MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 7, 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 10:18 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David Marino, President
- John Jacobsen, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2
- 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 David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 13
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- 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 Doak Smith – Battalion 9 (Excused)
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 14 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
- Bill Quinn, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
David Ortiz 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 September 2, 2010. Gary Matsubara so moved. David Peters 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 September 2, 2010.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) David Marino referred to this year’s Open House event and indicated that they needed to decide on an Honoree. His suggested selection was to honor Steve Ruda for the many years he has devoted to this Association including the Hope for Firefighters event and the LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament. He asked for the Board’s approval to select Steve Ruda as the 2010 Open House Honoree.
David Lowe so motioned to select Steve Ruda as the 2010 Open House Honoree. David Ortiz seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to select Steve Ruda for this year’s 2010 Open House Honoree.
2) David Marino informed that this year’s election process would be a “white ballot” which means that there were no opposing candidates for any positions. He indicated that they will ratify the election at the next Board meeting.
3) David Marino indicated that he wanted to acknowledge Kevin Wright, of Wells Fargo Advisors for his personal dedication as volunteer to the Relief Association. Marlene Casillas introduced Mr. Wright to the Board and stated that he is a financial advisor and a great supporter of almost every event that LAFRA holds. David Marino presented Mr. Wright with a plaque and thanked him for his efforts. Mr. Wright addressed the Board and indicated that he was honored to help support the Relief Association and to bring his resources and knowledge to its members.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen stated that he will be compiling the committee’s membership list for 2011 and asked Trustees to let him know what committee they would like to serve on.
2) John Jacobsen reported on Bill Peterson’s from Recovery Associates efforts on recovering worker’s compensation claims. He mentioned that there have been some claims have been on-going for a while and indicated that LAFRA will begin to apply penalties on late payment on settled claims.
3) Jacobsen referred to the MOU discussions with the L.A. Fire & Police Pensions and indicated that they continue to discuss issues regarding audit language and subsidies. He mentioned that they will meet with the Pensions Board on November 4th.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith stated that on September 22nd, they declared the website officially complete and are now in the maintenance mode with the outsourced support contractor. He also mentioned that the Dalmatian store’s new website is online and working. He indicated that the on-line store will now be called LAFDGear. He did mention that they were fine tuning the memorials page, the member’s gallery and the Grapevine advertising sections. He indicated that the next issue they’ll look into is the format of the Grapevine on the website.
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 $758,571.07. He stated that $530K 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 $758,571.07.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $17K for a new computer server. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $17K for a new computer server.
The committee recommends and I so move approve $42K for transition pay allowance which would allow LAFRA to convert to a proper payroll system. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $42K for transition pay allowance which would allow LAFRA to convert to a proper payroll system.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Consignment Sales Policy. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Consignment Sales Policy.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Policy for use of WODFF or LAFRA’s name and/or logo. He mentioned that this and the Consignment policy will be reviewed by Ridley for conversion to letter agreements. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Policy for use of WODFF or LAFRA’s name and/or logo.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the revised LAFRA Code of Conduct. The Board discussed issues of volunteers and interns as well as adding verbiage concerning consequences. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the revised LAFRA Code of Conduct.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Medco contract as LAFRA’s Pharmacy Benefit Manager effective January 1, 2011. He stated that the contract term is for two years.
Motion carried to approve the Medco contract as LAFRA’s Pharmacy Benefit Manager effective January 1, 2011.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the contract with PS Medical as LAFRA’s DME service provider. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the contract with PS Medical as LAFRA’s DME service provider.
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.
David Peters informed the Board that the committee had received a few Long Term Care bids from carriers. He mentioned that the company Unum had submitted a proposal which includes a $1,500 per month benefit for Relief PPO Medical Plan members which would cost approximately $9.91 per member per month. He indicated that members will have the option to buy up and make other enhancements to include certain family members. He stated that they will bring the final approval to the Board by December 2nd.
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 $36,303.71,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $24,465.40,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $8,094,
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $22,070.05 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $22,070.05 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve assistance for a member with $1,800 per month with a six month review. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to assist a member with $1,800 per month with a six month review.
The committee recommends and I so move to assist two surviving spouses with financial assistance and monthly medical premiums with a six month review. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to assist two surviving spouses with financial assistance and month medical premiums with a six month review.
Donation to WODFF for September 2010
- ALVINA C BAKULA IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND EDWARD C. BAKULA WHO PASSED AWAY JULY 6, 2009
- OLIVIA F. HOSPE IN MEMORY OF YOUR MY LOUIS HOSPE WHO WAS A FIREMAN FOR 36 YEARS
- GLENN JAYNES
- BURNETT O. SCHULTZ IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND ORBAY O. SCHULTZ
- BURNETT O. SCHULTZ IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND ORBAY O. SCHULTZ
- KAREN WHITE
- ARLENE B. HARRISON IN MEMORY OF MR. SAN PEDRO “JOEY Z.”
- RUTH E. VAUGHAN IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND STEWART VAUGHAN
- DONALD JESOLVA FROM “RABBIT FIRE GEAR”
- LYNN RAFKIN
- WILLIAM BAILEY
- MARVIN D EDER
- FRANK M BROWN
- NAOMA R BECK IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND RICHARD L. BECK WHO PASSED AWAY AUGUST 30, 2001 AND MY DAUGHTER BEVERLY J.
- JOHN J ADAMS
- DENNIS L MENDENHALL IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- JASON ZELIN ALLISON STEIN
- HELEN L SCHULZ
- JAMES S DOLAN
- DELBERT THOMPSON IN MEMORY OF RICHARD WEIGEL & CLAUDE MORRIS
- JOHN J PATCHETT IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- VINCENT D LEONG
- PAULINE BOZANICH IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- PATRICIA J. GONNOUD IN MEMORY OF LLOYD PIEST
- KAREN V VONDRA IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- FLORENCE KLEINJAN IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- KATHLEEN E PALACIOS IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- JAMES BUNN IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- BETTY V LARSON
- BRUCE R DODD IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- FIRE STATION NO. 63 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- FIRE STATION NO. 7 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- JOHN WELCH IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- EUGENE E OLSON IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- THOMAS M BURAU IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- CONNIE ANDERSON IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- ELDON & REBECCA FOSTER IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- BRUCE GALIEN IN MEMORY OF ED TETER
- KATHY M BARRY IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH “JOEY” ZITKO
- PETER ROAN IN MEMORY OF JOEY ZITKO
- HOWARD MILLER IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- CHRISTINE M. CARRANZA IN MEMORY OF JOEY ZITKO
- TERESA L. SARDISCO IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- SAMUEL K. WIRTSCHAFTER, M.D. IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- TOM MURO IN MEMORY OF NED CHATFIELD
- MARVIN ISAACSON IN MEMORY OF JOEY ZITKO
- PAUL H KEIL IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- GARY B KLASSE IN MEMORY OF OTTO & MARION FIRGENS. OTTO WAS FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR IN 1974
- NANCY P. URUBURU IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- JAMES & DONNA GOLDSWORTHY IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- JEFFREY M. MONSON IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- LENORE MALTZ IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- LORENE L HOLDSWORTH IN MEMORY OF JEAN NOLAN AND DEANNE BENNETT
- CHESTER B PORT IN MEMORY OF JIM VAN DELL
- JOY L. SHOPFNER IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- CARL P SPIVA IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- OLLIE ABBOTT IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- GARY & CAROLYN CLINITE IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- MR & MRS JACK VOJKOVICH IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- MAUREEN BIAZEVICH IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- MAMIE MARDESICH IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- JEFF SILVER, PH.D.
- TOM MURO IN MEMORY OF JIM HOFFMAN
- DUANE R WARTH IN MEMORY OF BILL GOSS
- HELEN DI MAGGIO IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- PHILLIP F. FOERSTEL IN MEMORY OF JAMES HOFFMAN
- CARMELLA A BOZANICH IN MEMORY OF JOEY ZITKO
- GRACE SMITH IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- JAMES E GILLUM FROM THE “FIREHOUSE CAFE BREAKFAST”
- DEAN O MENDENHALL IN MEMORY OF HAROLD V. ASHER
- LOUISE BEDROSIAN IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH ZITKO
- ROBERT L BARTHOLOMEW IN MEMORY OF JACK E. SIMMONS
- MARLOWE MOGUL
- ROSE BOZANICH IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- JAMES M. NOBILIONE IN MEMORY OF JOE ZITKO
- GARY ARCHIBALD
- BOBBIE O’NEIL
- DENNIS ROBERSON
- GARY A. GATENA
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to advance a member up to $22,470 for assistance in paying bills and miscellaneous expenses. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to advance a member up to $22,470 for assistance in paying bills and miscellaneous expenses.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the Relief Death benefits in the amount of $27,000. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the Relief Death benefits in the amount of $27,000.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept $71,437.28 payment of a $151,437.28 advancement to a member and schedule a 60 month payroll deduction to begin on January 1, 2011 for the remaining balance. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept stated payment for advancement and schedule a 60 month payroll deduction beginning January 1, 2011 for the remaining balance.
MEMORIALS
Max A. Myers
Cleo P. Jenison
John W. Callahan
Ned A. Chatfield
Carl A. Rasmusson
James A. Hoffman
Juan Albarran read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
L.A. FIREMEN’S CREDIT UNION
Mike Mastro and Larry Mets were present to address the Board on the current status of the Credit Union’s position and to answer questions. Mr. Mastro informed the Board of the recent system conversion on their banking institution. There was discussion amongst the Trustees and the Credit Union’s Executives about concerns and the need to work together between the organizations on communication, customer service and positive response to members of LAFRA and the L.A. Firemen’s Credit Union.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Kurt Stabel reported that he and Chris Stine had attended a PIMCO luncheon and indicated that they discussed their annual conference with their emerging markets and covered their six month outlook. He stated that it was the same outlook from PIMCO in that they allude to a slow economic recovery.
SETTING DATES
1) Member Appreciation @ Saddle Ranch – October 17th
2) Open House – November 6th
3) Annual IFEPB Conference – November 14th – 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) John Gibbs – November 4th Fire Station 114
2) Clinton Shelton Jr. – November 10th Kyoto Grand Hotel
3) Robert W. Rebbe, Jr. – November 14th Fire Station 114
4) Chris Baker – November 15th The Odyssey Restaurant
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn. David Lowe so moved. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:13pm.
David Marino, President