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 Chris Stine
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Danny Wu
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Steve Ruda led the invocation and the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2017. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve minutes Board Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Steve Ruda addressed the Board to inform that he has resigned as a Trustee. He stated that it was his pleasure to be succeeded by Kenneth Breskin.
2) Andy Kuljis administered the Oath of Office to Richard Moody and Kenneth Breskin.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the 2018 Committees and asked Trustee to let him know of their interest to serve on other committees.
4) Dawna Gray of Bradawn Inc. addressed the Board with an update to the Pension Department meetings concerning the LAFRA medical plan and subsidies. She recommended that the Board reconsider some of the eligibility guidelines in place concerning retirees.
5) Bob Steinbacher reported on the Drill Tower class orientation and indicated that 51 recruits signed up for Relief Medical.
6) Bob Steinbacher indicated that Tim Larson and Steve Domanski will be attending the Buzzard Bait Ride this weekend.
7) Steve Domanski reported that he and Tim Larson have begun planning the Pechanga Reunion and wine tour.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:44 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:08 p.m.
John Jacobsen motioned to approve the actions taken in Executive Session pertaining to a personnel matter. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve actions taken in Executive Session pertaining to a personnel matter.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided a list of the upcoming 2018 conferences and asked Trustees to let him know which they are interested in attending.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the approved Bylaws and stated that they will be placed in the Relief Documents folder for review. He indicated that he will schedule a Policy and Bylaws review meeting on February 6th and would like for all to attend.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board of the new IRS mileage rate increase. He stated that Irma has updated the Trustee expense form for 2018 to reflect the change.
2) Todd Layfer indicated that he is currently working on the 2018 budget and will initially present it on the January 24th committee meeting and to the Board for approval on February 7th.
3) Todd Layfer provided a brief update on the Yearbook costs. He indicated that we will come in around 20% under budget.
4) Todd Layfer informed the Board that we will be having Sexual Harassment training for the staff and retired Trustees on January 30th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. He also stated that we will have HIPAA training for staff on March 8th.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen indicated that the annual offsite for the Investment Committee at Beacon Pointe will take place on February 28th.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Joe Vigil informed that they will have the Audit Committee planning meeting on January 25th at 8:30 a.m.
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 $940,834.57. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $940,834.57.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the purchase of a new telephone system with Direct Tech. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the purchase of a new telephone system with Direct Tech.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve contracting with ASCI Security Systems for door security upgrades in the amount of $14,000. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve contracting with ASCI Security Systems for door security upgrades in the amount of $14,000.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the purchase of software and hardware to upgrade the LAFRA servers in the amount of $23,000. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the purchase of software and hardware to upgrade the LAFRA servers in the amount of $23,000.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen 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
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $40,185.60
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,000
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $27,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Richard N. Wahrenbrock
Gary R. Lonza
Obe O. Doan
Jack V.Ross
Keith Stewart
Monte F. Graham
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $31,713.02 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $31,713.02 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.
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.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis administered the Oath of Office to both Bob Steinbacher as President and Jeff Cawdrey as Vice President for 2018.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the Scholarship Program application period will be from March 1st through March 30th and the exam date will take place on April 14th.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Rick Godinez reported that online donations for 2017 were at $49,000 and was up $18K from the previous year. He reported on the Discovery School Holiday Gift Drive and indicated that they are able to send gifts to the 28 surviving spouses and the 21 children.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 12 – 14
2) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 17th
3) L.A. Marathon – March 18th
4) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 2nd
5) Pechanga Reunion – May 21st – 25th
6) Hope for Firefighters – June 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Tobi Perkins – February 3rd Newport Dunes, Back Bay Bistro (Sonoda)
2) Bill Bringas – February 10th Private Residence (Steinbacher)
3) Jimmy Rodriguez – February 17th Private Residence (Bednarchik)
4) Chuck Butler – March 8th B @ Brookside Golf Club
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Tim Larson so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President