MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 2, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
President Juan Albarran called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 9:43a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee Steve Tufts
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee David Lowe – Pension
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension (Excused)
Trustee Gene Bednarchik (Excused)
Trustee Francisco Hernandez (Excused)
Trustee David Ortiz (Excused)
Trustee Steve Berkery (Excused)
Trustee Craig White (Excused)
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary (Excused)
GUESTS:
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Tom Stires, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Mark Akahoshi led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held March 5, 2014. David Lowe so moved. Barry Hedberg seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees held March 5, 2014.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran mentioned that he had a chance to visit a couple of members with health issues. He expressed to the members that the Relief Association would be there for their needs.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher confirmed the attendance of Trustees attending the upcoming conferences. He also asked that they check their emails for hotel confirmations.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
1) Steve Domanski reported that on April 3rd, the Building Committee will have a meeting and then meet with the contractors to discuss their cost estimates for the 7470 building. He also mentioned that they will talk with the last tenant. The discussion will be about when they plan to vacate the building.
INVESTMENT REPORT
Todd Layfer reported that they received a return of their capital contribution from BRAVO in the amount of $895,411.65. He stated that this is a private equity holding that is part of the LAFRA portfolio. Steve Domanski mentioned that they will soon meet with Garth Flint to reprioritize the investments.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported that they have been approached by Magic Mountain to determine if LAFRA will participate with this year’s event. He reported that it was the Administrative Committee’s decision to not participate in this year’s event due to lack of ticket sales and advertisement costs. He stated that they have considered asking the Firefighter’s First Credit Union to take over the event.
2) Todd Layfer reported that Liz Denison will be on site beginning Monday April 7th and will attend the April 16th Administrative Committee meeting. He stated that she will discuss the FRITS conversion status and will be available to answer any questions.
3) Todd Layfer again mentioned that there will be staff training from April 21st through April 23rd and indicated that the LAFRA office will be closed from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon each day of training.
4) Todd Layfer reported that they have completed the annual HIPAA training for the LAFRA staff.
5) Todd Layfer reported that the Audit Committee will meet on April 24th with the Harrington Group Auditors to discuss the 2013 audit.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $948,816.81. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $948,816.81.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $110,485.48. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $110,485.48.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $1,000 to send two members to represent LAFRA at the two Boston firefighter’s funerals. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $1,000 to send two members to represent LAFRA at the two Boston firefighter’s funerals.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase a tee sign up to $100 for the LAFD Sertoma Club Charity Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a tee sign up to $100 for the LAFD Sertoma Club Charity Golf Tournament.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase a table of ten for the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon at $350. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a table of ten for the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon at $350.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motion.
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.
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 $3,160,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $9,495,
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $13,500.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Theodore Roth
Carroll Hopkins
Stanley W. Marriott
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $3,282.82 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $3,282.82 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.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Chris Hart reported on the Grapevine website and mentioned that the Pechanga LAFRA Reunion has been posted and contains all the event information. He also mentioned that they plan to expand on Open Enrollment information. He stated that they are trying to encourage members to write for Battalion News.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Jim Dolan mentioned that he had an issue placing a member’s obituary in the L.A. Times. He indicated that they no longer use the L.A. Times because of the timeliness of notifications and too many obstacles.
BY-LAWS REPORT
David Lowe mentioned that the time is coming to submit any changes if any for the By-laws.
SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the submission period for applications was now closed and mentioned that there were some incomplete submissions. He stated that the exam day will be April 12th.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Dads & Kids Event – April 4th – 6th
2) Scholarship Program Essay – April 12th
3) Firefighter of the Year – April 16th
4) LAFRA Staff Training – April 21st – 23rd
5) SIIA Conference – April 23rd – 24th
6) Corbin Bowl – April 27th
7) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 14th
8) LAFRA Reunion Pechanga – May 19th – 23rd
9) Hope for Firefighters – June 5th
10) Get Together Foundation Concert – July 3rd
11) World Fire Games – August 15th – 24th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Jon Holtby – March 5th Braemar Country Club
2) Jon Balich – March 8th The Overland
3) Greg Gibson – March 11th Odyssey Restaurant
4) Lloyd Fukuda – March 27th San Antonio Winery
5) Keith Young – March 29th LAX Marriott
6) James Herbert Johnston – April 24th Bel Air Bay Club
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. Doak Smith moved. David Lowe seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 10:43 a.m.
Juan Albarran, President