LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
June 5, 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 9:14 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 Tyler Tomich
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Steve Berkery led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2019. Juan Albarran moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2019.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Rick Godinez congratulated and presented the Scholarship Program winners with their scholarship awards. He indicated that this was the first year that the Relief Association increased the scholarship awards.
2) Bob Steinbacher provided a Pension meeting update with the subsidies.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the DROP Exit Seminar and indicated that it was very informative and worthwhile. He indicated that the communication department does an outstanding job of educating members on their benefits.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that it was a great event. Tim Larson thanked everyone who helped at the event.
5) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that there will be a Medicare Informational Seminar at the LAFRA office on June 26th.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 9:53 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:22 a.m.
Member updates and a potential legal matter was discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Carlos Davis from the Harrington Group presented their findings on the LAFRA financial audit.
Tyler Tomich presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the financial audit report presented by the Harrington Group. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the financial audit report presented by the Harrington Group.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and indicated that the deadline for the SIIA conference was approaching. He referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference in San Diego and asked those interested to let him know so that he can send in the registrations.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer indicated that they will be meeting with the insurance brokers to discuss the renewals for July 1st. He indicated that he will report those renewals at the next Board meeting.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that the WODFF received a royalty check from Helig Oil in the amount of $719,266.83. He indicated that this was the result from a member’s bequest to the WODFF.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen informed that the site visits for the 3 new investment funds was completed in May. The Board approved these investments in April. He also indicated that Beacon Point will be bringing potential candidates to replace Lazard at a future Investment Committee meeting which will be determined at a later date.
BUILDING COMMITTTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran reported on the repairs for the building.
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 $954,185.29. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $954,185.29.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $150 for the LAFD Promotional Badge Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $150 for the LAFD Promotional Badge Ceremony.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical bills totaling $726,804.61. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the medical bills totaling $726,804.61.
Frank Aguirre provided an update on the TPA RFP and indicated that they will hold interviews on June 26th.
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 $53,103.14
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $10,200
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $2,817
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $30,000
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
William M. Horton
John S. Nelson
Robert H. Setterberg
Homer M. Miller
Thomas C. Tolman
Gene F. Gallagher
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $27,543.19 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $27,543.19 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 reported that there are two new full-page ads for the Grapevine. He mentioned some featured articles for the upcoming issue.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hope for Firefighters – June 6th
2) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 23rd
4) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mike Raden – Saturday, June 8th B @ Raden Home (White)
2) Steve Perez – June 30th (Breskin)
3) Marcus Lidy – Saturday, July 20th A @ Brouwerij West Brewery (Burks)
4) Doug Weber – Wednesday, July 31st A @ Huntington Bay Club (White)
5) David Rejino – Tuesday, August 6th C @ Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms (Aguirre)
6) Bob Decuir – Saturday, August 24th C @ Greg’s Garage (Godinez)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Juan Albarran so moved. David Peters seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President