MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
December 1, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:06 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 6
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 10
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 11
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 14
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Steve Tufts – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Rick Godinez – Battalion 7 (Excused)
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 17 (Excused)
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 5 (Excused)
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12 (Excused)
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 13 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Bob Olsen, Retired Fire & Police
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Andy Kuljis led the invocation. Chris Hart led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held November 3, 2011. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Michael Overholser seconded the motion. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held November 3, 2011.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jacobsen mentioned that he received word that one of the LAFRA Trustees has been chosen as Firefighter of the Year for 2012. He congratulated Doak Smith for being chosen. Jacobsen also mentioned that Vice President Juan Albarran was also nominated for the award.
2) Jacobsen referred to the Pension Department and stated that they are continuing to work on the audit. He mentioned that Pensions has not yet come back to them for any additional information which was a good sign.
3) Jacobsen mentioned that last month, they had received a transfer of funds for the ERRP filing, which is one of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.; however we are required to resubmit all the documentation again. He indicated that we may or may not have to give back a portion of these funds. He stated that once everything settles, they will utilize these funds towards benefit enhancements and premium reductions for medical plan participants. He indicated that we will send notice in the Grapevine magazine to inform the membership explaining the ERRP status.
4) Jacobsen informed the Board that the master calendars of 2012 Board and Committee meetings have been scheduled. He stated that they tried to schedule around other organization meetings and events.
5) Jacobsen informed the Board that the By-laws passed by 95% of voters and mentioned that in January, the Board will need to establish the Trustee groups as defined by the By-law changes into the 3 groups.
6) Jacobsen referred to the payroll conversion for actives and mentioned that they continue to work with the Controller’s Office on the new payroll system. He also indicated that Liz Denison work on the programming.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
Juan Albarran mentioned the Grass Valley event for 2012 and asked those Trustees who are interested in attending to reserve their spots. He indicated that the dates are from May 16th through May 19th.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher reported that they have terminated contracts with Riversource¸ Knightsbridge and Columbia Management. Steinbacher also reported on his and Jacobsen’s trip visiting possible investment managers. As a result of successful meetings with St. James, London and Symons they have moved the funds from terminated managers over to the new managers as approved by the Investment Committee.,.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith mentioned that the Loughran Estate funds have been placed in the LAFRA custodian account at Union Bank. He stated that when they received the October 31st statements, they will then reallocate the percent of ownership between the funds showing the increase in WODFF.
2) Todd Layfer presented the 2011 3rd Quarter Expenditures vs. Budget. He reported on the main sources of revenue and indicated that they are all in line with what was expected. He mentioned that the benefits paid to members were slightly down for what was budgeted for the year. He mentioned that the WODFF payroll deductions continued to pace ahead from what was budgeted. He reported that the operating expenses were running slightly below the budget for 2011 due to not having the Dalmatian store. He also mentioned that the operating expenses for the Grapevine magazine are pacing lower than what was expected. That is mainly due to an increase in ad revenue and lower printing costs. He reported that the professional fees were running on target with the budget. Over all LAFRA is in excellent financial heath and operating within the budget.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $921,792.62. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $921,792.62.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $97,617.97. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $97,617.97.
David Smith reported on the website status and indicated that they have had a better response from Trellon. Also, LAFRA in-house staff has developed a rough draft of what the revised member website will look like. He stated that they are progressing in moving in the direction of the two separate websites for WODFF and members.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the applications to the Medical Plan. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to accept all applications to the Medical Plan.
Jacobsen informed the Board that the Medical Committee is looking into reorganizing the operation flow of DME. He indicated that they are trying to make the process easier to follow and track.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $15,401.74
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,425,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $5,651
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $22,500
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
Charles W. Dailey
Felix V. Piere
Raymond D. Roberge
Thomas A. Ennis
James W. Short
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $8,834.78 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $8,834.78 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donation to WODFF for November 2011
- DANIEL HATTON IN MEMORY OF CLARENCE PARSONS
- SHIRLEY C. ROOK IN MEMORY OF YOUR HUSBAND RALPH ROOK
- FRANK S. GORMAN IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE HELEN AND GOOD FRIEND GILLIE ROBBINS
- CATHERINE DEVINE
- LEON EGGERS
- LEW TAUB
- AT&T UNITED WAY
- JANICE WAGNER IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND DONALD T. WAGNER
- MR & MRS. JAMES FALLS IN CELEBRATION OF YOUR WEDDING NOVEMBER 5, 2011
- ANNE MATHEUS
- LOS ANGELES CITY FIRE DEPT CHIEF OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
- JAMES P. LANGSFELD
- PHILIP J. MC KAY IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN CHARLES W. DAILEY
- JACK D. CHELL IN MEMORY OF CHIEKO TESTERMAN AND FERRIS MURDY
- HELEN L. SCHULZ
- JULIANA J PATRON
- HENRY O. HUIZINGA JR IN MEMORY OF FERRIS MURDY
- JOHN J. ADAMS IN MEMORY OF “TONY” ENNIS
- KAY MULLER IN MEMORY OF OUR HUSBAND & FATHER CHARLES MULLER
- DOROTHY B BUSSONE
- MICHAEL F IDOL
- CHARLES BAKOVIC
- WILLIAM J BAILEY
- HELEN L. SCHULZ
- BETTY V. LARSON
- SANDRA L CARPENTER IN MEMORY OF OUR PARENTS STEWART & RUTH VAUGHAN
- FIRE STATION NO. 14 FROM THE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- MARJORIE WILLIAMSON
- RALPH N. NELMAN
- MARILYN OSTBY
- DANA R. LAINE IN MEMORY OF TONY ENNIS
- JOYCE L RUPP IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH J. RUPP WIDOW OF KENNETH RUPP
- DOROTHY RUPP IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH J. RUPP WIDOW OF KENNETH RUPP
- MICHAEL C. HAYES IN HONOR OF CHAPLAIN JESSE PASOS
- JOHN A. WILMES IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE OF 64 YEARS RUTH
- CLAUDE KORMANN
- BARBARA J NEIGHBOURS IN MEMORY OF JIM & LOIS DANSKIN
- DENNIS RUPP IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH JUNE RUPP
- HAZEL M. FARRIS IN MEMORY OF JOHN CASS
- HELEN MEGORDAN
- JUST GIVE
- HOWARD B HILBORN
- RAY BARTNICK IN HONOR OF THE WORK OF OUR ORGANIZATION
- JOHN LAY
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.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Hart reported that they should have an improved and easier to use website for 2012.
SECRETARY REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported on the certification of the election for 2011. He stated the By-law revisions passed with 95 percent of the votes. He also mentioned that they will hold a ceremony on Boat 2 for Loughran sometime after Christmas. He also mentioned that Lee Kebler was acknowledged and presented with a medal for outstanding service from the Pension Commissioner presentation.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith again mentioned that Rick Godinez has volunteered to help with next year’s LAFRA Scholarship Program. He mentioned that he is working with Juan Carlos about setting up information on the Grapevine and website to reduce confusion between the LAFRA and the LAFD scholarships.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFRA Trustee/Staff Holiday Dinner – December 8th
2) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 13th – 15th
3) L.A. Athletic Club Poker Tournament – January 28th
4) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 24th
5) Corbin Bowl – May 6th
6) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 9th
7) Grass Valley – May 16th – 20th
8) Hope for Firefighters – June 7th
9) Over the Line Tournament – September 13th
10) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 24th
11) IFEBP Annual Employee Benefits Conf. – November 11th – 14th
12) LAFRA Open House – December 1st
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) John Buck – December 5th Ports O’Call Restaurant (Kuljis)
2) Marvin Williams – January 20th The Odyssey (Cawdrey)
3) Ed Banda – January 26th L.A. Police Academy (Lowe)
4) John Martinez – March 1st San Antonio Winery (Larson)
5) Chris Kawai – February 17th Brookside Country Club (Ortiz)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. David Lowe so moved. Doak Smith seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 10:54am.
John Jacobsen, President