LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
March 3, 2021
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 10:10 a.m. (Today’s meeting conducted via conference call and in person due to National Emergency of Coronavirus)
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller/Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Tyler Tomich
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Jim Duffy led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the February 3, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes. Steve Berkery moved. Mike Sailhamer seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the February 3, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey informed that he, Dawna Gray and Heather Leavitt will be presenting the LAFRA Medical Plan to the Pension Board for suitability.
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that a department organization asked if their employees could have an option to join the LAFRA PPO Plan. He stated that after legal consultation, it was determined that LAFRA would lose its tax-exempt status. He indicated that the other department organization employees would continue to be eligible to join the LAFRA Kaiser plan.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to an agreement between the City and the Police Protective League called the Alternate Dispute Resolution which has to do with worker’s comp claims. He stated that the intent of this agreement is to get members in and out of treatment at a faster pace. He indicated that there was some concern from consultant Dawna Gray and Bob Macaulay in terms of costs and savings to the plan.
4) Juan Albarran referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that it is scheduled for May 24 – 28 of 2021. He indicated that they will place an advertisement in the April Grapevine promoting the event. He stated that they need to hire vendors to serve food and obtain transportation to bus members to the wineries. He indicated that there are some restrictions on gathering which include no use of the club house and pool.
5) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that it will be an in-person event this year on September 18th. He indicated that Diane Vigil has already booked hotel rooms and is meeting with the families of those fallen firefighters.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:44a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:10 a.m.
Member updates and a legal matter were discussed during Executive Session. Actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to the Board Offsite with a targeted date in June. He indicated that Juliet is working on the details of hotel rooms and catering for the meetings. Jeff Cawdrey indicated that we may discuss any possible changes to the Bylaws and Policy Book.
2) Chris Stine referred to the IFEBP Annual Conference and confirmed those interested in attending the conference including the new Trustees. He stated that the conference will be held October 16th through October 20th.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed that the Golf Committee kick off meeting is scheduled for March 8th via Zoom.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that our Member Profile sheet will be mailed out this week. This profile sheet contains member information which shows member status with participation in benefits, marital/dependent status, beneficiaries and contact information.
3) Todd Layfer informed that the Bradawn Inc. contract renewal had been approved at the Administrative Committee meeting with a 5% increase. This contract is for a three-year period. He asked for Board approval.
Frank Aguirre motioned to approve the three-year contract renewal with Bradawn Inc. with a 5% increase beginning July 1, 2021. Mike Sailhamer seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the three-year Bradawn Inc. contract renewal with a 5% increase effective July 1, 2021.
4) Todd Layfer referred to Open Enrollment and indicated that the materials are being printed and will be mailed out for the April 1st – 30th OE period.
5) Todd Layfer presented the 2021 Annual Budget. He indicated that due to Covid-19, some of the amounts will be lower from the 2020 comparison.
Steve Berkery motioned to approve the 2021 Annual Budget as presented by Todd Layfer. Chris Bustamante seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the 2021 Annual Budget as presented by Todd Layfer.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil informed that the Audit Committee Meeting will be on March 16th.
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 $1,197,792.92. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,197,792.92.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the Kaiser Plan premium rate increase of 11.1% for the active and early retirees and a decrease of 10.73% for Medicare retirees effective July 1, 2021. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Kaiser Plan premium rates as stated effective July 1, 2021.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical plan bills totaling $856,704.35. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical Plan bills totaling $856,704.35.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the LAFRA PPO plan premium rates at a 0% increase for active members and a 2% decrease for retired members effective July 1, 2021. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the LAFRA PPO plan premium rates as stated, effective July 1, 2021.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $27,292.05
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,800
The Life & Accident Death benefits in the amount of $45,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $85,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Charles J. Garner
Dale R. Jackson
Jack R. Martin
Richard D. Ziemer
Romy C. Meacham
George A. Roque
Larry L. Gile
Edward Sanchez Jr
Albert E. Colle
James N. Charles
Louis J. Croghan
Charles R. Wise
Donald E. Venolia
Roger J. Fiala
Edward O. Deane
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $17,332.89 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $17,332.89 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’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
There were no emergency advancements for February 2021.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez informed that the filing period to participate in the Scholarship Program has begun. He indicated that the exam date will be April 10th.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez reported on the incoming donations from various sponsors and upcoming events.
SETTING DATES
1) Hook & Ladder – March 20, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Frank Aguirre so moved. Chris Bustamante seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:03 p.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President