LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
February 5, 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 10:46 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Danny Wu
GUESTS:
John Hicks, Grapevine Editor
David Jones, Attorney
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Frank Aguirre led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the January 8, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Frank Aguirre so moved. Henry Gasbarri seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the January 8, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Buzzard Bait Ride and indicated that it was a well-attended event with record breaking attendance. He indicated that the event raised $13K for the WODFF.
2) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on the Pension Dept. audit and what to expect. He indicated that we are providing the requested data with the help of Bradawn Inc. He stated that they are currently discussing the non-Medicare subsidy rates and indicated that the Pension Dept. is determining how they will determine these rates.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Board Educational Offsite on April 20 – 21 and indicated that they will focus on Bylaws and policies. Chris Stine indicated that they have complied a list of items to discuss at the offsite including short and long-term goals.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Firefighter of the Year luncheon and indicated that they have purchased two tables for the luncheon. He asked that Trustees let him know if they would like to attend.
5) Tim Larson referred to the LAFRA Pechanga Reunion on May 18 – 22 and indicated that the Trolley company they’ve used for the past several years has gone out of business. He indicated that they are working to hire a new trolley company.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to the upcoming conferences and asked Trustees to let him know which conferences they would like to attend so that he can send in registrations.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board that US Bank has committed to be a title sponsor for the Hope for Firefighters with $20K sponsorship.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Pension Dept. audit and indicated that one of the items requested by them is to do a member satisfaction survey. He indicated that we will be using SurveyMonkey to obtain feedback on levels of satisfaction of the medical plan and benefits.
3) Todd Layfer informed that we will have mandatory staff HIPAA and Sexual Harassment Prevention training within the next couple of months.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the Medicare seminars and indicated that we will be planning two days of seminars on April 7 – 8. He indicated that we will bring in Medicare experts to speak both days.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil referred to the audit planning meeting and indicated that the preliminary audit on internal controls will begin on February 17th.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $815,593.13. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $815,593.13.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase two tables for the Firefighter of the Year luncheon honoring Rick Godinez. 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 approve the Kaiser Plan premium rate renewals. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Kaiser Plan premium rate renewals.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $811.847.85. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $811,847.85.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the LAFRA Medical Plan premium rate increase of 6.97% for active members and 6.28% for retirees. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the LAFRA Medical Plan premium rate increase of 6.97% for active members and 6.28% for retirees.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen indicated that Garth Flint and Mike Breller were here to address the Board and present the 2019 Annual Investment Performance results. He also indicated that they will be having the Annual Investment Committee meeting at Beacon Pointe on February 27th to discuss upcoming strategies.
Garth Flint referred to the global market and U.S. economy and indicated that it was a spectacular year. He mentioned that the market had a rough start in January because of the Corona Virus. Mike Breller reviewed the portfolio returns of the different categories and reviewed manager performances. He stated that they should not expect these types of returns for 2020.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:39 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:20p.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
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 $16,037.73
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,800
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $7,300
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $40,000
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
Francis M. Hill
Michael M. Kirmer
John E. Rookstool
James J. O’Kray
Donald T. Dorsey
Don A. Nelson
William W. Cone
Raymond J. Babcock
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $36,206.96 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $36,206.96 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’S REPORT
Tim Larson reported on the membership stats for the month of February.
SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that the Scholarship Committee met to discuss some revisions to the policy. He indicated that the filing period will be from March 1 – 27 and the exam date will be April 4th.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the upcoming L.A. Marathon and 5K Run and asked if any Trustees were interested in participating.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Big 5K Run – March 7th
2) L.A. Marathon – March 8th
3) St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser – March 14th
4) Hook & Ladder – March 21st
5) Board Offsite – April 20 – 21
6) Pechanga Reunion – May 18th – 22nd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Roy Harvey – Saturday, February 15th B @ Loews Hotel (Sonoda)
2) Steve Martinez – Saturday, February 22 B @ Romona Hall (Bednarchik)
3) Gary Smith – Sunday, February 23rd A @ Fire Station 33 (Cawdrey)
4) Charles Garcia – Saturday, March 14th C @ Jamaica Bay Inn (Tufts)
5) Ed Elguea – Friday, March 27th C @ Fire Station 44 (Albarran)
6) Gary Alexander – March 28th A @ Marina Del Rey Marriott (Tufts)
7) Thomas Valdespino – April 18th B @ Longshadow Ranch Winery (Cawdrey)
8) Adam Zimmerman – Saturday, April 18th B @ Zimmerman Home
9) Thompson, Hubbard & McDaniel – May 9th C
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Frank Aguirre so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:39 p.m.
Jeff Cawdrey,President