MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 12, 2017
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 11:22 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Jim Duffy
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Gayle Sonoda led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held June 7, 2017. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. 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 7, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher reported on the Kelly Wong services and the importance of updating beneficiary forms.
2) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that there may be a change to the arrangement LAFRA has with Ken Buzzell pertaining to his consulting on Pension issues with widows. Todd Layfer indicated that LAFRA compensates Ken for his consulting services which would be a conflict of interest if Ken gets elected on the Pension Board. He indicated that we will need someone to take his place with assisting widows on their pension related issues.
3) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the pension subsidy issue and how they came to deciding on the 6% increase for non-Medicare retirees.
4) Bob Steinbacher stated that he will be out of town and indicated that he needed coverage for the August 3rd Drill Tower 81 graduation.
5) Bob Steinbacher asked the Trustees to nominate an honoree for the LAFRA Open House in November. He asked the Board to consider nominating Bill Bringas and Larry Hoerner for their dedication and service to the Relief Association.
David Peters nominated Bill Bringas and Larry Hoerner as the LAFRA Open House honorees. Tim Freeman seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to honor Bill Bringas and Larry Hoerner at this year’s Open House.
6) Bob Steinbacher mentioned that the Credit Union will be making changes to their Fire Family Foundation structure.
7) Bob Steinbacher informed that we will be having a Board Educational Offsite on September 24th at the W Hotel in Los Angeles. He indicated that they have a dinner planned that evening with the Golf sponsors. He indicated that the next day, September 25th is the Golf Tournament and stated that those staying at the hotel will be able to help with the setup in the morning.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on the upcoming conferences and memorials.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Policy Book and Bylaw review meeting and indicated that he will email all the changes made for the Board to review.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported on the Hope for Firefighters wrap up meeting. He indicated that they are looking to net over $100K which includes sponsorships and food booth sales.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that the Administrative Committee approved the business insurance premium renewals. He reported that the overall premiums increased by 5.9%.
3) Todd Layfer presented the first quarter expenditure review. Liberty Unciano reviewed the total revenue for the quarter.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,183,770.71. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,183,770.71.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the business insurance renewals for an annual premium cost of $187,938.80. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the business insurance renewals for an annual premium cost of $187,938.80.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motion.
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
Rick Godinez presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $30,423.87
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $12,345,
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $27,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Tim Freeman read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
John E. Scholfield
Jerry L. Fitzgerald
Bobby R. Mc Clellan
Lawrence D. Schneider
Charles B. Harris, Jr.
Edward N. Hewko
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Tim Freeman presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $8,645.58 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $8,645.58 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an emergency advancement in the amount of $20K plus $5K per month for six months for a member. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an emergency advancement in the amount of $20K plus $5K per month for six months for a member.
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE REPORT
Dave Wagner provided an update on the progress of the Yearbook. He indicated that there will be one more make-up day to have pictures taken.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
1) Rick Godinez provided an update on the Marketing & Development upcoming events. He indicated that they are working to secure sponsorships and auction items for the Golf Tournament.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 16th
2) LAFD Golf Tournament – September 25th
3) LAFD Firefighter Memorial – October 7th
4) Sacramento Fallen Firefighter Memorial – October 14th
5) LAFRA Open House – November 4th
6) LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance – December 9th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Thomas Moore – Saturday, July 29th C @ FS 69 (Doak)
2) Shawn Dean – Saturday, July 29th C @ Lake View Terrace (Freeman)
3) John E. Sullivan – Sunday, August 20th B @ South End Racket Club (Steinbacher)
4) Jay Ceasar – Saturday, August 26th A @ Fire Station 84 (Freeman)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President