MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
June 10, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
President David Marino called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:55 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David Marino, President
- John Jacobsen, President
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Juan Albarran, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5
- Trustee Tim Larson – Battalion 6
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 7
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- Trustee Ralph Brownell – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2 (Excused)
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 13 (Excused)
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 14 (Excused)
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2 (Excused)
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
- Tom Stires, Retired
- David Wagner, Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Ralph Brownell led the invocation.
RATIFICATIONS OF MINUTES
David Marino entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held May 6, 2010. David Ortiz so moved. Tim Larson seconded the motion. 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 May 6, 2010.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) David Marino informed the Board that they will now be sending care packages by standard shipping box available at the U.S. Post Office to members and their relatives in the military and who are overseas.
2) David Marino and David Smith presented Bob Dillon with a plaque and gift to show appreciation for his 20 years of employment and dedication to LAFRA.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith expressed thanks to the Board for their support for the Hope for Firefighters event. He mentioned some of the issues experienced that day and indicated that they will ensure that it will not be a problem next year. He reported that the day of the event, we netted 8% over than last year, however he does not yet know the final net proceeds for the whole event.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen provided an update to the Stanford Hospital issue and indicated that they have reached a settlement agreement and have now been receiving reimbursement payments from HSB.
2) John Jacobsen referred to third party subrogation issues and informed the Board that when a member gets involved in an accident and a third party is at fault; they go through a litigation process and are awarded a settlement. He indicated that the Medical Plan fees are included in that settlement amount and stated that the Medical Plan must work hard to recoup those fees paid out. He stated that the Medical Plan is very specific in that the member is responsible to ensure that any medical benefits paid out are returned to the plan if the member recovers them from the third party. He stated that by doing this, the membership is able to keep their monthly premiums as low as possible.
3) John Jacobsen asked the Board to let him know who will be attending the up coming conferences so that he could make travel arrangements and ensure discounted registration.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $640,414.92. He stated that $500K was for the Kaiser pass through. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $640,414.92.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $19,965.85. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $19,965.85.
Executive Session
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:12am
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:17am.
David Marino entertained a motion to approve and ratify the decisions made in Executive Session. Chris Hart so moved. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve and ratify the decisions made in Executive Session.
1) David Smith reported on the website status and indicated that they have sent an RFP for another consultant to assist in getting the website completed and working properly. He indicated that they have two companies in mind to replace R.A. Santiago.
2) Todd Layfer reported on the new Dalmatian POS system. He indicated that the store inventory data is being uploaded onto the new system and should be done by the end of the week. He stated that they have had good communication with the vendor.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motions.
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 the applications to the Medical Plan.
1) David Peters informed the Board that the Medical Committee has approved sending an RFP for a new pharmacy benefit manager. He mentioned that Medco has also been invited to participate in the RFP process. He also informed that the committee has approved to move forward with the Blue Card provider network for those 700 plus participants outside of California. Blue Card is the name of the Blue Cross network outside of California. He mentioned that this process will result with the plan incurring a separate banking account, making Blue Cross a third party administrator, who will adjudicate those claims. He stated that the plan will receive better discounts by contracting with Blue Card.
2) David Peters informed that Bradawn Inc. is currently preparing LAFRA’s application to receive money from the new healthcare plan for early retirees. Early retirees are defined as those over 55 who have retired and are under 65. He indicated that receipt of funds is on a first come first service basis until the funds run out.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $50,358.82,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,100,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $45,000,
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $36,000,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $3,111.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
The committee recommends and I so move to suspend benefits for a member due to unresponsiveness to requests from the Relief Committee. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to suspend benefits for a member due to unresponsiveness to requests from the Relief Committee.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Chairman Doak Smith congratulated and introduced all the Scholarship Program winners to the Board of Trustees. He presented each recipient with their award and specified which Scholarship they received.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $18,617.35 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $18,617.35 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for May 2010
- RAY C. KENT IN GRATITUDE FOR MY DURABLE MEDICAL SUPPLIES
- ALVINA C. BAKULA IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND EDWARD C. BAKULA WHO PASSED AWAY JULY 2009
- MIKE CLARDY IN MEMORY OF MR. SUBHASH PARIKH
- WOODLAND HILLS WOMAN’S CLUB INC
- NEAL LLOYD IN MEMORY OF RICHARD M. LAMBINE
- DANIEL W. TURK
- ALEX KOUBA
- REBECCA STANIS IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND BILL STANIS
- JEANNE D URQUIZA IN MEMORY OF YOUR HUSBAND RALPH D. URQUIZA
- JOHN J. ADAMS IN MEMORY OF DEANNE BENNETT DAUGHTER OF RETIRED ASSISTANT CHIEF JACK BENNETT
- HELEN SCHULZ
- JUDITH TATEISHI IN MEMORY OF JOE EVERETT
- SHELLEY BROOKS IN MEMORY OF NANCY JEAN GONNOUD
- RICHARD L WATTERS IN MEMORY OF ROBERT L. BRADY, JR.
- RICHARD L. WATTERS IN MEMORY OF EDWARD L. TETER
- DALE CALHOON IN MEMORY OF ORBAY “OTTO” SCHULTZ FIREMAN OF THE YEAR-1963
- MEDIC FIRST AID INTERNATIONAL
- BETTY V LARSON
- EVA KIRSHENBLATT
- LINDA PIETRASINSKI
- DAVID KEATHLEY IN MEMORY OF RICHARD LAMBINE
- JOHN W NASH IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY
- NATHAN MILLER IN MEMORY OF JOE EVERETT
- MERRILL E. REED IN MEMORY OF CAMERON CRAMER
- JACK VAN EATON IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM SUTTER
- PATRICIA J. GONNOUD IN MEMORY OF NANCY GONNOUD DAUGHTER OF THE LATE CAPTAIN VINCENT GONNOUD FATALLY INJURED IN AN AUTOMO
- HERBERT N. EPP IN MEMORY OF ORBAY O. SCHULTZ
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- HARRY C. CARLSON IN MEMORY OF CAMERON CRAMER
- JACK VAN EATON IN MEMORY OF MOE C. ROGERS
- ROY GIBSON
- PARKING LOT SALE CASH DONATIONS FROM THE “BOOT”
- PAT JESSUP
- PARKING LOT SALE CASH DONATIONS FROM THE “BOOT”
- ADELE J MERRIMAN IN MEMORY OF FRANK MANWARREN
- KATHRYN C. SUTO IN MEMORY OF RICHARD LAMBINE
- MARGE & TOM MURO IN MEMORY OF RICHARD “DICK” LAMBINE
- ROBERT R. KNIPSCHEER IN REMEMBRANCE OF JEAN COSTELLO AND MANY FOND MEMORIES FROM A FELLOW “EAGLE ROCKER”
- PETER A LOYA
- CHESTER B. PORT
- CHESTER PORT
The committee recommends and I so move to assist;
A member with $1,800 per month with a six month review. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve assistance as stated.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to advance;
A member $24,517,
A member with $1,000,
A member with $2,000 for medical expenses,
A retired member with $2,000,
A surviving spouse with $3,400 on a reversed mortgage with a six month review,
A surviving spouse with $2,000 for a security deposit,
A surviving spouse with $3,000 on a reversed mortgage with a six month review.
Motion carried to approve emergency advancements as stated.
MEMORIALS
Richard M. Lambine
Richard N. Weigel
Jeffrey D. Hibbard
William G. Witte
Donald R. Priemer
Arthur I. Bowling
Orbay “Otto” Schultz
Moses C. Rogers
George T. Fontes, Jr.
Darrell R. Dudley
Juan Albarran read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE REPORT
Chairman Chris Hart reported on the Grapevine magazine and indicated that everything was going well. He mentioned that they had hired a temporary employee for the marketing department to assist with their daily tasks. He asked the Trustees to encourage members to be a Battalion writer if one does not already exist.
Chris Hart reported on the Dalmatian store and indicated that they are trying to increase sales by selling to the general public by reserving spots at other events and flea markets. David Smith mentioned that they hired a new employee to drive one of the Dalmatian store vans.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Juan Albarran asked what the status was for the possible purchase of a trailer to haul and store equipment for the Hope for Firefighters and other special events. David Marino asked for the Board to make a decision on the issue.
David Peters motioned to purchase a trailer for up to $2,200 to store muster gear. Robert Steinbacher seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a trailer for up to $2,200 to store muster gear.
2) David Marino informed the Board that he had received a statement from the Association’s attorney regarding the Life & Accident payouts and the indebtedness to the Association. He also suggested changing the name of Reversed Mortgages to Reversed Amortized Advancement.
SETTING DATES
1) Magic Mountain LAFD Night – August 27th
2) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 11th
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn – September 13th
4) Member Appreciation @ Saddle Ranch – October 17th
5) Open House – November 6th
7) Annual IFEPB Conference (Hawaii) – November 14th – 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Chris Oelrich – June 10th Odyssey Restaurant
2) Richard Andrade – June 12th McCormick & Schmicks
3) Carroll Heiland – June 24th Los Angeles Police Academy
4) Jim Meacham – June 26th Hays House, Temecula
5) Robert Jackson – July 9th The Proud Bird Restaurant
6) Louis Roupoli Jr. – July 30th Ports O’Call Restaurant
7) Joe Robles – August 7th Robles House, Moorpark
8) Dan Winter – August 30th Sagebrush Cantina
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. David Lowe seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:30pm.
David Marino, President