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 10:02 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Tyler Tomich
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Steve Ruda led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of November 1, 2017. David Peters so moved. John Jacobsen seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve minutes Board Meeting Minutes of November 1, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher announced the results of the Trustee and Bylaws election for the Board’s review. The results were certified by the Corporate Secretary. Steve Ruda addressed the Board to inform them that he would step down from his Trustee position to allow new Trustees to sit on the Board of Trustees. He stated that he will resign his position on January 10, 2018.
2) Bob Steinbacher and the Board of Trustees presented a plaque of recognition to Todd Layfer for his 10 years of service to the membership.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Open House and indicated that it was a great success honoring Bill Bringas and Larry Hoerner.
4) Bob Steinbacher provided a brief pension update and indicated that he hosted a meeting here at LAFRA on December 11th.
5) Bob Steinbacher indicated that the 2018 meeting schedule has been sent and asked everyone to mark their calendars.
6) Bob Steinbacher indicated that he is working on the LAFRA committees for 2018 and asked the Trustees to let him know which committees they would like to be a part of.
7) Bob Steinbacher mentioned that we are pursuing a consultant to provide Family Support services to our members especially the needs of our widows.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:20 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:36 a.m.
One personnel matter and member updates were discussed. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey presented the upcoming conferences and events for 2018 and asked those Trustee interested in attending to let him know.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen informed that the Investment Committee will be scheduling their annual investment and asset allocation meeting at Beacon Pointe. He presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve additional funding into the Southwest Value Partners Fund 19. He indicated that this investment was for retail space in Nashville, TN. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve additional funding into the Southwest Value Partners Fund 19.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board of the increase in Relief Dues effective January 1, 2018. He indicated that the monthly dues increase to $66.74 for actives and $6.68 for retirees.
2) Todd Layfer introduced Victoria Johnson as the temporary H.R. Administrator. He indicated that she is working closely with Liberty. Todd also informed that we have hired Trevor Kuresa as the part-time facilities assistant.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the proposed tax reform and indicated that this may affect LAFRA with scholarships and contributions to the WODFF. He stated that he will consult with the Harrington Group to determine if those areas affect us.
4) Todd Layfer and Liberty Unciano presented the Quarterly Financial review. He reported that through the first nine months, all funds are running on track.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,083,650.54. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,083,650.54.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $12K in startup money for the Hook & Ladder Enduro. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $12K in startup money for the Hook & Ladder Enduro.
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
Tim Larson presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $61,106.36
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,800
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $40,500
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Tim Larson read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
William D. Rose
Richard E. Gault, Jr.
Jack C. Baxter
Loth Westerman Jr.
Marshall E. Prindle
Lawrence J. Roberts
Don E. Sitts
Dallas A. Nielsen
Russell K. Clyde
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Tim Larson presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $30,221.60 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $30,221.60 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Widows and Orphans Christmas Bonuses. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Widows and Orphans Christmas Bonuses.
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 thanked the anonymous donor that donated $100,000 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Andy Kuljis informed that the results from the election had been certified and provided copies to the Board.
OLD BUSINESS
David Peters referred to the option of conference calling for committee and Board meetings. It was suggested that the discussion take place in the next Policy Book committee meeting.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 12 – 14
2) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 17th
3) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 2nd
4) Pechanga Reunion – May 21st – 25th
5) Hope for Firefighters – June 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Tobi Perkins – February 3rd Newport Dunes, Back Bay Bistro (Sonoda)
2) Jimmy Rodriguez – February 17th Private Residence
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President