MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 5, 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 10:20a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Gene Bednarchik (Excused)
Trustee Francisco Hernandez (Excused)
Trustee Rick Godinez (Excused)
Trustee Steve Tufts (Excused)
Trustee Craig White (Excused)
Trustee David Ortiz (Excused)
Trustee Steve Ruda (Excused)
Trustee Mark Akahoshi (Excused)
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension (Excused)
Trustee David Lowe – Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
Tom Stires, Retired
Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. Steve Berkery 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 October 1, 2014. James Coburn 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 October 1, 2014.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran provided an update on some members. He mentioned that there will be fundraisers scheduled for members Wendy Cummings and Javier Martinez. He indicated that he had a meeting with the Fire Family Foundation to discuss the type of assistance for the members.
2) Juan provided an update on the 7470 Figueroa building and indicated we are waiting on electrical and drywall bids. He also indicated that correspondence to the remaining tenants has been sent regarding their possible relocation of space.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher reported on the IFEBP Conference in Boston and indicated that there were 10 Trustees in attendance. He mentioned that this conference was well attended and worthwhile. He indicated that he has been researching other conferences for 2015.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski reported that we received the construction budget from the general contractor. It increased by $500K compared to the preliminary budget due to some changes. He stated that they will revisit the dry wall bid among other things.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board that they will be having CPR training for the staff on November 20th.
2) Todd Layfer reported that Open Enrollment has been running smoothly with not many questions from the membership. He mentioned that they will have additional mailers going out by December concerning the EGWP program.
3) Juan reported on the Mayo Classic event and stated that it was a great turn out. He indicated that they are waiting to determine what the net proceeds for the WODFF will be.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the Pension MOU agreement with LAFRA and indicated that negotiations continue with Dawna Gray. He mentioned that the dependent eligibility and verification project is being discussed. He stated that when they receive more information on the negotiations, he will report back.
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 $939,901.04. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $939,901.04.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $76,210.65. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $76,210.65.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $5,000 in start-up money for the Buzzard Bait event. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $5,000 in start-up money for the Buzzard Bait event.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $250 for the L.A. Retired Fire and Police Annual Christmas Celebration. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $250 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Annual Christmas Celebration.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $300 to the Fire Station 39 75th Anniversary community event. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $300 for the Fire Station 39 75th Anniversary community event.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the Javier Martinez fundraiser. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the Javier Martinez fundraiser.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $250 for the LAFD Leadership Academy Graduation Ceremony. On the question, there was an objection.
Motion carried to approve $250 for the LAFD Leadership Academy Graduation Ceremony.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski informed the Board that with the termination of Stralem & Co. and London Co., transition to new managers has been completed. He indicated that the committee will meet to discuss another possible termination.
Garth Flint presented the 3rd Quarter investments for LAFRA. He reviewed market performance and how it affects LAFRA’s portfolio. International and Domestic Equity funds were down for the quarter while Alternatives were up. He discussed manager performance and their approach to investing.
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 $22,294.77,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,175,
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $36,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $36,000.
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
Roy B. Swanhart
Roy W. Kline
Robert E. Dingwall
Roger T. Hirdler
Jerry R. Johns
Keith A. Wilson
Edward M. Holland
Dennis D. Thorn
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $8,555.69 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $8,555.69 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 they are still trying to encourage members to write in and send stories and pictures for the Battalion News section of the Grapevine.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported that they have been able to update the FRITS much easier since the new conversion has been implemented.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran informed that they will be counting the ballots from this year’s election on Tuesday, November 25th.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Fire Station 39 75th Anniversary – November 22nd
2) Javier Martinez Fundraiser – November 23rd
3) LAFRA Open House – December 6th
4) L.A. Retired Fire & Police Christmas Celebration – December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Daniel Mattera – November 16th Old FS 27’s Fire Museum
2) Ray Mayo – January 22nd Ports O’Call
3) Mike Ketaily – February 7th Duke’s Malibu, Ocean Room
4) Gregory E. Newland – April 11th Dalmatian American Club San Pedro
**All motions approved by Board on hold due to lack of quorum.
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Chris Hart seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:42 a.m.
Juan Albarran, President
