LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
June 2, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeff Cawdrey called the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:04 a.m. (Today’s meeting conducted via conference call and in person due to National Emergency of Coronavirus)
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Brian Wall
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Steve Berkery – Pension
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller/Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Steve Tufts led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the May 5, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes. Steve Berkery moved. Jeff Halloran seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the May 5, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided a Pension Board meeting update and indicated that in May Pensions interviewed five companies to serve as health consultants. He indicated that these companies claim to have the ability to go out for RFP for medical plans. He mentioned that the Pension Board approved the 115 Trust which is a secondary funding mechanism that allows the Pension Board to pay the retiree health benefits from these trust funds.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that it was a great turn out. He thanked Juan Albarran for his hard work in planning this event and everyone else that helped.
3) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that the L.A. Retired Fire and Police BBQ will be on September 1, 2021 at the Grace Simmons Lodge.
4) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that HealthComp has a new staff member working on the LAFRA account in place of Shane Freeman.
5) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that Pat Fiduccia of Express Scripts presented the first quarter performance and Rx trends versus 2020’s first quarter. He indicated that ESI has offered other programs for LAFRA to consider, however after review of these programs from Bradawn Inc. and PSG, they felt that it was unnecessary to add them at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:20 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 10:50 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to the upcoming Board Educational Offsite and indicated that he will be sending an itinerary to the Trustees. He indicated that Dawna and Heather of Bradawn will be attending via video conferencing. He stated that the RF Code will be approved for 24 hours on June 7th and 12 hours on July 8th.
2) Chris Stine referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial on September 18th and indicated that the rooms have been reserved for the Trustees attending.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that since there was only 10% occupancy in the buildings, the Hope Committee has decided to postpone the event until June 2022.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the insurance renewals and indicated that they will be obtaining bids from insurance carriers. He indicated that the new policy will go into effect on July 1st.
3) Liberty Unciano reported that the annual audit is still ongoing and will soon be wrapping up.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Gene Bednarchik presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,223,605.10. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,223,605.10.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $600 for 200 Chaplain Challenge coins. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $600 for 200 Chaplain Challenge coins.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $2,500 for the Ray Mayo Memorial. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $2,500 for the Ray Mayo Memorial.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase up to 3 tables for the Firefighter of the Year luncheon honoring Rick Godinez. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve purchasing up to 3 tables for the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Gene Bednarchik presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical plan bills totaling $834,014.60. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical Plan bills totaling $834,014.60.
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 $69,513.45
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $2,697
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $15,000
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
Ira D. Preece
John H. Baker
Donald J. Brown
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $11,313.42 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $11,313.42 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’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
No Emergency Advancements
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez provided a Marketing & Development update and indicated that they are currently soliciting donations and online auction items for the Golf tournament. He reported that the 5K Run and L.A. Marathon events are scheduled for November 6th and 7th.
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mike Cunningham – Saturday, June 5th (Freeman)
2) John Donato – Saturday, October 9th Elks Lodge No. 966
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Henry Gasbarri so moved. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President
