MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 7, 2014
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 9:57a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee Steve Tufts
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
Trustee Doak Smith (Excused)
Trustee Craig White (Excused)
Trustee David Lowe – Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Tom Stires, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Dennis Mendenhall 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 April 2, 2014. David Peters so moved. Tim Larson 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 held April 2, 2014.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran mentioned the LAFRA staff training sessions took place on April 21st – 23rd. He indicated that the training was well received by all and stated that they focused on communication, customer service and conflict resolution.
2) Juan Albarran mentioned that he and a handful of Trustees attended the Firefighter of the Year Luncheon honoring Dana Larsen.
3) Juan Albarran reported that he and Bob Steinbacher attended the Pension Board meeting and stated that the Pension Board approved the recommendation of the 7% medical subsidy increase for retirees.
4) Juan Albarran provided an update on 7470 Figueroa building and indicated that LAFRA is currently negotiating with one tenant to vacate the building.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Tonetta Conner with the Harrington Group provided a brief summary of their findings for the 2013 Audit Report. She mentioned that they had met with the Audit Committee and reviewed in detail the financials of the organization. She stated that the Harrington Group issued a clean opinion for both LAFRA and the WODFF and stated that there were no issues with regard to the systems and policies. She indicated that they made a few minor recommendations they feel would strengthen certain areas and benefit the organization.
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to approve the 2013 Audit Report. David Ortiz so moved. Rick Godinez seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the 2013 Audit Report.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher mentioned that he and Dave Peters attended the SIIA Conference and indicated that it was very informative. He mentioned the conference coming up in Boston and asked those Trustees attending to book their flights.
INVESTMENT REPORT
Garth Flint and Mike Breller presented the 2014 1st Quarter Investment Performance Review.
Garth Flint reviewed the market performance and reported on stock speculations. Mike Breller reviewed LAFRA’s portfolio performance for the quarter and indicated that it earned 1.7% and the allocation and policy indexes earned between 1.9% and 1.3% which was what they had expected.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported that the candidate chosen for the Facility/Operation Supervisor position has decided to stay with his current employer. He indicated that they have chosen another candidate, Kevin Thome who will begin on May 12th. He mentioned that Mr. Thome comes with 10 years of facilities operations experience.
2) Todd Layfer mentioned that the Hook & Ladder Enduro event raised $18K net for the WODFF. He thanked Craig White and Bruce Galien for their hard work and efforts.
3) Todd Layfer indicated that the MAS 90 software demo was successful for Grapevine uses to better track their ads. He indicated that they will use the MAS 90 software and stated that it will cost $3,000 for the add-on software.
4) Todd Layfer reported on the Hope for Firefighters planning and indicated that they would like as many Trustees as possible to volunteer for that day. He mentioned that so far there are 22 fire stations signed up to cook and have around $65K in sponsorships and pledges.
SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
Rick Godinez reported on the scholarship program and stated that the essays have been graded. He indicated that the winners have been identified and will be presented with their awards at the June 4th Board meeting.
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 $1,074,755.62. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,074,755.62.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $155,203.61. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $155,203.61.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into a 5-year printer lease for the Marketing Department. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into a 5-year printer lease for the Marketing Department.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into contract with Simon Wong & Associates. He stated that they will be the mechanical engineer for the new building build out. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into contract with Simon Wong & Associates.
The committee recommends and I so move to enter into contract with Interscape. He stated that they will be the general contractor for the build out. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to enter into contract with Interscape.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $250 to support the California Firefighter Memorial. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $250 to support the California Firefighter Memorial.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $200 for the LAFD Captain’s Badge Presentation. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $200 for the LAFD Captain’s Badge Presentation.
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.
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 $0,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $4,400,
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $22,500.
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
Lyle W. Marvin, Jr.
Stephen A. Haz
Jack Rein
James S. Rossie Sr.
William A. Burnidge
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $31,840.11 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $31,840.11 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.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Chris Hart indicated that we received several questions about what to do when getting ready to retire. He suggested that we create some type of checklist and/or document to assist the members and also make it available on the website.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis asked Trustees to check their emails and try to assist with the flying of flags.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament – May 14th
2) LAFRA Reunion Pechanga – May 19th – 23rd
3) Hope for Firefighters – June 5th (Picnic May 18th)
4) Fire Hogs Memorial Ride – June 28th
5) Get Together Foundation Concert @ Canyon Club – July 3rd
6) World Fire Games – August 15th – 24th
7) Over the Line Tournament – September 3rd
8) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 22nd
9) IFEBP Annual Conference (Boston) – October 12th – 15th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Tom Yost – May 17th Woodland Hills Marriott Hotel
2) Joe Klein – May 21st Brookside Golf Course
3) Ben Simpson – June 7th Edgemont Ranch
4) Paul Sebourn – June 20th Ports O’Call Restaurant
5) Curtis O. Black – June 20th Newport Beach
6) Deresa Teller – June 29th Simi Valley
7) Robert “Bob” Motheral – July 10th Towsley Lodge
8) Joseph Johnson – July 19th Friendly Hills County Club
9) Ed Tapia – September 6th Castle Catering Pasadena
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. David Ortiz moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:29 a.m.
Juan Albarran, President
