MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:45 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2
- Trustee Michael Overholser, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 6
- Trustee Rick Godinez – Battalion 7
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 13
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 14
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9 (Excused)
- Trustee Steve Tufts – Battalion 18 (Excused)
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1 (Excused)
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
- Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Andy Kuljis led the invocation and Chris Hart led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION 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 3, 2011. David Peters so moved. Chris Hart 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 3, 2011.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen referred to the Hook & Ladder Enduro event and indicated that it was a great turnout. He mentioned that they do not yet have the final figures on what they had raised for the WODFF.
2) Jacobsen thanked all Trustees for their efforts and participating with the Strategic Planning meeting. He stated that they will bring a report on what the Board agreed to at the next meeting.
3) Jacobsen referred to the Dalmatian vehicles and mentioned that they are in the process of selling the white van.
4) Jacobsen referred to the open enrollment materials and indicated that a higher medical subsidy had been negotiated for active members and the rates have significantly changed to the members’ favor. He stated that they have published the accurate figures on the website and changed the numbers on the rate and subsidy information sheet.
5) Jacobsen mentioned the Loughren Estate update and indicated that they have been working with the attorneys to finalize the situation involving the conservator and getting the funds into the WODFF.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Juan Albarran mentioned that they now have 36 camping spots signed up for the Grass Valley Reunion. He has a count of 52 couples signed up for the luncheon on Saturday, May 7th. He mentioned that they will be taking a couple of staff members to answer any questions on member issues.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith reported on the website statistics and indicated that for the month of March, they had 5,100 visits. He mentioned that David Vienna is working diligently in trying to improve the attraction to members.
2) David Smith reported that they have almost completed the process of updating the new computers and software.
3) Todd Layfer introduced the new Accounts Payable employee Francisco Gomez. He mentioned that Francisco comes with great experience and has been doing a great job.
4) David Smith reported on the Dalmatian store status and indicated that the store employees worked very hard in trying sell all the merchandise during their last two weeks of employment. He stated that roughly, two-thirds of the inventory had been sold. He mentioned that the office staff has been doing inventory with the remaining merchandise. He indicated that they have yet to determine how to dispose of the remaining inventory.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $934,302.28. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $939,302.28.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $76,237.43. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $76,237.43.
The committee recommends and I so move to begin holding Planned Giving seminars for Relief Members. He stated that this is in compliance with one of the action items from the Strategic Planning meeting. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to begin holding Planned Giving seminars for Relief members.
The committee recommends and I so move to sell the white Dalmatian van. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to sell the white Dalmatian van.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the promotion of an existing employee to a vacated position. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the promotion of an existing employee to a vacated position.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay up to $6K for the LAFD Honor guards’ new uniforms. He stated that this is in coordination with UFLAC and possibly the LAFD Foundation. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay up to $6K for the LAFRA Honor Guards’ new uniforms.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the monthly cell phone bills of the President, V.P., Secretary and Asst. Secretary. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the monthly cell phone bills of the President, V.P., Secretary and Asst. Secretary.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase a foursome for up to $500 for the L.A. Historical Society’s Fallen Firefighter Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a foursome of up to $500 for the L.A. Historical Society’s Fallen Firefighter Golf Tournament.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $1,000 for the support of the Emergency Photographers Network which is for equipment and expenses. David Wagner mentioned that these were the photographers who donate their pictures to LAFRA for use in the Grapevine magazine. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $1,000 for the support of the Emergency Photographers Network.
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 all applications to the Medical Plan.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve renewing the contract with Bradawn Inc. He stated that the committee after much discussion and investigation decided that an RFP was not necessary at this time. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the renewing contract with Bradawn Inc.
David Peters mentioned that the committee had met with Medco and Burchfield Group to discuss the status of the LAFRA’s prescription plan as well as discussing some suggestions of incorporating management philosophies on the prescription benefit.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $15,568.83
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,750,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $2,411,
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $0
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $54,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
Joseph C. Tuck
Anthony J. Grady
Frederick E. Martin
Glenn L. Allen
Robert C. Kramer
Edward F. Leclair
Wayne H. Williamson
Thurston S. Reiterman
William C. Hays
Mervel J. Dunham
Harold W. Greenwood
Baldwin N. Edgell
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $10,162 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $10,162 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for March 2011
- PEARL DONAHER IN MEMORY OF HUSBAND & FATHER PHILIP A. DONAHER
- FIREFIGHTERS ORANGE COUNTY PROF IN MEMORY OF GLENN L. ALLEN
- JAMES H. ANDREWS IN GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK OF OUR ORGANIZATION
- TRINA GONZALEZ IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- ELLEN O O’HARA IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- ALLAN NELSON IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE ZELLA M. NELSON AND WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE USE OF THE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
- JYM TRUDEAU IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN FREDRICK MARTIN FS-85’S
- EVELYN MORRISSETTE IN MEMORY OF JOHN(GUS)DEGENKOLB
- HELEN SCHULZ
- CHERYL L GIFIS IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- GARY ELLIS IN MEMORY OF MY CO-WORKER AT 97A GLENN ALLEN
- NEIL BULLOCK IN MEMORY OF FRED MARTIN
- EARL MAZZARI IN MEMORY OF JULIAN GEORGE
- GARY & JUNE TAKISHITA IN MEMORY OF ESTHER WILKINSON WIFE OF BEN WILKINSON
- BETTY LARSON IN MEMORY OF WAYNE WILLIAMSON
- MICHAEL C HARDING IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- MARTIN FEUERSTEIN IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- SALLY BASCOM IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND STEVE BASCOM
- MARIE WAKEFIELD IN MEMORY OF PEGGY YOUNG WIDOW OF LOWELL YOUNG
- GERALD MALAIS IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- WILLIAM RADDATZ IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- RALPH NELMAN IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE
- NANCY T LING IN MEMORY OF YOUR COUSIN RICHARD LAMBINE
- JOHN POTTER IN MEMORY OF BERT JENKINS
- BARBARA BROWN
- CHERYL B. RODE IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER MABEL C. BAKER
- DONNA J WARD IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER MABEL C. BAKER
- NORMAN S COHEN IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- CAPT & MRS. SCOTT M. SOUTER IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- FUMIKO HUMBERD IN MEMORY OF LOIS L. DANSKIN
- RICHARD FOX IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- TRACI A DRESCHER IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- WAYNE FORET IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- KATHRYN M. BROADWELL IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- ALAN H LINCOLN IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- BILL K KELSEY IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- CATHERINE L HANSEN IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- HARRY CARLSON IN MEMORY OF JULIAN GEORGE
- DORIS REID IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- CURT ABEL IN MEMORY OF “JUNIOR PARKER”
- ALICE B. WILLIAMSON IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- JAY OXFORD IN MEMORY OF ROBERT BREWIS
- FREDRICK E VON COELLN IN MEMORY OF ESTHER WILKINSON
- PAUL DOBNER IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- RICHARD RUSH IN MEMORY OF ROBERT BREWIS
- RICHARD & DIANA BOGUCKI IN MEMORY OF ESTHER WILKINSON
- EKREM KASTRATI IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- VICTORIA PARKMAN IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- EDWARD KELLEY IN MEMORY OF THOMAS MORSE-TRUCK 26-1961
- O. DEAN MENDENHALL IN MEMORY OF GORDON R. FRIES
- DONALD L CATE IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR WIFE LOIS CATE
- HARRY MORCK IN MEMORY OF JULIAN GEORGE
- REBECCA CUMMINGS IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
- DAVID DEMAREST IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- ROBERT KERBER IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- FREDERICK A O’HARA IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- DAVID E SWEET IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- PATRICIA WALLACE IN MEMORY OF WARREN ALMOND
- PETER M LECH IN MEMORY OF ESTHER WILKINSON
- DEDE WALSER IN MEMORY OF DON MERAMBLE
- JAMES GILLUM FROM THE “BREAKFAST GANG”
- CANDICE NONINI IN MEMORY OF DON MERAMBLE
- PERNETTA FRANKLIN IN MEMORY OF PAT MCCULLOM
- CHRISTINE MOTT IN MEMORY OF GLENN ALLEN
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the assistance applications for surviving spouses and members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the assistance applications for surviving spouses and members.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the advancements for active members and surviving spouses. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the advancements for active members and surviving spouses.
STORE/GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
1) Chris Hart reported on the website and indicated that they are working to get the Grapevine Magazine as a PDF format on the website. He indicated that there wouldn’t be much cost with doing so.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher informed the Board that they will have an Investment Committee meeting on April 20th after regular committee meetings.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith reported that to date, they have received six applications for the Scholarship Program. He mentioned that the deadline to submit applications is Friday, April 16th. He mentioned that this year they did not do a mailing to members and indicated that it was posted on the website and Grapevine magazine. He stated that he had a recommendation involving donations to the Scholarship Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move that LAFRA will not accept monies for Scholarship in recognition of a named scholarship; named scholarships should be determined by the Board and normally be reserved for past Trustees who have distinguished themselves through service, dedication and/or actions; establish a restricted fund by the Board through the Controller-Treasurer for scholarship contributions that will not jeopardize the tax status of LAFRA. Additional monies added to the account would be to fulfill scholarship obligations as determined by the committee and approved by the Board. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried as stated.
Jim Coburn suggested that they place the handling of funds for donations to the Scholarship Program in the policy book.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Investment Conf. IFEBP – April 11th – 13th Las Vegas
2) Corbin Bowl – May 1st
3) Grass Valley – May 2nd – May 7th
4) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 4th
5) Hope for Firefighters – June 2nd
6) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 19th
7) SIIA – October 9th – October 12th
8) LAFRA Casino Nigh – October 22nd
9) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 30th – November 2nd
10) LAFRA Open House – November 5th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Don Austin – April 9th Proud Bird Restaurant (Ortiz)
2) Steven Resnick – April 22nd Robinson Ranch Golf Course (Godinez)
3) Addison Birdine – April 23rd Brookside Golf Course (Ortiz)
4) John Hanson – May 7th Fire Station 80 (Coburn)
5) Andrea Everett – May 27th Ports O’Call Restaurant (Kuljis)
6) Brian Sandwick – June 9th Los Angeles Police Academy (Cawdrey)
7) Craig A. Yoder – June 10th The Los Angeles Athletic Club (White)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. Gary Matsubara so moved. Doak Smith seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:48am.
John Jacobsen, President