MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:20 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Michael Overholser, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 5
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 6
- Trustee Rick Godinez – Battalion 7
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 13
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 14
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- Trustee Steve Tufts – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1 (Excused)
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2 (Excused)
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9 (Excused)
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
- Tom Stires, Retired
- Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Chris Hart led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held June 9, 2011. David Peters so moved. Gary Matsubara 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 9, 2011.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen reported on the LTC issues and concerns regarding payroll deductions. He indicated that the communication by Unum wasn’t clear as to whether members were approved or what level of coverage was approved. He also reported that several retirees received letters indicating that they were declined coverage, but received deductions on their check for coverage. He explained that these retirees were approved for the portion of the insurance policy that was the modified underwriting but the additional coverage requested by the member was denied. He stated that since that has happened; LAFRA has asked Unum to add specific clarifying language to all mail outs to the members. He also indicated that they are working to smooth issues through the next couple of months.
2) Jacobsen referred to the new Fire Medical I.D. cards that are effective July 1, 2011. He mentioned that there were some member concerns about not receiving dependent I.D. cards. He explained that regardless whose name is on the I.D. card, the providers always call to verify benefits. He also indicated that members are able to order additional I.D. cards through the HSB website at www.healthscopebenefits.com, however, they will all have the subscribing member’s name on the card.
3) Jacobsen mentioned that he met with Greg Mack from Pensions and indicated that they are changing look and style of the monthly Pension statement. He stated that the statements will now display what the deduction is for as well as the subsidy amount. He also indicated that Pensions will begin sending LAFRA subsidy funds electronically.
4) Jacobsen referred to Election and By-law issue and presented the Board handouts containing sections of the current By-laws as well as proposed changes to those sections. These proposed revisions had been discussed two weeks ago by members of the By-Laws Committee and other Trustees. He indicated that the By-laws Committee will meet next week to discuss these changes as well as address some issues with the current Board structure and election process. He stated that they need to get the changes approved through the committee and brought to the Board meeting in August for approval to be placed on the ballot for voting by members.
5) Jacobsen stated that they would like to schedule a Building Committee meeting next week to discuss potential options.
VICE PRESIDENT
1) Juan Albarran reported that past LAFRA President Clark Shaver’s wife, Mildred had passed away last week. He mentioned how the LAFRA had helped Mildred with conservatorship on her estate.
2) Juan asked the Trustees to help sell Golf Ball Drop tickets for the Golf Tournament.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith stated that the Administrative Committee reconfirmed the Casino Night charge at $50 per person. He mentioned that the advertisement will be coming out in the next month’s Grapevine and website. The date of the event is October 22nd at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
2) David Smith reported that they were finalizing a meeting with the Principal of Trellon, the website support contractor. We are ready to move forward to the next level in looking at ways to improve the website.
3) David Smith informed the Board that they received a rent rebate check from LAFCU in the amount of $5,400. This was part of the annual maintenance fees built into the monthly rent.
4) David Smith reported that the new SPD’s were available and posted on the website.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $867,144.23. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $867,144.23.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $72,062.33. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $72,062.33.
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 all applications to the Medical Plan.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $4,843.21
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,800,
The Life & Accident withdrawal in the amount of $3,034
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $36,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
William R. Stach
Donald R. Lee
Raymond O’Connor
Harry R. Hartmann
David C. Mudd
Lester H. Evans
James H. Luke
Vaughn R. Golden
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
The committee recommends and I so move to suspend a member for nonpayment of Relief debt effective July 15, 2011. Coburn indicated that they have sent the member correspondence regarding the debt and notification of suspension. He also indicated that they will issue a COBRA notice. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to suspend a member for nonpayment of Relief debt effective July 15th.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $8,893.41 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $8,893.41 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for June 2011
- MARY TIDWELL
- O’HARA’S RESTAURANT & BAR, INC.
- CHILDREN OF ALFRED & KATHRYN CUTTRELL IN MEMORY OF OF KATHRYN CUTTRELL WIDOW OF ALFRED F. CUTTRELL LAFD RETIRED 1967
- YAEL ROSENBLOOM FROM YOUR KINDERGARTEN CLASS
- WILLIAM E. SUMMERS IN GRATITUDE FOR THE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
- KREKORIAN FOR COUNCIL 2009
- ERIC CREDITOR
- ROD’S COMPANY IN HONOR OF FS-83
- FIRE STATION NO 11 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- FIRE ATTIRE
- FIRE STATION NO. 66 FROM THE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- DAVID CORNAN
- DONALD C. BAYER IN MEMORY OF DAVID C. MUDD
- HARRIET SILVER IN HONOR OF THE WEDDING OF PETER BENESCH & TERI JOHNSON ON JUNE 5, 2011
- HELEN L. SCHULZ
- RONALD & MARY WILSON IN MEMORY OF DAVID MUDD
- BETTY V. LARSON
- JOHN J. ADAMS IN MEMORY OF DON GOODSPEED
- VERA C. CATLOW IN MEMORY OF STAN ESSELSTROM
- HELEN R. EVANS IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND LESTER “CHIP” EVANS
- FIRE STATION NO. 35 FROM THE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- NORMAN L. STEPHENS IN MEMORY OF JOHN “JACK” D. MALONE
- MICROSOFT MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM
- A.T. WATANABE IN GRATITUDE TO JUAN ALBARRAN
- BRIAN COULAS FROM THE EXTINGUSHER FUNDS @ FS-105
- MERRILL E. REED IN MEMORY OF DAVID MUDD
- TIMOTHY THOME IN MEMORY OF JACK WIDNER
- JAMES R. KLATT IN MEMORY OF “DICK” GOLDEN
- DONALD L. CATE IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE LOIS
- HELEN MEGORDEN
- TERRACYCLE, INC.
- JIM GILLUM DONATION
- RICHARD LAMBINE
- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY’S UNITED WAY
- MARK CHASE
- DON GILLENWATER
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the assistance applications for surviving spouses, active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the assistance applications for surviving spouses, active and retired members.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the advancements for active members and surviving spouses. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the advancements for active and retired members and surviving spouses.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Robert Steinbacher informed that they will have a committee meeting on July 20th. He also mentioned that he will ask Garth Flint of Beacon Pointe Advisors to come to the August Board meeting to discuss their action plan on Small and Large Cap investors.
GRAPEVINE/WEB COMMITTEE
Chris Hart mentioned that they are running raffles to get more members signed up on the website and provide their email address. He also mentioned that they have chosen one winner for the recent campaign and his name is Bill Riechel. He stated that they have another campaign and the prize is an iPad. He reported that they have about 173 new members signed up since May. He also informed the Trustees that the Grapevine was now available on the website in an improved format looking like a magazine.
He referred to retirement dinners and asked Trustees to inform members if they are planning a dinner, they need to send their info at least one month in advance in order to be publicized in the Grapevine.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Magic Mountain Firefighter Night – August 26th
2) Kings Fest – September 10th
3) IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Colorado Springs Sept. 17th
4) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 19th
5) SIIA – October 9th – October 12th
6) LAFRA Casino Night – October 22nd
7) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 30th – November 2nd
8) LAFRA Open House – November 5th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Rick McLaren – July 14th Los Angeles Police Academy (Jacobsen)
2) Ralph Ramirez – July 16th Mediterranean Room Brookside Golf Club (Tufts)
3) Emmet “Lester” Hunt – July 17th Talega Golf Club, San Clemente (Coburn)
4) Jimmy Hill – July 23rd Wilshire Grand Hotel (Akahoshi)
5) Rich Enciso – July 30th Mammoth Lakes Firemen’s Canoe Races (Domanski)
6) James Horimoto & Richard Hirigoyen – August 5th Ports O’Call Restaurant (Larson)
7) Robert “LL” Wilcox – August 9th Knollwood Country Club (Steinbacher)
8) Ken Kraus – August 11th Grace E. Simons Lodge
9) Gary Mannan – August 12th Fire Station 101 (Larson)
10) Charles “Chuck” Hallman – August 17th Los Angeles Police Academy (Mastubara)
11) Dave Grijalva & Eric Johnson – August 19th Los Angeles Athletic Club (Coburn)
12) Bruce Bickly – September 20th Odyssey Restaurant (Overholser)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Robert Steinbacher seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:01 am.
John Jacobsen, President