MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 4, 2015
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 10:04 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
Trustee David Lowe – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension (Excused)
Trustee Craig White (Excused)
Trustee Tyler Tomich (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Tom Stires, Retired
Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Steve Berkery 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 January 7, 2015. David Peters so moved. Chris Hart seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes and Board actions of the Board of Trustees held January 7, 2015.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran provided an update to the 7470 Figueroa building construction process. He indicated that the contractors are currently framing and working on the plumbing.
2) Juan Albarran reported that he met with the Credit Union and discussed possible business opportunities between the two organizations.
3) Juan Albarran provided an update to the EGWP program and indicated that we continue to have meetings with Rory, the EGWP representative and Denise Schlegel with HSB. He indicated that there continues to be some member issues. He mentioned that the call volume with those issues has decreased in the last couple of weeks.
4) Juan Albarran informed the Board that they will be having a Policy review meeting on March 19th.
5) Juan Albarran provided updates on members’ statuses.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
Bob Steinbacher asked those interested in attending the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs to let him know so that we can make arrangements. He indicated that the memorial will be on September 19th.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint of Beacon Pointe Advisors presented the 4th Quarter performance of the LAFRA portfolio.
Garth Flint reviewed the market and asset class performance. He indicated that the portfolio outperformed the allocation and policy indexes for the quarter and year. He reported on the various fund managers’ performance. He indicated that LAFRA recently added more money to private equity funds which was the best performing asset class for our portfolio in 2014.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Todd Layfer presented the proposed 2015 budget for the Board’s approval and adoption.
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 $926,315.72. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $926,315.72.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $122,475.43. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $122,475.43.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed 2015 budget as presented by Todd Layfer. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the proposed 2015 budget as presented by Todd Layfer.
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.
David Peters reported that the Medical Committee met with Bradawn in January to review the plan design and indicated that they are waiting for claims experience to determine rate renewal figures.
David Peters indicated that they will be creating a letter for the membership that will contain cost information about emergency room utilization as opposed to using an Urgent Care facility.
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 $15,073.25,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,200,
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $31,500.
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
Dale W. Kanagy
Arnett L. Hartsfield
Reiner Montiel
Matthew T. Matich
Joe F. Owens
Rialdo C. Merrill
Jerrol K. Mueller
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $18,763.63 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $18,763.63 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 REPORT
Chris Hart indicated that he will be having a Grapevine Committee meeting at the next committee date.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the online applications to participate in the Scholarship Program are done. He stated that the deadline for submission will be March 27th and the exam date will be on April 11th. He indicated that they would like to present the awards to the winners at the June 3rd Board meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Doak Smith referred to the dedication ceremony for Matthew McKnight and indicated that member Chris Baker was making some display cabinets for McKnight’s plaque.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Matthew McKnight Dedication Ceremony – February 13th
2) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 21st
3) Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – April 25th
4) Lane Kemper Softball Tourn – May 13th
5) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion – May 18 – 22
6) Practice Picnic HFF – May 30th
7) Hope for Firefighters – June 4th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mike Ketaily – February 7th Duke’s Malibu, Ocean Room
2) Andrew Gutierrez – February 7th Luminarias
3) Timothy Manning – February 19th Brookside Country Club
4) Russ Nakamura – February 22nd FS 114
5) Armando Valencia – February 24th FS 20
6) Sean Conway – February 25th Fire Station 11
7) Wendell Smith – February 28th FS 73
8) Marc Segal – March 1st Ports O’Call Restaurant
9) Paul Hilleary – March 7th Banning Landing Community Center
10) Doug Reyes – March 12th Knollwood Country Club
11) Randy Beaty – March 18th The Odyssey Restaurant
12) Gregory Acevedo & Carlos Vargas – March 29th Knollwood Country Club
13) Javier Campos – April 4th Friendship Auditorium
14) Gregory E. Newland – April 11th Dalmatian American Club San Pedro
15) Jeff Easton – April 19th FS 27
16) Randy Beach – April 29th Porter Valley Country Club
17) Rick Ramirez – May 4th Banning’s Landing Community Center
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Chris Hart seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:43 a.m.
Juan Albarran, President
