MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 8, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:55 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Steven Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gene Bednarchik (Excused)
Trustee Gayle Sonoda (Excused)
Trustee Mike Sailhamer (Excused)
Trustee Frank Aguirre (Excused)
Trustee Rick Godinez (Excused)
Trustee David Ortiz (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Tom Stires, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Steve Ruda led the invocation. Chris Stine led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held January 11, 2017. David Peters so moved. Chris Hart 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 meeting held January 11, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Andy Kuljis administered the Oath of Office to new Trustee Danny Wu.
2) Bob Steinbacher reported on the Buzzard Bait event and indicated that it was well attended. He stated that they presented a plaque to Mike and Doug for their hard work for over 20 years with Buzzard Bait.
3) Dave Wagner provided an update on the planning of the LAFRA Health Fair. He indicated that there will be several vendors present for hands on CPR training, health screenings and information.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite meeting and indicated that they are looking to schedule a date in May.
5) Bob Steinbacher informed that the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon is on March 22nd.
6) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that he and Todd Layfer and sent out a Request for Qualifications for a new attorney. He stated that they have until February 28 to respond.
7) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Pechanga Reunion on May 22nd through May 26th and indicated that Juan Albarran, Steve Domanski and Doak Smith are in the planning process. He indicated that they will have vendors present from HealthScope Benefits, Express Scripts, Firefighter’s First Credit Union, Pension Dept. reps and LAFRA Staff.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:19am. The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:15pm.
David Peters motioned to approve the action taken in Executive Session regarding a legal matter. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the action taken in Executive Session regarding a legal matter.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and asked Trustees to let him know which if any, conferences they wish to attend.
2) Jeff Cawdrey stated that he had emailed the current Policy Book to all Trustees and asked them to review and let him know of any proposed changes.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the new bylaw change regarding the teleconferencing at Board and committee meetings. He asked that any Trustee calling in for a meeting that they use the proper discretion.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’ S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed that the member profile sheets will be mailed out in the next few weeks. He stated that they will include a flyer for the LAFRA Health Fair.
2) Todd Layfer provided the proposed 2017 budget for the Board’s review.
Chris Hart motioned to approve the 2017 budget as presented by Todd Layfer. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the 2017 budget as presented by Todd Layfer.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen reported on the Investment Committee meeting with Beacon Pointe on January 24th and indicated that they gave an overview of our current position and asset allocation. He indicated that they will have their annual onsite investment meeting at Beacon Pointe on February 15th to discuss potential ideas in the alternative investments.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil reported that the Audit Committee met on January 26th with the Harrington Group and indicated that they will begin the preliminary audit on February 21st to look at internal controls.
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 $948,234.12. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $948,234.12.
The committee recommends and I so move to increase the Grapevine annual assessment from $36 to$48 effective July 1, 2017. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to increase the Grapevine annual assessment from $36 to $48 effective July 1, 2017.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase two tables for the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon on March 22nd. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase two tables for the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into contract with Yearbook Incorporated for the production of the LAFRA Yearbook. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into contract with Yearbook Incorporated for the production of the LAFRA Yearbook.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the Drill Tower 81 Graduation Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the Drill Tower 81 Graduation Ceremony.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed changes to the Kaiser Plan to reflect $10 medical copays, $75 copay for ER (waived if admitted), $5 copay (per 30- day supply) for generic medications, $10 copay (per 30-day supply) for brand medications, $10 copay (per 31-100 day supply) at mail for generic and $20 copay (per 31-100 day supply) for brand-mailed medications effective July 1, 2017.
Motion carried to approve the proposed changes to the Kaiser Plan to reflect $10 medical copays, $75 copay for ER (waived if admitted), $5 copay (per 30-day supply) for generic medications, $10 copay (per 30-day supply) for brand medications, $10 copay (per 31-100 day supply) at mail for generic and $20 copay (per 31-100 day supply) for brand-mailed medications effective July 1, 2017.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters 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
Steve Berkery presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $19,595.58
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $11,350,
The Life & Accident Death benefits in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $45,000
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
Robert E. Miller
Donald L. Nollner
Francis G. Clinite
James R. Leake
Lynn A. Weigel
Harold L. Scott
Richard H. Olson
Ralph L. McQueen
Roland Lansing
Ted G. Jimenez
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $27,852.03 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $27,852.03 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.
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.
BYLAWS/POLICY
Dave Peters presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed changes throughout the Policy Book referencing review of the Policy. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the proposed changes throughout the Policy Book referencing review of the Policy.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith reported that the Scholarship Exam date is April 8th and the deadline to submit applications will be March 19th.
David Peters motioned to change the current Dennis Mendenhall Scholarship to the Dennis Mendenhall Memorial Scholarship. Doak Smith seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to change the current Dennis Mendenhall Scholarship to the Dennis Mendenhall Memorial Scholarship.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hook & Ladder – March 18th
2) L.A. Marathon – March 19th
3) Firefighter of the Year Luncheon – March 22nd
4) Health & Wellness Fair – April 6th
5) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 2nd
6) Offsite Strategic Planning – May TBD
7) Pechanga Reunion – May 22nd – May 26th
8) Hope for Firefighters – June 1st
9) LAFD Golf Tournament – September 25th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Tim Freeman – Wednesday, February 22nd C @ The Odyssey (Freeman)
2) Kevin Fabian – Friday, March 3rd C @Navy Golf Course Eagles Nest (Larson)
3) Joseph Castro – Wednesday, April 5th B @ Brookside Golf Club (White)
4) Jack Wise – Saturday, April 15th A @ Sagebrush Cantina (Smith)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn in memory of Dennis Mendenhall and David Moorman. David Peters so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn in memory of Dennis Mendenhall and David Moorman. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President