MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
December 4, 2013
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 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee James Coburn
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher
- Trustee Doak Smith
- Trustee Steven Domanski
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
- Trustee David Peters
- Trustee Rick Godinez
- Trustee Steve Tufts
- Trustee Chris Stine
- Trustee Craig White
- Trustee Chris Hart
- Trustee Steve Ruda
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez
- Trustee Steve Berkery
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Michael Overholser (Excused)
- Trustee David Ortiz (Excused)
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik (Excused)
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi (Excused)
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
- Tom Stires, Retired
- David Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez 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 6, 2013. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees held November 6, 2013.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jacobsen referred to the transition of officers in 2014 and indicated that on January 8, 2014, Juan Albarran and Robert Steinbacher will be sworn-in as President and Vice President.
2) Jacobsen referred to the ACA (“Obama Care”) reference sheet provided to the Trustees and stated that its purpose was to help field questions from the membership. He indicated that Heather Leavitt of Bradawn Inc. has produced this basic information and stated that it will also be placed on the LAFRA website.
3) Jacobsen informed the Board that Trustee Michael Overholser has submitted his resignation from the Board effective December 1st. He indicated that Overholser expressed that he would like to come back and serve on the Board in the future.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran distributed the 2014 LAFRA Committees list and informed the Board that he is open for suggestions. He stated that those Trustees appointed to Chairman and Assist Chairman positions were those with experience and also to develop some as future Chairmen.
INVESTMENT REPORT
Robert Steinbacher stated that they will schedule a date to meet with Beacon Pointe. He also indicated that those interested in joining the Investment Committee for 2014 are welcome. Jacobsen also mentioned that LAFRA has fully funded it’s commitment with BRAVO and indicated that their last capital call has been made.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith referred to the on-going operations of the new building and mentioned that there was one tenant making some unrealistic requests in response to our petition that they move out before their lease expires in December 2014.
2) David Smith reported that the new LAFRA.org website is up and running.
3) Todd Layfer presented the 2013 Year-to-Date Expenditures through September compared to the budget. He reported on the revenue sources and mentioned that they are ahead with medical premiums, donations and member dues. He referred to the benefits paid to members and stated that the sick & injury benefits were down because they had received I.O.D. reimbursement monies. He reported on Operating Expenses and stated that payroll and benefits were pacing 2.1% below what was budgeted. He stated that Trustee expenses have not all been turned in yet. He included the 7470 building income and expenses report. He reviewed the investment balances and stated that the total portfolio value has increased substantially even with the purchase of the building.
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 $756,306.35. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $756,306.35.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $27,788.32. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $27,788.32.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $250 for Stu Premmer’s Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 43. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $250 for Stu Premmer’s Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 43.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into contact with Burchfield for $16K for an Rx Audit of the plan. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into contract with Burchfield for $16K for an Rx Audit of the plan.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Barry Hedberg presented the following motion.
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.
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 $22,999.40,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $9,214,
The Life & Accident Death Benefits of $12,000,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals of $3,153,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $27,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Joseph O. Michell, Jr.
Frank H. Nickel
Ivar L. Mihld
Ronald J. Vance
John F. Virgil
Wayne E. Sanquist
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $51,674.65 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $51,674.65 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Christmas Bonuses for the Widows & Orphans. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Christmas Bonuses for the Widows & Orphans.
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/WEB REPORT
Chris Hart referred to the new website and indicated that they had very minimal issues or errors.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis stated that the election results have been certified and stated that the by-law changes have been approved.
Andy proceeded to give the Oath of Office to those Trustees elected through the election process.
Executive Session
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:47am.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:09am.
Jacobsen entertained a motion to approve the actions from the Executive Session. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the actions from the Executive Session.
Jacobsen announced that the Board appointed Todd Layfer as the Executive Director effective December 4th. Todd Layfer thanked the Board for their support and guidance. He stated that he would work to the best of his ability to make the organization stronger for the benefit of all its members. He thanked the Board for their confidence in selecting him for this great honor.
NEW BUSINESS
Jacobsen informed the Board that Engineer Dana Larsen from Fire Station 80 has been selected as this year’s Firefighter of the Year.
SETTING OF DATES
1) UFLAC Holiday Open House – December 6th
2) LAFRA Open House – December 7th
3) L.A. Retired Fire & Police Christmas Celebration – December 8th
4) Buzzard Bait Family Ride – January 17th – 20th
5) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 22nd
6) Corbin Bowl – April 27th
7) LAFRA Reunion Pechanga – May 19th – 23rd
8) Hope for Firefighters – June 5th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Joe Foley – January 10th Warner Center
2) John Durso – January 18th The Odyssey
3) Jon Holtby – March 5th Braemar Country Club
4) Greg Gibson – March 11th Odyssey Restaurant
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. Tim Larson moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:24 pm.
John Jacobsen, President
