MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 8, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee James Coburn
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher
- Trustee Doak Smith
- Trustee Steven Domanski
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
- Trustee Rick Godinez
- Trustee Craig White
- Trustee Chris Hart
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi
- Trustee Steve Ruda
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez
- Trustee David Ortiz
- Trustee Steve Berkery
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
- Todd Layfer – Executive Director
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
- Trustee David Peters (Excused)
- Trustee Steve Tufts (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Tom Stires, Retired
- David Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Chris Hart led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held December 4 2013. David Lowe so moved. Craig White 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 held December 4, 2013.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) John Jacobsen stated that the leadership transition was to commence. He thanked all Trustees for their efforts and support. Juan Albarran presented Jacobsen with a plaque and gift thanking him for his time served as President, Vice President and Trustee of the Relief Association.
2) Andy Kuljis proceeded to give the Oath of Office to Juan Albarran and Robert Steinbacher as President and Vice President.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Vice President Robert Steinbacher mentioned that they will be scheduling for the 2014 conferences. He referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference being held in Boston, MA and asked Trustees to let him know if they would like to attend.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran stated that they will hold a Building Committee meeting later that day to discuss spacing and layout issues.
INVESTMENT REPORT
Juan Albarran mentioned that they are looking to schedule their annual meeting with Beacon Pointe Advisors. Todd Layfer stated that the tentative date is February 11th and will be held at Beacon Pointe in Newport Beach.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed that there are new Trustee Expense Vouchers for 2014. He stated that the main difference is the reimbursable mileage rate which is $.56 according to IRS guidelines.
2) Todd Layfer stated that they will be having an Audit Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 28th to plan for the 2013 audit. He stated that Tonetta and Carlos from the Harrington Group will meet with committee at 8:30am.
3) Todd Layfer stated that he will present the 2014 budget to the Administrative Committee on January 22nd and then again on February 5th to the Board for adoption.
4) Todd reported on the 7470 Building and stated that they do not yet have a firm date on when Iolo will be moving out. He stated that Iolo is currently in negotiations for a leased space in Pasadena. He indicated that they are also negotiating with other tenants on vacating early.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,038,757.19. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,038,757.19.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $123,532.96. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $123,532.96.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an additional $2,500 in seed money for the Buzzard Bait Event. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an additional $2,500 in seed money for the Buzzard Bait Event.
The committee recommends and I so move to reimburse a member $196 for a work party at an injured firefighter’s home. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to reimburse a member $196 for a work party at an injured firefighter’s home.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $690 to purchase a foursome of golf and tee sign for the Firefighter’s Quest Charity Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $690 to purchase a foursome of golf and tee sign for the Firefighter’s Quest Charity Golf Tournament.
The committee recommends and I so move to block ten rooms for the annual IFEBP Conference in Boston, MA. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to block ten rooms for the annual IFEBP Conference in Boston, MA.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Barry Hedberg 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
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $5,361.60,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $2,100,
The Life & Accident Death Benefits of $24,000,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals of $2,964,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $18,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
John S. Kouyoumjian
John E. Anderson
David S. Tornbom
William D. McIntyyre
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $20,207.02 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $20,207.02 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.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an advancement to a member exceeding the maximum by $5K. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an advancement to a member exceeding the maximum by $5K.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Chris Hart stated that the 2014 print price will remain the same and indicated that they will continue to work with Collective Color. He mentioned that there will be new ad pricing for the Grapevine taking effect January 1, 2014.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy stated that they had processed paperwork for 98 firefighter deaths in 2013, 66 surviving spouses deaths and attended more than 35 funerals. He also mentioned that they pulled a report that shows they have 23 retired members between the ages of 95 and 99.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:16am.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:38am.
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to approve actions taken in Executive Session regarding a personnel matter. David Lowe so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the actions taken in Executive Session regarding a personnel matter.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Buzzard Bait Family Ride – January 24th – 26th
2) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 22nd
3) Scholarship Program Essay – April 12th
4) Corbin Bowl – April 27th
5) LAFRA Reunion Pechanga – May 19th – 23rd
6) Hope for Firefighters – June 5th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Joe Foley – January 10th Warner Center
2) John Durso – January 18th The Odyssey
3) Jon Holtby – March 5th Braemar Country Club
4) Greg Gibson – March 11th Odyssey Restaurant
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. Jeff Cawdrey moved. Barry Hedberg seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:40 pm.
Juan Albarran, President
