MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 7, 2018
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 David Peters
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee John Jacobsen
GUESTS:
Lee Kebler, LARFPA
Bob Olsen, LARFPA
Bill Quinn, LARFPA
Tom Stires, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Kenneth Breskin led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2018. Joe Vigil so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve minutes Board Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2018.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher reported on the Buzzard Bait Ride and indicated that it was a great event.
2) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension subsidy issue. He indicated that Dawna Gray of Bradawn Inc. had provided a flow chart containing different subsidy rates including Medicare for the Pension Board’s review. He indicated that the City Attorney is now requesting a contract with LAFRA in place of the Operating Agreement. He indicated that this will be further discussed at the next Ad Hoc meeting. He stated that he will keep the Board informed.
3) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the Member Profile Sheets will be mailed to the members by the end of February. He indicated that these sheets contain information on donations, medical plan enrollees, and beneficiary information.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon honoring Rosa Torres Tufts on April 4th. He asked that Trustees interested in attending to let him know, as we purchased a table of ten seats.
5) Bob Steinbacher informed that the L.A. Retired Fire & Police will be utilizing our multi-purpose room on February 21 and March 21 to hold their Board meetings. He indicated that their building is undergoing renovations.
6) Bob Steinbacher referred to the upcoming Pechanga Reunion and indicated that Tim Larson and Steve Domanski have begun planning. He indicated that the dates are from May 21st through May 25th.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:13 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:08 p.m.
David Peters motioned to approve the actions taken in executive session pertaining to personnel matters. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the actions taken in executive session pertaining to personnel matters.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that there will be a Bylaws committee review meeting on March 6th.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and asked Trustees to let him know which conference they are interested in attending.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed that the staff and a few retired Trustees attended the Sexual Harassment training on January 30th. He indicated that since LAFRA has about 25 employees, we are not required by law to go through training, however felt it beneficial for the staff.
2) Todd Layfer provided an update on the new phone system installation. He indicated that the installation will take place the weekend of April 6th.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Edison easement agreement and indicated that it is up for renewal. He indicated that Edison has a small escalation clause of 2% to 3%.
4) Todd Layfer informed the Board that US Bank is returning as a sponsor for Hope for Firefighters. He indicated that Liberty, Juliet and he have a meeting scheduled to meet the new representatives. He indicated that they are monitoring the Ralphs sponsorship and are waiting to hear back from them.
5) Todd Layfer referred to the building security and indicated that there was an issue with one of the homeless. He stated that they are hiring an armed guard patrol service that would provide nightly patrol and respond to non-emergency service calls.
6) Todd Layfer presented the 2018 budget for the Board’s approval. He reviewed projected operating costs, benefits paid to members and contributions.
David Peters motioned to approve the 2018 budget as presented by Todd Layfer. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the 2018 budget as presented by Todd Layfer.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Bob Steinbacher informed that the annual investment committee meeting will be held at Beacon Pointe in Newport Beach on February 28th.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil reported on the Audit Committee planning meeting that took place on January 25th.
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 $969,669.73. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $969,669.73.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $100 for the LAFD Promotional Badge Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $100 for the LAFD Promotional Badge Ceremony.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $770 for a foursome of golf and tee sign for the Firefighter’s Quest Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $770 for a foursome of golf and tee sign for the Firefighter’s Quest Golf Tournament.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $2,072.39 to purchase hat pieces and badges for the Honor Guard. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $2,072.39 to purchase hat pieces and badges for the Honor Guard.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to remove the “seven year” enrollment requirement for retirees for the LAFRA Medical Plan effective July 1, 2018. Steve Domanski asked what the reason was to remove the enrollment requirement. Bob Steinbacher indicated that it will help alleviate some issues of enrollment with the Pension Board and shows no financial impact to the Medical Plan. On the question there were objections. 17 voted in favor of the motion, 2 voted opposed.
Motion carried to remove the “seven year” enrollment requirement for retirees for the medical plan effective July 1, 2018.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve President Bob Steinbacher to attend a Health Benefits conference at Harvard University. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve President Bob Steinbacher to attend a Health Benefits conference at Harvard University.
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 $73,618.56
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,370
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
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 O. Duncan
Donald E. Betsworth
Arthur C. Johnson
Dennis M. Benkovsky
William T. McDonough
Edward S. Wormald
Robert K. Brown
Donald D. Renwick
Robert B. Provence
Harry B. Woods
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $9,094.13 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $9,094.13 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.
GRAPEVINE
David Wagner informed the Board that we will be having a Medicare informational seminar here at LAFRA on March 20th and March 22nd.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the Scholarships awards and indicated that the amounts and names need to be updated in the Policy Book. He indicated that they have three applicants so far and applications will continue through March.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez provided an update on the L.A. Marathon team planning. He indicated that he would like to see more Trustee participation. He referred to the L.A. Galaxy Firefighter Appreciation Day and fundraiser and indicated that they are coordinating the details for a day in March.
NEW BUSINESS
Doak Smith indicated that he and Rick Godinez discussed the possibility of increasing the Scholarship Award amounts. Since the scholarship awards are set for this year, the committee would consider the increase for next year.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 17th
2) L.A. Marathon – March 18th
3) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 2nd
4) Pechanga Reunion – May 21st – 25th
5) Hope for Firefighters – June 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Bill Bringas – February 10th Private Residence (Steinbacher)
2) Glenn Ames – February 15th A @ Fire Station 78 Breakfast
3) Jimmy Rodriguez – February 17th C @ Private Residence (Danny Wu)
4) Daren Palacios – March 3rd A @ Automobile Driving Museum (Kuljis)
5) Chuck Butler – March 8th B @ Brookside Golf Club (White)
6) Dean Ulrich – March 21st A @ Fire Station 80 (Vigil)
7) Brian Baltad – March 25th C @ Fire Station 69 (Doak)
8) Mike Schaefer – April 5th C @ Caesar Banquet Hall (Berkery)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn in honor of Walter J. Somaduroff. Frank Aguirre so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President