MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 11, 2018
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 9:46 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee David Peters
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Tim Freeman led the flag salute
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting minutes of March 7, 2018. Tim Larson so moved. Mike Sailhamer seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve minutes Board Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2018
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension issue regarding the retired subsidies. He also made reference to the proposed contract with Pensions and shared that Pensions would like the signed contracts with the associations by July 1st. He stated that he will report back after the next meeting.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Hook & Ladder Enduro and indicated that it was an outstanding turnout considering the wet weather.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Medicare Informational Seminars and indicated that both sessions were well attended. He indicated that Dave Wagner did a great job in planning these informative seminars.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the upcoming Pechanga Reunion and asked Trustees to let him know if they plan to attend and if they need a hotel room.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen informed that we will have an Investment Committee meeting with Beacon Pointe Advisors here at LAFRA on April 25th to discuss the current asset allocations.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that all food booths have been booked with fire stations. He indicated that the fire bucks pricing will remain the same as last year.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that the new phone system has been installed and is up and running. He indicated that they are working on a few programming issues.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the golf tournament and indicated that the firefighter rate is now open. He stated that they will be publicizing in the next Grapevine as well as the website.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the L.A. Marathon and indicated that the event is estimated to earn around $15K for the WODFF.
5) Todd Layfer referred to the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament and reported that ten teams are signed up as of today. He indicated that the event will take place on May 2nd.
6) Todd Layfer referred to the L.A. Galaxy Firefighter Appreciation Night on March 31st. He indicated that there was great exposure and indicated that the money raised for the WODFF has yet to be determined.
7) Todd Layfer informed the Board that there is now a FOB security device by the elevator on B-1. He indicated that this device was placed for added security inside the building.
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 $963,461.26. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $963,461.26.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $250 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police BBQ. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $250 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police BBQ.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Kaiser premium rate increase at 2.85% for active and 5.87% for retired members effective July 1, 2018. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Kaiser premium rate increase at 2.85% for active and 5.87% for retired members effective July 1, 2018.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre 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
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $30,929.26
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,725
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $60,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
J. Loren Labarre
Johnnie R. Collings
Glenn R. Dinger
Frank Brown
Boyd E. Chapman
Delbert D. Jones
Thomas G. Crockatt
Basil D. Daughenbaugh
Donald L. Hobart
Billie M. Strickland
Philip V. Toppenberg
John W. Harrington
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $24,097.19 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $24,097.19 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.
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.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith informed that Saturday, April 14th is the exam day for the scholarship program.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:10 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:34 a.m.
A personnel matter and member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Mike Sailhamer announced that Kenneth Breskin is planning a car show that would benefit the WODFF and the LAPD. Kenneth Breskin indicated that the proceeds will be split evenly between the two organizations. The event will be on June 2nd at the Warner Center Park near the Marriott Hotel.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 2nd
2) Pechanga Reunion – May 21st – 25th
3) Hope for Firefighters – June 7th
4) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 14 – 16
5) LAFRA Open House – November 3rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Glenn Ames – April 20th B @ Sagebrush Cantina (Aguirre)
2) Tom Sammartano & Cecil Manresa – April 29th B @ Fire Station 4 (Bednarchik)
3) Mike Henry – May 9th C @ Fire Station 87 (Breskin)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Frank Aguirre so moved. Tim Freeman seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President