LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
September 4, 2019
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 9:55 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Craig White
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
GUESTS:
Steve Ruda, Community Liaison
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Mike Sailhamer led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify the July 10, 2019 and August 7, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes and all actions taken at the August Board meeting for lack of a quorum. Juan Albarran so moved. Rick Godinez seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the July 10, 2019 and August 7, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes and all actions taken.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher referred to the election of President and Vice President for 2020 and indicated that with no objections, Jeff Cawdrey would serve as President and Chris Stine would serve as Vice President.
2) Bob Steinbacher stated that the Group 2 Trustees were up for this year’s election. He indicated that they will have two active member Trustee positions and one Pension Trustee open. He asked Trustees to submit their intent to run and their bios.
3) Bob Steinbacher provided a brief update on the Pension Board meeting and indicated that they discussed the status of the UFLAC medical plans.
4) Bob Steinbacher informed that the LAFRA Dinner Dance will be held on December 7th at the J.W. Marriott in DTLA.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite meeting on September 22nd and indicated that they have a few items for discussion on the agenda. He referred to the Golf Tournament and the pairings for the day.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:10 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:50 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen reported on the onsite visits on the new private equity managers.
Garth Flint and Mike Breller presented the investment summary and performance for the 2nd quarter.
John Jacobsen presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an allocation of funds to Harbert Capital Senior Housing Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an allocation of funds to Harbert Capital Senior Housing Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an allocation of funds to Phoenix Capital Fund 9. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an allocation of funds to Phoenix Capital Fund 9.
The committee recommends and I so move to liquidate position with Lazard and move funds to GQG. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to liquidate position with Lazard and move funds to GQG.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that they had a meeting with the Family Support Group and families. He indicated that Joe and Diane Vigil were planning on attending the Sacramento Memorial on September 28th. He referred to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial and indicated that Dave Moorman will be placed on the wall this year.
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that Frank Aguirre, Chris Stine and himself will be visiting our new TPA, HealthComp’s headquarters in Fresno.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference and indicated that they received an invitation from Kaiser for their reception on October 22nd.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and provided an update on the construction at the Mountaingate. He reported that as of now, they have approximately 113K for sponsorships.
2) Todd Layfer reported on the Medicare Training Seminar he attended in Chicago. He indicated that they will place an article in the Grapevine that will summarize most common questions regarding Medicare. He also indicated that this article will serve as a great reference guide for the staff in Member Services.
3) Todd Layfer reported on the sprinkler project for the building and indicated that it has begun and should be completed within the next couple of weeks.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the RF Code and indicated that the actual amount came in just under what was budgeted for the fiscal year.
5) Todd Layfer reported on the new TPA implementation and the HealthComp staff that will be at the LAFRA office. He stated that LAFRA will keep the 800 number that is used for medical customer service. He indicated that new I.D. cards will be printed for members and their dependents.
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 $857,661.38. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $857,661.38.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $300 for the Fire Marshal Excellence Award. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $300 for the Fire Marshal Excellence Award.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Stine presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims, Admin fees and Vision Service Plan claims totaling $937,893.80. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims, Admin fees and the Vision Service Plan claims totaling $937,893.80.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $48,642.50
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,959
The Life & Accident Death Benefits 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.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Willliam A. Sommers
Dale N. Piper
William R. Majek
Richard J. Haraward
Rex H. Shepherd
Robert P. Lutz
Raymond L. Martin
Michael DeLaBarena
John A. Nuttmann
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $3,600 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $3,600 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.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that he will be presenting on Scholarships at the Board Offsite that will touch on eligibility and an increase in amounts.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Marlene Casillas presented a demo of the Online Auction software they will be used at the Golf Tournament.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Stephen Ruda referred to the cemetery plots owned by LAFRA and asked the Board to consider allowing members to use their Death Benefits to pay for cemetery plots. Bob Steinbacher indicated that they would discuss this option at the Board Offsite meeting later in the month.
2) Chris Stine proposed that the Board create a Pension Committee for the purpose of having adequate coverage at Pension meetings and for reporting purposes. Bob Steinbacher suggested that they further discuss this topic at the Board Offsite meeting.
SETTING OF DATES
1) IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial – Sept 19 – 22
2) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 23rd
4) CA Fire Foundation Memorial – Sept 27 – 28
5) LAFD Memorial – October 12th
6) IFEBP Annual Conference – Oct. 20th – 23rd
7) LAFRA Open House – November 2nd
8) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) John B. Hicks – Saturday, October 26th C @ FS 114 (Steinbacher)
2) Ray Hoffman – Saturday, November 2nd C @ Castaway (Albarran)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:16 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President