MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 11, 2018
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 10:08 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Gene Bednarchik led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2018. Craig White so moved. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2018.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Disaster Operation Center (DOC) and indicated that Bob Dillon has done his due diligence with trying to locate another location. He indicated that we have decided to stay with the existing space in Covina and will sign a new three-year lease.
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to approve the new DOC three-year lease. Chris Stine so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the DOC three-year lease.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Wellness Benefit Program under the Relief Medical Plan and indicated that it was running well. He mentioned that there may be some challenge for members over 65 years of age where some gyms may try to get them to sign up for additional “Silver Sneakers” programs. He advised that members should let the gym know that they are under the LAFRA Sharecare Wellness Program.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Pechanga Reunion dates for 2019 and indicated that they were able to secure May 13th through May 17th.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite meeting the day before the Golf Tournament and indicated that our meeting should start around 10:00 a.m. He indicated that they will meet with the larger donors later that evening.
5) Bob Steinbacher and the Board received a check to the WODFF from Cheryl Smith, Brian Lee’s domestic partner. He indicated that Brian and Cheryl’s daughters have raised money during their birthday and would like to donate to the WODFF.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the annual IFEBP Conference in New Orleans October 14th through 17th. He confirmed those Trustees that have replied that they will attend the conference.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that Joe Vigil, Mike Sailhamer and Tim Freeman will be attending.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the proposed Bylaws and Policy Book changes and indicated that they will be brought for approval at the August Board meeting. He discussed some of the proposed changes and indicated that they should help with clarification and cleanup.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Healthcare Cost Management conference in September and indicated that Frank Aguirre and Henry Gasbarri will be attending. He stated that Rick Godinez and Joe Vigil will be attending the Benefits and Communication conference in Portland, OR.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that we had another successful year with ticket sales and the silent auction. He indicated that this year was the highest day of event revenue since 2013 and attributed that to a diversified menu and booth themes.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the insurance renewals and reported that the rate increased by $1,000 for the year. He indicated that nothing has changed in terms of coverage and providers.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the PCORI tax and indicated that it is due in July. He indicated that the tax is $2.39 per member of the medical plan and is part of the Affordable Care Act. He stated that 2019 will be the last year that we have to pay the PCORI tax.
4) Liberty Unciano and Todd Layfer presented the 1st Quarter Expenditure Review.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the contract renewal for medical attorney Bob Macaulay. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the contract renewal for medical attorney Bob Macaulay.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $20K to seek outside counsel for Pension issues. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $20K to seek outside counsel for Pension issues.
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 $1,103.967.87. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,103,967.87.
The committee recommends and I so move to renew the contract with Santiago & Jones. Bob Steinbacher indicated that this contract renewal would increase the monthly retainer by $1,000 for legal services. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to renew the contract with Santiago & Jones.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $750 for the Drill Tower 81 Graduation ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $750 for the Drill Tower 81 Graduation ceremony.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the contract renewal for Social Media Consultant Deborah Lew. Doak Smith indicated that there was some discussion regarding the measurement of value for social media posts. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the contract renewal for Social Media Consultant Deborah Lew.
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 $50,938.87
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,500
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $45,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Rick Godinez read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
James H. Toon
Kenneth L. Dameron
Richard M. Smith
Dean E. Cathey
James M. Mills
Howard R. Garner
Charles A. Smith Jr.
John C. Roeder
Conrad C. Marcione
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $21,428.03 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $21,428.03 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.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that all the Scholarship Program winners have received their awards. He recommended that they discuss increasing the Scholarship Award amounts at the Board Offsite meeting.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Rick Godinez referred to the Golf Tournament and indicated that Marketing is working on getting sponsors and auction items prepared. He reported that Marlene is working on getting the Palisades community to recruit more participants for the L.A. Marathon.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:00 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:07 p.m.
Member updates, a personnel issue and a legal matter were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Fire Hogs Memorial Run – July 14th
2) LAFRA Board Offsite – September 23rd
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 24th
4) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 14 – 16
5) LAFRA Open House – November 3rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mark Akahoshi – July 26th B @ Brookside Golf & Country Club (Aguirre)
2) Vinnie Jenkins – July 28th B @ Fire Station 64 (Godinez)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Steve Domanski so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:28 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President