LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 6, 2019
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 10:06 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
GUESTS:
Bob Macaulay, Attorney
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tim Freeman led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of February 6, 2019. Tim Larson moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of February 6, 2019.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board of a member’s request for reinstatement into LAFRA. He stated the amount owed by the member and asked for the Board to approve the member’s reinstatement.
Juan Albarran motioned to reinstate the member into LAFRA. Joe Vigil seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to reinstate the member into LAFRA.
Bob Steinbacher informed the Board of a LAFD member’s request for reinstatement into LAFRA. He indicated that this person retired with UFLAC medical and felt that he did not need to be a member of the Relief Association. Bob Steinbacher stated that the member has provided a check for his past Relief dues.
Juan Albarran motioned to approve the member’s request for reinstatement into LAFRA. Richard Moody seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the member’s request for reinstatement into LAFRA.
2) Bob Steinbacher provided a Pension update concerning the requested information in the Pension MOU.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the upcoming Pechanga Reunion and indicated that they will authorize one 24-hour shift of RF code for those helping at the event.
4) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon will be held on April 6th.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon and indicated that the Relief Association has purchased one table of ten seats. He asked for those interested in attending.
6) Bob Steinbacher informed that they are conducting interviews for the Community Affairs position.
7) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the HealthScope Benefits recruitment process for their new candidate at the LAFRA office.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint addressed the Board and referred to their offsite Investment Committee meeting at Beacon Pointe. He indicated that presenters were Chief Investment Officers from a couple of hedge fund firms and other portfolio managers. John Jacobsen stated that the meeting went well and indicated that they received information on fund performance.
Garth Flint reported on the 4th Quarter investments for the LAFRA portfolio.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:01 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 11:51 a.m.
Member updates and a legal matter was discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey informed that he continues to work on the LAFRA owned cemetery plot inventory project at various memorial parks.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and asked that Trustees let him know before the conference deadline if they want to attend.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported that the member profile sheets have been mailed and have been generating phone calls to member services.
2) Todd Layfer informed that U.S. Bank has once again committed to be our major sponsor for Hope for Firefighters. He indicated that we have six open spots for food and drink booths.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Marketing Associate position recruitment and indicated that we have produced the profile and job requirements. He indicated that they are actively seeking qualified candidates.
4) Todd Layfer presented the 2019 proposed budget for the Board’s review and approval.
Gayle Sonoda motioned to approve the 2019 proposed budget as presented. Jeff Cawdrey seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the 2019 proposed budget as presented.
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 $701,641.64. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $701,641.64.
The committee recommends and I so move to offer the Sharecare Wellness benefit to the Kaiser members effective July 1, 2019. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to offer the Sharecare Wellness benefit to the Kaiser members effective July 1, 2019.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve all the medical bills totaling $807,365.66. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical bills totaling $807,365.66.
The committee recommends and I so move to offer part-time LAFRA employees’ medical coverage under the LAFRA medical plan. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to offer part-time LAFRA employees’ medical coverage under the LAFRA medical plan.
The committee recommends and I so move to increase the commercial Rx out of pocket maximum from $5,350 to $5,900 for individuals and from $10,700 to $11,800 for families effective July 1, 2019. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to increase the commercial Rx out of pocket maximum from $5,350 to $5,900 for individuals and from $10,700 to $11,800 for families effective July 1, 2019.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Berkery presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $27,933
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,200
The Life & Accident Death Withdrawal in the amount of $3,398
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $30,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Steve Berkery read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Roy L. McQuown
Stanley W. Dean
Michael Hurley
James R. Laughlin
William E. Thost Sr.
Doyle R. Ohlwiler
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $9,081 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $9,081 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.
GRAPEVINE COMMITTEE REPORT
Dave Wagner reported on attending the LAFD Leadership Academy and indicated that they will produce an article for the Grapevine magazine.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the filing and application process will run from March 1st through March 29th. He indicated that they have begun to receive some applicants. He indicated that the Exam date is Saturday, April 13th.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez provided an update on the L.A. Marathon planning and indicated that they have raised $30,800 so far. He reported that Marlene is working with California Pizza Kitchen on a possible state-wide fundraiser. He mentioned that Marlene is also working on Save the Date notifications for sponsors.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Hook & Ladder – March 16th
2) L.A. Marathon – March 23rd
3) St. Baldrick’s – March 30th
4) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion – May 13 – 17
5) LAPD/LAFD Car Show – June 1st
6) Hope for Firefighters – June 6th
7) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
8) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 23rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Ross Torstenbo – Wednesday, March 6th C @ Brookside Golf Club (Godinez)
2) Chuck Ruddell – Friday, March 8th B @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Aguirre)
3) Robert Tafoya – Friday, March 15th C @ Fire Station 25
4) Stephen Ruda – Saturday, March 16th A @ Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels
5) Mike Raden – Saturday, March 23td A @ Fire Station 69 (Berkery)
6) Chris Villavecencio – Saturday, March 30th B @ FS 18 Breakfast (Steinbacher)
7) Rosa Tufts – Thursday, April 4th B @ Frank Hotchkins Memorial Training (Sonoda)
8) Bertram Jobz – Saturday, April 13th B @ Private Dinner at Residence (Aguirre)
9) Thomas Kennington – Saturday, April 27th C @ Sagebrush Cantina (Steinbacher)
10) John E. Lefeber – Sunday, April 28th A @ Fire Station 112
11) Dane Jackson – Friday, May 3rd B @ Sagebrush Cantina (Berkery)
12) Kwame Cooper – Saturday, May 4th C @ California African American Museum
13) Darnell Wade – Saturday, May 11th A @ City Club Los Angeles (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Steve Berkey so moved. Chris Stine seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:53 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President