LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
August 4, 2021
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 9:43 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Brian Wall
Trustee Danny Wu – Via Conference Call
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller/Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steve Berkery – Pension
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Chris Bustamante led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the July 7, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes. Gene Bednarchik moved. J.D. Fox seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the July 7, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided a Pension Board meeting update and indicated that on the upcoming agenda is the HIPR program which is the health insurance premium reimbursement. He indicated that they have been discussing making changes to the program and will look into hiring a TPA to administer.
2) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that nominations for President and Vice President are open.
Joe Vigil nominated Jeff Cawdrey for LAFRA President for 2022. Rick Godinez seconded. There was no discussion, objections or other nominations for President.
Joe Vigil nominated Chris Stine for LAFRA Vice President for 2022. Chris Bustamante seconded. There was no discussion, objections or other nominations for Vice President.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming Trustee Election and indicated that Group 1 Trustees were up for election. He asked that Trustee interested in returning to the Board to complete and submit an intent to run form.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the LAFRA Dinner Dance on December 11th and indicated that it will be held at the L.A. Athletic Club.
5) Jeff Cawdrey referred to active-member funerals and indicated that LAFRA has and will continue to present the last assignment flags for the families.
6) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the LAFRA Open House and indicated that we have decided to have one honoree for 2021 and that would be Steve Romas. He indicated that the Open House is scheduled for October 23, 2021.
7) Jeff Cawdrey mentioned the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament and indicated that it was well attended. He thanked those on the Board who assisted with loading and set-up of the event.
8) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon and commended Rick Godinez on his speech.
9) Jeff Cawdrey reminded the Board to please update their email settings because of the email migration. He asked that they contact Bob Dillon if they have issues connecting and reminded them to contact Natural Networks to complete the setup.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:10 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:25 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No Actions were taken.
INVESTMENT COMMITTTEE REPORT
Garth Flint and Mike Breller of Beacon Pointe Advisors presented the LAFRA 2ND Quarter Investment performance review. Mike Breller indicated that they presented rebalancing options to the Investment Committee to possibly implement at the next quarter Board meeting.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to the RFP results for Relief Death Benefit and indicated that Heather Leavitt provided a cost analysis from four different carriers. The cost in premiums for a fully insured death benefit is more expensive than the amounts we currently pay out. He indicated that the RFP calculations were based on the benefit amounts and age. He suggested that they further discuss the issue at the committee level and make a decision on whether to leave the benefit as is or consider other options.
2) Chis Stine mentioned that Colorado Springs Memorial has been postponed according to the IAFF website. He indicated that the Sacramento Memorial has also been canceled.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the hybrid work schedule for the LAFRA staff and indicated that it has been working well with office coverage.
2) Todd Layfer provided a Golf Tournament update and indicated that it will be held November 8th at the Woodland Hills Country Club. He indicated that the change in venue has altered the number of golfers that we are allowed and we may have to implement a “waiting list” for players. He mentioned that we will be going back to a BBQ lunch and will not have the In N Out trucks. He indicated that the VIP dinner will be on November 7th and asked Trustees to let Irma know if they will be needing a hotel room.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the upcoming election and indicated that they will be contacting Election Buddy for their online election services.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the email migration and indicated that everything is up and running smoothly. He indicated that if anyone needs help with migrating their email to contact Bob Dillon and/or Natural Networks.
5) Todd Layfer referred to the FRITS platform and indicated that he and Bob Dillon are having discussions and gathering information from potential software developer firms.
BYLAW COMMITTEE REPORT
J.D. Fox presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed Bylaw changes discussed at the Board Offsite for this year’s election ballot. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the proposed Bylaw changes discussed at the Board Offsite for this year’s election ballot.
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 $1,418,177.12. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,418,177.12.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $740 to purchase a foursome of golf and tee sign for the Craig Alder Charity Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $740 to purchase a foursome of golf and tee sign for the Craig Alder Charity Golf Tournament.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $200 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Annual BBQ. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $200 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Association Annual BBQ.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the LAFD Chaplain Breakfast at FHMTC. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the LAFD Chaplain Breakfast at FHMTC.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 to purchase 100 Lane Kemper Softball T-shirts. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 to purchase 100 Lane Kemper Softball T-shirts.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical plan bills totaling $891,244.91. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical Plan bills totaling $891,244.91
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 $49,634.44
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,650
The Life and Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $30,000
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
Robert V. Cooper
Oral J. Hogan
Thomas V. Rohback
Thomas J. Crowley
Joseph R. Rentz
Benny J. Holder
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $9,942 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $9,942 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.
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Mike Sailhamer informed the Board of a last-minute Emergency Advancement request that is over the $25K committee level authorization. He stated that the member is requesting an emergency advancement of $42,334 and informed the Board of the member’s situation. Mike Sailhamer presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an Emergency Advancement for a member in the amount of $42,334. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an Emergency Advancement for a member in the amount of $42,334.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez mentioned that there was a nice article in this month’s Grapevine containing the winners and their bios.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
1) Rick Godinez referred to the New Trustee Binders and indicated that Marlene Casillas has updated and printed Relief Benefit information that needs to be replaced. He indicated that these binders are a helpful resource for Trustees when talking with members.
2) Rick Godinez reported on the upcoming events and the funds raised for the WODFF.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Craig Alder Charity Golf – October 4th
2) Over the Line Tournament – October 14th
3) LAFRA Open House – October 23rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Roger Fowble – Saturday, September 18th @ The Turner Residence (Godinez)
2) Joe Figueroa & Jason Braff – Saturday, October 2nd Braff Residence
3) John Donato – Saturday, October 9th Elks Lodge No. 966
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Frank Aguirre so moved. Chris Bustamante seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:51 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President
