MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
June 7, 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 10:37 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Gayle Sonoda Via Conf. Call
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Steve Ruda led the invocation. Frank Aguirre 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 May 10, 2017. David Peters so moved. Craig White 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 May 10, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher presented two of the Scholarship winners with their awards and indicated that the rest of the winners will be presented at the June Board meeting.
2) Bob Steinbacher reported on Kelly Wong’s passing and the funeral service arrangements. He addressed the Board on the importance of updating beneficiary documents with the Relief Association and other organizations.
3) Bob Steinbacher reported on the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that it was a great success. He thanked Tim Larson, Steve Domanski and Doak Smith for their hard work in planning this event.
4) Bob Steinbacher reported on his meeting with AIMS and indicated that he is waiting to hear back from them on a couple of issues.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:54 am.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:50 am.
Two legal matters were discussed during Executive Session. Action was taken on one item.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that the Policy Book is currently being reviewed by LAFRA’s attorney. He indicated that they should have any changes made to the Policy for the Board’s review in July.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and the upcoming Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that it was a successful event. He indicated that they should have the bottom line net amount by the July Board meeting.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that Rita Pico of U.S. Bank Custodial services has retired. He stated that U.S. Bank Custodial handles LAFRA’s Investments and indicated that the new representative is Luis Macias.
3) Todd Layfer informed that they will meet with the insurance broker on June 19th to review coverage and the new premium rates.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the Relief Dues and indicated that the active members will increase by $1.12 per month and the retirees will increase by $.12 cents per month effective July 1st.
5) Todd Layfer referred to the Annual Assessment increase which will be effective August 2017. He indicated that there has not been an increase in this assessment since 2009.
6) Todd Layfer informed the Board that there is a new 401K TPA for the staff 401K plan. He mentioned that we terminated Lynn Nestle’s contract.
7) Todd Layfer informed the Board that he was approached by another neighboring business about renting four parking spaces. He indicated that this additional income will help offset the So. Cal Edison easement expense.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen referred to the Investment Committee meeting on May 31st and indicated that they discussed making some changes in with the investments. He indicated that they also discussed manager performance and placing a few of them on the watch list.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $945,558.15. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $945,558.15.
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
Tim Freeman presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $16,992.96
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,899,
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
Jay E. Ellington
Donald G. Wyse
Jerome P. Tenhundfeld
Ronald L. Dorn
Wendell C. Simms
Clarence W. Scott, Jr.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Tim Freeman presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $5,050.07 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $5,050.07 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.
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE REPORT
Bob Steinbacher indicated that they have added a few make up days for photographs.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 16th
2) LAFD Golf Tournament – September 25th
3) Sacramento Fallen Firefighter Memorial – October 14th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Eric Strode – Saturday, July 8th B @ Marina Del Rey Marriott (Vigil)
2) Thomas Moore – Saturday, July 29th C @ FS 69 (Doak)
3) Shawn Dean – Saturday, July 29th C @ Lake View Terrace (Freeman)
4) John E. Sullivan – Sunday, August 20th B @ South End Racket Club (Steinbacher)
5) Jay Ceasar – Saturday, August 26th A @ Fire Station 84 (Freeman)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:23 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President