LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 8, 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 10:43 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Craig White
GUESTS:
Steve Ruda, Comm. Affairs Liaison
Isaac Burks, Comm. Affairs Liaison
Garth Flint, Beacon Pointe Advisors
Diane Vigil, Family Support Group
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Juan Albarran led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2019. Tim Larson moved. Richard Moody seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2019.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher provided a Pension Board meeting update and informed that Non-Medicare subsidy increase is 5.5%. He indicated that the Pension Board discussed the subsidy increase and how it did not reflect the medical trend.
2) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Annual BBQ will be on June 5th. He indicated that we will be presenting the 2019 Scholarship winners on that same day at our Board meeting.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Lane Kemper Softball Tournament and indicated that it was a great event. He stated that they have been considering purchasing a trailer for LAFRA events that would also haul and store equipment.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that they will need help with the setup. Tim Larson indicated that they will be playing golf on Thursday.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint of Beacon Pointe Advisors presented the 1st Quarter investment performance review. He indicated that the first quarter performance for the different asset classes was solid and recovered from the late December market decline. He mentioned that Growth has outperformed Value extended out from ten years and indicated that this was due to tech stocks driving those sectors. He talked briefly about the trade issues with China and the U.S.
He reviewed the manager performance and indicated that they will be reviewing candidates to replace Lazard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:15 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 11:45 a.m.
A personnel matter was discussed during Executive Session. Action was taken.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey addressed the upcoming conferences and indicated that the deadlines for registration was approaching.
2) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on the cemetery inventory project and indicated that he is waiting for a couple of calls back from two cemeteries for clarification on plots. He indicated that he sent copies of the inventory to the Community Affairs Liaisons to work off of.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Policy Book changes and indicated that after review, there are a couple of items that need updating to reflect the approved changes.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board that they have hired a new Marketing Associate that will be working with Marlene Casillas. He indicated that April Hood starts on Monday and comes to us with great experience. She has worked for the past 15 years as the Manager of Operations for the Tournament of Roses Association.
2) Todd Layfer referred to Hope for Firefighters and indicated that they need to fill one more food booth and two more beverage booths. He asked the Trustees to help in acquiring a few more fire stations to fill these spots.
3) Todd Layfer referred to Open Enrollment and indicated that they do not yet have the final numbers because they have not received data from UFLAC. He indicated that he will report those stats at the next Board meeting.
4) Todd Layfer indicated that they will be having another Medicare Informational Seminar on June 26th here at the LAFRA office. He indicated that the seminar will start at 10:00 a.m.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Todd Layfer indicated that they will have an Audit Committee meeting on May 21st to discuss the findings from the Auditors.
BUILDING COMMITTTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran reported on the minor maintenance on the building and indicated that the REG 4 testing will be done this coming Friday.
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 $756,693.51. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $756,693.51.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $200 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Annual BBQ. There was not discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $200 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Annual BBQ.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $750 for the Drill Tower 81 Recruit graduation ceremony on June 6th. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $750 for the Drill Tower 81 Recruit graduation ceremony.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve all the medical bills totaling $935,208.42. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical bills totaling $935,208.42.
Frank Aguirre informed that Bradawn has sent out an RFP for a new TPA for 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 $17,266.58
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $9,948
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $50,000
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
Jamie W. Remy
Richard E. Handlan
Leonard L. Edwards
James R. Chastain
Robert L. Neal
Harold N. Burkhart
Ramey R. Stroud
Ross L. Williams
Leroy J. Lucas
Elias De Le Hoz
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $2,767.07 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $2,767.07 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 REPORT
Tim Larson reported on the membership statistics for the month of April.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the Essays have been graded and the winners have been notified. He indicated that they have been invited to the June 5th Board meeting for their check presentations.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez provided an update on the efforts of the Marketing & Development Department and referred to the CPK fundraiser on May 29th & 30th for the WODFF across the U.S.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Diane Vigil provided an update on the Family Support Group and their ongoing projects and upcoming events.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion – May 13 – 17
2) LAPD/LAFD Car Show – June 1st
3) Hope for Firefighters – June 6th
4) Trustee Board Offsite – September 22nd
5) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 23rd
6) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Darnell Wade – Saturday, May 11th A @ City Club Los Angeles (Sonoda)
2) Greg Pascolla – Friday, May 24th C @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Berkery)
3) Gail Manning – Sunday, June 2nd C @ Knollwood Country Club (Bednarchik)
4) Mike Raden – Saturday, June 8th B @ Raden Home (White)
5) Marcus Lidy – Saturday, July 20th A @ Brouwerij West Brewery (Burkes)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Jeff Cawdrey so moved. Tim Freeman seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President