LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
May 6, 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 10:07 a.m. (Today’s meeting conducted via conference call due to National Emergency of Coronavirus)
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 Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Rick Godinez
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
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Craig White
GUESTS:
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Jeff Cawdrey led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the April 1, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Gene Bednarchik moved. Gayle Sonoda seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the April 1, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided a Pension Board meeting update and indicated that he received a letter from Ray Cirana requesting additional follow-up questions about LAFRA and our Medical Plan. He indicated that Mr. Cirana is requesting that the LAFRA and LAPRA Kaiser representatives speak with the Pension Board regarding the consideration of combining the LAFRA and LAPRA population for the purpose of rate improvement. He indicated that Mr. Cirana is also requesting that LAFRA provide additional information on our utilization of specialty and generic drugs. He stated that another question was regarding a possible consideration to provide a self-funded plan for members with a frozen subsidy. LAFRA sent a survey to the retired members regarding the LAFRA Medical Plan. He indicated that Dawna Gray of Bradawn Inc. is creating a response to these questions on behalf of LAFRA.
2) Jeff Cawdrey provided an update on a recent UFLAC call.
3) Jeff Cawdrey informed that the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Assoc. BBQ has been rescheduled to September 2nd. (This event has since been canceled)
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to Open Enrollment and indicated that there have been 36 new members to the medical plan and 6 members have termed.
5) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that LAFRA has been invited to a Pension Board meeting to discuss Worker’s Comp claims recovery and lien reimbursements.
6) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Drill Tower 81 presentation and indicated that of the 50 recruits, 49 signed up for Relief membership and the medical plan.
7) Jeff Cawdrey informed the Board that we had a conference call with Express Scripts and PSG to review the 2018 audit of the pharmacy benefit. He reported that they also discussed future impacts to the pharmacy benefit such as mental health, gene therapy and possible future savings. He indicated that the 2018 audit showed a positive review with minor discrepancies.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Chris Stine referred to upcoming conferences and indicated that the Morningstar Conference has been postponed. He indicated that he will follow-up on other conferences not yet canceled.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer indicated that the LAFRA staff continues to service members and pay vendors remotely. He indicated that they will have another update on May 15th from the City and County about working from home.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Pension Board audit and indicated that they have one item left from their request. He indicated that the goal is to get the draft report around May 18th. He indicated that the auditors are scheduled to present the audit to the Pension Board meeting in June.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and indicated that the tournament is still on schedule. He indicated that they may need to make special arrangements in regards to spacing and safely gathering.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the Pechanga Reunion and indicated that all refunds have been returned to members.
5) Todd Layfer indicated that Hope for Firefighters has been officially canceled. He indicated that we were not required to return any donations made so far and indicated that we will begin planning for next year’s event.
6) Todd Layfer indicated that the LAFRA parking lots will be resurfaced this weekend.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint and Michael Breller of Beacon Pointe presented the LAFRA Investment performance review for the 1st quarter of 2020.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:05 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:18 a.m.
Member updates and employee issues were discussed during Executive Session.
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 $1,409,795.54. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,409,795.54.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the purchase of two new Apple Computers totaling $7,864. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the purchase of two new Apple Computers totaling $7,864.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $645 for the Drill Tower 81 graduation ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $645 for the Drill Tower 81 graduation ceremony.
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 $863,990.93. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $863,990.93.
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 $35,839.34
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,100
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $0
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $30,000
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
William E. Parker
Elmer E. Olson
Gerald H. Horwedel
Earl R. Johnson
George J. Bender
Daniel G. Castillo
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $37,589.79 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $37,589.79 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
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.
GRAPEVINE/WEB COMMITTEE REPORT
Danny Wu mentioned that we have a new half page ad for Mercury Insurance. He indicted that John Hicks is looking for articles and content for the upcoming issue.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the Memorial Scholarships and indicated that the committee has decided to allow one of the Memorial scholarships to be available to eligible college students already enrolled in college under the following conditions; Must be a student enrolled in college at the time of member’s death and until the age of 26; Only one scholarship can be awarded and will not be recurring; Must be for Bachelor’s Degree only; New Memorial Scholarship policy changes will be effective 2020 and will not be retroactive.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the stated Scholarship Program Policy changes. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the stated Scholarship Program Policy changes.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that they have received many requests for the Estate Planning kits. He reported on donations received for the Eternal Flame Society. He indicated that Marlene is currently working on Relief testimonial videos.
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Drew Oliphant – Sunday, May 31st B @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Bednarchik)
2) Jose Figueroa & Jason Braff – Saturday, June 27th B @Braff’s Residence (Tufts)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn in honor of Ray Van Blarcom. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn in honor of Ray Van Blarcom The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President