LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
November 6, 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 10:45 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
GUESTS:
Steve Ruda, Community Liaison
David Jones, Attorney
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Chris Stine led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify the October 9, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes. Juan Albarran so moved. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the October 9, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that he proposes to appoint J.D. Fox to the Trustee position recently vacated by Richard Moody.
Mike Sailhamer motioned to accept the appointment of J.D. Fox as Trustee. Tyler Tomich seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the appointment of J.D. Fox as Trustee.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA Open House honoring Rick Godinez and indicated that it was a great success and very well attended.
3) Bob Steinbacher provided a brief Pension Board meeting update.
4) Steve Berkery introduced Victor Ramirez, an LAFD member and indicated that Victor wished to address the Board on becoming a Relief Association member. Victor Ramirez explained his reasons for never joining the Relief and stated that he understood that he would have to pay back dues in order to become a member.
Craig White motioned to approve acceptance of Victor Ramirez as a Relief Association member effective January 1, 2020. Gayle Sonoda seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve acceptance of Victor Ramirez as a Relief Association member effective January 1, 2020.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:59 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:15 p.m.
Personnel matters, meeting with legal counsel and member updates were discussed during Executive Session. Actions were taken.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Garth Flint of Beacon Pointe presented the LAFRA 3rd Quarter performance of investments and discussed the global economy and how it affected the portfolio.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey informed that the election ballots have been mailed. He asked that the Election Committee come to the LAFRA office on December 2nd to help count the ballots with the election company.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the committee assignments for 2020 and asked Trustees to let him know which committees they would like to be assigned to.
3) Jeff Cawdrey provided a brief report on the IFEBP Conference in San Diego. He indicated that they will begin creating a budget for next year’s annual conference in Hawaii.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer provided a brief report on the implementation of the new TPA HealthComp. He indicated that HealthScope staff moved out of the office but we will continue to have access to them through December 31st. He indicated that they have weekly planning calls with HealthComp and are discussing banking, file transfers and phone connections.
2) Todd Layfer asked Trustees to complete all their expense reimbursements and submit them by December.
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 $836,355.77. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $836,355.77.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $750 for the Drill Tower 81 Graduation ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $750 for the Drill Tower 81 Graduation ceremony.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $500 for the Fire Station 39 Grand Opening. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $500 for the Fire Station 39 Grand Opening.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $200 for the LAFD Sertoma Toy Program. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $200 for the LAFD Sertoma Toy Program.
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 $834,078.97. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Express Scripts Commercial & EGWP claims and Admin fees totaling $834,078.97.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Tim Freeman presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $25,440.29
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $3,600
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $15,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Tim Freeman read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
James L. Thomas
Harvey D. Glasgow
Patrick L. Marek
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Tim Freeman presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $4,588.08 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $4,588.08 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’S REPORT
Tim Larson provided a report on the membership status for October 2019.
SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
Rick Godinez presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to increase the Scholarship amounts; 1st place to $25K, 2nd place to $15K, the other three scholarships to $12,500 and Memorial Scholarships to $25K. Rick Godinez indicated that these increases will be implemented into the next fiscal year budget. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to increase the Scholarship amounts; 1st place to $25K, 2nd place to $15K, the other three scholarships to $12,500 and Memorial Scholarships to $25K.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that the Marketing Department is promotion the L.A. Marathon and creating links for registering.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFRA Dinner Dance – December 7th
2) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 18th
3) Pechanga Reunion – May 18th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Roy Harvey – February 15th B @ Loews Hotel (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Juan Albarran so moved. Henry Gasbarri seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher,President
