MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 2, 2016
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 10:10 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Steven Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Juan Albarran (Excused)
Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
Trustee Steve Berkery (Excused)
Trustee Tyler Tomich (Excused)
Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
Trustee Craig White (Excused)
Trustee Joe Vigil (Excused)
GUESTS:
James Coburn, Retired
David Lowe, Retired
Barry Hedberg, Retired
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
Bob Olsen, LARFPA
Lee Kebler, LARFPA
Tom Stires, Retired
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Steve Ruda led the invocation. Rick Godinez led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held October 5, 2016, and the Special Board meeting minutes of October 19, 2016. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Rick Godinez 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 meeting held October 5, 2016, and the Special Board meeting minutes held October 19, 2016.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board of an ex-member’s request to be reinstated as a LAFRA member. The ex-member pleaded his case to the Board and asked for their consideration of reinstatement. His reason for terminating Relief membership was that he could not afford the medical premiums and was going through a divorce at the time. He indicated that he wants to be reinstated to obtain medical coverage through LAFRA and would pay the back dues owed.
The ex-member was excused and told that he would be informed of the Board’s decision.
David Peters motioned to approve the request for member reinstatement. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the request for member reinstatement.
2) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board of a second request for LAFRA membership reinstatement from a previously denied appeal. The ex-member wrote a letter addressing the Board explaining further information as to why he terminated his membership. He wrote in the letter that he wants reinstatement for the purpose of obtaining medical coverage.
Mark Akahoshi motioned to deny the ex-member’s request for LAFRA membership reinstatement. David Peters seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to deny the ex-member’s request for LAFRA membership statement.
3) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board of a request for initial LAFRA membership. He indicated that the individual requesting membership states that he does not recall ever being offered membership when he attended the Drill Tower. He indicated that he once came to the Relief to inquire about joining the membership but was told that he would have to pay the back dues owed but at the time, he couldn’t afford it. He states that he is willing to pay the back dues owed to join the Relief Association.
John Jacobsen motioned to deny the individual’s request to join the LAFRA membership. David Peters seconded. Rick Godinez indicated that he spoke with the individual about the importance of being a Relief member and recalled that some single function EAP’s may not have been offered membership. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to deny the individual’s request to join the LAFRA membership.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the elections of the proposed Bylaw changes.
5) Bob Steinbacher reported that the UFLAC has reached a new labor agreement with the City of Los Angeles.
6) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that he and Todd Layfer met with Gold Lee and Bob Sherwin to discuss how the process works for workers comp claims.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference and indicated that there will be seven Trustees attending.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint presented the 3rd quarter performance review on the LAFRA investments. He reported on interest rates, market performance and the elections. He reviewed the LAFRA portfolio and performance of various managers.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the Open Enrollment and indicated that they should have a final count of those coming onto and leaving the plan at next Board meeting.
2) Todd Layfer referred to the Employer Mandate Reporting and indicated that this will be the second time going through this filing process with the City. This reporting is required by the IRS which provides information of proof of healthcare coverage for LAFD employees on the LAFRA Medical Plan. This filing is due March 2017.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Transitional Reinsurance Fee and informed the Board that this is part of Healthcare Reform that requires LAFRA’s medical plan to pay $252,126 for 2016 ($27 per person). He indicated that this may be the last year that LAFRA has to make the payment.
4) Todd Layfer informed that on Wednesday, November 9th the LAFRA staff will receive CPR/First Aid training and certification.
5) Todd Layfer informed the Board that we are currently having the Employee Handbook reviewed by a labor attorney. He indicated that this will help ensure compliance with California and Federal laws and regulations.
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 $1,073,568.29. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,073,568.29.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $250 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Annual Holiday Celebration. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $250 for the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Assoc. Annual Holiday Celebration.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the Drill Tower 40 Graduation ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the Drill Tower 40 Graduation ceremony.
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
Rick Godinez presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $17,557.344
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,100,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $27,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Rick Godinez read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Jervus E. King, Jr.
Donald L. Bain
Walter L. Henry
Henry O. Huizinga, Jr.
Jere D. Souter
Raymond B. Goozey
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $56,905.27 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $56,905.27 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.
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE REPORT
David Ortiz indicated that they will be having a committee meeting to discuss assigning responsibilities and costs for the production of the LAFRA Yearbook.
SECRETARY REPORT
Jim Dolan referred to the Elections and indicated that it was brought to their attention that the envelopes mailed were not sealed. He also mentioned that the insert containing the current bylaw information had not been included.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the L.A. Marathon and indicated that the LAFRA has an LAFD team running to raise funds for the WODFF. He indicated that donors can go to the WODFF website to sponsor team runners.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFRA Open House – November 5th
2) IFEBP Annual Conference – November 13th – 16th (Orlando, FL)
3) LAFRA Holiday Party – December 17th
4) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 14th – 16th
5) Hook & Ladder – March 18th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mark Carcamo – Friday, November 4th A @ San Pedro Fish Market (Kuljis)
2) Mark Gozawa – Friday, November 18th A @ The Odyssey
3) Cori Tipton – Wednesday, January 25th B @ FHMTC
4) Jack Wise – Saturday, April 15th A @ Sagebrush Cantina
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President