MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 6, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Vice President Jeff Cawdrey called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:38 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Bob Steinbacher, President
GUESTS:
Tom Stires, Retired
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Juan Albarran led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2019. Juan Albarran so moved. Tyler Tomich seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2019.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Buzzard Bait Family Ride and indicated that the event raised $9,478 for the WODFF. Tim Larson indicated that it was a successful event and encouraged all Trustees to try and attend.
2) Jeff Cawdrey provided a brief update to the Pension issue and their agenda items. He mentioned that they have a meeting scheduled with LAPRA, UFLAC, Pension staff members and Bradawn to discuss Medicare subsidies and the flat rate proposal.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the 2019 conferences and indicated that he has heard back from a few Trustees on which conferences they would like to attend. He asked the Trustees to respond with their conference requests so that he can plan accordingly.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon on March 13th and indicated that they have approved purchasing a table at this event.
5) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that the Policy Book and Bylaw review meeting has been moved to March 12th. He asked the Trustees to read through them and submit any changes or suggestions at the March 12th meeting.
6) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that RV reservations are now being taken. Juan Albarran indicated that there have been 30 spots already reserved.
7) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that he has been reviewing the inventory and updating the LAFRA owned cemetery plots at various memorial parks. He indicated that they will be discussing the cemetery plots at the Policy Book review meeting to determine if maintaining this inventory is beneficial to the membership.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:58am.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 11:11 p.m.
Member updates, governance, and vendor acquisition were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Todd Layfer reminded the Trustees that the Annual Offsite Investment Committee meeting will be held on February 25th at Beacon Pointe. He reported that they have had a few capital calls since last month going to Industry Ventures, RCP Fund 10 and Montauk. He indicated that they are going to liquidate holdings in Cohen & Steers and use those proceeds to fund future capital calls.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil informed the Board that they had their audit committee planning meeting with the Harrington Group and indicated that the auditors will be here on February 19th for the preliminary phase of the 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 $987,131.39. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $987,131.39.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 in startup funds for the FS 39 Pancake Breakfast benefiting the WODFF. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 in startup funds for the FS 39 Pancake Breakfast benefiting the WODFF.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve purchasing a table at the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve purchasing a table at the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Kaiser plan premium rate increases at 9.45% for active members and early retirees and 1.64% for retired members on Medicare. Tyler Tomich stated that these contract rates are effective July 1, 2019 through June 30th 2020. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Kaiser plan premium rate increases at 9.45% for active members and early retirees and 1.64% for retired members on Medicare.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve a one-year contract and 5% rate increase for the Family Support Consultants. Tyler Tomich stated that this contract is effective February 1, 2019. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve a one-year contract and 5% rate increase for the Family Support Consultants effective February 1, 2019.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Stine presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve all the medical bills totaling $844,623.66. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical bills totaling $844,623.66.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the LAFRA Medical plan premium rate increases at 0% for active members and 7% for retirees. Chris Stine stated that these premium rates are effective July 1, 2019. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the LAFRA Medical plan premium rate increases at 0% for active members and 7% for retirees.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $32,589.31
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,188
The Life & Accident Death Withdrawal in the amount of $2,474
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $30,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Joe Vigil read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Donald E. Clark
Terry G. Trail
Don E. Holloway
John G. Chavez
Donald W. Wallace
F.E. Harris
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Joe Vigil presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $16,015.64 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $16,015.64 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.
CORPORATE SECRETARY REPORT
Tim Larson provided a report on the membership statistics.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez informed that the filing period will be from March 1st through March 29th. He stated that the exam date will be April 13th at the LAFRA office.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that the big event coming up is the L.A. Marathon. He reported that they have raised $22K so far. He indicated that they are working on eblasts and social media site postings to promote the event. He reported that they are working with California Pizza Kitchen locations on a fundraiser for the WODFF.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 18 – 20
2) Hook & Ladder – March 16th
3) L.A. Marathon – March 23rd
4) St. Baldrick’s – March 30th
5) Pechanga Reunion – May 13 – 17
6) LAPD/LAFD Car Show – June 1st
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Jack Fry – Saturday, February 9th B @ Torrance Redondo Beach Marriott (Godinez)
2) Scott Miller – Wednesday, February 13th B @ San Antonio Winery (Sonoda)
3) Julio Maldonado – Thursday, February 28th A @ The Oaks Club Valencia (Bednarchik)
4) Ross Torstenbo – Wednesday, March 6th C @ Brookside Golf Club (Godinez)
5) Chuck Ruddell – Friday, March 8th B @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Aguirre)
6) Mike Raden – Saturday, March 23rd A @ Fire Station 69
7) John E. Lefeber – Sunday, April 28th A @ Fire Station 112
8) Darnell Wade – Saturday, May 11th A @ City Club Los Angeles (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Chris Stine so moved. Tyler Tomich seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President