MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 8, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:15 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Steven Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
GUESTS: Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tyler Tomich led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held February 8, 2017. Doak Smith so moved. Chris Hart 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 meeting held February 8, 2017.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the Pension Department meeting that he attended on March 6th. He indicated that there was discussion about the 48 LACERS members and their medical coverage.
2) Bob Steinbacher reported on the meeting he had with UFLAC regarding the LAFRA President’s compensation and the Letter of Agreement with the City.
3) Bob Steinbacher indicated that he and the Fire Chief visited the MICSC body scan facility and stated that they were impressed with the service and hospitality.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the new attorney search and indicated that he and Todd Layfer sent out request for qualifications to nine law firms. He indicated that they will create a small Ad Hoc committee to help with the interview process in mid-April.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA Pechanga Reunion and indicated that they have sent invites to other organizations for their participation.
6) Dave Wagner reported on the planning of the Health Fair on April 6th at the FHMTC.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey asked that Trustees to submit any changes or updates on the Policy Book by April 1st. He indicated that we will have a Policy Book review meeting on April 17th.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and asked Trustee to let him know which they would like to attend.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen introduced Garth Flint to present the 4th Quarter update on the LAFRA portfolio as well as discuss potential investments in the alternative class.
Garth Flint presented the 4th Quarter performance review on the LAFRA investments. He reported on how well the Small Cap Value sector did in 2016 and how it out performed all the other fund classes. He reported that emerging markets did well while other parts of the International Sector didn’t do so well and indicated that an increase in interest rates impacted Bonds.
John Jacobsen presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to invest $2 million into Southwest Value Partners, $1 million into PIMCO Bravo III and $1 million into Okapi OV3 Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to invest $2 million into Southwest Value Partners, $1 million into PIMCO Bravo III and $1 million into Okapi OV3 Fund.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed that he and Bob Steinbacher had a meeting with other Figueroa St. building owners, LAPD and a field representative from the City of Los Angeles to discuss the urban campers around the area. He indicated that it was determined that the building owners need to act in unison and file trespass orders with the police department and post No Trespassing signs on the property. They also discussed the possibility of sharing the cost of a private security company.
2) Todd Layfer informed that we will be getting the first draft of the revised Employee Handbook from the attorney.
3) Todd Layfer informed that the new employee dental plan went into effect on March 1, 2017.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $950,251.83. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $950,251.83.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve contracting with new security monitoring company ASCI Security for two years at $7,420. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve contracting with new security monitoring company ASCI Security for two years at $7,420.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $48K for the Yearbook photography company. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $48K for the Yearbook photography company.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $4,213.57 for the new Laserfiche upgrade. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $4,213.57 for the new Laserfiche upgrade.
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.
Open enrollment begins April 1st through April 30th.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $11,582.87
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,694,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $22,500
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Rick Godinez read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
William T. Stachowiak
Emil A. Oldar
James A. Rogers
George L. Taylor
Verdi L. Ventling
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $2,338.12 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $2,338.12 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.
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee recommends and I so move to advance funds for both active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to advance funds for both active and retired members.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez informed that the deadline to submit applications for the Scholarship Program is March 23rd. He stated that April 8th is the exam day.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the L.A. Marathon and reported that they have so far raised over $20K. He indicated that next week they will be promoting on KTLA Channel 5 at Fire Station 2.
EXECUTIVE SESSON
The Board entered into Executive Session at 12:30p.m.
The Board Adjourned from Executive Session at 1:05p.m.
The Board discussed a legal matter during Executive Session but no action was taken.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hook & Ladder – March 18th
2) L.A. Marathon – March 19th
3) Firefighter of the Year Luncheon – March 22nd
4) LAFD Sertoma Club Golf Tournament – April 28th
5) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 2nd
6) Offsite Strategic Planning – May 18th
7) Pechanga Reunion – May 22nd – May 26th
8) Hope for Firefighters – June 1st
9) LAFD Golf Tournament – September 25th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Todd Porter – Saturday, March 25th C @ Rancho Vista Golf Course (Steinbacher)
2) Joseph Castro – Wednesday, April 5th B @ Brookside Golf Club (White)
3) Jack Wise – Saturday, April 15th A @ Sagebrush Cantina (Doak)
4) Ernie Ojeda – Saturday, May 27th C @ Ports O’Call Restaurant (Kuljis)
5) Eric Strode – Saturday, July 8th B @ Marina Del Rey Marriott (Vigil)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 1:18 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President