MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 3, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:15 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik
- Trustee James Coburn
- Trustee Gary Matsubara
- Trustee Chris Stine
- Trustee Rick Godinez
- Trustee Doak Smith
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher
- Trustee Steven Domanski
- Trustee David Peters
- Trustee Steve Tufts
- Trustee Kurt Stabel
- Trustee David Ortiz
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Michael Overholser (Excused)
- Trustee Craig White (Excused)
- Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary (Excused)
GUESTS:
- Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
- Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. David Lowe led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held September 5, 2012. Tim Larson so moved. Frank Hernandez 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 September 5, 2012.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jacobsen asked the Board to welcome the three new Chaplains to represent the LAFD and LAFRA. He introduced Craig Poulson, Tim Werle, and Roger Fowble and indicated that they will be taking over for three of the current Chaplains who are retiring. He thanked the three Chaplains for their service assisting with the fire families.
2) Jacobsen mentioned that Garth Flint provided the Investment Committee with a quick snapshot of what fees are paid to which funds as well as costs incurred by LAFRA. He mentioned that the Investment Committee will have an offsite meeting in February at Beacon Pointe.
3) Jacobsen referred to the worker’s comp. situation and indicated that the SB 863 legislation that was passed had significant changes for the firefighters and the LAFRA health plan. He mentioned that it deals specifically with how the due process flows of how members obtain treatment through the system. He indicated that most agree that the current process is difficult and feel that it may get worse. He also stated that there will be change to current mechanisms in place for LAFRA’s self-funded plan that will make it difficult to get reimbursed for presumptive conditions unless treatment is preauthorized by the City. He indicated that they have attorneys looking into where LAFRA can navigate through the new legislation and will report back once the information is available.
4) Jacobsen referred to the Member Services position and informed the Board that after several applicants and interviews, they have hired Maria Rodriguez. He stated that she will start on October 9th and comes with experience in health care administration, workers comp. and insurance brokerage.
5) Jacobsen referred to the Express Scripts-Medco merger and indicated that by the first of the year, all Medco labeling will be gone. He asked the Trustees to explain to the members that there should be no changes with contact information or member disruption.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran mentioned the Firefighter Memorial in Sacramento on October 19th &20th and indicated that we have two members going on the Memorial Wall; Eric Shepherd and Glenn Smith. He asked for those interested in attending the event to let him know so that he can make travel arrangements.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
David Smith reported on behalf of Secretary Andy Kuljis’ absence that as of yesterday, they have six active and one retired Trustees that have submitted their intent to run for the open Trustee positions. He stated that unless someone else submits their intent to run before the October 15th deadline there will be a “white ballot”. He also stated that the Board had previously agreed that they would not send a ballot out for a vote for minor proposed changes to the Bylaws.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith reported on the results of the Golf Tournament and stated that the total net income for the event was $92K. He thanked all that participated before, during and after the event. He mentioned that they will have a Golf Committee meeting later in the day to discuss possible improvements for next year.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $731,986.77. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $731,986.77.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $37,135.29. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $37,135.29.
The committee recommends and I so move that based upon our benefit attorney’s recommendation that we increase the Fiduciary and the Director’s & Officer’s liability coverage for LAFRA to $6 million. He indicated that this will increase the annual premium $31,540 prorated for ten months. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to increase the Fiduciary and the Director’s & Officer’s liability coverage for LAFRA to $6 million.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve up to $500 in seed money to Fire Station 87 for the car show event. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $500 in seed money to Fire Station 87 for the car show event.
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 $21,990
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,600,
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
George D. Doerfler
Irving M. Anear
Gerald D. Baird
Stancil G. Jones
Jack D. Hill
Karl L. Smith
Raymond P. Martin
Franklin N. Leavitt
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $38,930 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $38,930 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.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFD Memorial – October 13th
2) Firefighter Memorial Sacramento – October 19th & 20th
3) Arson Shoot Out – October 22nd
4) Mayo Classic – November 7th
5) IFEBP Annual Employee Benefits Conf. – November 11th – 14th
6) LAFRA Open House – December 1st
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) James Stine – October 20th – Victoria Country Club (Stine)
2) Brian Rubino – November 13th Knollwood Country Club (Peters)
3) Paul Ortega – November 16th Brookside Golf Club (Bednarchik)
4) Joe Porras – November 17th – Knollwood Country Club (Steinbacher)
5) Michael Camello – January 25th Brookside Golf Club (Kuljis)
6) Mike Brehm – February 23rd Ports O’Call Restaurant (Bednarchik)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. Gary Matsubara so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:24 am.
John Jacobsen, President