MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Special Board Meeting
July 17, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
President David Marino called the Special Board meeting to order at 10:55 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David Marino, President
- Trustee James Coburn, Battalion 1
- Trustee Juan Albarran – Battalion 3
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi – Battalion 5 (By Phone)
- Trustee Tim Larson – Battalion 6 (By Phone)
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 7
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 11
- Trustee John Jacobsen – Battalion 13
- Trustee Glen Prine – Battalion 15 (By Phone)
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Headquarters 2
- Trustee Warren Braun – Pension 1
- Trustee Tom Stires – Pension 2
- Executive Director – David Ned Smith
- Controller – Todd Layfer
By-laws
David Marino stated that the order of business was to discuss was the proposed changed to the By-laws developed by the By-laws Committee. Copies of the by-laws with the proposed changes shown in a format where the changes could easily be seen were provided to the Trustees for review via e-mail prior to the meeting. Paper copies of the changes were available at the meeting. He stated that the current by-laws require that the Board vote on any possible consideration of change in the month of July and final approval of proposed changes will be at the August Board meeting. By- law changes will then be sent to the membership as part of the November election for their approval.
Warren Braun, Chairman of the By-laws committee addressed the Board on the work done by the committee. He indicated that many of the changes were gender neutral changes and proper grammatical usage.
He asked the Board to review and comment on changes over the next month. For example, he referred to the updated section 4215, 1st paragraph where it states that “a member that has used all or any part of their lifetime dollar amount may recover one month of coverage for every calendar year that they remain sick and injury free after returning to duty. Through this process, they may become eligible once more for a full 18 months lifetime coverage.”
David Smith referred to other major changes in the By-laws. One change is where it states how the President and Vice-President are elected. He stated that the proposed change was “from an election by the membership” to “an election by the Board.” Another significant change was separating the Secretary-Treasurer’s position into two different positions. He mentioned that they had spoken with Ridley over the phone at a committee meeting to confirm that a California Corporation must have three officers. He indicated they discussed changing the position to Controller-Treasurer which would be a non-voting officer of the Board as well as the Executive Director being a non-voting position. He stated that in the draft, there will be no change in the officers that can vote and bind the corporation. Only the President and Vice-President may do so. He also indicated that the Executive Director, Secretary and Controller-Treasurer as non-voting officers can only bind the Association when specifically delegated to do so by the Board.
Warren Braun stated that most significant changes were in Article 7 of the By-laws and asked the Board to carefully review this article. He indicated that Todd Layfer had been directed to review Article 6, Sections 6403 and 6406 and make suggestions on clarifications.
Warren indicated that they had received another suggested changed concerning Qualifications of Membership and paying back dues in Section 2109. James Coburn stated that currently, they have authorization to make a member pay back 10 years of back dues, however have only held members accountable for 5 years. He suggested that the 10 years be changed to 5 years of payment for back dues when members join. This suggestion was incorporated as a proposed change.
David Marino referred to the by-laws on the section of the President and Vice-President election and indicated that he has drafted a letter to the Chief in regards to the president’s position where the fireman is transferred to the Chief’s office for the one or two years he is president. This often results in losing their prime spot and bonus that has been earned over the years. He plans to propose that the Chief keep the spot in the department open so one could return to it after completing the term as president. It was suggested to also refer the issue to ULFAC for consideration. There was discussion of concern if the membership did not vote for the change and if we should delay going to the Administration to discuss the President’s position until after the by-law discussion. It was agreed that Dave Marino should continue to pursue the concept with the Chief’s office.
Warren indicated that section 7106 has been changed to include the exact wording from the L.A.A.C. Code as it relates to individuals who have ability to deal with the City.
The committee recommends and I so move approval the proposed changes submitted for the By-laws. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the following changes submitted for the By-laws.
Relief Dues-unrelated to by-law revisions
David Marino informed the Board that it was determined that fire department employees received a pay increase in July of ¾ percent. Per the current by-laws Relief Association dues will be increase the same percentage as the pay increased. He stated that we had not informed the City of this increase in due to be in place by July 1, 2008. He indicated that it was an $ .86 increase per paycheck. He suggested that the Association not go to the City to collect the increase back to July 1, but make the increase effective August 1, 2008 for active firefighters and September 1st for retirees.
Gene Bednarchik motioned to approve adjusting the increase for Relief dues effective August 1st for active firefighters and September 1st for retirees. David Ortiz seconded the motion. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve adjusting the increase for Relief dues effective August 1st for active firefighters and September 1st for retirees.
Mileage Increase
Administrative Committee Asst. Chairman Jacobsen presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to increase the mileage reimbursement from $ .505 to $ .585 effective July, 1, 2008 in accordance with IRS regulations. It was also recommended that in the future the LAFRA mileage reimbursement change with IRS adjustments. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to adjust the mileage reimbursement increase from $ .505 to $ .585 effective July 1, 2008 and in the future the LAFRA mileage reimbursement change with IRS adjustments.
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn the Special Board Meeting. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Michael Overholser seconded the motion. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn the Special Board meeting at 11:20a.m.
David Marino, President