MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 9, 2019
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 11:17 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Chris Stine
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Gene Bednarchik led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2018. Chris Stine so moved. Joe Vigil seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2018.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher asked all Trustees to complete and sign their Annual Business Associate Agreements and turn them in to Irma.
2) Tim Larson administered the Oath of Office to the Group 1 Trustees and newly elected Trustee Juan Albarran.
3) Bob Steinbacher asked Trustees to review their committee assignments and to let him know if they wanted to make any changes for the year.
4) Craig White introduced his neighbors who led the effort to hold several neighborhood block party fundraisers. He indicated that they raised $822 and have donated to the WODFF. He thanked all of his neighbors for their efforts and support for the WODFF.
5) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension Dept. issue regarding Medicare and non-Medicare members and UFLAC plans.
6) Bob Steinbacher informed that there will be two Drill Towers classes in 2019. He indicated that there is about 142 members leaving DROP during the year.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:54 am.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 12:19 p.m.
Updates were provided on members and personnel matters. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the 2019 Conference list and asked that Trustees let him know which conference they are interested in attending.
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that they are setting tentative dates in March for the Policy & Bylaws review meeting.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board that the IRS Mileage rate has increased to $ .58 cents per mile effective January 1, 2019. He indicated that Irma will update the Trustee Expense form and send to everyone by email.
2) Todd Layfer informed that the Audit planning meeting with the Harrington Group and Audit Committee will be held on January 29th.
3) Todd Layfer indicated that he is currently preparing the 2019 Budget and indicated that he will present it at the next committee meeting. He indicated that he will present the budget at the Board meeting in March for approval.
4) Todd Layfer informed the Board that Jasmine Berganza has terminated her employment with LAFRA and has decided to take another position with another organization. He indicated that they are in discussions with Marlene to find out what her needs are in order to staff that position.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the Annual Investment Committee Offsite meeting will be held February 25th at Beacon Pointe in Newport Beach.
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 $987,760.78. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $987,760.78.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Stine presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve all the medical bills totaling $1,539,785.73. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical bills totaling $1,539,785.73.
Chris Stine indicated that the Medical Plan renewal meeting is scheduled for February 6th.
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 $37,228.29
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,500
The Life & Accident Death Withdrawal in the amount of $8,766
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $45,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
James R. Norman
James R. Klatt
Coleman R. Lawson
Lloyd G. Dubowy
Wilber A. Sweeters
Daniel S. Barnes
Chester B. Port
William E. Saylor
Richard J. Wiskosky
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $30,284.07 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $30,284.07 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 indicated that the application period for the Scholarship Program will be from March 1st through March 29th. He stated that the Exam date will be Saturday, April 13th.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that he has been working with Diane at CodeSpoke to sign up the WODFF with the PayPal Giving Fund and reported that we received $8,288 in donations so far. He also reported that they have been receiving online donations from programs through Ralphs, Amazon Smile and the L.A. Marathon.
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) LAPD/LAFD Car Show – June 1st
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Vince Manzo – Tuesday, January 29th C @ FS21 Breakfast 7:00 am (Jacobsen)
2) Stephen Ruda & Ronald Mathews – Tuesday, January 29th C @ FS 87 Breakfast (Steinbacher)
3) Jack Fry – Saturday, February 9th B @ Torrance Redondo Beach Marriott (Godinez)
4) Scott Miller – Wednesday, February 13th B @ San Antonio Winery (Sonoda)
5) Julio Maldonado – Thursday, February 28th A @ The Oaks Club Valencia (Bednarchik)
6) Ross Torstenbo – Wednesday, March 6th C @ Brookside Golf Club (Godinez)
7) Chuck Ruddell – Friday, March 8th B @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Aguirre)
8) Darnell Wade – Saturday, May 11th A @ City Club Los Angeles (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher 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 12:20 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President
