MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 9, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:05 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
GUESTS:
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Quinn, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tim Larson led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held July 12, 2017. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held July 12, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Andy Kuljis administered the Oath of Office to new Trustee Henry Gasbarri.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the President and Vice President positions and asked the Board for their nominations.
David Peters nominated Bob Steinbacher for President for 2018. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to nominate Bob Steinbacher for President for 2018.
Craig White nominated Jeff Cawdrey for Vice President for 2018. Tyler Tomich seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to nominate Jeff Cawdrey for Vice President for 2018.
3) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the Group 3 Trustees were up for election this year. He asked that those wishing to continue to serve that they submit their intent to run.
4) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension Ad Hoc group meeting. He indicated that their first meeting is scheduled for August 14th.
5) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the LAFRA Dinner Dance will be held at the JW Marriott in downtown L.A. on December 9th.
6) Bob Steinbacher reminded the Board about the Board Educational Offsite meeting on September 24th. He indicated that they will be discussing future goals.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming IFEBP Conference and indicated that 11 Trustees have been registered.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that there will be four members attending to assist with the families.
BYLAWS & POLICY BOOK COMMITTEE
The proposed Bylaws and Policy Book changes were review and David Peters presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed Bylaw changes as presented. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the proposed Bylaw changes.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed Policy Book changes as presented. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the proposed Policy Book changes.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint of Beacon Pointe reviewed investments and market performance for the 2nd Quarter. LAFRA’s portfolio continues to perform well with International Equity and Small Cap funds being performance drivers. Wedgewood Fund continues to struggle and Garth suggested that the Investment Committee meet to discuss other fund options in the Large Cap area.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and reported that they have raised $143K in sponsorships so far. He indicated that all the firefighter player spots are sold out and mentioned that there will be two In ‘N’ Out trucks this year.
2) Todd Layfer reported on his meeting with U.S. Bank and indicated that LAFRA is now part of their rewards program attached to the credit card accounts. He indicated that U.S. Bank has gone through technology enhancements to ensure more secured banking.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the PCI Compliance testing and indicated that LAFRA is currently undergoing a cyber security check. This ensures that LAFRA is doing everything possible to secure its networks and confidential data.
4) Todd Layfer informed the Board that the LAFRA staff will undergo a Business Writing Seminar to help enhance their writing skills.
5) Todd Layfer addressed the Code 96 assessment increase and mentioned that letters will be sent to the members.
6) Todd Layfer informed the Board that they have paid the PCORI tax for the medical plan.
7) Todd Layfer informed that the annual Social Security harvesting letters have been sent to the membership.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $950,716.30. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $950,716.30.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $200 for the LAFD Fire Marshal’s Award Ceremony. On the question, there was an objection. Further discussion ensued and the Board decided to table the issue.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the applications to the Medical Plan. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to accept all applications to the Medical Plan.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $48,275.74
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,528.25,
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $36,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $45,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Rick Godinez read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Patrick D. Haag
Arthur G. Johnson
Kelly K. Wong
Jerry Porter
Harry E. Gradi
Robert L. Norris
Rudolph J. Concha
Richard J. Gilmore
Phillip B. Williams
Roger L. Fonnet
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $20,910.19 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $20,910.19 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the financial assistance applications for surviving spouses, active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the financial assistance applications for surviving spouses, active and retired members.
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee recommends and I so move to advance funds for both active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to advance funds for both active and retired members.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis informed the Board that they received an anonymous donation of $100K for the WODFF.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez provided an update on the Golf Tournament solicitations and planning progress. He referred to the Estate Planning presentations and indicated that they have three days scheduled in the near future. He informed the Board of a partnership between LAFRA and the Discovery School for charity efforts.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 16th
2) LAFD Golf Tournament – September 25th
3) LAFD Firefighter Memorial – October 7th
4) CFF Sacramento Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 30th
5) LAFRA Open House – November 4th
6) LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance – December 9th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Don Green – Friday, August 11th B @ The Reef Long Beach (Kuljis)
2) John E. Sullivan – Sunday, August 20th B @ South End Racket Club (Steinbacher)
3) Jay Ceasar – Saturday, August 26th A @ Fire Station 84 (Freeman)
4) Joe Moreno – Saturday, September 30th C @ Private Residence
5) Dave Peters – Saturday, October 7th @ Private Residence (Steinbacher)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:03 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President