MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 2, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
President David Marino called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:10 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- David Marino, President
- John Jacobsen, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2
- Trustee Juan Albarran, Battalion 3
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 5
- Trustee Tim Larson – Battalion 6
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 7
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 10
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 13
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 17
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- Trustee Ralph Brownell – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9 (Excused)
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 14 (Excused)
GUESTS:
- David Wagner, Grapevine Editor
- Dennis Mendenhall, Retired
- James Dolan
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
David Ortiz led the invocation.
RATIFICATIONS OF MINUTES
David Marino entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held August 5, 2010. Gary Matsubara so moved. Jeff Cawdrey seconded the motion. 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 August 5, 2010.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) David Marino stated that they have been working on creating the Assistant Secretary position which has been completed. He reviewed the position duties with the Board and the compensation.
David Lowe motioned to appoint Jim Dolan as Assistant Secretary temporarily and conduct interviews for the position in November. Tim Larson seconded. Marino stated that the position was developed to assist Secretary Andrew Kuljis. He indicated that the salary was approved and is budgeted. The Board further discussed the position and decided to implement initially as a temporary position and practice their due diligence and advertise the position to the membership. David Marino stated that the position will be paid for hourly work and part time as needed. There was no further discussion or objection.
Motion carried to appoint Jim Dolan as the temporary Assistant Secretary as stated.
Jim Dolan stated that he accepts the position of the temporary Assistant Secretary.
2) David Marino stated that the Board needed to elect the 2011 President and Vice-President of the Board. Those nominated for President and Vice President at the previous Board meeting were John Jacobsen for President and Juan Albarran for Vice President.
Tim Larson motioned approve the election of John Jacobsen as President. Chris Hart seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the election of John Jacobsen as President.
Gene Bednarchik motioned to approve the election of Juan Albarran as Vice President. Gary Matsubara seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the election of Juan Albarran as Vice President.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen informed the Board that he and David Marino are scheduled to meet with the UFLAC Executive Committee on September 8th to discuss the MOU that allows their employees onto the LAFRA Kaiser plan. He indicated that they will also discuss reimbursement issues for funerals between LAFRA and UFLAC. He stated that he will report back to the Board after the meeting.
2) Jacobsen stated that they continue to work on helping those retired members having trouble with workers compensation care and obtaining their medication. He mentioned that he maintains a tracking log of those members to determine their status and if they need further assistance.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith provided an update on the website and stated that effective today, Trellon is the new host for the website. He indicated that Trellon will fix programming inefficiencies by September 15th. He stated that the Donor Perfect software will be handling the online donations as well as the processing of credit cards and it will be launched by September 15. He mentioned that the new website for the Dalmatians store should also be up and running by September 15th and it will be linked to the LAFRA main web site.
2) Todd Layfer reported that on August 26th we went live on the new POS system, Counter Point for the store. He stated that there is a clear path on how the website will function. He also mentioned that they are in the process of finalizing the domain name LAFDGEAR.COM. He indicated that since they are trying to appeal to the public, they are trying to come up with a more generic type name. David Wagner mentioned that the art department came up with two logos for the LAFDGear name and asked the Board to choose which they prefer.
3) Chris Hart asked the Board about how many of them would be opposed to consider changing the name of the Dalmatian store. He stated that they are trying to do different things for the store to get a fresh start. The Board discussed the possibilities of the change and figured that they would need to determine costs associated with the name change and logos.
4) Marlene Casillas introduced Jody Houser to the Board and described her part time position and responsibilities. David Wagner also mentioned how social media sites could benefit the Relief Association and how they could get them to work for marketing and events.
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 $945,521.84. He stated that $500K was for the Kaiser pass through. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $945,521.84.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $100,124.32. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $100,124.32.
1) David Smith stated that a week ago, the website was shut down by R.A. Santiago due to LAFRA leaving to another company. He stated that the issue was resolved and indicated that they will no longer have to deal with those types of issues because LAFRA bought its own security certificate.
2) David Lowe reported that as of today, we have nearly a full field for the golf tournament. He stated that they appreciate all the help from those volunteering.
SECRETARY REPORT
Andrew Kuljis reported on the Member Statistic Report. He also reported that the agreement has been confirmed with the outside party who will conduct Trustee elections in October. He also mentioned that they have been very busy with funerals and memorial services.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motions.
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 the applications to the Medical Plan.
David Peters informed the Board that on September 14th, members from the Medical committee will meet with the three pharmacies benefit managers finalists. He stated that the Medical Subcommittee will bring their recommendation to the full Medical Committee on September 23rd and request approval at the next Board meeting.
David Peters reported that preparation of open enrollment material is progressing and stated it will be finalized with in a week for mailing by October 1. He stated that they are waiting to determine if they will have a new pharmacy benefit manager to disclose to the membership.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Juan Albarran presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $26,336.35,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $10,122.64,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $12,000,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $4,654.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $5,576.79 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $5,576.79 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for August 2010
- GARY ARCHIBALD (1) STAIRGLIDE STAIRLIFE SEAT WITH 14TH TRACK
- CHRISTOPHER OELRICH WHICH REPRESENTS MONEY COLLECTED AT MY RETIREMENT DINNER AT “CAPTAIN O’S”
- RICHARD LAMBINE
- DANNY LEON IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM COTTERELL, HAROLD ARNOLD, AND FITZHUGH BANKS
- CONEJO MOUNTAIN FUNERAL HOME IN GRATITUDE TO FIRE CHAPLAIN GREG GIBSON FOR HIS SERVICES
- MACY’S FOUNDATION
- LEO VAN VALKENBURG IN MEMORY OF DON TRUST
- LOLAND C. DRIGGS IN MEMORY OF DONALD W. SEEBERG, ESTHER JONES, RICHARD LAMBINE AND DALE PACKARD
- AT& T UNITED WAY EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMPAIGN
- HELEN L SCHULZ
- DOUGLAS J KIRBY IN MEMORY OF GEORGE CRUZ
- FELIX V. PIERE IN GRATITUDE FOR THE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
- MICHAEL D SARGENT IN MEMORY OF DON SIVICOE
- THOMAS G CROCKATT IN MEMORY OF DONALD E. SIVACOE
- HENRY O HUIZINGA JR IN MEMORY OF NED CHATFIELD
- ANN KISICKI IN MEMORY OF HERBERT SLAFTER
- ROBERT L. KILPATRICK IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- RODNEY S KILPARTICK IN MEMORY OF JOHN W. CALLAHAN
- RICHARD L WATERS IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS L. SMITH SPOUSE OF THOMAS E. SMITH
- BETTY LARSON
- ANNA OTIS IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- BRIAN A. MANSON
- AUDREY HOOPER IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- WILLIAM BAILEY
- FIRE STATION NO. 5 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- WILLIAM BAILEY
- WILLIAM BAILEY
- SANDRA L CARON IN MEMORY OF ORVAL DALE EVANS
- FIRE STATION NO. 103 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- RALPH N NELMAN
- FIRE STATION NO. 56 FROM THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- EUGENE E OLSON IN MEMORY OF DON TRUST
- CATHERINE M NAEGLE IN MEMORY OF MOE ROGERS, CLEO JENISON, CAMERON CRAMER, JEAN COSTELLO AND MY HUSBAND ROBERT O. NAEGLE
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY IN MEMORY OF ARTHUR LEE FRAZIER JR.
- TERRANCE S WALLACE
- KATHLEEN EMAMI IN MEMORY OF HERBERT SLAFTER
- DAVID EMAMI IN MEMORY OF HERB SLAFTER
- ELVIN QUINONES IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- DAVID PISAREV IN MEMORY OF MAX MYERS
- GARY BOWIE IN MEMORY OF JOHN CALLAHAN
- RICHARD LAMBINE
- DAVE WAGNER IN MEMORY OF JOAN ELAINE HALQUIST MOTHER OF OUR BROTHER MARK HALQUIST
- DONALD L CATE IN MEMORY OF MY DEAR WIFE LOIS SHE IS MISSED
- WILLIAM B POWER IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- ANONYMOUS DONATION
- SANDY MCCLURG IN MEMORY OF JACK SIMMONS
- DENISE THOMAS IN HONOR OF CHRIS VILLAVICENCIO
- JAMES JONES
- MICHAEL COSENZA
- JAMES E. GILLUM FROM OUR BREAKFAST GROUP
- RICHARD L GARNER IN MEMORY OF GREG CLARK
- ANONYMOUS DONATION FROM NYFD 1957 RETIREE
- WILLIAM BAILEY
- JOHN F VIRGIL
- DAVID CALHOUN
- DENNIS L. MENDENHALL
- ROBERT VOWELS
- LARS NELSON
The committee recommends and I so move to assist two surviving spouses with continued monthly medical premiums with a six month review. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to assist two surviving spouses with continued monthly medical premiums with a six month review.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
Juan Albarran presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to advance;
A member with $200,
A member with $2,032.22.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve emergency advancements as stated.
MEMORIALS
Lloyd M. Piest
Harold Von Asher
Jack E. Simmons
James D. Chester
Juan Albarran read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Kurt Stabel stated that the economy continues be very weak as well as the markets. He stated that they have a big allocation to bonds and stated that the DISCO fund has performed well in spite the environment. He indicated that the Investment Committee will need to discuss what they will do with the funds as the DISCO fund will self liquidate at the end of the year. He mentioned that PIMCO will hold a luncheon on Sept. 15th for those committee members interested. He also asked the Trustees to start thinking about the potential of investing in real estate and give ideas to Kurt on where purchase and what size and type of property they want to consider purchasing.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Kurt Stabel requested that David Marino ask Todd Layfer to produce a cost report that shows every cost to lease space at 815 Colorado.
SETTING DATES
1) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 11th (Kuljis & Larson)
2) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn – September 13th
3) Member Appreciation @ Saddle Ranch – October 17th
4) Open House – November 6th
5) Annual IFEPB Conference – November 14th – 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Noel Murchet – September 10th Ports O’Call Restaurant (Hart)
2) Rick Villata – September 22nd Taix Restaurant (Larson)
3) Clinton Shelton, Jr. – November 10th Kyoto Grand Hotel
4) Chris Baker – November 15th The Odyssey Restaurant
5) Robert Reeby – November 18th Fire Station 114
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive session at 11:45am.
The Board adjourned from Executive session at 11:50am.
Executive session discussion involved confidential and personnel issues. No actions were taken during the session.
ADJOURNMENT
David Marino entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Gary Matsubara seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:56am.
David Marino, President