MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 3, 2019
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 9:51 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Joe Vigil
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Doak Smith led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2019. Gene Bednarchik moved. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2019.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher provided a Pension meeting update including getting presentation information from USI prior to their May 2nd Pension Board presentation. He indicated that LAFRA will present to the Pension Board on April 18th. He stated that the Pension Board should have a recommendation for the non-Medicare subsidy increase on May 2nd.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that everyone should have received an email with their hotel room confirmation.
3) Bob Steinbacher informed that the Community Affairs positions started in April and that Steve Ruda and Isaac Burkes were hired for the part-time positions.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to Open Enrollment for medical and indicated that it runs through the end of April 30th.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to Death Notices sent by the Relief Association and indicated that they will be making some changes on the information included on the notifications.
6) Todd Layfer referred to the Hook & Ladder Enduro and reported that the event raised $47,000 for the WODFF. He indicated that this had been a record year for the event. Craig White indicated that the use of the credit card readers helped with the sales for the auction items.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:14 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 11:51 a.m.
Personnel matters and member updates were discussed in the Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and indicated that the Washington Legislative Conference deadline is April 8th. He informed the Trustees that the new IFEBP cancellation policy charges 50% of the registration fee. He asked that they make sure they are able to attend the conferences they sign up for.
2) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on the cemetery plot inventory. He indicated that there are a few issues that need to be updated and determined who owns the plots.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer provided an update on the Hope for Firefighters event and indicated that we have 21 fire stations for food and beverage booths. He announced that Ralphs has agreed to again sponsor our event with $25,000.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Marketing Associate recruitment and indicated that they have narrowed it down to three candidates that they will be interviewing next week.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament and indicated that they have 14 teams signed up to play.
4) Liberty Unciano reported that the Audit has been completed and indicated that they will meet with the Audit Committee to discuss the Harrington Group’s findings.
5) Todd Layfer reported on the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and indicated that it will be on April 6th at Maggiano’s.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to continue with the private equity allocation that will be divided into three separate funds, Montauk, Performance Equity Management and Greenspring Associates. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to continue with the private equity allocation that will be divided into three separate funds.
John Jacobsen referred to the upcoming MorningStar Conference and asked that those Trustees interested in attending to let him know.
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 $731,517.54. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $731,517.54.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the three-year contract renewal with Alternate Solutions with a 5.12% increase effective May 1, 2019. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the three-year contract renewal with Alternate Solutions with a 5.12% increase effective May 1, 2019.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve all the medical bills totaling $873,267.49. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical bills totaling $873,267.49.
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 $30,755.13
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $13,546
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $50,000
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
Harold L. Dally
Robert G. Price
William G. Stover
Richard G. Tucker
Francis R. Motheral
William B. Wofford
Rafael A. Lopez
Robert H. Robles
Bruce H. Segelke
James J. Francesconi
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $47,206 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $47,206 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.
GRAPEVINE COMMITTEE REPORT
Danny Wu indicated that he met with the Grapevine Editors and staff to discuss an issue with some photos in the current issue. He indicated that they will discuss future photos and stories associated with them before they are posted.
BYLAWS & POLICY
Richard Moody presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the changes made to the Policy Book. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the changes made to the Policy Book.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the application process for the Scholarship Program has closed. He stated that they received 18 applicants and the testing will be Saturday, April 13th. He also indicated that the committee will review the policy on qualification requirements for future applicants.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez reported on the L.A. Marathon and 5K Run and indicated that it was a great success. He reported that they had more than 100 participants and had media coverage at the event.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion – May 13 – 17
2) LAPD/LAFD Car Show – June 1st
3) Hope for Firefighters – June 6th
4) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
5) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 23rd
6) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Rosa Tufts – Thursday, April 4th B @ Frank Hotchkins Memorial Training (Sonoda)
2) Bertram Jobz – Saturday, April 13th B @ Private Dinner at Residence (Aguirre)
3) Thomas Kennington – Saturday, April 27th C @ Sagebrush Cantina (Steinbacher)
4) John E. Lefeber – Sunday, April 28th A @ Fire Station 112
5) Dane Jackson – Friday, May 3rd B @ Sagebrush Cantina (Berkery)
6) Kwame Cooper – Saturday, May 4th C @ California African American Museum
7) Darnell Wade – Saturday, May 11th A @ City Club Los Angeles (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Tyler Tomich so moved. Richard Moody seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:33 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President