MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 8, 2010
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 11:10 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David Marino, President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Juan Albarran, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5
- Trustee Tim Larson – Battalion 6
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 7
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11
- 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 David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- John Jacobsen, Vice President (Excused)
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1 (Excused)
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2 (Excused)
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 18 (Excused)
- Trustee Ralph Brownell – Pension 3 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Robert Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson 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 10, 2010. Gary Matsubara so moved. David Peters 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 10, 2010.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) David Marino referred to the Policy manual and indicated that it has been completed and emailed to the Trustees for review. He thanked all that were involved with the project in updating and revising the policy manual and stated that if anyone found an item in need of adjustment, to bring it to the Board for review.
David Marino entertained a motion to approve the Policy Manual as presented. David Peters so moved. Robert Steinbacher seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Policy Manual as presented.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith reported on the Hope For Firefighters event and indicated that they have done well. He stated that the sponsorships were down from last year by about $9,000 which was probably due to the economy. He mentioned that expenses were slightly higher because the Health Department required more sinks and toilets. He stated that the projected net is about $90,000 not including the Dalmatian store sales which were about $6,500 net. He also mentioned that the Hope Committee is considering increasing the price of food at the event next year.
2) David Smith referred to the website and indicated that they have two vendors reviewing the programming of the website and indicated that they will be receiving proposals by next week.
PRESIDENT PRO-TEM REPORT
1) Robert Steinbacher asked those Trustees who plan on attending the IFEBP Conference in Hawaii to let him know immediately in order to make travel arrangements.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,149,259.40. He stated that $500K was for the Kaiser pass through and $77,000 for the insurance liability premiums. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,149,259.40.
David Peters indicated that they are continuing to work on recognition for the Dalmatian store by selecting proper signage. David Smith stated that there was new signage on the door to the store and new sales signs inside the store.
David Smith reported that they have signed a contract with the Rose Bowl Flea market for the next three months at a substantially reduce rate compared to paying each month. He also mentioned that the Dalmatian store will be at the first Dodger Stadium flea market in mid-July.
David Peters informed that the committee is continuing to examine the possibility of accepting UFLAC employees into the LAFRA Kaiser plan. He stated that David Marino is waiting to hear back from Kaiser and UFLAC on additional information.
The committee recommends and I so move to send up to three members to the SIIA Conference. Dave Peters stated that this would be paid through the Medical Plan. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve sending up to three members to the SIIA Conference.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the new insurance contracts for policy, coverage limits and premiums. David Smith stated that the total premiums for all the policies have gone down from $132K per year to $128K per year due to the change in the worker’s compensation carrier from State Fund to CNA. He also reported that they have proposed an option to the committee to purchase a new form of coverage called Cyber Security Liability, which covers data loss or compromised personal data. He stated that this coverage would impose an additional premium of $5,600 per year.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the new insurance contracts for the premiums as stated.
Motion carried to approve the new insurance contracts for the premiums as stated.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $1,000 for In-service training to hold a memorial event for Frank Hotchkins. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $1,000 for In-Service training to hold a memorial event for Frank Hotchkins.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
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.
David Peters informed that the committee is working with Bradawn, our medical plan consultant, to develop information regarding a potential long term care coverage plan to the Association.
David Peters mentioned that the committee is discussing a new MOU with the Pension Department regarding how they would audit our medical plan and exchange data between LAFRA and the Pension Department in terms of eligibility.
SECRETARY REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported on the number of funerals for the last month.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Kurt Stabel stated that he had attended a PIMCO Investment conference in Newport Beach and mentioned that PIMCO had brought an issue to the table regarding a federal program that may help member’s in need with existing home loans and foreclosures. He asked Trustees to review the information and inform members of the different options available. The programs available are Home Affordable Modification Program and Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives.
He referred to the investment transition plan and stated that the last quarterly component was being implemented in the month of July. He also mentioned that PIMCO had assigned a new account manager for LAFRA.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $61,644.55
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,662.70,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $9,000,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $5,053.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
Harold F. Arnold
Leo C. Ford
Juan Albarran read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $18,617.35 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $18,617.35 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for June 2010
- NITA K. FOUNDATION IN HONOR OF LEW EVANS/ALAMEDA COUNTY FIREFIGHTER
- DONALD CATE (1) PEDIATRIC WHEELCHAIR WITHOUT FOOT PLATES, (2) STANDARD WHEELCHAIRS (4) NEW ADULT ROLLATORS AND (
- CARS 4 CAUSES
- YAEL ROSENBLOOM FROM OUR KINDERGARTEN “TZEDAKA” PROGRAM
- JAMES F. CLARK IN MEMORY OF ED TETER
- ED SMALL (1) S/E BED AND (1) FULL ELECTRIC BED WITH A MATTRESS
- MICHAEL KAMMERER FROM THE “CUT-A-THON EVENT”
- DONALD CATE (23) PAIRS OF ADULT CRUTCHES, (2) ADULT STD ROLLATORS AND (1) ROLLATOR/PARTS
- RICHARD LAMBINE IN MEMORY OF RICHARD LAMBINE
- JOE DIFATTA IN MEMORY OF HELEN FARAGHER-SEYFRIED MOTHER OF CAPT. JAMES FARAGHER
- JESSE LEA IN GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK OF LAFRA
- ELWYN H BRUMBACH IN HONOR OF THE “FIREHOGS”
- STECKBAUER WEINHART JAFFE LLP
- PAT JESSUP
- FIRE STATION NO. 4 FROM OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- PAUL HEINZINGER IN MEMORY OF MOE ROGERS
- BETTY PARKER IN MEMORY OF LEA WILLIAMS
- HELEN SCHULZ
- JAMES C STEVEN
- JOHN C WARE IN MEMORY OF MS. HISAYO ODA PAST EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER/FIRE CHIEF
- JOHN F. DENOVE IN MEMORY OF THEODORE SHIELD
- MILLAGE PEAKS
- PAUL GAMEZ WHICH REPRESENTS PROCEEDS FROM OUR SILENT AUCTION WINNER DINNER
- MARC S. KAWAKAMI
- DONALD WALLACE (2) PAIRS OF ADULT CRUTCHES AND (2) ADULT WALKERS
- BETTY V LARSON
- RICHARD L. WATTERS IN MEMORY OF JOHN D. OLSON
- WILLIAM JAY BAILEY JR.
- SHILOH FRANCO
- MARIE D SHAFER
- JOYCE L ZODIACO IN MEMORY OF MOSES (MOE) ROGERS
- JAMES M GOTTFURCHT FROM THE “CUT-A-THON
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- JAMES W. LOCKWOOD-STEWART IN HONOR OF WENDY LOCKWOOD-LARSON
- LYNN E. CATERO IN MEMORY OF JENNIFER POULSON
- TOM KONJOYAN IN MEMORY OF JENNIFER WOOD-POULSON
- TINA I. MANGARPAN IN MEMORY OF MR. THEODORE SHIELD
- NANCY A. SHIELD IN MEMORY OF MR. TED SHIELD
- KAREN MARKUS IN MEMORY OF MRS. DORIS BUSKIRK
- JILL ARCHER IN HONOR OF MR. MICHAEL MEYER
- LORENE L HOLDSWORTH IN MEMORY OF CAMERON CRAMER AND VIC BREWSTER
- THOMAS F. MORAN IN MEMORY OF DARRELL DUDLEY
- FIRE STATION NO. 88 FROM YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- WILLIAM JAY BAILEY JR.
- BAILEY’S CUSTOM AUTO DETAILING
- DR. & MRS. ROBERT L. WEST IN MEMORY OF THEODORE P. SHIELD
- OFRA DOR FROM THE CUT-A-THON EVENT
- JERROLD R COLE IN MEMORY OF THEODORE SHIELD
- O DEAN MENDENHALL IN MEMORY OF DONALD R. PRIEMER
- CHRISTINE R. LANGTEAU IN MEMORY OF JENNIFER A. POULSON
- ROBERTA FOX IN MEMORY OF MRS. JENNIFER POULSON
- DONALD L CATE IN MEMORY OF MY DEAR WIFE LOIS CATE
- DONALD L CATE IN MEMORY OF CAMERON CRAMER
- ELAINE SHAPIRO FROM THE “CUT-A-THON”
- MARJORIE “GIGI” KRAMER IN MEMORY OF TED SHIELD
- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY’S UNITED WAY
- EILEEN L LAYBHEN FROM THE CUT-A-THON
- STEVEN RAVITZ
- RICHARD ELLISON
- MICHAEL T. RADOMSKI
The committee recommends and I so move to assist;
A widow with a one time $1,500,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with $200 plus medical premiums with six month review.
Motion carried to approve assistance as stated.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to advance;
An active member with $12,000 for bill payment,
An active member with $2,000,
A member with $6,688.06 for funeral expenses,
A member with $6,000 for funeral expenses,
A retired member with $19,000 on a reversed mortgage
A retired member with $3,500 per month with a six month review.
Motion carried to approve emergency advancements as stated.
The committee recommends and I so move to suspend a member for non payment of a loan and lack of responsiveness from correspondence. On the question, David Peters requested a roll call vote from the Board.
Jeff Cawdrey Excused
Craig White Yes
Gene Bednarchik Excused
Chris Stine Yes
Juan Albarran Yes
Michael Overholser Yes
James Coburn Yes
Steven Domanski Yes
Mark Akahoshi Yes
Frank Hernandez Yes
Tim Larson Yes
Chris Hart Excused
Robert Steinbacher Yes
David Ortiz Excused
Doak Smith Yes
Kurt Stabel Yes
David Peters Yes
David Lowe Yes
Gary Matsubara Yes
Barry Hedberg Yes
Ralph Brownell Excused
Motion carried to suspend a member for non-payment of a loan and lack of responsiveness to correspondence from LAFRA.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE REPORT
David Smith reported that they had a store meeting to discuss an action plan to improve sales. He indicated that they discussed possibly reconsidering the compensation for the store employees as well as implementing incentive compensation.
SPECIAL EVENTS
David Lowe asked Trustees to take the red raffle boxes around to their stations and to retirees to sell raffle tickets for a chance to play in the Golf Tournament and to purchase tickets for the raffle
SETTING DATES
1) Magic Mountain LAFD Night – August 27th
2) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 11th
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn – September 13th
4) Member Appreciation @ Saddle Ranch – October 17th
5) Open House – November 6th
6) Annual IFEPB Conference (Hawaii) – November 14th – 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Robert Jackson – July 9th The Proud Bird Restaurant
2) Robert L. Cramer – July 23rd Monterey Hill Steakhouse
3) Louis Roupoli Jr. – July 30th Ports O’Call Restaurant
4) Jorge Aquin – August 5th Knollwood Country Club
5) Terry Manning – August 6th Angeles National Golf Club
6) Larry Wilson – August 7th Brookside Golf Course
7) Joe Robles – August 7th Robles House, Moorpark
8) Sam J. Faruzzi – August 26th The Odyssey Restaurant
9) Dan Winter – August 30th Sagebrush Cantina
10) Rick Villata – September 22nd Taix Restaurant
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn. Juan Albarran so moved. Gary Matsubara seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:03pm.
David Marino, President