams - District 5
Rick Mohrig - District 6
Thursday, March 1, 2007 Regular Council Meeting Agenda 7:00 PM
1) CALL TO ORDER
2) ROLL CALL
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Led by the Mayor)
(Agenda Item No. 07-186)
4) APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA (add or remove items from agenda)
5) PUBLIC COMMENT
6) REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
1) A proclamation recognizing the Milton High School Commercial Design Students.
(Presented by Mayor Joe Lockwood and Chris Lagerbloom, Public Safety Director)
2) Administration of Oath of Office: (Administered by the Mayor)
a) Boards and Commission Members
(Agenda Item No. 07-176)
7) CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the January 11, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes.
8) ZONING AGENDA (none at this time)
9) FIRST PRESENTATION
(Agenda Item No. 07-187)
1. Approval of an Ordinance Accepting the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System
Official Plan Document for Retirement Program.
(Presented by Carol Wolfe, City Treasurer)
MILTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA MARCH 1, 2007 - 7:00 PM
Page 2 of 2
Milton City Hall
City Council Chambers
13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100
Milton, GA 30004
(Agenda Item No. 07-188)
2. Approval of an Ordinance Adopting Rules and Procedures for the Engagement of Legal
Services for the City of Milton, Georgia.
(Presented by Aaron Bovos, City Manager)
10) UNFINISHED BUSINESS (none at this time)
11) NEW BUSINESS
(Agenda Item No. 07-189)
1. Approval of a Resolution to Approve the Use of Speed Detection Devices by its Law
Enforcement Officials.
(Presented by Chris Lagerbloom, Public Safety Director)
(Agenda Item No. 07-190)
2. Approval of a Resolution in Support of Extending the Special One Percent Sales Tax for
Education Purposes.
(Presented by Bill Doughty, Communication Manager)
(Agenda Item No. 07-191)
3. Approval of a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2007 Work Plan for the City of
Milton, Georgia.
(Presented by Aaron Bovos, City Manager)
12) MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS
13) STAFF REPORTS
(Agenda Item No. 07-192)
14) EXECUTIVE SESSION
The purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss a litigation matter.
(Agenda Item No. 07-193)
15) ADJOURNMENT
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The City of Milton, Georgia is a newly incorporated City in Fulton County, Georgia and
is home to Milton High School, Principal Ronald Tesch and Assistant Principal Gene
Dunn, and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council has taken an aggressive stance on crime prevention and
public safety by announcing a rapid police department deployment timeline, and
WHEREAS, The Director of Public Safety solicited the assistance of Heather Meyer’s Commercial
Design class at Milton High School to design the inaugural police car graphics package,
and,
WHEREAS, Evan Bourff, Richelle Gross, Liza Gurley, Jordan Johnson, Phillip Jones, Tori Kennedy,
Jean Lu, Brendon Medlin, Maria Palumbo, Juan Ramirez and Whitney Vaught, all
commercial design students accepted the challenge of this inaugural design, and
WHEREAS, The City of Milton wishes to honor these students with our heartfelt thanks for their hard
work, and
WHEREAS, The inaugural police fleet, along with future police cars will serve as a constant reminder
of our commitment to community interaction and the hard work of our students.
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Milton, hereby recognize and
thank by proclamation Milton High School, and its Commercial Design students for their hard work and
dedication to the Milton Department of Public Safety.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the City of Milton, Georgia on this 1st day of March, 2007.
_______________________
Joe Lockwood
Mayor
(Seal)
City of Milton
115 Perimeter Center Place NE Suite 785 Atlanta, Georgia 30346
X:\City Clerk\Master Agendas 2007\March 1\Memo Pension Plan Document Agenda.doc 1
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Carol R. Wolfe, CGFM, SPHR, Director of Operations
Date: Submitted on February 13, 2007 for March 1, 2007 City Council Meeting
Agenda Item: Approval of a Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System Official Plan
Document for Retirement Program
CMO (City Manager’s Office) Recommendation:
Adopt the attached ordinance accepting the Retirement Plan Document outlining the details of
the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System retirement plan for City of Milton employees
and authorizing staff to execute all necessary documents required by the plan administrator.
Background:
As part of the City’s employee benefit program, the City Council approved a retirement package
for employees as part of the annual budget ordinance. At that time, Georgia Municipal
Employee Benefit System (GMEBS) was identified as the recommended vendor for pension
program services. Since that time, both City and GMEBS staff have been working out the
details of the official plan document. The GMEBS-enabling statute requires that member cities
adopt the plan via ordinance. The plan document has been finalized and before you tonight for
approval.
Discussion:
The plan document outlines items such as
• Employee eligibility requirements,
• Credit for past service,
• Normal and early retirement eligibility,
• Retirement formulas,
• Employee contributions,
• Distribution options, and
• Vesting requirements.
The plan document also requires the City to name, by position, a six-member pension board.
The pension board is the liaison between GMEBS as the provider of pension administrative
services and the employer. So as to give covered employees adequate representation, the
pension committee recommendation is as follows:
• City Manager
• City Treasurer
• City Clerk
• City Attorney
• Deputy Public Safety Director
City of Milton
115 Perimeter Center Place NE Suite 785 Atlanta, Georgia 30346
X:\City Clerk\Master Agendas 2007\March 1\Memo Pension Plan Document Agenda.doc 2
• A Police Officer to be appointed by the Public Safety Director
• A Firefighter to be appointed by the Public Safety Director
Once approved, the retirement plan will be effective April 1, 2007.
Concurrent Review:
Aaron Bovos, CGFM, CTP, City Manager
GEORGIA MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
BENEFIT SYSTEM
DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
for
City of Milton
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(Effective April 1, 2007)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
AN ORDINANCE .......................................................................................................................... 1
ADMINISTRATOR ....................................................................................................................... 2
ADOPTING EMPLOYER.............................................................................................................. 2
GOVERNING AUTHORITY ........................................................................................................ 2
PLAN REPRESENTATIVE........................................................................................................... 2
PENSION COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................... 3
TYPE OF ADOPTION................................................................................................................... 3
EFFECTIVE DATE ........................................................................................................................ 4
PLAN YEAR .................................................................................................................................. 4
CLASSES OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES ...................................................................................... 5
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS........................................................................................................ 6
HOURS PER WEEK (REGULAR EMPLOYEES)................................................................... 6
MONTHS PER YEAR (REGULAR EMPLOYEES)................................................................ 7
WAITING PERIOD........................................................................................................................ 7
ESTABLISHING PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN ................................................................... 7
CREDITED SERVICE ................................................................................................................... 8
CREDITED PAST SERVICE .................................................................................................... 8
PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE................................................................................................... 9
PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE ................................................................................... 11
UNUSED SICK/VACATION/PERSONAL LEAVE .............................................................. 12
RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY..................................................................................................... 13
EARLY RETIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS......................................................................... 13
NORMAL RETIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS..................................................................... 14
ALTERNATIVE NORMAL RETIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS ........................................ 15
DISABILITY BENEFIT QUALIFICATIONS ........................................................................ 16
RETIREMENT BENEFIT COMPUTATION.............................................................................. 17
MAXIMUM TOTAL CREDITED SERVICE ......................................................................... 17
MONTHLY NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT .............................................. 17
MONTHLY EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT .................................................. 19
- i -
MONTHLY LATE RETIREMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT ..................................................... 20
MONTHLY DISABILITY BENEFIT AMOUNT ................................................................... 20
BENEFIT CAP FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS ........................................................................ 21
DISTRIBUTIONS FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN IN SERVICE AFTER NORMAL
RETIREMENT ......................................................................................................................... 21
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT ........................................................................................ 22
RE-EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT ........................................................................ 22
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BEFORE RETIREMENT; VESTING .......................... 23
PRE-RETIREMENT DEATH BENEFITS .................................................................................. 24
IN-SERVICE DEATH BENEFIT ............................................................................................ 24
TERMINATED VESTED DEATH BENEFIT ........................................................................ 25
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS ................................................................................................ 26
EMPLOYER ADOPTION............................................................................................................ 27
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AN ORDINANCE
An Ordinance to establish a retirement plan for the Employees of the City of Milton,
Georgia in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the attached
Adoption Agreement, the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System (GMEBS) Master Plan
Document, and the GMEBS Trust Agreement. When accepted by the authorized officers of the
City and GMEBS, the foregoing shall constitute a Contract between the City and GMEBS, all as
authorized and provided by O.C.G.A. § 47-5-1 et seq.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia, and it is
hereby ordained by the authority thereof:
Section 1. The retirement plan for the Employees of the City of Milton, Georgia is
hereby established as set forth in and subject to the terms and conditions stated in the following
Adoption Agreement, the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System (GMEBS) Master Plan
Document, and the GMEBS Trust Agreement.
[Ordinance continued on page 28]
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
GMEBS DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
ADMINISTRATOR
Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System
201 Pryor Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone: 404-688-0472
Facsimile: 404-577-6663
ADOPTING EMPLOYER
Name: City of Milton, Georgia
GOVERNING AUTHORITY
Name: Mayor and Council
Address: 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: (678) 242-2525
Facsimile: (678) 242-2499
PLAN REPRESENTATIVE
[To represent Governing Authority in all communications with GMEBS and Employees]
(See Article II, Section 44 of Master Plan)
Name: Director of Operations
Address: 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: (678) 242-2525
Facsimile: (678) 242-2499
E-mail: carol.wolfe@cityofmiltonga.us
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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PENSION COMMITTEE
[Please designate members by position. If not, members of Pension Committee shall be
determined in accordance with Article XIV of Master Plan]
Position:
Position:
Position:
Position:
Position:
Position:
Position:
Pension Committee Secretary: City Clerk
Address: 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: (678) 242-2525
Facsimile: (678) 242-2499
E-mail: jeanette.marchiafava@cityofmiltonga.us
TYPE OF ADOPTION
This Adoption Agreement is for the following purpose (check one):
This is a new defined benefit plan adopted by the Adopting Employer for its Employees.
This plan does not replace or restate an existing defined benefit plan.
This is an amendment and restatement of the current GMEBS defined benefit plan or
other defined benefit plan of the Adopting Employer.
This is an amendment of the Adoption Agreement previously adopted by the Employer
(please specify type below):
This is an amendment to change one or more of the Adopting Employer's benefit
design elections in the Adoption Agreement.
This is an amendment to add a new Department or a new class of Eligible
Employees (If this box is checked, special addendum must be requested from
GMEBS to be completed as part of amendment).
This is an amendment to discontinue participation in the Plan by one or more
Departments or classes of Employees (If this box is checked, special addendum
must be requested from GMEBS to be completed as part of amendment).
Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 3 -
EFFECTIVE DATE
(1) Complete this item (1) only if this is a new defined benefit plan which does not replace
or restate an existing defined benefit plan.
The effective date of this Plan is April 1, 2007.
(insert effective date of this Adoption Agreement not earlier than January 1, 1997).
(2) Complete this item (2) only if this is an amendment and complete restatement of the
Adopting Employer's existing GMEBS defined benefit plan.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Master Document or in this Adoption
Agreement, the effective date of this restatement shall be _________________ (insert
effective date of this Adoption Agreement not earlier than January 1, 1997). This Plan
is adopted as an amendment and restatement of the Employer's preexisting GMEBS plan,
which became effective on ____________________ (insert original effective date of
preexisting GMEBS plan).
(3) Complete this item (3) only if this Plan is being adopted to replace a non-GMEBS
defined benefit plan.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Master Document or in this Adoption
Agreement, the effective date of this restatement shall be _________________ (insert
effective date of this Adoption Agreement not earlier than January 1, 1997). This Plan
is intended to replace and serve as an amendment and restatement of the Employer’s
preexisting plan, which became effective on __________________ (insert original
effective date of preexisting plan).
(4) Complete this item (4) only if this is an amendment of the Adoption Agreement
previously adopted by the Employer.
The effective date of this amendment shall be .
PLAN YEAR
Plan Year means (check one):
Calendar Year
Employer Fiscal Year commencing __________________________________________.
Other (must specify): January 1 – December 31.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 4 -
CLASSES OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
Only Employees of the Adopting Employer who meet the Master Plan's definition of
"Employee" may be covered under the Adoption Agreement. Independent contractors, leased
employees, and nonresident aliens may not participate in the Plan.
Eligible Regular Employees
Regular Employees include Employees, other than elected or appointed members of the
Governing Authority or Municipal Legal Officers, who are regularly employed in the services of
the Adopting Employer. Subject to the other conditions of the Master Plan and the Adoption
Agreement, the following Regular Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan (check one):
ALL - All Regular Employees, provided they satisfy the minimum hour and other
requirements specified under "Eligibility Conditions" below.
ALL REGULAR EMPLOYEES EXCEPT for the following employees (must specify):
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Elected or Appointed Members of the Governing Authority
An Adopting Employer may elect to permit participation in the Plan by elected or appointed
members of the Governing Authority and/or Municipal Legal Officers, provided they otherwise
meet the Master Plan's definition of "Employee" and provided they satisfy any other
requirements specified by the Adopting Employer. Municipal Legal Officers to be covered must
be specifically identified by position. Subject to the above conditions, the Employer hereby
elects the following treatment for elected and appointed officials:
Elected or Appointed Members of the Governing Authority (check one):
ARE NOT eligible to participate in the Plan.
ARE eligible to participate in the Plan.
Please specify any limitations on eligibility to participate here (e.g., service on or after certain
date):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 5 -
Municipal Legal Officers (check one):
ARE NOT eligible to participate in the Plan.
ARE eligible to participate in the Plan. The term "Municipal Legal Officer" shall include
only the following positions (must specify):
___________________________________________________________________________
Please specify any limitations on eligibility to participate here (e.g., service on or after certain
date):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
HOURS PER WEEK (REGULAR EMPLOYEES)
The Adopting Employer may specify a minimum number of hours per week which are
required to be scheduled and worked by Regular Employees in order for them to become and
remain "Eligible Regular Employees" under the Plan. It is the responsibility of the Adopting
Employer to determine whether these requirements are and continue to be satisfied. The
Employer hereby elects the following minimum hour requirement for Regular Employees:
No minimum
20 hours/week (regularly scheduled)
30 hours/week (regularly scheduled)
Other: 35 hours/week (must not exceed 40 hours/week regularly scheduled)
Exceptions: If a different minimum hour requirement applies to a particular class or classes of
Regular Employees, please specify below the classes to whom the different requirement applies
and indicate the minimum hour requirement applicable to them.
Class(es) of Regular Employees to whom exception applies (must specify): ________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Minimum hour requirement applicable to excepted Regular Employees:
No minimum
20 hours/week (regularly scheduled)
30 hours/week (regularly scheduled)
Other: _________________ (must not exceed 40 hours/week regularly scheduled)
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 6 -
MONTHS PER YEAR (REGULAR EMPLOYEES)
The Adopting Employer may specify a minimum number of months per year which are
required to be scheduled and worked by Regular Employees in order for them to become and
remain "Eligible Employees" under the Plan. It is the responsibility of the Adopting
Employer to determine whether these requirements are and continue to be satisfied. The
Employer hereby elects the following minimum requirement for Regular Employees:
No minimum
At least 6 months per year (regularly scheduled)
WAITING PERIOD
Regular Employees
Unless otherwise specified by the Adopting Employer in an addendum to this Adoption
Agreement, Regular Employees shall be required to complete one (1) year of continuous,
uninterrupted Service with the Adopting Employer before they qualify for participation in the
Plan. The determination as to whether the waiting period has been satisfied shall be made in
accordance with provisions of the Master Plan.
ESTABLISHING PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
Participation in the Plan is considered mandatory for all Eligible Employees who satisfy the
eligibility conditions specified in the Adoption Agreement. However, the Employer may specify
below that participation is optional for certain classes of Eligible Employees, including elected or
appointed members of the Governing Authority, Municipal Legal Officers, City Managers,
and/or Department Heads. If participation is optional for an Eligible Employee, then in order to
become a Participant, he must make an election to participate within 120 days after employment,
election or appointment to office, or if later, the date he first becomes eligible to participate in
the Plan. The election is irrevocable, and the failure to make the election within the 120-day
time limit shall be deemed an irrevocable election not to participate in the Plan.
Classes for whom participation is optional:
Elected or appointed members of the Governing Authority
Municipal Legal Officers
City Manager
Department Heads
Other (must specify): ___________________________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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CREDITED SERVICE
In addition to Current Credited Service the Adopting Employer may include as Credited
Service the following types of service:
CREDITED PAST SERVICE
Credited Past Service means the number of years and complete months of Service with the
Adopting Employer prior to the date an Eligible Employee becomes a Participant which are
treated as credited service under the Plan.
Eligible Employees Employed on Effective Date of GMEBS Plan. With respect to Eligible
Employees who are employed by the Adopting Employer on the original Effective Date of the
Employer's GMEBS Plan, Service with the Adopting Employer prior to the date the Eligible
Employee becomes a Participant (including any Service prior to the Effective Date of the Plan)
shall be treated as follows (check one):
All Service prior to the date the Eligible Employee becomes a Participant shall be
credited (as Credited Past Service).
All Service prior to the date the Eligible Employee becomes a Participant shall be
credited (as Credited Past Service), except for Service rendered prior to
____________________________ (insert date).
All Service prior to the date the Eligible Employee becomes a Participant shall be
credited (as Credited Past Service), except for (must specify other
limitation):_______________________
__________________________________________________________________
Previously Employed, Returning to Service after Effective Date. If an Eligible Employee is
not employed on the original Effective Date of the Employer's GMEBS Plan, but he returns to
Service with the Adopting Employer sometime after the Effective Date, his Service prior to the
date he becomes a Participant (including any Service prior the Effective Date) shall be treated as
follows (check one):
All Service prior to the date the Eligible Employee becomes a Participant shall be
credited (as Credited Past Service), subject to any limitations imposed above with
respect to Eligible Employees employed on the Effective Date.
All Service prior to the date the Eligible Employee becomes a Participant shall be
credited (as Credited Past Service), provided that after his return to employment,
the Eligible Employee performs Service equal to the period of the break in
Service or one (1) year, whichever is less. Any limitations imposed above with
respect to Eligible Employees employed on the Effective Date shall also apply.
Other limitation(s) (must specify):______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 8 -
Eligible Employees Initially Employed After Effective Date. If an Eligible Employee's initial
employment date is after the original Effective Date of the Employer's GMEBS Plan, his
Credited Past Service shall include only the number of years and complete months of Service
from his initial employment date to the date he becomes a Participant in the Plan.
Newly Eligible Classes of Employees. If a previously ineligible class of Employees becomes
eligible to participate in the Plan, the Employer must specify in an addendum to this Adoption
Agreement whether and to what extent said Employees' prior service with the Employer shall be
treated as Credited Past Service under the Plan.
PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE
Note: This section does not concern military service required to be credited under
USERRA – See Article III, Section 2 of the Master Plan for rules on the crediting of
USERRA Military Service.
The Adopting Employer may elect to treat military service rendered prior to a Participant's initial
employment date or reemployment date as Credited Service under the Plan. Unless otherwise
specified by the Employer under "Other Conditions" below, the term "Military Service" shall be
as defined in the Master Plan. Except as otherwise required by federal or state law or under
“Other Conditions” below, Military Service shall not include service which is credited under any
other local, state, or federal retirement or pension plan.
Military Service credited under this section shall not include any service which is otherwise
required to be credited under the Plan by federal or state law. Prior Military Service shall be
treated as follows (check one):
Prior Military Service is not creditable under the Plan (if checked, skip to next
section – Prior Governmental Service).
Prior Military Service shall be counted as Credited Service for the following
purposes (check one or more as applicable):
Computing amount of benefits payable .
Meeting minimum service requirements for vesting.
Meeting minimum service requirements for benefit eligibility.
Maximum Credit for Prior Military Service.
Credit for Prior Military Service shall be limited to a maximum of _____ years (insert number).
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 9 -
Rate of Accrual for Prior Military Service.
Credit for Prior Military Service shall accrue at the following rate (check one):
One month of military service credit for every _______ month(s) (insert
number) of Credited Service with the Adopting Employer.
One year of military service credit for every _____ year(s) (insert number) of
Credited Service with the Adopting Employer.
All military service shall be creditable (subject to any caps imposed above) after
the Participant has completed _______ years (insert number) of Credited Service
with the Employer.
Other requirement (must specify): _____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Payment for Prior Military Service Credit (check one):
Participants shall not be required to pay for military service credit.
Participants shall be required to pay for military service credit as follows:
The Participant must pay ____% of the actuarial cost of the service credit
(as defined below).
The Participant must pay an amount equal to (must specify): __________
____________________________________________________________
Other Conditions for Award of Prior Military Service Credit (must specify):
______________________________________________________________________________
Limitations on Service Credit Purchases. For purposes of this section and the following
section concerning prior governmental service credit, the term "actuarial cost of the service
credit" means the present value of the Accrued Benefit relating to such additional service credit
determined as of the payment date and calculated based upon the assumptions specified in
Article XII, Section 7 of the Master Plan.
In the case of a service credit purchase, the Participant shall be required to comply with any rules
and regulations established by the GMEBS Board of Trustees concerning said purchases. The
Employer may elect to allow Employees to make the purchase through payroll deduction and the
Employer may pick-up the amount to be contributed by the Employee in accordance with
Internal Revenue Code Section 414(h) and the Plan, subject to any conditions contained in
GMEBS' rules and regulations concerning service credit purchases.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 10 -
PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE
Note: Prior service with other GMEBS employers shall be credited as provided under the
Master Plan.
The Adopting Employer may elect to treat governmental service rendered prior to a Participant's
initial employment date or reemployment date as creditable service under the Plan. Subject to
any limitations imposed by law, the term "prior governmental service" shall be as defined by the
Adopting Employer below. The Employer elects to treat prior governmental service as follows
(check one):
Prior governmental service is not creditable under the Plan (if checked, skip to
next section – Unused Sick/Vacation/Personal Leave).
Prior governmental service shall be counted as Credited Service for the following
purposes under the Plan (check one or more as applicable):
Computing amount of benefits payable.
Meeting minimum service requirements for vesting.
Meeting minimum service requirements for benefit eligibility.
Definition of Prior Governmental Service.
Prior governmental service shall be defined as follows: (must specify):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Unless otherwise specified above, prior governmental service shall include only full-time service
(minimum hour requirement same as that applicable to Eligible Regular Employees).
Maximum Credit for Prior Governmental Service.
Credit for prior governmental service shall be limited to a maximum of ________ years (insert
number).
Rate of Accrual for Prior Governmental Service Credit.
Credit for prior governmental service shall accrue at the following rate (check one):
One month of prior governmental service credit for every _____ month(s) (insert
number) of Credited Service with the Adopting Employer.
One year of prior governmental service credit for every _____ year(s) (insert
number) of Credited Service with the Adopting Employer.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 11 -
All prior governmental service shall be creditable (subject to any caps imposed
above) after the Participant has completed _____ years (insert number) of
Credited Service with the Adopting Employer.
Other requirement (must specify): _____________________________________
Payment for Prior Governmental Service Credit.
Participants shall not be required to pay for governmental service credit.
Participants shall be required to pay for governmental service credit as follows:
The Participant must pay ____% of the actuarial cost of the service credit.
The Participant must pay an amount equal to (must specify): __________
____________________________________________________________
UNUSED SICK/VACATION/PERSONAL LEAVE
An Adopting Employer may elect to treat accumulated days of unused leave for which a
terminated Participant is not paid as Credited Service. The Pension Committee shall be
responsible to certify to GMEBS the total amount of unused leave which is creditable hereunder.
The Employer elects the following treatment of unused leave:
Unused leave shall not be treated as Credited Service (if checked, skip to next
section – Retirement Eligibility).
The following types of unused leave for which the Participant is not paid shall be
treated as Credited Service under the Plan (check one or more as applicable):
Unused sick leave
Unused vacation leave
Unused personal leave
Other (must specify): _____________________________________________
Minimum Service Requirement.
In order to receive credit for unused leave, a Participant must meet the following requirement at
termination (check one):
The Participant must be 100% vested in a normal retirement benefit.
The Participant must have at least _______ years (insert number) of Total
Credited Service (not including leave otherwise creditable under this section).
Other (must specify): _______________________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 12 -
Use of Unused Leave Credit. Unused leave shall count as Credited Service for the following
purposes under the Plan (check one or more as applicable):
Computing amount of benefits payable.
Meeting minimum service requirements for vesting.
Meeting minimum service requirements for benefit eligibility.
Maximum Credit for Unused Leave.
Credit for unused leave shall be limited to a maximum of _____ months (insert number).
Computation of Unused Leave.
Unless otherwise specified by the Adopting Employer under "Other Conditions" below, each
twenty (20) days of creditable unused leave shall constitute one (1) complete month of Credited
Service under the Plan. Partial months shall not be credited.
Other Conditions (please specify): ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY
EARLY RETIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Early retirement qualifications are (check one or more as applicable):
Attainment of age 55 (insert number)
Completion of 10 years (insert number) of Total Credited Service
Exceptions: If different early retirement eligibility requirements apply to a particular class or
classes of Eligible Employees, the Employer must specify below the classes to whom the
different requirements apply and indicate below the requirements applicable to them.
Eligible Employees to whom exception applies (must specify):
______________________________________________________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Early retirement qualifications for excepted class(es) are (check one or more as applicable):
Attainment of age _________ (insert number)
Completion of _________ years (insert number) of Total Credited Service
NORMAL RETIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Note: Please complete this section and also list "Alternative" Normal Retirement
Qualifications, if any, in next section.
Regular Employees
Normal retirement qualifications for Regular Employees are (check one or more as applicable):
Attainment of age 65 (insert number)
Completion of 7 years (insert number) of Total Credited Service
Exceptions: If different normal retirement qualifications apply to a particular class or classes of
Regular Employees, the Employer must specify below the classes to whom the different
requirements apply and indicate below the requirements applicable to them.
Class(es) of Regular Employees to whom exception applies (must specify): ________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Normal retirement qualifications for excepted class(es) are (check one or more as applicable):
Attainment of age _________ (insert number)
Completion of _________ years (insert number) of Total Credited Service
Elected or Appointed Members of Governing Authority
Complete this section only if elected or appointed members of the Governing Authority or
Municipal Legal Officers are permitted to participate in the Plan. Normal retirement
qualifications for this class are (check one or more as applicable):
Attainment of age _________ (insert number)
Completion of _________ years (insert number) of Total Credited Service
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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ALTERNATIVE NORMAL RETIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Please skip to the next section (Disability Benefit Qualifications) if the Adopting Employer
does not offer alternative normal retirement benefits under the Plan. The Employer may
elect to permit Participants to retire with unreduced benefits after they satisfy service and/or age
requirements other than the regular normal retirement qualifications specified above. The
Employer hereby adopts the following alternative normal retirement qualifications:
Alternative Normal Retirement Qualifications (check one or more, as applicable):
Alternative Minimum Age & Service Qualifications. (if checked, please
complete one or more items below, as applicable):
Attainment of age _________ (insert number)
Completion of _________ years (insert number) of Total Credited
Service
This alternative normal retirement benefit is available to:
All Participants who qualify.
Only the following Participants (must specify):
____________________________________________________________
A Participant (check one): is required is not required to be in the service of
the Employer at the time he satisfies the above qualifications in order to qualify
for this alternative normal retirement benefit.
Rule of _______ (insert number). The Participant's combined Total Credited
Service and age must equal or exceed this number. Please complete additional
items below:
To qualify for this alternative normal retirement benefit, the Participant (check
one): must have attained at least age ______ (insert number) must not
satisfy any minimum age requirement.
This alternative normal retirement benefit is available to:
All Participants who qualify.
Only the following Participants (must specify):
____________________________________________________________
A Participant (check one): is required is not required to be in the service of
the Employer at the time he satisfies the Rule in order to qualify for this
alternative normal retirement benefit.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Alternative Minimum Service. A Participant is eligible for an alternative
normal retirement benefit if he has at least ________ years (insert number) of
Total Credited Service, regardless of the Participant's age.
This alternative normal retirement benefit is available to:
All Participants who qualify.
Only the following Participants (must specify):
____________________________________________________________
Other Alternative Normal Retirement Benefit.
Must specify qualifications: _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
This alternative normal retirement benefit is available to:
All Participants who qualify.
Only the following Participants (must specify):
____________________________________________________________
DISABILITY BENEFIT QUALIFICATIONS
Please skip to the next section (Retirement Benefit Computation) if the Adopting Employer
does not offer disability retirement benefits under the Plan. Subject to the other terms and
conditions of the Master Plan, disability retirement qualifications are based upon Social Security
Administration award criteria or as otherwise provided under Article II, Section 19 of the Master
Plan.
To qualify for a disability benefit, a Participant must have the following minimum number of
years of Total Credited Service:
No minimum.
_______ years (insert number) of Total Credited Service.
Other requirement (must specify): _____________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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RETIREMENT BENEFIT COMPUTATION
MAXIMUM TOTAL CREDITED SERVICE
The number of years of Total Credited Service which may be used to calculate a benefit is
(check one):
not limited.
limited to _________ years.
limited to ________ years as an elected or appointed member of the Governing
Authority or Municipal Legal Officer.
MONTHLY NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT
Regular Employees
The monthly normal retirement benefit for Eligible Regular Employees shall be 1/12 of (check
one):
Flat Percentage Formula. 2.75% (insert percentage) of Final Average
Earnings multiplied by years of Total Credited Service as an Eligible Regular
Employee.
Split Formula (Dynamic Break Point). _____ % (insert percentage) of Final
Average Earnings up to the amount of Covered Compensation as defined in
Article II, Section 15 of the Master Plan (Dynamic Break Point), plus ______%
(insert percentage) of Final Average Earnings in excess of said Covered
Compensation, multiplied by years of Total Credited Service as an Eligible
Regular Employee.
Split Formula (Table Break Point). ______% (insert percentage) of Final
Average Earnings up to the amount of Covered Compensation as defined in
Article II, Section 16 of the Master Plan (Table Break Point), plus ______%
(insert percentage) of Final Average Earnings in excess of said Covered
Compensation, multiplied by years of Total Credited Service as an Eligible
Regular Employee.
Grandfathered Split Formula. For Eligible Regular Employees employed on or
after _______________________, (insert date) and for Eligible Regular
Employees employed prior to said date only when application of this formula
would result in a higher benefit than the benefit as determined under the following
sentence, __________ % (insert percentage) of Final Average Earnings up to
the amount of Covered Compensation as defined in Article II, Section 15 of the
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Master Plan (Dynamic Break Point), plus __________% (insert percentage) of
Final Average Earnings in excess of said Covered Compensation, multiplied by
years of Total Credited Service as an Eligible Regular Employee. For Regular
Employees employed prior to ___________________________, (insert date)
only when application of this formula would result in a higher benefit than the
benefit as determined under the preceding sentence,_____________% (insert
percentage) of Final Average Earnings up to the amount of Covered
Compensation as defined in Article II, Section 16 of the Master Plan (Table
Break Point), plus _________% (insert percentage) of Final Average Earnings
in excess of said Covered Compensation, multiplied by years of Total Credited
Service as an Eligible Regular Employee.
Other Formula (must specify): _______________________________________
Exceptions: If a formula other than that specified above applies to a special class(es) of Eligible
Regular Employees, the Employer must specify below the class(es) to whom the different
formula applies and indicate below the formula applicable to them.
Class(es) of Regular Employees to whom exception applies (must specify): ________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Benefit formula for excepted class (must specify):_____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Final Average Earnings
Final Average Earnings is defined as (check one):
The annual average of Earnings paid to a Participant by the Adopting Employer
for the 5 (insert number not to exceed 5) consecutive years (12 month periods)
of Credited Service preceding the Participant's most recent Termination in which
the Participant's Earnings were the highest. Note: GMEBS has prescribed forms
for calculation of Final Average Earnings that must be used for this purpose.
Other method of calculation (must specify):
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Elected or Appointed Members of the Governing Authority
Complete this section only if elected or appointed members of the Governing Authority or
Municipal Legal Officers are permitted to participate in the Plan. The monthly normal
retirement benefit for members of this class shall be as follows (check one):
$_________ (insert dollar amount) per month for each year of Total Credited
Service as an elected or appointed member of the Governing Authority or
Municipal Legal Officer or major fraction thereof (6 months and 1 day).
Other formula (must specify): _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Exceptions: If a different formula from that specified above applies to a particular class of
elected or appointed members of the Governing Authority or Municipal Legal Officers, the
Employer must specify below the class to whom the different formula applies and indicate below
the formula applicable to them.
Those to whom exception applies (must specify): _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Benefit formula for excepted class (must specify):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
MONTHLY EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT (check one):
The monthly Early Retirement benefit shall be computed in the same manner as
the monthly Normal Retirement benefit, but the benefit shall be reduced on an
Actuarially Equivalent basis in accordance with Article XII, Section 1 of the
Master Plan to account for early commencement of benefits.
The monthly Early Retirement benefit shall be computed as follows (must
specify):
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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MONTHLY LATE RETIREMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT (check one):
The monthly Late Retirement benefit shall be computed in the same manner as
the Normal Retirement Benefit, based upon the Participant's Accrued Benefit as
of his Late Retirement Date.
The monthly Late Retirement benefit shall be the greater of: (1) the monthly
retirement benefit accrued as of the Participant's Normal Retirement Date,
actuarially increased in accordance with the actuarial table contained in Article
XII, Section 6 of the Master Plan; or (2) the monthly retirement benefit accrued as
of the Participant's Late Retirement Date, without further actuarial adjustment
under Article XII, Section 6 of the Master Plan.
MONTHLY DISABILITY BENEFIT AMOUNT
Complete this section only if the Adopting Employer elects to provide Disability retirement
benefits. The amount of the monthly Disability Benefit shall be computed as follows (check
one):
The monthly Disability benefit shall be computed in the same manner as the
Normal Retirement benefit, based upon the Participant's Accrued Benefit as of his
Disability Retirement Date.
Other method (must specify): _________________________________________
Minimum Disability Benefit. The Adopting Employer may set a minimum Disability Benefit.
The Employer elects the following minimum Disability benefit (check one):
No minimum is established.
No less than (check one): 20% 10% ____% (if other than 20% or 10%
insert percentage amount) of the Participant's average monthly Earnings for the
12 calendar month period immediately preceding his Termination of Employment
as a result of a Disability.
No less than (check one): 66 2/3 % ______% (if other than 66 2/3%,
insert percentage amount) of the Participant's average monthly Earnings for the
12 calendar month period immediately preceding his Termination of Employment
as a result of a Disability, less any benefits paid from Workers Compensation,
federal Social Security benefits as a result of disability, any state compulsory
disability plan, and any disability income plan paid by the Employer.
Other Minimum (must specify): _______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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BENEFIT CAP FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Complete this section only if elected or appointed members of the Governing Authority
participate in the Plan. In addition to any other limitations imposed by federal or state law, the
Employer may impose a cap on the monthly benefit amount that may be received by elected or
appointed members of the Governing Authority. The Employer elects (check one):
No cap.
Monthly benefit for Service as an elected or appointed member of the Governing
Authority may not exceed 100% of the Participant's final salary as an elected or
appointed member of the Governing Authority.
Other cap (must specify): ____________________________________________
DISTRIBUTIONS FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN IN SERVICE AFTER NORMAL
RETIREMENT
The Employer may elect to permit active Participants who have satisfied the Employer's
qualifications for Normal Retirement or Alternative Normal Retirement to begin drawing their
retirement benefit even though they have not yet terminated employment with Employer, subject
to the terms of the Master Plan. The Employer makes the following election in this regard
(check one):
Distribution of retirement benefits is not permitted until the Participant has
terminated employment and otherwise qualifies for receipt of benefits.
Participants who have satisfied the qualifications for Normal Retirement or
Alternative Normal Retirement may begin drawing their Normal Retirement
benefit even though they remain in the service of the Employer. This provision
applies to (check one):
All Participants
Only Participants in the following classes (in-service distributions not
permitted for any others) (must specify):
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT
The Employer may elect to provide for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in the amount of
benefits being received by Retired Participants and Beneficiaries, which shall be calculated and
paid in accordance with the terms of the Master Plan. The Employer hereby elects the following
(check one):
No cost-of-living adjustment.
Variable Annual cost-of-living adjustment not to exceed ______% (insert
percentage).
Fixed annual cost-of-living adjustment equal to ______% (insert percentage).
The above cost-of-living adjustment shall apply with respect to Participants (and their
Beneficiaries) who terminate employment on or after _________________ (insert date).
RE-EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT
Reemployment After Normal Retirement. In the event a Retired Participant is reemployed
with the Employer as an Eligible Employee after his Normal Retirement Date, the following rule
shall apply (check one):
The Participant's benefit shall be suspended in accordance with Article VI,
Section 6(a) of the Master Plan for as long as the Participant remains employed.
The Participant may continue to receive his retirement benefit in accordance with
Article VI, Section 6(c) of the Master Plan. This rule shall apply to (check one):
all Retired Participants only the following classes of Retired Participants
(must specify - benefits of those Retired Participants not listed shall be
suspended in accordance with Article VI, Section 6(a) of the Master Plan if
they return to work with the Employer):
__________________________________________________________________
Reemployment After Early Retirement. In the event a Participant retires with an Early
Retirement benefit and is reemployed with the Employer as an Eligible Employee before his
Normal Retirement Date, the following rule shall apply (check one):
The Participant's Early Retirement benefit shall be suspended in accordance with
Article VI, Section 6(a) of the Master Plan for as long as the Participant remains
employed.
The Participant's eligibility to continue receiving Early Retirement benefits shall
be subject to the following limitations (if this item is checked, check one of the
following):
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 22 -
The Participant's Early Retirement benefit shall be suspended. However,
the Participant may again begin receiving benefits after he satisfies the
qualifications for Normal Retirement or alternative Normal Retirement in
accordance with Article VI, Section 6(d) of the Master Plan.
The Participant may continue receiving his Early Retirement benefit in
accordance with Article VI, Section 6(e) of the Master Plan, provided his
initial retirement was in good faith and he does not return to employment
with the Employer for a minimum of _____ months (insert number no
less than 6) following his effective Retirement date. If this requirement is
not met, the Participant's benefit shall be suspended until he satisfies the
qualifications for Normal Retirement or alternative Normal Retirement in
accordance with Article VI, Section 6(d) of the Master Plan.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BEFORE RETIREMENT; VESTING
Eligible Regular Employees
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Plan, a Participant who is an Eligible Regular
Employee and whose employment is terminated for any reason other than death or retirement
shall earn a vested right in his accrued retirement benefit in accordance with the following
schedule (check one):
No vesting schedule (immediate vesting).
Cliff Vesting Schedule. Benefits shall be 100% vested after the Participant has a
minimum of 7 years (insert number not to exceed 10) of Total Credited Service.
Benefits remain 0% vested until the Participant satisfies this minimum.
Graduated Vesting Schedule. Benefits shall become vested in accordance with
the following schedule (insert percentages):
COMPLETED YEARS
OF TOTAL CREDITED SERVICE
VESTED PERCENTAGE
1 %
2 %
3 %
4 %
5 %
6 %
7 %
8 %
9 %
10 %
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Exceptions: If a vesting schedule other than that specified above applies to a special class(es) of
Regular Employees, the Employer must specify the different vesting schedule below and the
class(es) to whom the different vesting schedule applies.
Regular Employees to whom exception applies (must specify):
______________________________________________________________________________
Vesting Schedule for excepted class (must specify):____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Elected or Appointed Members of the Governing Authority
Complete this Section only if Elected or Appointed Members of the Governing Authority
are permitted to participate in the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Master
Plan, a Participant who is an elected or appointed member of the Governing Authority or a
Municipal Legal Officer shall earn a vested right in his accrued retirement benefit for Credited
Service in such capacity in accordance with the following schedule (check one):
No vesting schedule (immediate vesting).
Other vesting schedule (must specify):
__________________________________________________________________
PRE-RETIREMENT DEATH BENEFITS
IN-SERVICE DEATH BENEFIT
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Plan, the Employer hereby elects the following
in-service death benefit, to be payable in the event that an eligible Participant's employment with
the Employer is terminated by reason of death prior to Retirement (check and complete one):
Auto A Death Benefit. A monthly benefit payable to the Participant's Pre-
Retirement Beneficiary, equal to the decreased monthly retirement benefit that
would have otherwise been payable to the Participant, had he elected a 100% joint
and survivor benefit under Article VII, Section 3 of the Master Plan. In order to
be eligible for this benefit, a Participant must meet the following requirements
(check one):
The Participant must be vested in a normal retirement benefit.
The Participant must have ______ years (insert number) of Total
Credited Service.
The Participant must be eligible for Early or Normal Retirement.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Other eligibility requirement (must specify):
____________________________________________________________
Actuarial Reserve Death Benefit. A monthly benefit payable to the Participant's
Pre-Retirement Beneficiary, actuarially equivalent to the reserve required for the
Participant's anticipated Normal Retirement benefit, provided the Participant
meets the following eligibility conditions (check one):
The Participant shall be eligible immediately upon becoming a Participant.
The Participant must have _____ years (insert number) of Total Credited
Service.
Other eligibility requirement (must specify):
____________________________________________________________
Imputed Service. For purposes of computing the actuarial reserve death benefit,
the Participant's Total Credited Service shall include (check one):
Total Credited Service accrued prior to the date of the Participant's death.
Total Credited Service accrued prior to the date of the Participant's death,
plus (check one): one-half (½) ___________ (insert other
fraction) of the Service between such date of death and what would
otherwise have been the Participant's Normal Retirement Date.
Exceptions: If an in-service death benefit other than that specified above applies to one or more
classes of Participants, the Employer must specify below the death benefit payable, the class(es)
to whom the different death benefit applies, and the eligibility conditions for said death benefit.
Alternative Death Benefit (must specify): ___________________________________________
Participants to whom alternative death benefit applies (must specify): _______________
______________________________________________________________________________
Eligibility conditions for alternative death benefit (must specify):_________________________
TERMINATED VESTED DEATH BENEFIT
Complete this Section only if the Employer offers a terminated vested death benefit. The
Employer may elect to provide a terminated vested death benefit, to be payable in the event that
a Participant who is vested dies after termination of employment but before Retirement benefits
commence. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Plan, the Employer hereby elects
the following terminated vested death benefit (check one):
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 25 -
Auto A Death Benefit. A monthly benefit payable to the Participant's Pre-
Retirement Beneficiary, equal to the decreased monthly retirement benefit that
would have otherwise been payable to the Participant had he elected a 100% joint
and survivor benefit under Article VII, Section 3 of the Master Plan.
Accrued Retirement Benefit. A monthly benefit payable to the Participant's Pre-
Retirement Beneficiary which shall be actuarially equivalent to the Participant's
Accrued Normal Retirement Benefit determined as of the date of death.
Exceptions: If a terminated vested death benefit other than that specified above applies to one
or more classes of Participants, the Employer must specify below the death benefit payable, the
class(es) to whom the different death benefit applies, and the eligibility conditions for said death
benefit.
Alternative Death Benefit (must specify): ___________________________________________
Participants to whom alternative death benefit applies (must specify): ____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
Eligibility conditions for alternative death benefit (must specify): _______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS
Employee contributions (check one):
Are not required.
Are required in the amount of 3.0 % (insert percentage) of Earnings for all
Eligible Employees. Employee contributions shall commence as of the first
payroll period beginning on or after April 1, 2007.
Are required in the amount of _____ % (insert percentage) of Earnings for
Participants in the following classes (must specify): _______________________
__________________________________________________________________
Pre-Tax Treatment of Employee Contributions. If employee contributions are required, an
Adopting Employer may elect to "pick-up" employee contributions to the Plan in accordance
with IRC Section 414(h). In such case employee contributions shall be made on a pre-tax rather
than a post-tax basis, provided the requirements of Section 414(h) are met. If the Employer
elects to pick-up employee contributions, it is the Employer's responsibility to ensure that
employee contributions are paid and reported in accordance with Section 414(h). The Employer
hereby elects (check one):
To pick-up employee contributions.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
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Not to pick-up employee contributions.
Interest on Employee Contributions. The Adopting Employer may elect to pay interest on any
refund of Employee Contributions.
Interest shall not be paid.
Interest shall be paid on a refund of Employee Contributions at a rate established
by GMEBS from time to time.
EMPLOYER ADOPTION
The Adopting Employer hereby agrees to abide by the Master Plan, Trust Agreement,
bylaws, and rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees of GMEBS, as each may be
amended from time to time, in all matters pertaining to the operation and administration of the
Plan. It is intended that the Act creating the Board of Trustees of GMEBS, the bylaws of the
Board, the rules and regulations of the Board, and this Plan are to be construed in harmony with
each other. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of any of the foregoing, they shall
govern in the following order:
(1) The Act creating the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Municipal Employees
Benefit System, O.C.G.A. Section 47-5-1 et seq. and any other applicable
provisions of O.C.G.A. Title 47;
(2) The bylaws of the Board;
(3) The rules and regulations of the Board;
(4) This Ordinance and Adoption Agreement.
In the event that any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Plan shall be
declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall in no manner affect the
previously existing provisions or the other section or sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or
phrases of this Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect, as if the section, subsection,
sentence, clause or phrase so declared or adjudicated invalid or unconstitutional were not
originally a part hereof. The Governing Authority hereby declares that it would have passed the
remaining parts of this Plan or retained the previously existing provisions if it had known that
such part or parts hereof would be declared or adjudicated invalid or unconstitutional.
The Adopting Employer understands that failure to properly complete this Adoption
Agreement may result in the Adopting Employer's plan not being qualified under the Internal
Revenue Code. The Adopting Employer also agrees it will inform the Board of any amendments
to this Adoption Agreement, its Plan, or the discontinuance, abandonment or termination of its
Plan.
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 27 -
AN ORDINANCE (continued from page 1)
Section 2. Except as otherwise specifically required by law or by the terms of the Master
Plan or Adoption Agreement, the rights and obligations under the Plan with respect to persons
whose employment or term of office with the City was terminated for any reason whatsoever
prior to the effective date of this Ordinance are fixed and shall be governed by such Plan, if any,
as it existed and was in effect at the time of such termination.
Section 3. The effective date of this Ordinance shall be April 1, 2007.
Section 4. All Ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are expressly
repealed.
Approved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia this _______ day of
_____________________, 2007.
Attest: CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA
_______________________ ____________________________________
City Clerk Mayor
(SEAL)
Approved:
__________________________
City Attorney
The terms of the foregoing Adoption Agreement are approved by the Board of Trustees
of the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Municipal Employees
Benefit System has caused its Seal and the signatures of its duly authorized officers to be affixed
this ______ day of __________________________, 20____.
Board of Trustees
Georgia Municipal Employees
Benefit System
(SEAL)
____________________________________
Secretary
GMEBS - Defined Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement
(City of Milton – Effective April 1, 2007)
- 28 -
City of Milton
115 Perimeter Center Place NE Suite 785 Atlanta, Georgia 30346
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Aaron J. Bovos, City Manager
Date: February 12, 2007 For Submission onto the March 1, 2007 City Council Agenda – First Reading
and March 15, 2007 City Council Agenda – Second Reading
Agenda Item: An Ordinance Adopting Rules and Procedures for the Engagement of Legal Services for
the City of Milton, Georgia
CMO (City Manager’s Office) Recommendation:
Approve the attached ordinance adopting the Rules and Procedures of Engagement of Legal Services for
the City of Milton, providing for an orderly process of conducting business, and for other purposes.
Background:
Governments traditionally adopt Rules of Procedure, or operation standards and protocol which facilitate
the orderly conduct of operations. Such documents outline how staff will utilize resources to maximize
the ability to meet the goals of the mayor and city council. These policies stand as the backbone for staff
and elected officials to refer to in one of the many critical functions of any government, in this case, the
engagement of legal services.
The attached Rules of Procedure were drafted after conversations on this topic occurred with several
elected officials and the city attorney. Further, during the retreat on February 8-9, 2007, further
discussions occurred. In addition, when reviewing the current financial position of the organization and
the roles and responsibilities of the city manager, it became evident that by defining the engagement
process for legal services, the City could ensure the management of resources in the most efficient and
effective means possible.
Discussion:
The attached ordinance and Rules of Procedure establishes a protocol in which Council members engage
the city attorney for legal services. The policy recommends the process should originate with the city
manager, except when cases arise which prevent this occurrence, i.e. ethical or performance issues wit the
city manager. Further, it defines the method in which expenses will be paid to the outside law firm
employing the city attorney, and the annual appropriation process.
The various other sections of the Rules and Procedures include information contained in the city’s charter,
House Bill 1470.
Alternatives: N/A
Concurrent Review: N/A
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-______
STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF FULTON
A ORDINANCE ADOPTING RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF
LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA
WHEREAS, well-organized operations allow for staff to maximize resources while responding to
City Council initiatives and priorities in a fair and consistent manner; and
WHEREAS, efficiency is served when the process of engaging staff and expending resources of the
organization is clearly stated and understood by public officials and staff; and
WHEREAS, accountability for public resources expended and utilized in the operation of the
government is a key element to financial stewardship in the City of Milton.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILTON HEREBY ORDAINS that
the Rules and Procedures for the Engagement of Legal Services shall be used when legal services are
necessary and shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 1. That the Rules of Procedures for the Engagement of Legal Services are
adopted and attached hereto as if fully set forth herein; and
SECTION 2. That the first reading of this Ordinance was held on March 1, 2007; and
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption.
SECTION 4. That all ordinances or sections of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are
hereby repealed.
ORDAINED while in regular session on the ______ day of ___________, 2007 at _____ pm.
Approved:
_____________________________
Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
City Clerk
(Seal)
City of Milton
115 Perimeter Center Place NE Suite 785 Atlanta, Georgia 30346
X:\City Clerk\Master Agendas 2007\March 1\Rules of Engagement for City Attorney.doc
RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE
ENGAGEMENT OF LEGAL SERVICES
Section 1. Selection. Pursuant to House Bill 1470, the city’s charter, the mayor shall nominate
and the city council shall confirm by a majority vote a city attorney who shall be a member of
the State Bar of Georgia and who shall have actively practiced law for at least one year. Any
such nomination shall occur in the form of a resolution at a regularly scheduled city council
meeting.
Section 2. Duties. The city attorney shall be responsible for representing and defending the city
in all litigation in which the city is a party, may be the prosecuting officer in the municipal court,
shall attend the meetings of the council as directed, shall advise the city council, mayor, and
other officers and employees of the city concerning legal aspects of the city’s affairs, and shall
perform such other duties as may be required by virtue of the position of city attorney.
Section 3. Compensation. The city council shall provide for the compensation of the city
attorney.
Section 4. Appropriation. An annual appropriation shall be made for legal services in the
City’s financial plan (annual budget). Such appropriation shall be made in conjunction with the
city attorney’s input and review. Once the appropriation is finalized, the city manager and city
attorney shall utilize these resources and allocate funds to maximize staff’s ability to meet the
annual prioritized work plan of the government.
Section 5. Engagement for Services. Pursuant to Section 3.25 of the city’s charter, the city
manager is responsible to direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and
agencies of the city, except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law. Because legal
services are not specifically exempted, the rules of engagement for legal services to be rendered
by the city attorney shall be consistent with the engagement of all city employees, department
heads, contractors, service providers, or agencies working for the benefit of the government.
(a) The city manager shall manage the projects and work product of the city attorney
through the annual work plan adopted by the mayor and city council;
(b) A legal opinion and position shall be researched and presented on all business items
in which the mayor and council consider;
(c) The mayor and city council shall, consistent with all matters and Section 3.28 of the
city’s charter (Council’s interference with administration), direct questions regarding
business items through the city manager who will facilitate a response, including
when necessary the engagement of the city attorney.
City of Milton
115 Perimeter Center Place NE Suite 785 Atlanta, Georgia 30346
X:\City Clerk\Master Agendas 2007\March 1\Rules of Engagement for City Attorney.doc
(d) Should a perceived ethical, moral, or business conflict exist with first engaging the
city manager, elected officials shall direct questions to the mayor, who will
determine if the perceived conflict actually exists. Should the mayor perceive a
conflict exists, the mayor shall engage the city attorney for legal advice on behalf of
the council. Should the mayor perceive no conflict exists, the mayor shall direct the
elected official to engage the city manager pursuant to operating protocols contained
within this policy.
Section 6. Bill for services. The city attorney shall submit a monthly bill to the government.
Such invoice/bill shall detail the work performed as initiated by the city manager, in a format
specified by the city manager which facilitates the accurate tracking of legal costs associated by
each project assigned to the city attorney.
City of Milton
13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100, Milton, Georgia 30004
Page 1 of 1
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Chris Lagerbloom, Public Safety Director
Date: February 5, 2007 for submission onto the March 1, 2007 Council Meeting Agenda
Agenda Item: A resolution to approve the use of speed detection devices by its law enforcement
officials
CMO (City Manager’s Office) Recommendation:
Approve the attached resolution which will approve and allow the use of speed detection devices by
Milton Police officers.
Background:
Speeding vehicles in or through the City of Milton pose a serious threat to the public health, safety and
welfare of the citizens of Milton and enforcement with speed detection devices is one way to address this
safety issue.
Discussion:
This resolution approves the use of speed detection devices by police officers in Milton and will allow the
procurement of lawful speed detection devices.
Alternatives: N/A
Concurrent Review: N/A
RESOLUTION NO. ______
STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF FULTON
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE USE OF SPEED DETECTION DEVICES
BY ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Milton, Georgia while in regular session
on March 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. as follows:
WHEREAS, speeding vehicles in or through the City of Milton pose a serious threat to the
public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Milton.
WHEREAS, the City of Milton’s Law Enforcement Department is lawfully authorized to
exercise the powers of arrest and to enforce the traffic laws of this state.
WHEREAS, the Milton City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens
of this City to authorize the City of Milton’s Law Enforcement Department to utilize speed
detection devices within their lawful jurisdiction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILTON,
GEORGIA, AND IT IS RESOLVED BY THE AUTHORITY OF SAID CITY COUNCIL.
That the City of Milton hereby desires and approves the use of speed detection devices by its law
enforcement officials consistent with the laws and regulations of the State of Georgia.
RESOLVED this 1st day of March, 2007.
Approved:
_______________________
Joe Lockwood, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
Jeanette R. Marchiafava, City Clerk
(Seal)
City of Milton
13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107, Milton, GA 30004
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Bill Doughty, APR, Communication Manager
Date: February 12, 2007 for Submission onto the March 1, 2007 City Council
Meeting
Agenda Item: Resolution in Support of Extending the Special One Percent Sales Tax for
Education Purposes
CMO (City Manager’s Office) Recommendation:
To approve the attached resolution supporting renewal of the Special Purpose Local Option
Sales Tax (SPLOST) going before voters in a March 20, 2007 referendum.
Background:
The one penny sales tax, first approved by voters in March 1997 and renewed in March 2002.
has raised almost $1 billion in revenue, with an estimated 40 percent of those funds coming
from people who live outside of Fulton County. The school system used that SPLOST revenue
to build 29 new schools including four inside the City of Milton – Cogburn Woods and Summit
Hill elementary schools, Hopewell Middle School and Milton High School – and additions at 18
other schools, including a science addition at Crabapple Middle School.
Discussion:
The Fulton County School System continues to experience unprecedented enrollment growth
which, combined with anticipated additional growth, class-size reductions and program-driven
instructional needs, requires additional classrooms, equipment, instructional materials and
facilities including technology upgrades and safety and security enhancements.
This resolution places the Mayor and City Council on record as supporting the extension of the
one-cent sales tax to provide financial resources to address the needs articulated above while
also reducing the tax burden for all Fulton County residents.
Alternatives:
The Fulton County School System’s only alternative in meeting these needs is through bond
issues, which increase the tax burden on all Fulton County property owners.
Concurrent Review:
Aaron J. Bovos, CGFM, CTP, City Manager
Page 1 of 2
STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF FULTON RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF EXTENDING THE SPECIAL ONE
PERCENT SALES TAX FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Milton, Georgia while in regular
session on March 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. as follows:
Whereas, Education is essential for the well-being and development of the children
of Fulton County including those residing in the City of Milton; and
Whereas, A well-educated population benefits all citizens and contributes to their
economic prosperity and cultural and social betterment; and
Whereas, Such benefits can be realized only by providing an adequate system of
funding for the educational needs of Fulton County; and
Whereas, The growing population of Fulton County has caused overcrowding of
many students; and
Whereas, Aging school facilities in Fulton County are in need of renovation and
modification to meet the instructional needs of today’s students; and
Whereas, In order to overcome these problems, the Fulton County Board of
Education has developed capital programs for the expansion and
renovation of existing schools, and construction of new schools; and
Whereas, The Fulton County Board of Education has identified needs in other areas,
such as technology, furnishings, buses, equipment, debt relief and land
purchases; and
Whereas, Funding of the respective capital programs will greatly improve the
educational environment of students throughout Fulton County schools
including those in the City of Milton; and
Whereas, Pursuant to article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph IV of the Constitution of
the State of Georgia, there is currently in effect in Fulton County a special
1% sales tax for educational purposes; and
Whereas, The existing 1% sales tax for educational purposes has benefited all Fulton
County residents by reducing property taxes, improving instructional
services, and meeting capital needs; and
Page 2 of 2
Whereas, An extension of the special 1% sales tax for educational purposes is
essential to raising the funds necessary to address capital needs in Fulton
County, including the City of Milton; and
Whereas, The Fulton County Board of Education intends to ask the voters of Fulton
County to extend the special 1% sales tax, at an election to be held on
March 20, 2007; and
Whereas, If approved, the extension of the special 1% sales tax would be used to
continue needed capital improvements and provide debt relief; and
Whereas, The Milton City Council recognizes the need for and benefits to be gained
by completion of the programs planned by the Fulton County Board of
Education; and
Whereas, The Milton City Council believes that extension of the sales tax for
educational purposes is essential to achieving the goals of the respective
Boards of Education and will be beneficial to the well-being of all the
citizens of Fulton County.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Milton City Council hereby expresses its support
for extension of the special 1% sales tax for educational purposes in
Fulton County; and
Be it further resolved, that the Milton City Council extends its best wishes to the
administrators, faculty and students and the Fulton County school system
as they embark on a program of improvement and expansion of their
facilities.
RESOLVED this the 1st day of March, 2007.
Approved:
____________________________
Joe Lockwood, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
Jeanette R. Marchiafava, City Clerk
(Seal)
City of Milton
115 Perimeter Center Place NE Suite 785 Atlanta, Georgia 30346
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Aaron J. Bovos, City Manager
Date: February 12, 2007 For Submission onto the March 1, 2007 City Council Agenda
Agenda Item: A Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2007 Work Plan for the City of Milton, Georgia
CMO (City Manager’s Office) Recommendation:
Approve the attached resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2007 Work Plan for the City of Milton thereby
providing a prioritized list of projects for city staff.
Background:
On an annual basis, the City of Milton will adopt a work plan providing the upcoming year’s priorities.
Traditionally this activity will be done during the annual budget process so that the appropriation process
can be tied to the work being performed; however, for our first fiscal year these activities are being
completed independently of each other.
The goal of approving the work plan and accomplishing the list of projects is to best represent the goals of
the Mayor and City Council on an annual on-going basis in a dynamic environment. Because not all
activities can be foreseen, the attached resolution outlines those projects which are larger in scope and
require substantial staff effort and/or resources. Priorities listed on the attached documents represent
those items represented by the community to the elected officials to be the most critical and substantial
for the welfare and promotion of our community.
Discussion:
During the February 8 and 9, 2007 retreat, the Mayor and Council brainstormed a list of potential projects
they would like to see completed. The list was then prioritized through a non-binding voting process and
formulated as attached. Once the list is approved, staff will begin to formulate a detailed project
worksheet which will provide the roadmap to completion for each of the projects. Each of the project
worksheets will be reviewed to insure citizen participation and an aggressive schedule which promotes
prompt action without being unduly burdensome to staff. Routine updates will be provided to the elected
officials and staff on the specific projects within the annual work plan.
Alternatives: N/A
Concurrent Review: N/A
RESOLUTION NO. _______________
STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF FULTON
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR 2007 WORK PLAN FOR ALL
DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES OF THE CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA AND DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO FORMALLY MANAGE SUCH PRIORITY PROJECTS; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the City of Milton will adopt an annual work plan distinguishing the priority projects of the
Mayor and City Council;
WHEREAS, such work plan will traditionally be a part of the annual financial planning process and be
adopted when the annual budget is approved to insure sufficient resources are dedicated to the necessary
projects; and
WHEREAS, City staff will prepare documents on each project providing details on the appropriate
actions to complete the projects in an aggressive manner without being unduly burdensome to staff; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council prioritized the following list of projects during the February 8
and 9, 2007 retreat:
Legacy Projects
1. Update or Amend the Comprehensive Land Use Plan;
2. Advance Overlays in Key Commercial Corridors as soon as Practical;
3. Adopt a Tree Ordinance;
Non-Legacy Projects
4. Annexation Dispute Resolution;
5. Adoption of a Noise Ordinance;
6. Closing of Sewer Ordinance Loopholes;
7. Develop a plan for alleviating safety and congestion problems at three key interestctions:
Crabapple, Bethany Bend, and Birmingham/Providence;
8. Adopt a new Sign Ordinance;
9. Certified City of Ethics Designation;
10. Capital Improvement Program and LARP Funding; and
11. Milton Volunteer Pacers – recruit more people to work on city projects and programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILTON,
GEORGIA, AND IT IS RESOLVED BY THE AUTHORITY OF SAID CITY COUNCIL.
By passage of this resolution, the City of Milton Mayor and City Council approve the attached list of
projects as the annual work plan for the City of Milton. Further, the Mayor and City Council authorize
the City Manager to manage these projects in the most effective and efficient manner possible to
accomplish these goals and to utilize the necessary government resources in a respectful manner to
supplement staff. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
RESOLVED this 1st day of March, 2007.
Approved:
____________________________
Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
Jeanette R. Marchiafava, City Clerk
(Seal)
1
Milton City Council Planning Retreat
February 1 & 2, 2007
Report & Summary
Prepared by: Scot Wrighton
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
The University of Georgia
(706) 542-9528
wrighton@cviog.uga.edu
2
CITY OF MILTON MAYOR & COUNCIL RETREAT
FEBRUARY 1 & 2, 2007
HILTON GARDEN INN – ALPHARETTA
AGENDA
February 1:
9:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am - Welcome, Introductions, Retreat
Objectives, exercise on
"looking at things differently"
9:45 am – Milton Values, Mission Statement, and
Branding of Core
Values; Clarifying the distinctions
between, & distinctives
of, Milton's mission, vision and
values
11:30 am – Lunch on site
12:15 pm – Milton Values, Mission Statement, and
Branding (cont’d)
- Mission Statement Development
- Branding, Public Perceptions
1:45 pm What are the "legacy projects" that fit and
exemplify the
tentative mission, vision and values
statements
developed by the council earlier in the
morning?
3:00 pm – Headline Exercise, and Closing
Remarks/Statements
February 2:
3
9:30 am – Roles & Responsibilities of Municipal Leaders
in the
Council-Manger form of Government
- Mayor and City Council
- City Manager
- Key Staff
- Committees
February 2 (cont’d):
- City Attorney
- CH2M Hill
- Others
11:30 am – Lunch on Site
12:15 – Goals, Priorities and Defining Work Plan for
Upcoming Year:
- Headlines for tomorrow
- Develop initial project, program and
priority list
- City Achievements for 2007-08
- City Achievements for 2008-09
- Score and update prioritization of
objectives
- Staff reports related to council priorities
3:15 – Topics for Future Retreat
3:45 – Closing Remarks/Statements
4
After an opening exercise to reinforce the need to think about the future of Milton with
fewer restraints, and free of the assumptions that sometimes limit the options of local
government leaders, the Milton City Council set about drafting a vision statement that
(when finished) would capture the essential nature of what made the new city unique and
distinctive. This statement could then be used to communicate community vision to
residents, guide public policy-making, and the land use decisions that were at the heart of
why the city of Milton was created in the first place.
After discussing the fundamental differences between mission statements, vision
statements and organizational values, each city council member was asked to write what
they thought of as the Milton Vision (i.e., where the city was going in the next 25 years
and what governing body members wanted their community to look like). This exercise
was called “The Vision Thing,” and produced the following first drafts:
THE VISION THING FOR MILTON:
A warm connected community that reflects and respects its history, in its architecture,
social fabric and modern infrastructure.
Distinctive community of businesses and residents maintaining the rural character of the
area while providing essential services.
Community where Georgia’s character is preserved in a unique rural equestrian oasis
amidst a megalopolis by embracing history, human values and Mother Earth.
Preserve and brand the unique characteristics of the Milton community for future
generations including rural, agricultural, low density, equestrian area with a commitment
to preserving trees, green spaces, water quality, historic assets and distinctive architecture
design.
Be an equestrian-centric green community focusing on historic preservation in a slower
paced town-like atmosphere of limited government.
Bridging the past and the future by incorporating historic properties and a pastoral farm
setting; living in a community without fear and balancing community heritage with
sustainable development.
After a great deal more “word-smithing” the council consolidated their vision statements
by crafting two versions of a statement (each essentially saying the same thing, but with
difference emphasis points), and deferred final editing to a different time and place:
(1)“Uniquely rural, slower paced, low density equestrian oasis in the midst of a sprawling
and congested urban area.”
(2)“Milton is a distinctive, equestrian-centric, deliberately rural, wooded community
preserving an oasis of small town life and heritage.”
5
In the development of a vision statement for Milton, the city council identified the town’s
characteristics which most guided their understanding of the community’s unique
aspects. These included the following words: rural, equestrian, preservation, natural
history, agricultural history, small settlements, limited government, trees and pastoral.
During a subsequent discussion about the meaning of “limited government,” council
members decided that they wanted Milton’s municipal organization to be less about
“limited government” and more about: efficiency, public involvement and being
comparatively unobtrusive.
LEGACY PROJECTS:
With their vision statements in mind, council members were then asked to list the ‘legacy
projects’ that fit and exemplify it. The City Council settled on the following 13 projects,
which were scored based on the importance attached to each (scores in parenthesis):
(33) Update the 2005 Comp. Plan; this effort can include an inventory of existing
resources and assets
(24) Sewer/no sewer policy
(25) Develop an architectural vision for the city, which could be incorporated in overlays,
form-based zoning, etc.
(26) Park development plan, with Birmingham Park as the first big project
(17) Adopt a residential development ordinance
(28) Develop & adopt a master plan for commercial corridors
(20) Agree and adopt incentives that will retain existing equestrian farms
(26) Green space plan which includes strategies for protection, purchase, & set aside of
green space, conservation areas, and a trail network
(15) Build a city hall consistent with the vision
(26) Adopt a traffic management plan that discourages cross-county vehicular travel
while incorporating context sensitive design that fits the city’s vision
(16) Project to document Milton’s history, to preserve the heritage of crossroad and
settlement areas
(30) Adopt a tree ordinance
(26) Adopt a historic preservation ordinance
6
RE-CAP OF TOP LEGACY PROJECTS
(meaning those projects that the council said should proceed first)
1. Update or amend the Comp. Plan
2. Advance overlays of key commercial corridors as soon as practical
3. Adopt a tree ordinance
Discussion followed about the balance that needs to be maintained in the creation of a
new city between making measurable progress on new projects and initiatives (on the one
hand), and making sure that the apparatus of basic municipal service delivery is
functioning (on the other hand). With this in mind, staff and the City Council developed a
list of what became known as “non-legacy projects.” These were less long term, and in
many cases less glamorous programs, projects and initiatives of the local government, but
which nonetheless needed to be accomplished for the city to begin to meet the expecta-
tions of the citizens that approved the creation of the city by a wide electoral margin.
After listing their “non-legacy projects”, the City Council took some off the list (shown
with strike outs), and then assigned values to all of them, with the bold italicized items
receiving the most votes). The “non-legacy projects” included:
1. Website development
2. Performance Measures
3. Implement a plan and process for public relations and other external
communications
4. Adopt-a-Street/highway program
5. Certified City of Ethics designation
6. Adopt a new sign ordinance
7. Implement master scheduling for meetings, public appearances, training, etc.
(schedule management)
8. Create and foster uniquely Milton events, such as the Crabapple Antiques
Festival, Milton Family Day, etc.
9. Develop a plan for alleviating safety and congestion problems at 3 key
intersections: Crabapple, Bethany Bend, and Birmingham/Providence.
10. Branding activities; including Milton post office designation, unique signage,
appearance on DOT’s map, etc.
11. Annexation dispute resolution
12. Coordinate with schools and other governmental jurisdictions to partner with site
developments, land use issues, service delivery, etc
13. Implement and update city processes and procedures so that Milton’s
administrative “house” is in order
14. Citizen Deputy Program
15. Update the sidewalk policy
16. Enact Impact Fees
7
17. Recycling at parks and public facilities
18. Capital Improvement Program & LARP funding
19. Traffic Calming measures
20. Milton Volunteer Pacers; recruit more people to work on city projects and
programs
21. Red Light camera use and enforcement
22. Adopt a noise ordinance
23. Closing of sewer ordinance loopholes
RE-CAP OF THE TOP EIGHT NON-LEGACY PROJECTS:
•1. Annexation dispute resolution
•2. Adopt a noise ordinance
•3. Closing of sewer ordinance loopholes
•4. Develop a plan for alleviating safety and congestion problems at 3 key
intersections: Crabapple, Bethany Bend, and Birmingham/Providence
•5. Adopt a new sign ordinance
•6. Certified City of Ethics designation
•7. Capital Improvement Program & LARP funding
• 8. Milton Volunteer Pacers; recruit more people to work on city projects and
programs
On the second day of the Milton Retreat, council members devoted a significant amount
of time to discussing how the intricacies and nuances of the council-manager form of
government can be effectively implemented in their new city. The council reached some
conclusions, but none were finalized; these included:
1. The city’s comprehensive plan (current or subsequently amended versions) should
be a guiding policy document in making land use decisions. Council members
should feel free to impress upon their appointees to the Planning Commission that
the implementation of this plan should be their primary focus.
2. The city council will not appoint standing committees of the governing body to
oversee the operations of city government; this would undermine the city
manager.
8
3. The members of the city council should limit their direct contacts to the city
attorney to questions of conflict of interest, which they may individually have, in
their capacity as a member of the Milton City Council. Requests for legal
opinions from the city attorney may be made by the city manager, or by direction
given by a majority of the city council following a discussion of an issue by the
council.
4. The city council should update their adopted rules of procedure and process for
running public meetings. This may include discouragement of the use of emails as
a tool for deliberating on public policy questions, as this may appear to keep part
of the council discussion out of the public’s view.
5. The mayor is the official spokesperson for the city. While this does not mean that
other members of the council are prohibited from publicly stating their policy
views, it does mean that the mayor should be accorded the respect and recognition
as the spokesperson for Milton government.
6. Council members will refrain from talking with staff members other than the city
manager in a manner that might (even indirectly) state or imply that they are
giving instructions or orders. While contact with staff members by council
members is not prohibited for purposes of passing on routine information, it is
best to run as much as possible through the city manager’s office.
7. The guiding principle in the council’s deliberations about public policy, as well as
their involvement in the apparatus of city government and community decision-
making in general, is this: it is a group process. Consequently, the role that each
member of the council has in the group process should be honored and respected.
This extends to the sharing of information, and the manner in which potentially
controversial items are brought up and disseminated to everyone in the group.
8. When the City Council meets again in a future retreat, topics which will need to
be discussed include (but not necessarily limited to): a) provide more detailed
work plans for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, b) finalization of the vision statement,
mission statement, and organizational values, c) determine whether a council code
of conduct will be necessary, d) discuss the city’s sewer extension/hook-up
policy, e) develop a policy for improvement (or non-improvement) of existing
gravel roads, f) discuss the city’s “good government” goals (efficiency,
effectiveness, participative, etc.), and g) discuss methods for conflict resolution in
the council’s public/group process environment, and strategies for interacting with
the different styles of council members.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government appreciates the opportunity to partner with the
city of Milton at this exciting time in its early development and history, and looks
forward to additional opportunities to be of service.