LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
October 7, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeff Cawdrey called the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:10 a.m. (Today’s meeting conducted via conference call and in person due to National Emergency of Coronavirus)
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, President
Chris Stine, Vice President
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Chris Bustamante
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller/Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Frank Aguirre led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to ratify the September 2, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Steve Berkery moved. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify the September 2 2020 Board Meeting Minutes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey provided a pension meeting update which referred to furloughs on City civilian employees. He indicated that this furlough did not affect pension employees. He indicated that Ruben Navarro had referred to the 2% option and stated that he wanted to hear from other organizations if they would consider offering medical plan coverage to those people that did not opt into the 2%.
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that the Pension Department has requested additional information related to the dependent verification process on domestic partnerships and children of domestic partnerships. He stated that they are requesting a report with additional data, like names and number of dependents.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Covid 19 Worker’s Comp law changes and how it affects LAFRA.
4) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Drill Tower Class presentation and indicated that there are 50 recruits graduating He reported that all 50 have joined as associate members and are enrolled on the Medical Plan.
5) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that Diane Vigil approached him about Light the Night which is an East Coast National Fallen Firefighter Memorial where they light up fire stations and buildings. He indicated that Diane contacted the Mayor’s Office, Fire Chief and LAX and was able to get approval to light up the City with lights honoring our fallen firefighters. He indicated that we were able to obtain several photos which will be placed on our website. A big thanks to Diane Vigil for organizing this event.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:40 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:30 a.m.
Member updates were discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Chris Stine stated that they will draw five names for the Ad Hoc Presidential Compensation Committee. The Senior Trustee will be the Chairman of the Committee. Those chosen were;
Juan Albarran
Gene Bednarchik
Jim Duffy
John Jacobsen
Mike Sailhamer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1) Todd Layfer provided an update on the Trustee Election and indicated that October 15th is the deadline for Trustees to submit their intent to run. He indicated that we will place notices in the October and November Grapevine. He stated that voting goes from October 23rd through November 23rd.
2) Todd Layfer referred to Open Enrollment and indicated that it is happening now through the end of October.
3) Todd Layfer presented a flag box produced by our new vendor, Onfire Woodworks.
4) Todd Layfer asked all Trustees to submit their expenses.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to divide our Large Cap Growth Index Fund asset allocation between the Vanguard Growth Index and the Poland Focus Group Strategy. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to divide our Large Cap Growth Index Fund asset allocation between the Vanguard Growth Index and the Poland Focus Group Strategy.
John Jacobsen indicated that Beacon Pointe is suggesting that we rebalance our portfolio next year and is recommending a private equity build out to a company called Charles Bank. He indicated that this is a leveraged buyout strategy.
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 $1,291,103.60. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,291,103.60.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the medical plan bills totaling $833,469.39. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical Plan bills totaling $833,469.39.
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 $45,128.87
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,600
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $30,000
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
Richard L. Carr
Jesse Lea
John C. Polikaitis
Theodore R. Stevens
David W. Sloan
Fred G. Haarman
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Steve Berkery presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $1,562 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $1,562 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’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.
BYLAW COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey stated that there are no Bylaw amendments for this year’s Trustee election.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that the committee has discussed canceling the 2020 Scholarship since the applicants have already started school. He also indicated that they discussed the possibility of inviting those applicants back for the 2021 Scholarship Program. Other options are also under consideration.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that the online auction opens this Tuesday and will run for two weeks. He provided updates on the ongoing fundraising programs with Muertos Coffee and the Pasadena Human Society.
SETTING DATES
1) Hook & Ladder (CANCELLED)
2) Ray Van Blarcom Memorial – October 24th
3) LAFRA Open House – November 7th (CANCELLED)
4) LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance – December 12th (CANCELLED)
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Cawdrey entertained a motion to adjourn. Juan Albarran so moved. Frank Aguirre seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:21 p.m.
Jeff Cawdrey, President
