MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 10, 2018
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 9:54a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Danny Wu
GUESTS:
Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Tom Stires, Retired
Dawna Gray, Bradawn Inc.
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Craig White led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and approve the Board Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2018. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2018.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher informed that the LAFD Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial will be held Saturday October 13th. Rick Godinez stated that the memorial will be held at Old Fire Station 27 and indicated that Valerie Lawrence and Diane Vigil will be keynote speakers at the event representing the Family Support Group.
2) Bob Steinbacher provided an update on the contract negotiations with the Pension Department. He indicated that they have agreed on a five-year contract and will continue to negotiate on the medical claims data.
Chris Stine motioned to approve the five-year contract with the L.A. Fire & Police Pension Department. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the five-year contract with the L.A. Fire & Police Pension Department.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite meeting and indicated that one topic of discussion was Associate Membership. He indicated the Board discussed implementing three separate associate member categories for members eligible for the LAFRA PPO plan.
– If never a member of LAFRA, individual can appeal to the Board and pay past dues for Relief membership if approved by the Board
– A retiree that has never been a LAFRA member can become an Associate Member for purposes of PPO Medical Plan or Kaiser coverage with no back dues paid and no Relief benefits
– If approved, will be placed into effect this open enrollment period and effective January 1, 2019
Retiree/No LAFRA debt/ Never a LAFRA Member Retiree /Former LAFRA Member Has LAFRA Debt Retiree /Former member/No debt
Eligible for PPO and Kaiser Plan Must resolve Debt First
Prior to Eligibility No Back dues Required
No Back Dues Required
Eligible for PPO & Kaiser Eligible for PPO & Kaiser
No Other Benefits
Debt=NIOD or Advancement
No Back Dues Required
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to approve the three categories of Associate Membership. Richard Moody so moved. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the three categories of Associate Membership.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the seconded topic of discussion from the Board Offsite and indicated that it referred to incorporating the WODFF and a possible name change.
Craig White motioned to direct the LAFRA attorney to process paperwork to incorporate the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to direct the LAFRA attorney to process the paperwork to incorporate the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Craig White motioned to change the legal name of the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. Gene Bednarchik seconded. On the question, there were objections. Joe Vigil indicated that this topic was brought forward because of a few emails and complaints against the Relief Association because of the “Firemen” name. Craig White indicated that his motion is based on how he feels as a Board member and how the direction of the Relief Association should go: socially, politically and morally. Joe Vigil indicated that his opinion was that this should be something that the membership brings forward and not initiated by the Board. Steve Domanski agreed that this should be a membership vote. Bob Steinbacher called for a rollcall vote to approve the name change of the WODFF because the Bylaws do not require a name change for WODFF to be submitted for a membership vote.
Gene Bednarchik – Yes
Mike Sailhamer – No
Jim Duffy – Yes
Gayle Sonoda – Yes
Tim Freeman – Yes
Chris Stine – Yes
Henry Gasparri – Yes
Tyler Tomic – Yes
Rick Godinez – Yes
Joe Vigil – No
Richard Moody – Yes
Craig White – Yes
John Jacobsen – No
Doak Smith – Yes
Kenneth Breslin – Yes
Steven Domanski – No
Twelve voted in favor of the motion, four opposed.
Motion carried to change the name of the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
5) Bob Steinbacher asked Liberty Unciano to pull random names of those Trustees that would make up the Presidential Compensation Committee. The Trustees chosen were David Peters, Jim Duffy, Tyler Tomich, Richard Moody and Gayle Sonoda.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Bob Steinbacher referred to the Board Offsite meeting in September and indicated that they discussed changes to the dollar amounts awarded from the Scholarship Program.
Rick Godinez made the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to increase the 1st Place award from $5,000 to $10,000, 2nd place from $2,500 to $8,000, all other scholarships from $2,500 to $7,500 and the Memorial Scholarships from $5,000 to $10,000. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to increase the 1st Place award from $5,000 to $10,000, 2nd place from $2,500 to $8,000, all other scholarships from $2,500 to $7,500 and the Memorial Scholarships from $5,000 to $10,000.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the IFEBP Conference and indicated that those Trustees attending should have received an email containing hotel confirmations.
2) Joe Vigil reported on the Colorado Springs and Sacramento Memorials.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the 2018 Election and reminded the Group 1 Trustees to submit their bios and their intent to run for Trustee. He indicated they must be submitted by October 15th. He indicated that they have sent the language for the Bylaw changes to California Elections to be placed on the ballots. He indicated that ballots will be counted at the Relief Association office on November 29th.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Tim Freeman informed the Board that they sold some of the position from Cohen & Steers Fixed Asset Fund for capital calls for Southwest Partners, PIMCO Bravo and the RCP Fund.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and indicated that it was a successful day. He indicated that he is unaware of any issues from that day. He stated that the golf wrap-up meeting will be sometime in December.
2) Todd Layfer referred to Open Enrollment and runs through until October 31st. Bob Steinbacher asked Trustees to make an appearance at their battalions to provide information on the LAFRA Medical Plan.
3) Todd Layfer reminded Trustees that Open House is on November 3rd and indicated that we will be honoring Bruce Galien and Craig White.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,194,021.35. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,194,021.35.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Stine 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve all the medical bills. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical bills.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $62,536.72
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,200
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $48,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $50,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Vernon B. Larson
Richard B. Stufflebeam
Jean-Paul Adagio
George W. Fischer Jr.
Neil R. McCullom
Harlan K. Hedlund
Ellsworth L. Almany
Charles W. Debenham
Deane C. Wickstrom Jr.
Concepcion A. Ramirez
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $6,694 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $6,694 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.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
1) Rick Godinez provided an update on the Marketing & Development upcoming events. He reported that Marlene Casillas had received the final bequest payment of $169,683.10 from an anonymous donor for the Eternal Flame Society that benefits the WODFF. He indicated that this donation increases the total donation amount from this donor to more than $1 million. He also wanted to acknowledge and thank Kenneth Breskin for his efforts on a car show that raised $12,000 and the Herschel School for their $1,000 donation and the Valley Professionals Network for their $2,500 donation.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFD Fallen Firefighter Memorial -October 13th
2) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 14 – 17
3) LAFRA Open House – November 3rd
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Andrew P. Fox – Wednesday, November 7th C @ The Odyssey Restaurant (White)
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
Diane Vigil and Valerie Lawrence provided a report from the Colorado Springs Memorial and their support to the Widows and families of the Relief Association.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 12:25 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 12:37 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. Richard Moody so moved. Rick Godinez seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:43 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President