MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 4, 2015
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 9:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee David Lowe – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension (Excused)
Trustee Steve Ruda (Excused)
Trustee David Ortiz (Excused)
GUESTS:
David Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. David Lowe 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 4, 2015. David Peters so moved. Chris Hart seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes and Board actions of the Board of Trustees held February 4, 2015.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Paul Reyes requested to make a presentation to the Board asking for support and participation with the Firefighter Summer Olympics. Paul Reyes provided a brief presentation and indicated that this year, the L.A. City Fire Department is hosting the 2015 Summer Olympics. He stated that it is going to be held from July 12th through July 17th with multiple events. He indicated that this event allows firefighters to get together for camaraderie in an informal environment. He provided additional information on the operations and planning of the events. He asked the Board for support of $2,500 for one specific event, the Surfing Competition, and indicated that any proceeds raised by a fundraiser would be donated back to the WODFF.
David Peters motioned that they move the request for support over to the Administrative Committee for discussion. Chris Hart seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to move the request for support over to the Administrative Committee for discussion.
2) Juan Albarran informed the Board that their Drill Tower presentation scheduled for February 24th had been canceled and postponed until March 18th.
3) Juan Albarran informed that they had attended an offsite Fire & Police Pension meeting. He indicated that they discussed medical plan options and investments.
4) Juan Albarran referred to the Fire & Police Pension Operating Agreement and indicated that they are still reviewing the document.
5) Juan Albarran reported that we have trademarked the LAFRA logo and name. He indicated that they have made changes to reflect the correct Latin now on the logo.
6) Juan Albarran indicated that he attended the McKnight Memorial ceremony at MFC and stated that the event was well attended.
7) Juan Albarran reminded the Trustees that they will be having a Policy Book review meeting on March 19th.
8) Juan Albarran referred to the LAFRA Pechanga Reunion scheduled for May 18th through May 22nd and indicated that information is in the Grapevine magazine. He stated that they have reserved around 32 RV spots.
9) Juan Albarran provided an update to the 7470 Figueroa construction progress. He mentioned that they are currently receiving bids on the fire and security systems.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported that he and Liberty met with U.S. Bank to review banking operations, efficiencies and cost reductions. He indicated that they proposed some changes with the service menu and stated that U.S. Bank should get back with a revised amount of costs for those changes. He also stated that they look at the rates and safety and credit worthiness of the bank as well as utilizing ACH filters and blocks to prevent fraud.
2) Tim Larson reported on the Golf Committee meeting and indicated that they will again hold the tournament at Mountain Gate.
3) Todd Layfer reported that they had their first Executive Committee meeting for the Hope for Firefighter’s event. He announced that Ralphs has committed to donate gift cards, beverages and ice valued at approximately $20K. He indicated that U.S. Bank has again agreed to be our presenting sponsor and will donate $15K.
4) Todd Layfer informed that they will be holding the LAFRA staff HIPAA training on April 23rd and indicated that attorney Bob Macaulay will be instructing the class.
5) Todd Layfer informed that the Express Scripts quarterly meeting will be on April 15th after regular committee meetings. He indicated that Burchfield will also be present and indicated that they will be discussing drug use patterns and costs.
6) Rick Godinez addressed the Board and provided a brief summary on what is currently taking place in the Marketing Department. He reviewed upcoming events, web content and revenue coming from online auction items. Marlene Casillas referred to the Grant Giving programs available for non-profits and indicated that she would like to begin completing applications to obtain these grants.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Todd Layfer referred to the annual Beacon Pointe meeting and reported that Symons and St. James managers are currently on the watch list. He indicated that these two managers have experienced poor performance.
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.
The committee recommends and I so move to increase the medical premium rates for actives by 2% and retirees by 7% effective July 1, 2015. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to increase the medical premium rates for actives by 2% and retirees by 7% effective July 1, 2015.
Heather Leavitt from Bradawn Inc. addressed the Board on the “Cadillac Tax” scheduled to take effect in 2018. She indicated that this tax is a 40% excise tax on health plans that provide health benefits to their members. She stated that threshold amounts have been established to determine the amount of excise taxes to be paid. She indicated that this tax does not apply to Medicare plans and stated that LAFRA’s Medicare eligible retirees are excluded; only active and early retiree members are considered when calculating the tax. LAFRA is working closely with its healthcare consultants to ensure that the medical plan stays below the threshold amount to avoid paying the tax.
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 $2,402,443.29. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $2,402,443.29.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $439,852.05. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $439,852.05.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase a table of ten for $340 at the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a table of ten for the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase USB Port security software for $1,000. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase USB Port security software for $1,000.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase a foursome of golf and tee sign for $690 for the Firefighter’s Quest Charity Golf Tournament. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase a foursome of golf and tee sign for $690 for the Firefighter’s Quest Charity Golf Tournament.
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 $9,557.14,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,120,
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $49,500.
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
George C. Fuller
Ronald A. Weber
Harold Ward
James W. Clark
Stephen Baumeister
Charles L. Christensen
Louis Mouton Jr.
Carter B. Ames
James S. Johnson
Paul L. Polk
Dudley E. Sorenson
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $4,295.10 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $4,295.10 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.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported on the status of the Scholarship Program and reminded the Trustees that March 27th was the deadline to submit applications. He stated that the exam will take place on April 11th at the LAFRA offices.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hook & Ladder Enduro – March 21st
2) Firefighter of the Year Luncheon – April 1st
3) Scholarship Exam – April 11th
4) Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – April 25th
5) Lane Kemper Softball Tourn – May 13th
6) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion – May 18 – 22
7) Practice Picnic HFF – May 30th
8) Hope for Firefighters – June 4th
9) Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 19th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Paul Hilleary – March 7th Banning Landing Community Center (Hedberg)
2) Doug Reyes – March 12th Knollwood Country Club (Bednarchik)
3) Randy Beaty – March 18th The Odyssey Restaurant (Godinez)
4) Gregory Acevedo & Carlos Vargas – March 29th Knollwood Country Club (Ortiz)
5) Javier Campos – April 4th Friendship Auditorium (Albarran)
6) Gregory E. Newland – April 11th Dalmatian American Club San Pedro (Kuljis)
7) Ted Nonini – April 16th Knollwood Country Club
8) Jeff Easton – April 19th FS 27 (Steinbacher)
9) Randy Beach – April 29th Porter Valley Country Club (Ruda)
10) David Dumler & James W. Vels – April 30th Bel-air Bay Club
11) Darrayle Prosser – May 2nd Odyssey Restaurant
12) Rick Ramirez – May 4th Banning’s Landing Community Center (Doak)
13) Kendal Koneval – May 5th Sagebrush Cantina
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. Frank Aguirre so moved. Chris Hart seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.
Juan Albarran, President
