MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 1, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
President Juan Albarran called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 9:21 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
Trustee David Lowe – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
Trustee Steve Berkery (Excused)
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
Bruce & Debbie Galien
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Gene Bednarchik led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held March 4, 2015. David Lowe so moved. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes and Board actions of the Board of Trustees held March 4, 2015.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran provided an update on the 7470 Figueroa building. He mentioned that during their last weekly construction meeting they discussed the timeline of the work being done and negotiating for electrical wiring. He indicated that we recently upgraded the fire alarm system by adding a Voice Evac option which should increase the level of security for the staff and others in the building. He presented mock-up photos showing the front of the building with different LAFRA signs and asked for feedback from the Board.
2) Juan Albarran referred to the Policy Book and presented the proposed changes made during their policy book review meeting. He asked that the Trustee review these changes so that they could approve them at the next Board meeting.
3) Juan Albarran introduced Bruce and Debbie Galien to the Board and indicated that they were there to present a donation to the WODFF in the amount of $26,000 from the Hook & Ladder Enduro event. Board members expressed their gratitude to Bruce Galien and Craig White for their efforts and leadership along with all those that participated making the event a huge success.
4) Juan Albarran referred to the Town Hall meeting and provided a list of the items discussed and actions the Board would like to take. He indicated that he will email the list to the Board for review and to discuss future goals.
5) Juan Albarran informed that they made a Drill Tower presentation and indicated that they will be making a second visit because they have added additional recruits.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher referred to the World Healthcare Congress conference he attended and indicated there may be a few changes coming to our medical plan. He indicated that they will discuss those changes in the Medical Committee and report back to Board for the 2016 plan year.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the upcoming conference and memorials and reported on those already scheduled to attend.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported on the Hope for Firefighters event and indicated that they have 17 fire stations signed up to cook. He mentioned that the Hope Executive Committee is encouraging the fire stations to cook more entrée items in place of dessert. He also thanked Ralphs market for being a generous sponsor.
2) Todd Layfer informed that the staff HIPAA training will be held on April 23rd. He indicated that medical attorney Bob Macaulay would be instructing the class.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski reported that they received another distribution from the PIMCO Bravo fund which is already earmarked for Southwest Partners. He indicated that they are currently discussing rebalancing the portfolio and the fixed income portion. Todd Layfer reported that Southwest Partners is requesting a capital call for the existing fund and indicated that this fund is now 90% called in terms of the capital commitments that have been requested.
Frank Aguirre reported on the investment conference he and a few other Trustees attended in Palm Springs.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $3,972,064.96. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $3,972,064.96.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve donating $250 to the California Fire Foundation for their firefighter memorial. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve donating $250 to the California Fire Foundation for their firefighter memorial.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $470 for the food vendor for the 7470 building orientation. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $470 for the food vendor for the 7470 building orientation.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $100,000 to Glendale Fire Systems for the 7470 building fire system and security hardware. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $100,000 to Glendale Fire Systems for the 7470 building fire system and security hardware.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $3,000 to send the Executive Director to attend the Investment Institute conference. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $3,000 to send the Executive Director to attend the Investment Institute conference.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $13,000 to upgrade the fire alarm system with Voice Evac addition. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $13,000 to upgrade the fire alarm system with Voice Evac addition.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed LAFRA staff medical premiums rates effective July 1, 2015 as per the information presented by Bradawn. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the LAFRA staff medical premium rates effective July 1, 2015.
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.
David Peters informed the Board of the E-Health platform Healthcare Online offered by Anthem Blue Cross. He indicated that the committee directed Bradawn Inc. to solicit information from Anthem Blue Cross to move forward and create marketing materials for a July 1, 2015 effective date.
David Peters informed the Board that we had mistakenly collected contraceptive copays from members and indicated that those refunds are being calculated, processed and returned to those members.
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 $14,750.44
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,400,
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $60,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $49,500.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Leslie E. Hawkes
Anthony M. Marichich
Earl H. Carlson
Ross J. Stevens
Roger E. Shouse
Joseph P. Ruh
Donald R. Koppel
Clarence H. Bramley
James D. Olson
Michael A. Roy
Joseph G. Malais
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $5,634 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $5,634 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.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Chris Hart reported that changes with mailing event flyers to the fire stations will occur. He indicated that the Grapevine will now email those flyers to him and he will send them to the stations via the captains on duty.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported that they have added some verbiage to the death notices to help facilitate members’ access to the LAFRA website. He also reported that he had ordered more flag boxes.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the exam date will be Saturday, April 11th and stated that the deadline to submit applications is now closed. He indicated that they are looking at June 3rd for the award presentation.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Firefighter of the Year Luncheon – April 1st
2) Scholarship Exam – April 11th
3) Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – April 25th
4) Lane Kemper Softball Tourn – May 13th
5) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion – May 18 – 22
6) Practice Picnic HFF – May 30th
7) Hope for Firefighters – June 4th
8) Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 19th
9) IFEBP Annual Conference (Hawaii) November 8 – 11
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Javier Campos – April 4th Friendship Auditorium
2) Gregory E. Newland – April 11th Dalmatian American Club San Pedro
3) Ted Nonini – April 16th Knollwood Country Club
4) Jeff Easton – April 19th FS 27
5) Randy Beach – April 29th Porter Valley Country Club
6) David Dumler & James W. Vels – April 30th Bel-air Bay Club
7) Darrayle Prosser – May 2nd Odyssey Restaurant
8) Rick Ramirez – May 4th Banning’s Landing Community Center
9) Kendal Koneval – May 5th Sagebrush Cantina
10) Wendell F. Smith – May 8th Odyssey Restaurant
11) Ron Myers – May 9th Seirra La Verne Country Club
12) Gary Makale – May 20th Dalmatians American Club of San Pedro
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. David Lowe so moved. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Juan Albarran, President
