MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
July 10, 2019
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 9:42 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Craig White
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Mike Sailhamer.
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Stephen Ruda, Community Liaison
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Danny Wu led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of June 5, 2019. Craig White moved. Steve Berkery seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of June 5, 2019.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension Dept. meeting and discussion of contracts between the associations.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to this year’s Open House and asked the Board to consider nominees to be honored.
Steve Berkery nominated Rick Godinez as this year’s Open House Honoree. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
The Board agreed to honor Rick Godinez as the Open House Honoree for 2019.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite and asked Trustees to let him know if they would like a hotel room and how they would like to help at the golf tournament the next day. He indicated that he will be creating an agenda of items to discuss and asked them to let him know if they have any matters discussion.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:30 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 10:45 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference and indicated that he would be making hotel reservations and registering those interested in attending.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming Colorado Springs Memorial on September 19 – 22 and asked those attending if they had already made their travel arrangements.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Policy Book and indicated that there was some language that needed to be updated to reflect the recent change to the Bylaws. He indicated that the language change pertained to Relief benefits not paid.
David Peters motioned to approve the Policy Book language changes pertaining to benefits not paid. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Policy Book language changes pertaining to benefits not paid.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that they are still going through expenses and waiting for donation checks.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and indicated that this year we will be trying an online auction option. Participants will sign in online and be able to place bids on items. Marlene will conduct a demo of the software at September Board meeting.
3) Todd Layfer indicated that the insurance renewals had been presented and approve by the Administrative Committee. He indicated that there was an overall decrease by $2,000 in premiums from last year. He also reported that insurance costs have dropped by $20K since 2014. The insurance renewals were approved without objection.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the PCORI Tax payment of $32,428.20 and indicated that this may be the last year to pay this tax related to Obamacare (ACA).
5) Todd Layfer referred to the Medicare Informational Seminar on June 26th and indicated that it was successful and well attended.
6) Todd Layfer informed the Board that we are going through website security changes relating to access to Board minutes and the SPD.
7) Todd Layfer indicated that they are currently doing an accounting recruitment for an account payable person. He indicated that since the type and timing of reports to the Pension Department has changed, it requires us to staff differently.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to invest funds into Southwest Value Partners XX Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to move funds into Southwest Value Partners XX Fund.
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 $1,023.931.35. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,023.931.35.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $900 for the Firefighter’s Quest Charity Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $900 for the Firefighter’s Quest Charity Golf Tournament.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase a table up to $500 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Assoc. Christmas celebration. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a table up to $500 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Christmas celebration.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $10K to purchase a trailer for LAFRA. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $10K to purchase a trailer for LAFRA.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $4K for a storage container to be stored at FS 87. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $4K for a storage container to be stored at FS 87.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the prescription benefit totaling $1,530,643.21. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the prescription benefit totaling $1,530,643.21.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve contracting with HealthComp as the new TPA effective January 1, 2020. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve contracting with HealthComp as the new TPA effective January 1, 2020.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Berkery presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $22,530.25
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $9,999
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $5,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Steve Berkery read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Billy D. Christian
Robert D. Crook
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $18,581.38 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $18,581.38 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.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Danny Wu indicated that John Hicks has completed his editorial classes and will replace Dave Wagner in January 2020 as the editor of the Grapevine.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the CPK fundraiser and indicated that it was a huge success and raised over $8K. He indicated that CPK has expressed interest in making this an annual event.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
2) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 23rd
3) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Marcus Lidy – Saturday, July 20th A @ Brouwerij West Brewery (Burks)
2) Jose Silva – Sunday, July 28th C @ Fire Station 108 (Steinbacher)
3) Doug Weber – Wednesday, July 31st A @ Huntington Bay Club (White)
4) David Rejino – Tuesday, August 6th C @ Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms (Gasbarri)
5) David Bowdre – Saturday, August 17th B @ Marina Del Rey Marriott (Burks)
6) Bob Decuir – Saturday, August 24th C @ Greg’s Garage (Godinez)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:41 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President