MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 6, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:20 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Robert Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Juan Albarran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steven Domanski – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Steve Berkery (Excused)
Trustee Mike Sailhamer (Excused)
Trustee Tyler Tomich (Excused)
Trustee Francisco Hernandez (Excused)
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension (Excused)
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tim Freeman led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held March 9, 2016. Dave Peters so moved. Frank Aguirre 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 meeting held March 9, 2016.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher informed that on March 30th, Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas visited our LAFRA office to discuss what we do as an association for our members. He indicated that they also discussed the use of RB Code for the department chaplains and how the Fire Chief’s office could provide support for LAFRA.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to LAFRA’s social media and indicated that our content and postings have improved.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Hook & Ladder Enduro and indicated that the event was well attended. He reported that the net proceeds donated to the WODFF were $33,000.
4) Bob Steinbacher informed that he met with Kaiser representatives about what is going on at their facilities. He indicated that they have offered to partner with LAFRA at the next Health Fair.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Express Scripts meeting and indicated that he and Jeff Cawdrey met with the new account representative. He indicated that they discussed the need for improvements on reporting information.
6) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA Pechanga Reunion and indicated that they were expecting a great turnout. Juan Albarran indicated that they have up until 72 hours to make any sort of cancelations for the RV spots.
7) Bob Steinbacher addressed the issue of medical premiums for widows versus retired members. He indicated that LAFRA attorney, Bob Macaulay, advised that this practice needed to change because Federal Law dictates that an organization cannot charge different premiums for the same type of care. He stated that they had to increase the premiums for approximately 480 widows effective 7/1/16. He indicated that they have been reaching out to these widows to explain the changes.
8) Bob Steinbacher indicated that they will begin to hand out “Welcome Packets” for those members enrolling in the Firemen’s Relief PPO Plan. He indicated that these packets will explain how to use the SPD, who the PBM is and how to use their pharmacy benefit.
9) Dawna Gray of Bradawn Inc. addressed the Board on the widows’ medical premium rate increases. She stated that the retiree premium rates are based on a series of codes that indicate what covering members have or don’t have with Medicare. She indicated that they recently realigned all premium rates for the widows which causes an increase to their out of pocket amount. She stated that LAFRA as an organization could decide to assist with subsidizing some widow premiums on an income need basis.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey informed that we will be having a Policy Manual review meeting on May 3rd at 8:00 am.
2) Jeff Cawdrey reported on the Investment Conference a few of the Trustees attended in Las Vegas.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’ S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported on the status of Hope for Firefighters and indicated that there are now 16 fire stations signed up for booths. He indicated that they need a few more fire stations and asked Trustees to encourage their stations to sign up.
2) Todd Layfer reported that open enrollment is from April 1st through April 30th. He indicated that Dawna Gray is holding an open enrollment informational seminar for the LAFRA staff so that they have a better understanding on how the LAFRA Medical Plan works.
3) Todd Layfer referred to proposed Bylaw changes and indicated that one speaker at the Board Educational Offsite reviewed them and suggested some areas of improvement. He stated that they reached out to Bob Ridley to review the area of duties, responsibilities and expectations of a Board member. He indicated that they received a draft back from Bob Ridley for review and will forward it to the Bylaws Committee.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the member profile sheet sent to the members. He indicated that they received several cards with beneficiary changes and an increase to their donations to the WODFF.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski made the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve investing $4 million into the Montauk Triguard Investment Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to invest $4 million into the Montauk Triguard Investment Fund.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Liberty Unciano reported that they met with the Harrington Group and indicated that the audit was successful with no major findings. She indicated that they will meet with the Audit Committee on April 18th to go over the Audit Report.
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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the contract with Pharmacy Specialist Group (PSG). He reported that they are the new pharmacy benefit consultants replacing Burchfield Group. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the contract with Pharmacy Specialist Group.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve terminating the contract with Burchfield Group effective July 1, 2016. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve terminating the contract with Burchfield Group effective July 1, 2016.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $948,112.83. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $948,112.83.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve sponsorship of the Fire Family Foundation’s Poker Tournament in the amount of $1,250. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve sponsorship of the Fire Family Foundation’s Poker Tournament in the amount of $1,250.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve moving the employee 401K plan from John Hancock to Massachusetts Mutual. Todd Layfer indicated that after reviewing the fees charged by John Hancock, they decided to seek a new 401K record keeper. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve moving the employee 401K plan from John Hancock to Massachusetts Mutual.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an additional $804 for the purchase of a new portable PA System. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an additional $804 for the purchase of a new portable PA system.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $725 for a foursome of golf and tee sign for the LAFD Sertoma Club Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $725 for a foursome of golf and tee sign for the LAFD Sertoma Club Golf Tournament.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $24,335.66
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,370,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $6,299
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $36,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Rick Godinez read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Richard Houle
Arliss J. Berenger
Mike R. Urtusuastegui
Darrayle B. Prosser
Sandra Smith
Joseph C. Fleming
Richard E. Nunnally
Keneth L. Wilson
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $4,177.78 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $4,177.78 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to reinstate an adult disabled dependent/orphan back onto the Relief Medical Plan. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to reinstate an adult disabled dependent/orphan back onto the Relief Medical Plan.
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee recommends and I so move to advance funds for both active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to advance funds for both active and retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Hart indicated that since we have a social media specialist handling LAFRA’s social media, they should consider reorganizing some committees between the Grapevine and Marketing & Development committees.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported that since they’ve had many deaths, they are down to one flag box. He indicated that they have an order coming in soon. He also mentioned that they attended the Rick Ortiz Luncheon in Garden Grove and were able to answer many questions.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that on Saturday, April 9th, we will be having the Scholarship Exam here at the LAFRA office. He indicated that they have 23 qualified candidates scheduled and may have four memorial scholarships.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez indicated that this committee has met a couple of times and indicated that they discussed what tools the department would need to market this organization. He indicated that they are currently producing a reference book for Trustees on how to answer questions from members regarding the Medical Plan and Relief benefits.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Scholarship Exam – April 9th
2) LAFRA Health Fair – April 20th & 21st
3) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 11th B
4) LAFD EXPO – May 21st FS 59
5) Fallen Firefighter Memorial Golf Tournament – May 23rd
6) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion May 23 – May 27
7) LARFPA Annual BBQ – June 1st
8) Hope for Firefighters – June 2nd
9) LAFD Fire Hogs Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride – June 25th
10) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 15th – 18th
11) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 19th
12) LAFRA Holiday Party – December 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Ruben Terrazas – Saturday, April 9th A @ Brookside Golf Club (Bednarchik)
2) Paul Nelson – Monday, April 11th A @ Fire Station 73 (Aguirre)
3) Clint Arrigoni – Tuesday, April 12th B @ Odyssey Restaurant (Jacobsen)
4) Steve Schrobsdorf – Saturday, April 16th – A @ La Crescenta Woman’s Club (Albarran)
5) Hugh Martin & Charles Bucher – Saturday, April 30th B @ FS 109 (Steinbacher)
6) Glenn Crieman – Saturday, April 30th Fire Station 2 (Godinez)
7) Brett Davis – Saturday May 7th B @ Davis Residence
8) Robert Rosario – Saturday May 21st C @ 94th Aero Squadron (White)
9) Radley Wong – Wednesday, May 25th @ FHMTC (Bednarchik)
10) Mike Bowman & Tom Ottman – Saturday, June 4th A @ FS 4 (Bednarchik)
11) Paul R. Nelson – Friday, June 10th C @ Odyssey Restaurant
12) Phil Bernal – Saturday, June 25th B @ The Bernal’s (White)
13) Craig Nielsen – Wednesday, June 29th A @ Intercontinental Hotel (Hart)
14) Dan Rodriguez – Friday, July 1st A @ Odyssey Restaurant
15) Mike Monroy – Friday, July 29th B @ Top of the Fish Market (Kuljis)
16) Mike Palma & Robert Gonzalez – Sunday, August 7th B @ Knollwood Country Club (Bednarchik)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:01p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President