LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
August 7, 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 9:40 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
GUESTS:
Steve Ruda, Community Liaison
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Kenny Breskin led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher indicated that they would need to ratify the July 10, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes and all actions taken at the next Board Meeting in August for lack of a quorum.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension meeting and discussed the requested additional information. He indicated that LAFRA will seek consultation and respond accordingly.
2) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that there will be open nominations for President and Vice President for 2020.
Craig White nominated Jeff Cawdrey for President. Jim Duffy seconded. There were no other nominations for President.
Steve Berkery nominated Chris Stine for Vice President. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Bob Steinbacher nominated Tyler Tomich for Vice President. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
3) Bob Steinbacher informed that the Group 2 Trustees would be up for re-election 1st of next year. Those in Group 2 included Rick Godinez, Craig White, Danny Wu, Dave Peters, Joe Vigil, Gayle Sonoda and Doak Smith (Pension).
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite on September 22nd and asked those wanting a room to let him know so that we can make arrangements. He indicated that they have a few items to discuss at the offsite and suggested that Trustees submit any other topics for discussion.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA Dinner Dance on December 7th and indicated that they will have confirmation of the venue by September Board meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:10 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:44 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the IFEBP Conference in San Diego and indicated that all the hotel rooms have been booked and paid for.
2) Jeff Cawdrey informed that on Saturday, August 10th, they have a meeting scheduled with the Family Support Group and families of the fallen to discuss the upcoming Colorado Springs Memorial.
3) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that the Sacramento Memorial is scheduled September 28th and indicated that Joe and Diane Vigil will be attending.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the upcoming Golf Tournament and indicated that the Marketing Dept. will be doing a demonstration of the online silent auction software at the September Board meeting.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the new TPA implementation and indicated that they have been having weekly discussions with HealthComp on the list of items needing to be completed by January 1, 2020.
3) Todd Layfer informed that the new SPD for the medical plan is available and can be picked up with Member Services.
4) Todd Layfer and Liberty Unciano presented the 2nd Quarter Expenditure Review for 2019.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey reported that we received a capital call from Southwest Value Partners for Fund 19. He informed that Jacobsen, Tomich and himself will be traveling to Florida and Texas for investment manager site visits.
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 $781,012.83. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $781,012.83.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $300 for the 911 Memorial Ceremony.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $300 for the 911 Memorial Ceremony.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the prescription benefit totaling $854,348.62. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the prescription benefit totaling $854,348.62.
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 $24,655.57
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,600
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $9,683
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $40,000
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
Lyle D. Bartsch
Harold A. Gilbert
Gilbert E. Lindley
Jerome Martin
Alvin E. Miller
Donald C. Welcker
Gene R. Miller
John J. Adams
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $118,907.47 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $118,907.47 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.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez provided an update on the upcoming Golf Tournament and reported on the expected sponsorships. He referred to the CPK fundraiser and indicated that Bob Steinbacher attended a check presentation for over $8,100 to the WODFF.
SETTING OF DATES
1) IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial – Sept 19 – 22
2) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 23rd
4) CA Fire Foundation Memorial – Sept 27 – 28
5) LAFD Memorial – October 12th
6) IFEBP Annual Conference – Oct. 20th – 23rd
7) LAFRA Open House – November 2nd
8) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) David Bowdre – Saturday, August 17th B @ Marina Del Rey Marriott (Burks)
2) Bob Decuir – Saturday, August 24th C @ Greg’s Garage (Godinez)
3) John B. Hicks – Saturday, October 26th C @ FS 114
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Craig White so moved. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:21 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President
