LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
April 1, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeff Cawdrey called the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:02 a.m. (Today’s meeting conducted via conference call due to National Emergency of Coronavirus)
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Craig White
GUESTS:
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Jeff Cawdrey led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the March 4, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Henry Gasbarri so moved. Tyler Tomich seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the March 4, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on the Pension meeting update and indicated that the Pension Dept. consultants USI, provided a presentation that validated the plan renewal amounts for LAFRA. He indicated that the Pension Board approved the medical plans as suitable for the next fiscal year for LAFRA. He stated that Ray Cirrana had proposed a 3% non-Medicare subsidy increase based on the average renewals from LAFRA and LAPRA. He reported that the Pension Board approved a 5.5% non-Medicare subsidy increase.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the LAFRA Pechanga Reunion and asked whether they should cancel the event. Juan Albarran and Tim Larson both agreed to canceling the event. Juan Albarran indicated that they will work to refund member deposits and obtain any LAFRA paid deposits.
3) Jeff Cawdrey reported that the Open Enrollment materials had been mailed out and showing up in mailboxes.
4) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that the Drill Tower 81 class presentation will be on April 7th during our open enrollment period.
5) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Board Offsite and indicated that they have numerous dates to consider for rescheduling.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10: 20 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:42 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Chris Stine recommended that they postpone planning conferences and the Board Offsite meeting until they determine when it is appropriate.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that the event is currently still scheduled for the first week in June. He indicated that they have not yet heard from the City but indicated that the event may be canceled. (This event has been canceled)
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and indicated that we are moving forward with planning for the event.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament and indicated that they are expecting to cancel the event and possibly rescheduling for later in the year. (This event has been postponed)
4) Todd Layfer referred to the annual LAFRA audit and indicated that the second phase of the audit was to happen on March 16th and has since been postponed and will be rescheduled when the building reopens.
5) Todd Layfer reported on the remote working for the staff and indicated that everything has been running well with minor issues. He indicated that the members are being served and the vendors are being paid.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen indicated that the Investment Committee had been working with Beacon Pointe on a private equity funding plan. He indicated that Beacon Pointe proposed that we have four new investments in private equity. The new investments are with Okapi, Industry Ventures, FPA Multi-Family and LLR Partners.
The committee recommends and I so move to engage with Beacon Pointe’s recommendation of participating into the new private equity funds.
Motion carried to engage with Beacon Pointe’s recommendation of participating into the new private equity funds
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $757,712.63. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $757,712.63.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $810,741.07. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $810,741.07.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Berkery presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $12,218
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $11,028
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $0
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $0
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $10,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Steve Berkery read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Kenneth W. Pedler Jr.
Harold A. Dils
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $1,669 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $1,669 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/WEB COMMITTEE REPORT
Danny Wu indicated that Alicia Iwakiri has been assisting us with writing articles, proof reading and editing for the Grapevine and recommended that we compensate her for her work
The committee recommends and I so move to compensate Alicia Iwakiri as stated for her work with the Grapevine. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to compensate Alicia Iwakiri as stated for her with the Grapevine magazine.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez stated that the Scholarship Exam date has been postponed and not yet rescheduled. He indicated that they have been discussing the eligibility on Memorial Scholarships and are considering making some one-time changes.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
1) Rick Godinez provided an update on the L.A. Marathon and 5K Run. He indicated that they are receiving donations from the Amazon Smile platform as well as shopping at Ralphs.
SETTING OF DATES
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Thomas Valdespino – April 18th B @ Longshadow Ranch Winery (Cawdrey) Postponed
2) Adam Zimmerman – Saturday, April 18th B @ Zimmerman Home (Hicks) Postponed
3) David Stanley – Saturday, April 18th B @ Turner’s Ranch Postponed
4) Gary Brigandi – Saturday, April 25th B @ Fire Station 80 LAX (Vigil)
5) Gary Rodriguez – Saturday, April 25th B @ Private Home
6) Rick Godinez – Reschedule TBD
7) Cameron Kennedy & Selwyn Lloyd – Saturday, May 2nd C @ FS 94
8) Thompson, Hubbard & McDaniel – May 9th C @ Private Home (Sonoda)
9) David Barnes – Saturday, May 9th C @ Dave’s House Postponed
10) Drew Oliphant – Sunday, May 31st B @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Bednarchik)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey,President
