MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 5, 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 10:20 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Juan Albarran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Steven Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Mark Akahoshi (Excused)
Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
Trustee Tyler Tomich (Excused)
GUESTS:
David Lowe, Retired
Barry Hedberg, Retired
James Coburn, Retired
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
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 September 7, 2016. John Jacobsen so moved. David Peters 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 September 7, 2016.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher asked Heather Leavitt from Bradawn Inc. to provide some analysis and an over view on the benefits of the UFLAC and LAFRA medical plans.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA 110th Anniversary Dinner Dance on December 17th and indicated that members can go on the LAFRA website to purchase their tickets.
3) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that he received a letter from an individual requesting reinstatement of Relief membership. He stated that the member provided a check for all the back dues from when he left the membership. The Board requested that the ex-member present himself for an in-person appeal.
John Jacobsen motioned to approve reinstatement dependent upon the member’s in-person appeal at the October 19th Special Board meeting. Chris Stine seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve reinstatement dependent upon the member’s in-person appeal at the October 19th Special Board meeting.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Pension Board meeting that he and Dawna Gray attended and indicated that there was discussion about the retiree medical premiums. He indicated that a LAFRA member addressed the Pension Board and presented inaccurate information regarding the LAFRA medical plan. There was discussion about non-Trustees sitting in the Board meetings and signing a LAFRA Business Associate Agreement.
5) Bob Steinbacher informed that he and the staff made a presentation to the new recruits’ class and signed up 69 members onto the medical plan.
6) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Trustee elections and asked that the Group 2 Trustees submit their intent to run for Trustee to Andy Kuljis by October 14th.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference and indicated that there would be seven Trustees attending. He indicated that the rooms have been booked and asked Trustees to make their flight arrangements as soon as possible.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that he was unable to attend. Rick Godinez stated that the event was well attended and indicated that Steve Robinson and Gary Stameisen were placed on the memorial wall.
3) Jeff Cawdrey informed that Frank Aguirre, Tim Freeman and he visited a few investment managers last week. He indicated that meeting with these portfolio managers was very informative.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer provided an update on the Golf Tournament and reported that the day of revenue brought in $21,766. He indicated that the overall total for the event including sponsorships should total close to $180K. He provided a brief update on feedback for improvements and indicated that they will have a golf wrap up meeting on October 26th.
2) Todd Layfer informed that the Open Enrollment materials have been distributed.
3) Todd Layfer informed the Board that it was that time of year for the Employer Mandate reporting. He indicated that the deadline for reporting was in March 2017.
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 $884,032.83. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $884,032.83
The committee recommends and I so move to elect a President’s Compensation Committee every October consisting of five Trustees chosen randomly. Names were randomly drawn and the committee members have been selected. He stated that the initial committee will be effective as of October 5, 2016. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to elect a President’s Compensation Committee every October consisting of five Trustees chosen randomly.
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
Steve Berkery presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $10,528.54
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $5,100,
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $22,500
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
Jack J. Holman
Willie R. Wheeler, Jr.
Harry E. Peters
Edward E. Humphrey
Robert F. Bowman
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $10,609.45 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $10,609.45 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.
SECRETARY REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported that they are currently working on the elections. He asked that those Trustees in Group 2 need to submit their intent to run for Trustee by October 14th.
BYLAWS REPORT
David Peters presented the revised bylaw changes for the election ballot.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed bylaw changes pertaining to meeting attendance via telephone or other communication source.
Motion carried to approve the proposed bylaw changes pertaining to meeting attendance via telephone or other communication source.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that we are in preparations for the L.A. Marathon fund raising. He indicated that the WODFF is selected by the L.A. Marathon to receive some of the funds raised. He reported that the monthly member and charity new letters will be going out this week. He indicated that they will be creating a custom plaque for an anonymous donor who donated $100K to the WODFF. He referred to the LAFRA 110th Anniversary Dinner Dance and indicated that the online ticketing feature is up and running.
NEW BUSINESS
Craig White informed that Bruce Galien and he have started up a new gathering for LAFD active and retired members every 2ND Tuesday of every month in Santa Clarita at the Scooters Bar & Restaurant. He stated that the first gathering will be on October 11th.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 12:05p.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:12p.m.
David peters motioned to approve the actions in Executive Session pertaining to one legal and one personnel matter. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the actions in Executive Session pertaining to one legal and one personnel matter.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFDHS Annual Firefighter Memorial Ceremony – October 8th
2) Sacramento Firefighters Memorial – October 15th
3) LAFRA Open House – November 5th
4) IFEBP Annual Conference – November 13th – 16th (Orlando, FL)
5) LAFRA Holiday Party – December 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Michael McKnight – Sunday, October 9th B @ Valyermo Ranch (Domanski)
2) Jerry Coffey – Friday, October 14th C @ Frazier Park (White)
3) Mark Carcamo – Friday, November 4th A @ San Pedro Fish Market (Kuljis)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President