LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
March 4, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeff Cawdrey called the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 9:07 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Craig White
GUESTS:
Steve Ruda,
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Juan Albarran led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the February 5, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Tim Larson so moved. Henry Gasbarri seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the February 5, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Hook & Ladder Enduro on March 21st and indicated that Bruce Galien stated that they are in need of volunteers for this event. (Hook & Ladder has since been postponed)
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that they are scheduled to present the Annual Report on the LAFRA Medical Plan to the Pension Board on March 5, 2020. He indicated that we have a five-year contract with Pensions however, we need to present the plan each year. He indicated that Bradawn Inc. had created the presentation on behalf of LAFRA and sent it to Pensions for their review.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Board Educational Offsite on April 20 & 21 at the Hotel Indigo and indicated that he and Chris Stine will be creating an agenda with items to discuss. He authorized RF 24 for the B shift day and RF 12 for the C shift.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the LAFRA Pechanga Reunion on May 18 – 22 and indicated that they would need help from Trustees on Wednesday evening. He also indicated that Wednesday, May 20th is a committee meeting day and indicated that some Trustees would need to show up to conduct LAFRA business.
5) Jeff Cawdrey informed that the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for April 4th. (This event has since been postponed)
6) Jeff Cawdrey informed that the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Association will be hosting their Annual BBQ on June 3rd.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 9:22 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 9:50 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to the IFEBP Annual Conference and indicated that those Trustees registered should be receiving their confirmations and hotel info in the mail.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the 401K plan and indicated that the President serves as a Trustee and gives him authorization to sign formal documents. He asked the Board for a motion to approve Jeff Cawdrey as Trustee for the LAFRA 401K plan.
Steve Tufts motioned to approve Jeff Cawdrey as Trustee of the LAFRA 401K Plan. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve Jeff Cawdrey as Trustee of the LAFRA 401K Plan.
Todd Layfer informed that on March 11th we will be having our annual employee educational meeting for the 401K plan.
2) Todd Layfer informed that the Member Profile Sheet has been sent to the mailing company and should be sent out by March 13 – 17.
3) Todd Layfer indicated that the Medicare Information Seminar is scheduled for April 7 & 8. He reported that they already have 38 people scheduled for the 7th and 19 scheduled for the 8th. He indicated that we will have speakers from Pensions, Social Security, HealthComp and LAFRA Member Services. (The seminar has since been postponed)
4) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that we are filled with Fire Stations for food booths. He indicated that we need a couple more beverage booths.
5) Todd Layfer reported that the lease on our mail postage machine is expiring. He asked the Board to approve a new lease on a new machine.
Frank Aguirre motioned to approve the lease on the new mail postage machine. Tyler Tomich seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the lease on the new mail postage machine.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen referred to onsite Beacon Pointe meeting on February 27th and indicated that they reviewed the LAFRA portfolio and discussed the investment of private equity firm Arby Partners in Beacon Pointe. He reported that Beacon Pointe recommends that we adjust our investment policy statement to reduce the international equity by 5% and increase 5% on private equity investments.
The committee recommends and I so move to adjust the Investment Policy statement to 50% in Equites, 25% in Fixed Income and 25% in Alternative investments based on the recommendation from Beacon Pointe. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to adjust the Investment Policy statement to 50% in Equities, 25% in Fixed Income and 25% in Alternative investments.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil reported that the preliminary audit has been completed and indicated that the final phase audit should be around March 13th. Todd Layfer indicated that we should have the audit results by late April.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran reported that we will be repaving and striping the parking lot for a cost of around $9K.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,696.830.17. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,696,830.17.
The committee recommends and I so move to purchase table for the Chaplains at the Firefighter of Year luncheon honoring Rick Godinez. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to purchase table for Chaplains at the Firefighter of the Year luncheon honoring Rick Godinez.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the 2020 Budget as presented by Todd Layfer. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the 2020 Budget as presented by Todd Layfer.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve purchasing new uniforms for Chaplains in the amount of $1.210.14. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve purchasing new uniforms for Chaplains in the amount of $1,210.14.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $8,995 to resurface and paint the parking lot. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $8,995 to resurface and paint the parking lot.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $905,027.86. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $905,027.86.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran reported that we will resurface parking lot in front and back.
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 $6,041.81
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $3,000
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $2,663
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $55,000
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
Warren P. Schmit
Robert D. Bonk
Gary C. Perdue
Donald A. Fox
Robert W. Reeder
Albert L. Schultz
Reginald D. Duffin
Walter H. Hartsuyker
Thomas M. Burau
Don L. Gillett
John W. Potter
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $7,591.56 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $7,591.56 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.
CORPORATE SECRETARY’S REPORT
Tim Larson reported on the membership stats for the month of March. He referred to the upcoming events benefiting the WODFF and asked Trustees to help out if they can.
BYLAW COMMITTEE REPORT
Jim Duffy informed that they will be having a meeting on March 18th to discuss Bylaw and Policy book revisions for the Board Offsite.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Jim Duffy reported that the Scholarship filing period is currently open. He indicated that the committee has amended the Dennis Mendenhall Memorial Scholarship will be open to current undergrad for active duty member deaths. He stated that this is a one-time application and indicated that it cannot be used retroactively.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Big 5K Run – March 7th
2) L.A. Marathon – March 8th
3) St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser – March 14th
4) Hook & Ladder – March 21st
5) Board Offsite – April 20 – 21
6) Pechanga Reunion – May 18th – 22nd
7) LARFPA Annual BBQ – June 3rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Charles Garcia – Saturday, March 14th C @ Jamaica Bay Inn (Tufts)
2) Ed Elguea – Friday, March 27th C @ Fire Station 44 (Albarran)
3) Gary Alexander – March 28th A @ Marina Del Rey Marriott (Tufts)
4) Thomas Valdespino – April 18th B @ Longshadow Ranch Winery (Cawdrey)
5) Adam Zimmerman – Saturday, April 18th B @ Zimmerman Home (Hicks)
6) Gary Brigandi – Saturday, April 25th B @ Fire Station 80 LAX (Vigil)
7) Rick Godinez – Saturday, May 2nd C @ LAFRA
8) Cameron Kennedy & Selwyn Lloyd – Saturday, May 2nd C @ FS 94
9) Thompson, Hubbard & McDaniel – May 9th C (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Frank Aguirre so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey,President