MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
August 5, 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 10:07 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 Steve Berkery
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller/Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tim Larson led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the July 8, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Tim Larson moved. Rick Godinez seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the July 8, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided a Pension meeting update and indicated that there was a vote held for the new President and Vice President for the Pension Board. He indicated that the Pension Board is requesting additional information about retirees in the non-Medicare bucket.
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that it was that time of year for President and Vice President nominations for 2021.
Juan Albarran nominated Jeff Cawdrey for President for 2021. Steve Berkery nominated Chris Stine for Vice President 2021.
There were no objections to those nominations therefore, they will be voted on at the September Board meeting.
3) Jeff Cawdrey informed that the Group 3 Trustees will be up for this year’s election in October. Group 3 Trustees include; John Jacobsen, Tim Freeman, Steve Berkery, Kenny Breskin, J.D. Fox, Jim Duffy and Pension Trustee Tim Larson.
4) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that the Colorado Springs Firefighter Memorials, IAFF and the LAFD Memorials have been canceled. He indicated that all the families will be invited back the following year to honor their loved one being placed on the wall in 2020.
5) Jeff Cawdrey informed that he has been approached by the Color Guard if LAFRA had its own flag. He asked the Board how they felt about creating a LAFRA Flag. The consensus of the Board was to create a flag for LAFRA.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
Chris Stine indicated that he is waiting to hear from the Annual IFEBP Conference to determine if the conference will be canceled. He recommended not booking flights for the conference.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:24 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:02 a.m.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint of Beacon Pointe Advisors provided the Q2 investment performance for LAFRA.
John Jacobsen provided the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to liquidate our investment in IVA as per Beacon Pointe’s recommendation. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to liquidate our investment in IVA as per Beacon Pointe’s recommendation.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered back into Executive Session at 11:43a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:00p.m.
Member updates and member reinstatement were discussed during Executive Session. Action were taken.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the remote working protocol and indicated that the staff continues to work from home and indicated that he and Jeff Cawdrey have decided to extend it until September 21st.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Sexual Harassment Prevention and HIPAA Employee training scheduled for August and September. He also mentioned that Ana and Maria have been receiving training with Medicare and how to better help members with questions.
3) Todd Layfer referred to this year’s election and indicated that we are looking to have an online election. He indicated that they have a company called Election Buddy that will provide a demonstration for the Election Committee on August 13th.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the RFP for the Pharmacy Benefit Manager interviews and indicated that they are scheduled for August 17thand 18th.
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 $1,380,409.83. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,380,409.83.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the work party reimbursement request of $569.93 for Victor Aguirre. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the work party reimbursement request of $569.93 for Victor Aguirre.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical plan bills totaling $2,649,898.36. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical Plan bills totaling $2,649,898.36.
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 $30,886.13
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,200
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $50,000
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
Charles F. Molloy
Richard L. Carr
Robert L. Winkler
James W. Bird
James R. Sorey
Michael T. Hilliger
Kenneth H. Bennett
Lawrence J. McPolin
Ralph L. Brownell Sr.
Donald R. Spreeman
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $36,815.39 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $36,815.39 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’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.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Danny Wu reported that the Grapevine has a full list of advertising clients and indicated that we are still trying to get stories from members of the department.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that Marketing was able to raise close to $80K for the golf tournament even though it has been canceled. He indicated that they are working on thank you letters and the online auction. He reported that they were able to raise $20K from the L.A. Marathon and 5K Run.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Steve Berkery referred to the LAFRA Flag Box vendor search and indicated that we received two quotes.
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Jesse Cisneros – October 9thC @ The Oaks Club Valencia (Godinez)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Tim Larson so moved. Juan Albarran seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:28 p.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President
