LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
December 2, 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 10:10 a.m. (Today’s meeting conducted via conference call and in person due to National Emergency of Coronavirus)
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller/Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Mike Sailhamer led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the November 4, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Tyler Tomich moved. Henry Gasbarri seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the November 4, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey reported on the election results and congratulated the Group 3 incumbent Trustees on their re-election and the newly elected active Trustee, Brian Wall. He reported that Steve Berkery was elected for the Pension Trustee position. He indicated that over 34% of the membership voted.
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motioned to ratify the results of the election. Mike Sailhamer so moved. Joe Vigil seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the results of the election.
2) Jeff Cawdrey provided a Pension Board meeting update and indicated that they will be discussing the Medicare subsidy increase. He indicated that they will also be discussing the monthly Medicare reimbursement for the Medicare Part B premium increase. He stated that the Pension Board has been asking for information about our wellness plan and what incentives we offer.
3) Jeff Cawdrey informed that the 2021 Meeting Dates have been distributed.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the 2021 Committee assignments and indicated that he and Chris Stine have decided to keep the committee assignments as is, unless Trustees wanted to switch.
5) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that he will be attending the Drill Tower 81 class orientation at Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center.
6) Jeff Cawdrey acknowledged and thanked Tim Larson for his many years as a LAFRA Trustee and Corporate Secretary. Tim Larson did not seek re-election.
7) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the 2020 LAFRA Open House Honoree and indicated that he would like to nominate Steve Romas for his many years of service and dedication to the Relief Association.
Jeff Halloran motioned to approve honoring Steve Romas as the 2020 LAFRA Open House Honoree. Chris Bustamante seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to honor Steve Romas as the 2020 LAFRA Open House Honoree.
8) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Dependent Eligibility Verification project and indicated that we have moved into phase 3 of the project. He stated that we will be sending another letter to our members asking them to send in the requested documents.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:45 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:08 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to the 2021 conference schedule and indicated that the Annual IFEBP Conference in October is open for registration. Other conferences have been announced but are not yet available for registration.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reminded Trustees to submit their expenses before the end of the year.
2) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that US Bank has agreed to sponsor with a $20K donation for 2022.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTT
Joe Vigil reported that LAFRA received a clean opinion from the Harrington Group’s annual audit.
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 $1,203,439.81. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,203,439.81.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $5,540 to purchase new LED lights and fixtures for the outside of the building. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $5,540 to purchase new LED lights and fixtures for the outside of the building.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the Drill Tower Recruit Graduation Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the Drill Tower Recruit Graduation Ceremony.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical plan bills totaling $818,016.14. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical Plan bills totaling $818,016.14.
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 $25,050.23
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,600
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $55,000
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
William I. Rolland
Harold E. Matson
John Lahicky
Dale R. Dickson
Maurice G. Gasporra
Robert A. Hanson
Norman L. McElvain
Samuel L. Serra
Frank L. Disparte
James F. Gooley
Robert A. Strain
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $1,965 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $1,965 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Widows and Orphans Christmas bonuses. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Widows and Orphans Christmas bonuses.
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.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez informed that letters are being sent to the 2020 applicants informing them that they are invited to compete in 2021 for the Scholarship Awards. He indicated that there will be announcements in the February and March Grapevines.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez informed that there is a new video on the website featuring Victor Aguirre and his recovery. He reported that we received a $2,000 donation from a firefighter family. He stated that additional efforts for the online auction are being done which has raised over $12K for the WODFF. He indicated that Panera Bread continues their efforts to raise funds for WODFF as well.
SETTING DATES
1) Hook & Ladder – March 20, 2021 (non-Event)
2) LAFRA Open House – November 7th (CANCELLED)
3) LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance – December 12th (CANCELLED)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Craig White so moved. Steve Berkery seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President