MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 8, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
President David Marino called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:18 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David T. Marino, President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 1
- Trustee John Jacobsen – Battalion 2
- Trustee Juan Albarran, Battalion 3
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 4
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 7
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 13
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 14
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- Trustee Dennis Mendenhall – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Tom Stires – Pension 2
- Trustee Ralph Brownell – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Tim Larson – Battalion 6 (Excused)
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9 (Excused)
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11 (Excused)
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2 (Excused)
- Robert Steinbacher, Vice President (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Lee Kebler, Retired Fire & Police Association
- Bob Olsen, Retired Fire & Police Association
INVOCATION
David Ortiz led the invocation.
RATIFICATIONS OF MINUTES
David Marino entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held June 6, 2009. Chris Stine requested a slight change to the draft minuets to state that the portfolio increase 4.5% in March 2009. David Peters moved approval with the modification. Chris Stine seconded the motion. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held June 6, 2009.
RATIFICATION OF ELECTION
Andy Kuljis informed the Board of the election results and announced Ralph Brownell as the new Pension 3 Trustee. He mentioned that Brownell had won by 97 votes.
Ralph Brownell took the Oath of Office and was sworn in by Andy Kuljis.
David Marino announced that they were honoring Angelica Patino for her 10 years of service as a LAFRA employee. He and Dave Smith presented her with a plaque and informed that Angelica has done an outstanding job at the front desk and administering the DME process.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
David Smith informed the Board that they had received notice from the Attorney General’s Office informing that LAFRA had not been filing the annual registration for the non-profit status of the Relief Association as done with the annual filing of the WODFF 501 c3 status. He stated that the previous outside auditors had misinformed LAFRA for a few years that The Relief Association’s non-profit status was not required to register annually. He mentioned that Todd Layfer was going back to 2004 and registering each year at a cost of $300 per year. This is the annual fee and this is no penalty for late registration. He indicated that it was another example of the previous auditor not advising on proper direction.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Stine informed the Board that Kurt Stabel and the Investment Committee have decided to postpone the replacement of J.W. Seligman until the end of the 2nd Quarter to determine if they improved their performance. They felt that it was their due diligence in waiting before making a decision.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman John Jacobsen presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $704,496.68. He informed that $475,000 of the amount was for Kaiser pass through. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $704,496.68.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $7,989.33. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $7,989.33.
John Jacobsen informed the Board that the Strategic Planning session has been scheduled for January 26 – 27. David Smith asked Trustees to place on their calendars. He also indicated that unless he received objections, he would pursue the same location as last year’s conference.
John Jacobsen asked those Trustees who received copies of the Draft Administrative Committee policy to review and submit any suggestions on changes or updates.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith informed the Board that last year, we received a notice from the Internal Revenue Service that the Relief Association was being penalized $35,000 for non-compliance for the year 2005. He indicated that the IR 9’s, the tax I.D. numbers of many healthcare providers, did not match with the IRS records. He reported that since last year, he, Todd Layfer and Darin Ashby of HealthScope Benefits had been working with the IRS in resolving the issue. He also mentioned that HSB was responsible for the mismatch since they are the ones to pay the bills however, the IRS would only talk with LAFRA since it was our tax filing.
David Smith was pleased to announce that they have received written notice from the IRS that they have waived the $35,000 penalty. He informed that they are now working on the 2006 filing.
2) David Smith mentioned the Hope for Firefighters event and reported that so far, they’ve netted about $100,000. He indicated that they have received about $76,000 in sponsorships for the Golf Tournament. He stated that they continue to seek sponsorships from businesses and asked the Trustees to pass any potential sponsor names on to Marlene or Juliet.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman David Peters presented the following motions.
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 the applications to the Medical Plan.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
Sick and Injury benefits for active and retired members in the amount of $22,801.79,
Estate Planning benefits in the amount of $7,200,
Relief Death benefits in the amount of $17,455.24,
Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000
Life & Accident withdrawals in the amount of $2,222.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
Andrew J. Sauceda
Don L. Trust
William A. Dunn
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Chairman James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $46,189.79 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $46,189.79 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for June 2009
- BRINGAS, GUILLERMO & BRINGAS TRUST C/O THE LANE KEMPER CLASSIC
- CRAIG YAMASHIRO FROM OUR FALLEN HEROES RUN OF 2008
- RICHARD W GOSS IN MEMORY OF MY PARENTS BILL & FERN GOSS
- LYNN D ROGERS IN GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK THAT LAFRA DOES FOR THE LAFD FAMILY
- OLIVIA F. HOSPE IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND CAPT. LOUIS HOSPE
- GREG MCPHEE
- MARTIN MARTINEZ (1) ELECTRIC 3 WHEELED SCOOTER AND (1) SET OF ADULT CRUTCHES
- YAEL ROSENBLOOM FROM OUR KINDERGARTEN “TZEDAKA” PROGRAM
- WOODLAND HILLS ROTARY CLUB
- STANLEY MARRIOTT (1) LIFT CHAIR
- ROBERT J DE FEO IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE LINDA
- MAURICE E. MOUTON
- JOHN M. STILSON IN MEMORY OF JOHN & BETTY STILSON
- IRENE E. HASKIN IN MEMORY OF YOUR HUSBAND WOODY HASKIN
- W. TAM IN MEMORY OF ANDREW JOHN SAUCEDA
- ROGER H. CURRY, JR. IN GRATITUDE FOR THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
- PATRICIA MAHAN IN HONOR OF JOE & MARY MAHAN
- DANIEL LEON IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM GOSS AND ARTHUR RAMIREZ
- RICHARD L. WATTERS IN MEMORY OF CLARENCE “CHUCK” MERRIMAN
- DANIEL LEON IN MEMORY OF WARREN “WILLIE” BRAUN
- DEBORAH E. NOVINGER IN MEMORY OF CHARLES C. HILZER OUR CO-WORKER LYN VICE’S FATHER
- HELEN L SCHULZ
- BETTY V LARSON
- HOWARD R. MASON IN MEMORY OF WARREN “WILLIE” BRAUN
- TED F. NORTON IN MEMORY OF ART RAMIREZ
- LLOYD H YECK
- HELEN M. REDDING
- CAROLE J. ROBB FROM THE MOUNTAINGATE COMMUNITY
- FRANCOISE G. PRANSKY FROM THE MOUNTAINGATE COMMUNITY
- MARIA C. OGDEN IN MEMORY OF WARREN “WILLIE” BRAUN
- BETTY V. LARSON
- EARL G WATZ IN MEMORY OF WOODROW HASKIN
- DEAN GARDNER OF (1) COMMODE AND (1) POLAR CARE UNIT
- PAT JESSUP
- FIRE STATION NO. 15 FROM OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- FIRE STATION NO. 5 FROM OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- RENO A. ZULIANI IN MEMORY OF WARREN “WILLIE” BRAUN
- FRED E. IHDE IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM “BILL” GOSS
- FRED E. IHDE IN MEMORY OF WARREN “WILLIE” BRAUN
- JOANNE MCAULIFFE IN LOVING MEMORY OF REBECCA JANESIN OF VERIZON BUSINESS UIMOD PROJECT TEAM
- NESTLE FROM OUR MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM
- FIRE STATION NO. 51 FROM OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- MARJORIE J WILLIAMSON
- BHUPENDRA S. PATEL IN MEMORY OF BILL GOSS/SCHOLARSHIP FUND
- EDWARD T. CHILSON IN MEMORY OF DALE BOOTH
- GENE A. WAGNER IN MEMORY OF WILLIE BRAUN
- AUREAU V. GLORIOSO IN MEMORY OF BILL STANIS
- IRENE HASKIN
- JOHN CALLAHAN IN MEMORY OF JACK QUINLAN A TRUE CLASS ACT AND A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH
- MARIE D. SHAFER
- ROBERT LOONEY 3/1 COMMODE
- THOMAS C. RITCHIE IN MEMORY OF BILL GOSS/SCHOLARSHIP FUND
- JANET O. HERMAN IN MEMORY OF CHIEF WILLIAM R. GOSS
- WERNER H. WAHLERS IN MEMORY OF WARREN “WILLIE” BRAUN
- CAROLYN D. STEINBACHER IN HONOR OF OUR FRIEND MARK SOMERVILLE
- MARINA DIAS IN MEMORY OF WILLIE BRAUN
- ROBERT S. MARK IN MEMORY OF WOODY HASKIN
- MARION TRIFFON IN MEMORY OF CHARLES HILZER
- DORIS TUCKER IN MEMORY OF WOODY HASKIN
- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY’S UNITED WAY FROM THE FINAL 2007 CAMPAIGN PAYOUT
- JACK E. SANDELL IN MEMORY OF BILL GOSS
- RICHARD E CHARD
- VALERIE LAWRENCE
- NANCY PETRY
- MARK HATCHER
James Coburn informed the committee that the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament had received funds for the WODFF in the amount of $23,000 from the Bringas Trust Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move to assist:
A widow with continued $200 per month plus medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with $500 per month with a six month review,
A widow with $400 per month plus medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with $500 per month with a six month review,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with $400 per month with a six month review,
A retired member with medical premiums with a six month review,
A retired member with $500 per month with a six month review,
An active member with $1,500 per month with a six month review for dependant injury.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the above assistance as stated.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
Chairman James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to advance:
A member with continued tuition at $8,000 per month for dependent,
A member with $2,000 for move-in costs,
A member $986.70 per month for medical care,
A continued reversed mortgage at $3,400 per month with a six month review,
A continued reversed mortgage at $2,000 per month which includes medical premiums.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve emergency advancement as stated.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Marino asked that the Board enter into an Executive Session.
Board entered into Executive Session at 10:55a.m.
Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:14a.m.
In Executive Session it was agreed who would meet with the family of a deceased member.
1) David Marino updated the Board on funerals he attended and status on members who were injured or ill.
SETTING DATES
1) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – July 27th
2) SIIA Conference – September 21 – 24
3) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 17 – 20
4) IFEBP Annual Conference – November 8 – 11th
5) Open House – November 21st
6) Relief Holiday Party ESPN Zone – December 5th
7) Strategic Planning Conf. – January 26th – 27th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Jean C. Samson – July 23rd Home Restaurant
2) Bruce Young – August 15th Home of Dana Larsen
3) Ernie Cabral – August 22nd Alamitos Bay Yacht Club
4) David Lilly – August 29th David Lilly’s Backyard
5) Thomas Prange – September 20th Knollwood Country Club
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn. David Lowe so moved. James Coburn seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:21am.
David Marino, President