MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 8, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Vice President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:27 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, “Acting” President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Juan Albarran, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- 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 Chris Stine – Battalion 13
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 14
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- 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 Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2 (Excused)
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5 (Excused)
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 18 (Excused)
- David Marino, President (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Tom Stires
- Dennis Mendenhall
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Ralph Brownell led the invocation.
RATIFICATIONS OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held March 11, 2010. David Peters so moved. Juan Albarran 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 March 11, 2010.
INTRODUCTIONS
John Jacobsen informed the Board that Ken Buzzell and Jerry Floyd were present to address the Board on Long-term disability care opportunities. Jerry Floyd spoke about the consideration of the Relief Association offering Long-term disability care insurance.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen provided an update to the M.O.U. negotiations with the Pensions Department. He indicated that the Pension Department has made a statement that an agreement on the parameter of audits will be reached in the near future audits.
2) John Jacobsen indicated that they needed to clarify the Life & Accident benefit available to members at the 20-year mark. He indicated that if a member wanted to cash out their L & A at the 20-year mark, currently, the Relief Association determines if they are eligible and if they have any indebtedness to the Association. If there was indebtedness to the Relief Association by the member, then the obligation would be satisfied before the member receives the balance. The Board agreed on the process.
3) John Jacobsen informed that he and David Smith had met with Marlene Casillas, Marketing & Development Director on how they would market the Relief Association based on the Strategic Planning session discussions. He indicated that she would produce a report and present to the next Board meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to add an additional $2,500 scholarship for the Scholarship Program. He stated that it would add an additional category for the Scholarship Essay Exam. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to add an additional $2,500 scholarship for the Scholarship Program.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $1,000 to place vents in the Dalmatian Van. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $1,000 to place vents in the Dalmatian Van.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $24,000 for a new POS system for the Dalmatian Store, Van and Website. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $24,000 for a new POS system for the Dalmatian Store, Van and Website.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $714,819.49. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $714,819.49.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $23,972.63. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $23,972.63.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve a 20 & 25 year employment recognition gift for two employees up to $1,000 each. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve a 20 & 25 year employment recognition gift for two employees up to $1,000 each.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve and implement the Line of Duty Death Flower Policy. The Policy states that the Relief Association will send flowers to the families on the anniversary of those who died in the line of duty for three years. There was discussion on what was considered a line of duty death. On the question, there was an objection. Seven voted in favor of the motion, seven voted opposed. Jacobsen provided the final vote in favor of the motion.
Motion carried to approve and implement the Line of Duty Death Flower Policy.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith provided an update to the website and stated that last week, the site was off-line and was restored over the weekend. He mentioned that the site is now fairly stable. He indicated that they have authorized R A Santiago $4,000 to set up a development site containing a copy of the website off-line and fix all the bugs and get it back on-line by the end of the month.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Kurt Stabel informed the Board that he and Robert Steinbacher had visited some of the managers in New York including two new managers, Lazard and Gresham. He indicated that the visit went well and stated that they discussed the current U.S. economy situation including unemployment and commercial and residential mortgages debt. He mentioned that also he participated in PIMCO’s conference call with all of their managers to discuss their strategy and outlook for 2010. He indicated that they are seeing slow to low growth in U.S., U.K. and Japan for the next 3 – 5 years.
Kurt Stabel indicated that the Building Committee will meet to discuss the requirements for purchasing a building in Los Angeles.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith informed that they will hold a meeting with the auditors on April 22nd to review audit results. He mentioned that they will present a full review at the next Board meeting.
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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve 4 Trustees to attend the Medco Drug Trend conference in Florida. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve 4 Trustees to attend the Medco Drug Trend Conference in Florida.
David Peters informed the Board that the Medical Committee has decided to issue an R.F.P. for a new Pharmaceutical Provider (PBM).
David Peters informed the Board of an on-going claims situation with Stanford Hospital and indicated that they are moving to compel HSB to make the Relief Association whole based on that claim due to their mismanaging of processing the claim.
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 $14,788.59,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,022.84,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $22,500.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
Harold A. Reed
Frank D. Manwarren
Eugene N. Perkins
Norman W. Creager
James A. Perry
Juan Albarran read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $6,948.22 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $6,948.22 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for March 2010
- RICHARD LAMBINE
- RUTH E. SAMUEL IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND JAMES E. SAMUEL 1940-1963 INSPECTOR
- DANNY LEON IN HONOR OF THE LEON/GARDNER WEDDING
- BEVERLY WHITMORE IN MEMORY OF CHIEF CHARLES HAWLEY, AND FIREMEN ROBERT WHALING & ROBERT WHITMORE
- THOMAS B STIRES
- DOAK SMITH IN GRATITUDE FOR THE CPR MANNEQUIN
- MICHAEL WILSON
- HOWARD L. KELLEY IN MEMORY OF MARGIE & NANCY KELLEY
- CLARA NOLAN
- THE BOEING CO. EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY FUND
- KAREN A LARSON IN MEMORY OF ROBERT C. HEDGES
- RICHARD L. WATTERS IN MEMORY OF RALPH URQUIZA
- RICHARD L. WATTERS IN MEMORY OF GLEN E. YORGASON
- PHYLLIS A GREENHALGH IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- MADELEINE A. GORSEN IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER M. IRONS
- MARY T. CURREN IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- ALFRED L. SHANFELD IN GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK OF LAFRA
- WILLIAM F. STEPHENS IN MEMORY OF YOUR BROTHER-IN-LAW GEORGE CRUZ
- HELEN L SCHULZ
- JAMES P. GREENHALGH IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER M. IRONS, JR.
- BETTY V LARSON
- SHILOH FRANCO
- SHILOH FRANCO
- FIRE STATION NO. 27 FROM THE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- MARIE D. SHAFER
- SUSAN MCEOWEN IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- FUMIKO HUMBERD IN MEMORY OF EARL(PETE)PEARSON
- JEFF A. SILVER
- EDWARD T. CHILSON IN MEMORY OF EARL E. PEARSON
- CHARLES L LAKIN IN GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK OF LAFRA
- DAVID BOYD IN MEMORY OF UNCLE CHRIS IRONS
- STEVEN P GROSSFIELD IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER M. IRONS
- INGA L. REYNOLDS IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- CINDY TRIGG IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- FUMIKO HUMBERD IN MEMORY OF MY GOOD FRIEND MAY BELL STIRES
- FIRE STATION NO. 95 IN HONOR OF BRENT LOVRIEN ON THE 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPULVEDA EXPLOSION MARCH 26, 2008
- DONALD L. CATE IN MEMORY OF MY DEAR WIFE LOIS
- MERRILL E. REED IN MEMORY OF CHRIS IRONS
- NANCY N. TILLMAN IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN CHRIS IRONS & IN HONOR OF HIS DAUGHTER KYM
- DENNIS L COVILLE IN MEMORY OF MRS. ELDEAN V. ALDRICH
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- RENITA LUCAS IN GRATITUDE TO RESCUE SQUAD 43 FOR THEIR WORK
- CHARLES D. SLAUSON IN MEMORY OF CHRIS IRONS
- JACK BENNETT IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN CHRIS IRONS
- MARY ANN WOOD IN MEMORY OF MY COUSIN CHRIS IRONS
- ANN GLOVA IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- CRAIG F. MCGUIRE
- JUNE J. SMITH IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH A. EVERETT
- ANGEL RANGEL IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- CLAUDIA KAIPA IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER IRONS
- JAMES PATTERSON
- KAREN MURPHY
The committee recommends and I so move to assist;
A member with $1,764.99 for a massage chair for dependent,
A member with $600 per month with a six month review,
A member with $990 one time,
surviving spouses’ with continued assistance of $1,200 per month with a six month review,
a surviving spouse with $2,400 one time,
a surviving spouse with continued medical premiums 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 $22,000 to assist with bill payments,
A retired member with $986.70 per month with a six month review.
Motion carried to approve emergency advancements as stated.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE REPORT
John Jacobsen informed that Linda has been reorganizing the store to maximize space and obtaining new merchandise. John Jacobsen reported that the Grapevine has been using less weighted paper to save costs. He indicated that there was some negative feedback on the quality of paper.
SETTING DATES
1) Policy Manual Workshop – April 29th (8:00am)
2) Magic Mountain Firefighter Night – May 7th
3) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 12th
4) Hope for Firefighters – June 3rd
5) Second Magic Mountain LAFD Night – August 27th
6) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 11th
7) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn – September 13th
8) Member Appreciation @ Saddle Ranch – October 17th
9) Open House – November 6th
10) Annual IFEPB Conference (Hawaii) – November 14th – 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Tim G. Larson – April 9th Ports O’Call Restaurant
2) George Clock – April 21st Taix Restaurant (Marino)
3) Jeff Marcus – April 23rd Odyssey Restaurant (Lowe)
4) Jim Clark – April 29th Knollwood Country Club (Marino)
5) Dennis R. Keane – April 29th Monterey Hill Restaurant (Marino)
6) Thomas L. Derby – May 1st Airtel Plaza Hotel Van Nuys
7) Mike Radomski – May 12th Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel (Lowe)
8) Monte R. Buckner – May 15th African American Firefighter Museum
9) Gregory West – May 18th Porter Valley Country Club (Marino)
10) Edward Gonzalez – May 19th Knollwood Country Club (Ortiz)
11) Marc “Marcus” Young – May 22nd Fire Station 49 (Larson)
12) Johnny Garcia – May 25th Los Angeles Police Academy
13) Arthur W. Shubik, Eddie Johnson & Juan Gonzalez – May 26th Luminarias (Marino-Oritz)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. David Lowe so moved. Gary Matsubara seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:40pm.
John Jacobsen, Vice President