MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 6, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 9:12 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee James Coburn
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik
- Trustee Chris Hart
- Trustee Chris Stine
- Trustee Doak Smith
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi
- Trustee Steven Domanski
- Trustee Rick Godinez
- Trustee Steve Tufts
- Trustee Craig White
- Trustee Kurt Stabel
- Trustee David Ortiz
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Michael Overholser (Excused)
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey (Excused)
- Trustee David Peters (Excused)
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Chris Hart led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held February 6, and the Special Board Meeting minutes held February 20, 2013. Steve Domanski so moved. Tim Larson 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 held February 6, and February 20, 2013.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jacobsen referred to the potential building purchase and credit union lease options and indicated that they have received information back from the Credit Union. He stated that they will bring all the information in its entirety to discuss at the strategic planning session. He stated that they will also hold a Special Board Meeting on March 12th to possibly make a decision.
2) Jacobsen referred to the member benefit summary mailed to the members and indicated that there were calls concerning the category of members children and step children. He also indicated that there were questions about date of births, benefits and effective dates for Medicare. He stated that they are trying to simplify the format so it will be easier for members to understand next time. There was considerable valuable information received updating the accuracy of member information on file.
3) Jacobsen informed the Board that they received a check for the WODFF for more than $200K from a member’s estate. Andy Kuljis mentioned that he had previously spoken with the member and asked if he would consider leaving some of his assets to the WODFF. He stated that the member recently passed and left the Association a substantial amount. Jacobsen mentioned that this member’s family was one of the first to sign up for LAFRA’s legacy program.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran referred to the LAFRA Reunion and indicated that all the RV spots have been taken, however they are in the process of reserving ten additional spots. He also mentioned that they have found other hotels around the area that may be less expensive than rooms at the Pechanga Resort.
INVESTMENT REPORT
1) Steinbacher mentioned that they met with Beacon Pointe Advisors on February 11th to discuss the portfolio and manager performance. He indicated that they asked Garth Flint to look into the Bravo 2 Fund.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith informed the Board that they will hold safety compliance training for the LAFRA employees. The goal is to reduce the frequency of workers comp accidents. He also indicated that they have finalized an employee safety manual.
2) David Smith mentioned that they have begun the Hope for Firefighters event planning this week. He indicated that they have ten fire stations signed up to cook and mentioned that they will hold the practice picnic on June 1st.
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 $891,010.79. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $891,010.79.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $59,537.42. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $59,537.42.
Robert Steinbacher informed that the committee has decided to sell the black truck. Jacobsen indicated that we incur maintenance and insurance costs every year and stated that we maybe use the van twice per year. He stated that they will pull comparable figures with the blue book and set a price.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Barry Hedberg 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
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $33,602.94
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,168,
The Life & Accident withdrawals in the amount of $2,096
The Life & Accident Death benefits in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death benefits in the amount of $36,000.
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
Robert L. Wheeler
Duane N. Thackeray
James L. Mushaney
John R. Lewandowski
Eugene B. Hopkins
Charles W. Bakovic
Dana R. Laine
Earl J. Heinritz
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $13,429.75 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $13,429.75 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.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WESBITE REPORT
Chris Hart stated that he has asked members on how they could save money on the printing of the Grapevine. He also asked them how they would feel having only ten or six printed per year. He stated that most members felt that they would prefer to continue receiving the magazine once per month.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy thanked the Trustees for assisting with the flying of the flags.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Todd Layfer stated that the auditors have been in the office all week and indicated that they will be done this week. He mentioned that they will hold an Audit Committee meeting the week of April 15th to review the final audit results.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez informed that they have placed an ad in this month’s Grapevine for the Scholarship Program. He mentioned that the deadline is April 15th to submit their applications. He indicated that they are working to schedule the exam for May 4th. He stated that they have decided to add another category to the Scholarship program that caters specifically to leadership for those that wish to be a firefighter, police officer or military.
The committee recommends and I so move to add another category of Leadership to the Scholarship Program in the amount of $2,500. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to add another category of Leadership to the Scholarship Program in the amount of $2,500.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Strategic Planning Session – March 11th & 12th
2) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 23rd
3) Corbin Bowl – April 28th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Rich Hernandez – March 8th LAFD Museum Old 27’s
2) Thomas Reyes – March 9th Porter Valley Country Club
3) Alan Schatz – March 14th Saddle Ranch Chop House
4) Phil Weireter – March 15th Odyssey Restaurant
5) Tony Campos – March 22nd The Odyssey Restaurant
6) Robert Hernandez – March 24th Knollwood Country Club
7) Richard Rivas – March 27th Steven’s Steak House
8) John P. Miller – April 12th The Odyssey Restaurant
9) Dean Stivason – April 13th San Pedro Elks Lodge #996
10) John Wolfenstein – April 20th Antelope Valley Country Club
11) Roger Camunas – April 26th Quiet Cannon
12) Kenny Myers & Ernie Navarro – May 11th Newport Beach
13) Richard Martinez – May 31st The Castaway Restaurant
14) James F. Cairns – June 15th Mountain Gate Country Club
IN-PERSON APPEAL
Jacobsen informed the Board that they have an in-person appeal from a suspended member that is requesting reinstatement as a member of the Relief Association. He reported that the member had been suspended because he defaulted on the terms of an advancement. Jacobsen referred to the previously set terms by the Board for the member to follow in order to be considered for reinstatement.
The suspended member appealed his case to the Board. He indicated that his financial situation has not improved, but indicated that he is addressing it. He mentioned that he has been continuing to make his payroll deduction payments to the Relief Association as per their agreement.
The member was told that the Board would further discuss his issue and inform him of their decision.
Jacobsen stated that the member has been suspended for about one year now and is asking to be reinstated and lift the current suspension.
Chris Stine motioned to allow the member to be reinstated to the Relief, if he doubles his monthly payroll deduction toward the advancement and pays back dues from time of suspension. Gene Bednarchik seconded. On the question there were objections. Sixteen voted in favor of the motion, two voted opposed.
Motion carried to allow the member to be reinstated to the Relief Association if he doubles his monthly payroll deduction toward the advancement and pays back dues from time of suspension.
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. Barry Hedberg so moved. Chris Stine seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:08 am.
John Jacobsen, President