[Adopted by Ord. No. 153-1987 (Ch. 12, Art. VI, of the 1979
Code]
This article shall be known as the "Firemen's
and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Ordinance."
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
DECEASED RETIRED FIREMAN OR POLICEMAN
A deceased fireman or policeman of the City who prior to
January 1, 1975, had received or was eligible to receive retirement
benefits either for length of service or disability in accordance
with statutes, ordinances of the City or rules and regulations of
either the Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund or the Policemen's Retirement
Fund.
A. Each unmarried widow of a deceased retired fireman
or policeman shall be entitled to the benefits provided by this article.
Eligibility for payment of each monthly benefit shall be determined
as of the first day of each month. Death or remarriage of a widow
beneficiary shall terminate her eligibility to receive benefits. Payments
of each monthly benefit shall be made at the end of each monthly period.
B. Each widow beneficiary shall be entitled each month
to monthly benefits in the amounts as follows: effective 1-1-1998,
to $250; effective 1-1-1999, to $300; effective 1-1-2000, to $350;
effective 1-1-2001, to $400; effective 1-1-2002, to $450.
[Amended 12-15-1997 by Ord. No. 146-1997]
C. Each widow claiming the benefits provided herein shall
make application to the Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension
Fund Commission on forms furnished by the Commission. Each widow applicant
may request, in writing, a hearing within 90 days of the receipt by
her of a notice of disallowance of her claim.
A. Created. There is hereby created a Commission to be
known as the "Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission."
B. Composition. The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows'
Pension Fund Commission shall consist of three members. The City Treasurer,
the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the President
of City Council during the terms of their respective offices shall
serve ex officio as members of the Commission.
C. Quorum. A vacancy in the Firemen's and Policemen's
Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall not impair the right of the
remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Commission, and
two members of the Commission shall at all times constitute a quorum.
D. Annual reports.
(1) The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund
Commission at the end of every year shall make a report, in writing,
stating in detail the work it has done in hearing and deciding cases,
and otherwise, and it shall sign and report in full an opinion in
every case decided by it.
(2) A complete account of all its expenditures shall be
prepared by the Commission at the end of each year.
(3) The reports and accounts herein required shall be
filed with the City Clerk not later than March 31 next following the
end of each year.
E. Officers and employees. The Firemen's and Policemen's
Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall designate as its Secretary a
competent employee of the City from a list of three employees recommended
by the Mayor. The City Treasurer shall serve as Treasurer of the Commission.
The City Solicitor or an assistant designated by him shall serve as
Solicitor to the Commission. The Commission, with the consent of the
appropriate department director, may use the services of any officer
or employee of the City without thereby incurring a duty to pay for
such services. The Commission shall elect one of its members as Chairman.
F. Hearings. The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension
Fund Commission may, by one or more of its members, prosecute any
inquiry and hold hearings necessary to the performance of its functions.
A member who participates in such an inquiry or hearing shall not
be disqualified from subsequently participating in a decision of the
Commission in the same case.
G. Funds and disbursement. The Firemen's and Policemen's
Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall have charge of such funds and
their disbursements as Council shall appropriate. The City Controller
shall audit the accounts of the Commission at least once annually
and shall make a report thereof and file it with the City Clerk.