MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 9, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Vice President Jeff Cawdrey called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:18 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Bob Steinbacher, President
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
David Jones, Attorney
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Mike Sailhamer led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Minutes of April 11, 2018. Tim Freeman so moved. David Peters seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve minutes Board Minutes of April 11, 2018.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Joe Vigil introduced Carlos Davis from the Harrington Group to report on the 2017 audit findings.
Carlos Davis from the Harrington Group presented the findings from the audit report for 2017. He indicated that there were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. He stated that they conducted interviews with key personnel regarding fraud prevention and tested internal control systems. He reviewed the total assets and liabilities of the Association.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the 2017 Audit report presented by the Harrington Group. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the 2017 Audit report presented by the Harrington Group.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on the Pension meetings. He reported that the Pension Board had approved a 3.6% COLA increase. He reported that the Pension Board has hired USI Insurance Services as a health benefits consultant. He referred to the contract with the Pension department and indicated that the agreement is currently being reviewed by the LAFRA attorney. He indicated that the Pension Board voted on a 6% increase for the non-Medicare subsidy.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the passing of long time LAFRA employee Pauline Szkolnik and indicated that several staff attended her services. He indicated that on May 30th we will be having a tree planting ceremony in memory of Pauline and stated that all are welcome.
3) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board of the L.A. Retired Fire & Police BBQ on June 6th.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Pechanga Reunion beginning May 21st and indicated that room and RV reservations should have been made. He asked Trustees to let him know if they planned on playing golf on May 24th. Tim Larson indicated that the wine tour will be on Tuesday, May 22nd.
5) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament and indicated that it was a great success. Todd Layfer reported that the event raised approximately a gross of $29K. He indicated that once all figures and expenses have been calculated, he will report the net proceeds.
6) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that they attended a meeting with the Family Support Group and discussed the upcoming Colorado Springs Memorial.
7) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Policy Book update and indicated that they need to discuss language concerning pregnancy and disabilities.
8) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming conferences and deadlines to register for future conferences.
9) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the City’s worker’s comp program and indicated that Bob Steinbacher has met with the City’s new workers comp administrator. He indicated that they discussed the new medical provider network and how claims would be handled.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and reported that 25 fire stations have signed up for food booths. He indicated that they are in the process of obtaining menu items for those booths. He reported that so far, we have about $70K from sponsorship revenue.
2) Todd Layfer referred to open enrollment and reported that 354 people have been added to the Medical Plan and 37 have termed. He indicated that a few of the key factors for the increase were the removal of the 7-year requirement, the addition of the gym membership benefit and the great value of the overall Medical Plan.
3) Todd Layfer indicated that the new EOB’s are in production and indicated that a sample was provided on the website and the Grapevine.
4) Todd Layfer informed the Board that there will be a Pension pre-retirement seminar here at LAFRA on May 18th.
5) Todd Layfer acknowledged Gene Bednarchik’s facilitation of a $1,000 donation to the WODFF from the Valley Professional Network. He also indicated that the Lynwood Sheriff’s Motorcycle Group donated $3,000 to the WODFF.
6) Todd Layfer referred to the new phone system and indicated that we are currently going through the punch list of open items.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:10 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:04 p.m.
Member updates and personnel issues were discussed during Executive Session.
David Peters motioned to ratify the personnel actions taken in Executive Session. John Jacobsen seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the personnel actions taken in Executive Session.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint presented the Investment portfolio performance for the 1st quarter of 2018. He reviewed market performance and asset managers.
John Jacobsen indicated that the Investment Committee met with Steven Marshall who is an investment actuarial. He stated that Marshall reviewed the LAFRA portfolio based on our investment policies and strategies to make sure that it was optimum for what we are looking for. He indicated that there are some adjustments the committee would like to make that would give us more returns and minimize our risks. He indicated that the committee will further review these changes and report back by the next Board meeting.
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 $793,939.22. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $793,939.22.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $80K for computer hardware and software upgrades. Todd Layfer stated that the current computers are eight years old and need to be replaced. He also indicated that we will be upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $80K for computer hardware and software upgrades.
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
Steve Berkery presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $38,192.96
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $11,275
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $15,000
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
Charles S. Combs
Gerald E. Moore
George W. Motts
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $33,563.20 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $33,563.20 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 reported that they completed the essay portion of the program. He indicated that the essays have been graded with 24 contenders. He stated that they will be giving out five scholarships this year. He stated that they will present the checks to the winners at the June 6th Board meeting.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Rick Godinez indicated that the Marketing Department is currently working on donation request letters. He indicated that these letters ask members to consider contributing to the WODFF through Pension and payroll. He reported on the L.A. Galaxy Firefighter night and indicated that they played the WODFF promo video on their big screen which was great exposure. He presented a video featuring Valerie Lawrence discussing the new Widows Support Group and their roll assisting the WODFF and families.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Pechanga Reunion – May 21st – 25th
2) Car show June 2nd
3) Hope for Firefighters – June 7th
4) Henry Munoz Fundraiser – June 10th
5) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 14 – 16
6) LAFRA Open House – November 3rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mike Henry – May 9th C @ Fire Station 87 (Breskin)
2) Mark Akahoshi – July 26th B @ Brookside Golf & Country Club (White/Godinez)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey 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 1:07 p.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President