MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 5, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
President Juan Albarran called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 9:37 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Tufts
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee David Lowe – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension (Excused)
Trustee Doak Smith (Excused)
Trustee Rick Godinez (Excused)
Trustee Mark Akahoshi (Excused)
Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
Tom Stires, Retired
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Andy Kuljis led the invocation. Tyler Tomich led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held February 5, 2014. David Lowe so moved. David Peters 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 5, 2014.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran informed the Board that he and Bob Steinbacher will attend an off-site Pension meeting on March 6th at the California Endowment Center. He indicated that they will address healthcare issues and investments.
2) Juan Albarran provided an update on the 7470 Figueroa building and stated that some tenants have already moved out. He mentioned that there have been some mechanical issues with the A/C unit but they are in the process of resolving it.
3) Juan Albarran informed the Board of a recent re-organization that resulted in two LAFRA staff members now reporting to Dave Wagner. He stated that this was done to improve service to the membership and better efficiency with events.
4) Juan Albarran mentioned that he, Steve Domanski and Doak Smith made visits to some LAFRA surviving spouses last week. He indicated that it was nice to see the work and assistance that LAFRA provides to those who need it.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher confirmed attendance with those Trustees attending upcoming conferences. He asked for volunteers to attend the annual memorial ceremonies in Colorado Springs and Sacramento. Juan Albarran stated that it has not been determined if LAFD members will be placed on the wall.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski reported that the committee had met with Dan Stein to go over the updated office space drawings. He indicated that Dan is revising some wording on the documents before they send out for general contractor bids. Juan Albarran mentioned that they had ordered a cover for the electrical panel and are having some rewiring work done.
INVESTMENT REPORT
Steve Domanski informed the Board that the Investment Committee had met with Garth Flint and Mike Breller at Beacon Pointe’s offices in Newport Beach. He shared with the Board that Beacon Pointe has $6 billion of assets under management and have made improvements to their operations including a new reporting performance system. He stated that they discussed placing Stralem on the watch list because of performance issues related to not providing enough downside protection in the market.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported that he and Juan Albarran attended the first Hope for Firefighters Executive Committee meeting. He mentioned that some of the key people in the committee had retired. He announced that U.S. Bank has committed to be the Presenting Sponsor for the event. He reported that so far they have seven fire stations signed up for food booths.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that Liz Denison will be at the LAFRA offices on April 16th and will meet with the Administrative and Relief committees.
3) Todd Layfer mentioned that he and Juan Albarran had met briefly with the Credit Union to discuss LAFRA’s plan on vacating the building. He mentioned that a couple of prospective tenants walked through the office.
4) Todd Layfer reported on the status of the audit and indicated that they should be finished by March 7th.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $917,247.49. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $917,247.49.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $115,694.43. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $115,694.43.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into contract with the Get Together Foundation concert benefitting the WODFF. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into contract with the Get Together Foundation concert benefiting the WODFF.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into talks for LAPRA to use the FRITS system. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into talks for LAPRA to explore the use of the FRITS system.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to four Trustees to attend the Annual SIIA conference. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve sending up to four Trustees to attend the Annual SIIA conference.
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.
David Peters reported that the Open Enrollment materials have been reviewed and will be going out next month.
The committee recommends and I so move that the ERRP funds be used to also reimburse all Rx copays from retail and mail order effective July 1, 2014, until funds are exhausted. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to use ERRP funds to also reimburse all Rx copays from retail and mail order effective July 1, 2014, until funds are exhausted.
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 $4,157.20,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,800,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $36,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Tim Larson read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
William L. Sherman
Clifton G. Collins
Clarence R. Stapel
Thomas E. Pinger
William M. Harkness
Donald C. Goodrow
Wayne R. Butcher
Emmett W. Murray
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Tim Larson presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $12,124.33 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $12,124.33 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
Tim Larson 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/WEB REPORT
David Wagner reported that they had a sale on classified ads but didn’t bring in many new ads. He stated that they are actively looking for a new database to track classified and display ads. He indicated that they would like to have the ability to automatically contact advertisers when their ads are about to expire.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis mentioned that he and Juan had visited a 96 year-old member and indicated that he was doing well. He asked that if Trustees hear about ailing members to please let them know so that they could pay them a visit or give them a call.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 22nd
2) Dads & Kids Event – April 4th – 6th
3) Scholarship Program Essay – April 12th
4) Firefighter of the Year – April 16th
5) LAFRA Staff Training – April 21st – 23rd
6) SIIA Conference – April 23rd – 24th
7) Corbin Bowl – April 27th
8) LAFRA Reunion Pechanga – May 19th – 23rd
9) Hope for Firefighters – June 5th
10) Get Together Foundation Concert – July 3rd
11) World Fire Games – August 15th – 24th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Jon Holtby – March 5th Braemar Country Club
2) Jon Balich – March 8th The Overland
3) Greg Gibson – March 11th Odyssey Restaurant
4) Lloyd Fukuda – March 27th San Antonio Winery
5) Keith Young – March 29th LAX Marriott
6) James Herbert Johnston – April 24th Bel Air Bay Club
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. Craig White moved. Frank Hernandez seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 10:39 pm.
Juan Albarran, President
