MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 11, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
President David Marino called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David T. Marino, President
- John Jacobsen, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2
- Trustee Juan Albarran, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5
- Trustee Tim Larson – Battalion 6
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 7
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 13
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- Trustee Ralph Brownell – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 14 (Excused)
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15 (Excused)
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17 (Excused)
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Dave Wager, Grapevine Editor
- Lee Kebler
- Tom Stires
- Dennis Mendenhall
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
David Ortiz led the invocation.
RATIFICATIONS OF MINUTES
David Marino entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held February 10, 2010. Gary Matsubara so moved. Chris Stine seconded the motion. 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 February 10, 2010.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) David Marino addressed the Administrative Chairman position and indicated that currently, David Peters is chairing both Administrative and Medical Committees. He indicated that he has been slightly overwhelmed chairing both so he asked for the Board’s approval to appoint Robert Steinbacher as Administrative Chair. He also mentioned that Robert Steinbacher will begin training Juan Albarran and Doak Smith with Administrative procedures. The Board so approved.
2) David Marino informed that the he will ask the Relief Committee work with the Historical Society on designating a section of paver for the Relief Association Trustees that have passed away. He indicated that the paver will have the LAFRA logo and state in memory of those that served. He confirmed with the Relief Committee that the effective date for the pavers would begin 2008.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen mentioned that they have been working with the Credit Union and UFLAC’s EAP on ways to get information to the fire stations on how firemen can help themselves out of a financial crisis. He stated that he will keep the Trustees updated on the dates when these visits will take place. Board members may utilize the RB Code if necessary to be in these meetings as a representative for LAFRA and to answer any questions.
2) John Jacobsen informed that on March 16th, a company named Balance will be giving a presentation on what financial planning services they offer. He stated that they are hired by the Credit Union and their services are offered free to members of the Credit Union. He also mentioned that on March 29th, the Credit Union and Balance will hold seminars at Frank Hotchkins Memorial Training Center. He stated that there will be an article placed in the Grapevine about this coordinated effort to help their members.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $806,572.21. He noted that $508,000 was Kaiser pass through. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $806,572.21.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $33,665.82. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $33,665.82.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith provided an update on the website status and reported that the website had been migrated to LAFRA.org about ten days ago and stated that there are a few problems. He mentioned that they posted a notice reading, “STOP, Website Under Construction” for members when they visit the website. He stated that some of the major issues have been fixed and indicated that the credit card online purchase option is now working. He mentioned that they had discovered new programming issues stemmed from the previous website development company and the new consultant is now working to fix them.
2) David Smith informed that the first Hope for Firefighters executive committee meeting will be on Tuesday, March 16th. John Jacobsen stated that Juliet Brandolino would be the main LAFRA contact with the Hope FF Executive Committee.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Kurt Stabel mentioned that he and Bob Steinbacher would be visiting the current investment managers in New York as well as the new Gresham manager. He asked that Trustees let him know if they would like to attend any Investment conferences during the year.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Todd Layfer reported that the auditors completed their work on February 26th and stated that they had no major findings or recommendations on LAFRA’s policy and procedures. He mentioned that an audit committee meeting with the Harrington Group will be held in mid-April to discuss their findings. Doak Smith mentioned that the auditors had some questions regarding the Relief committee back log for payments for both loans and advancements. These questions were answered satisfactorily.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
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 the applications to the Medical Plan.
Robert Steinbacher informed that they will be sending open enrollment materials to both members and non-members of the fire medical plan. He mentioned that they will be sending information pertaining to the new added plan enhancements as well as rate comparisons.
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 $39,037.96,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $10,015,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $31,500,
The Life & Accident benefit in the amount of $24,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
Earl E. Pearson
Glen E. Yorgason
William A. Cotterell
Norbert S. Klafta
Max L. Muir
Joseph A. Everett
George Cruz
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $8,467 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $8,467 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for February 2010
- RICHARD LAMBINE
- ERIN SANCHEZ FOR CK #17917 FROM EMPLOYEE GRANTS
- RICHARD LAMBINE
- RAY C KENT IN GRATITUDE FOR THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
- ROSE KEMPER IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND LANE A. KEMPER WHO PASSED AWAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
- FIRE STATION NO. 9 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- WAYNE E HUDDLESTON IN GRATITUDE TO FS-43 FOR SAVING OUR SON MARK’S LIFE IN 2007
- WOODLAND HILLS WOMAN’S CLUB, INC.
- ERNEST L PRIEN IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY
- HOWARD L KELLEY IN MEMORY OF NANCY & MARGIE KELLEY
- ANNE M. PEARSON IN MEMORY OF EARL E. PEARSON
- HOWARD L. KELLEY IN MEMORY OF NANCY & MARGIE KELLEY
- WELLPOINT ASSOCIATE GIVING CAMPAIGN
- AL WEAVER IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE BETTY J. WEAVER WHO PASSED AWAY ON JANUARY 23, 2009
- ALLEN R EVANSEN IN MEMORY OF JUNIOR PARKER
- DANIEL J. KEMP IN MEMORY OF GLEN YORGASON
- LORRAINE B SHEPPARD IN MEMORY OF MY LATE HUSBAND KEITH AND DEAR SON DICK
- VERNE W DISNEY, JR. IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY
- DEE LORIS M SCHUMACHER IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND AND OUR FATHER DUDLEY P. SCHUMACHER AND IN GRATITUDE FOR THE EQUIPMENT LAFRA
- EDITH H WILSON IN HONOR OF THE CREW THAT RESCUED THE DOG FROM THE L.A. RIVER
- HELEN LA MONTE IN HONOR OF THE CREW THAT RESCUED THE DOG FROM THE L.A. RIVER
- DALE CALHOON IN MEMORY OF BRYCE MIRTLE
- FUMIKO HUMBERD IN MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND JOHN ON HIS BIRTHDAY OF FEBRUARY 1ST
- DON K KOPPEL IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY
- BETTY LARSON
- CHRISTINA M MCKILLIP IN MEMORY OF TONY DI DOMENICO
- HELEN L SCHULZ
- FIRE STATION NO. 35 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- MARJORIE J. WILLIAMSON IN GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK OF LAFRA
- DORIS MORCK IN HONOR OF ANDY KULJIS, AND IN MEMORY OF FRANK MANWARREN AND PETE PEARSON
- RALPH N. NELMAN IN MEMORY OF MY DEAR WIFE JEAN E. NELMAN
- MARIE D SHAFER
- PHIL G SCOTT IN HONOR OF GILLIE & MINNIE ROBBINS
- DONALD L CATE IN MEMORY OF MY WIFE LOIS CATE
- MARCIA H BREWER IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY AND NORB KLAFTA
- CHRIS WILLIAMS IN HONOR OF DONALD & BEVERLY CASE
- GEORGE F DEMOTT IN MEMORY OF LEO NAJARIAN
- GEORGE F. DEMOTT IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY
- SUSAN E MATTOS IN MEMORY OF JAMES PERRY
- PAUL QUAGLIATA IN MEMORY OF JIM PERRY
- ROGER W. HAYS IN MEMORY OF PHILLIP MCKIM
- KRISTEN GREULACH
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- JACK BENNETT IN MEMORY OF FRANK MANWARREN
- GUY C MILLER IN MEMORY OF GILLIE ROBBINS
- JOHN E. SQUIRE IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF PHIL MCKIM
- SYLVIA WILKINSON IN MEMORY OF BEVERLY CASE
- MICHELLE BOYTIM IN HONOR OF JOE ST. GEORGES
- DONALD R PRIEMER IN GRATITUDE FOR THE USE OF THE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
- SALLY CONOVER IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH A. EVERETT
- MARILYN J LOGUERCIO IN MEMORY OF FRANK MANWARREN
- EDWALD HOGLUND
- ROBERT V. COOPER
The committee recommends and I so move to assist;
An active member with continued $1,000 per month with a six month review,
An active member with $590 for medical bills,
An active member with $22,000 one time for medical expenses,
A spouse with continued medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with $500 per month plus medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with medical premiums with a six month review,
A widow with $275 per month plus medical premiums with a six month review.
There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve assistance as stated.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to advance;
A member $3,500 for back monthly expenses,
A member $1,452 per month with a six month review,
A member $12,419 for back bills,
A member $4,000 for back monthly expenses,
A surviving child with continued medical premiums with a six month review,
A surviving spouse with continued medical premiums with a six month review,
A surviving spouse with a one time $288.
Motion carried to approve emergency advancements as stated.
The committee recommends and I so move to begin payroll deductions from a member and suspend Relief benefits until the member has repaid the advanced balance in full. James Coburn mentioned that the member has received their pension and is refusing to respond to several notices from the Relief Committee. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to begin payroll deductions from a member and suspend Relief benefits until the member has repaid the advanced balance in full.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE REPORT
Chris Hart discussed the website and asked Trustees to log on and let him or staff know what their questions or concerns are. He mentioned the Grapevine and indicated that he had discussed advertisement polices and prices with Dave Wagner.
Chris Hart mentioned the Dalmatian store and indicated that there was some feedback from firefighters requesting updating or changing some of the merchandise sold. David Smith mentioned that they will be looking into wireless processing of credit cards and a new POS system. He also mentioned that they have had eight candidates interviewed for the part-time sales position.
SETTING DATES
1) Magic Mountain Firefighter Night – May 7th
2) Hope for Firefighters – June 3rd
3) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 11th
4) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn – September 13th
5) Open House – November 6th
6) Annual IFEPB Conference (Hawaii) – November 14th – 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Greg West – May 18th Porter Ranch Golf Club
2) Dale Gant – March 28th LAFD Air Operations
3) Tim G. Larson – April 9th Ports O’Call Restaurant
4) George Clock – April 21st Taix Restaurant
5) Jim Clark – April 29th Knollwood Country Club
6) Thomas L. Derby – May 1st Airtel Plaza Hotel Van Nuys
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn. Gary Matsubara so moved. David Ortiz seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:41am.
David Marino, President