MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 8, 2011
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 9:45 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey – Battalion 1
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik – Battalion 2
- Trustee James Coburn – Battalion 4
- Trustee Gary Matsubara – Battalion 5
- Trustee Chris Stine – Battalion 6
- Trustee Rick Godinez – Battalion 7
- Trustee Doak Smith – Battalion 9
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez – Battalion 10
- Trustee Chris Hart – Battalion 11
- Trustee Craig White – Battalion 12
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher – Battalion 14
- Trustee Steven Domanski – Battalion 15
- Trustee David Peters – Battalion 17
- Trustee Steve Tufts – Battalion 18
- Trustee David Ortiz – Headquarters 1
- Trustee Kurt Stabel – Headquarters 2
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension 2
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension 3
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Michael Overholser – Battalion 3 (Excused)
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi, Battalion 13 (Excused)
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension 1 (Excused)
GUEST:
- Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Chris Hart 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 August 4, 2011. Gary Matsubara so moved. David Peters 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 4, 2011.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) John Jacobsen stated that Marlene Casillas was to update the Board on the Planned Giving Program. He referred to the brochure on Trusts that had been mailed to the members from one of the partnered law firms that are willing to work with our organization to benefit our membership. He mentioned that they will hold a couple of seminars that will accommodate 30 people. He also indicated that Board members have discussed establishing a legacy society to honor and thank individuals and families that have included a “planned gift” in their trusts to WODFF. Marlene stated that they were creating a legacy society called the Eternal Flame Society. This society will help track gifts and acknowledge donors. She indicated that the minimum gift amount to be in this society will be a one time donation of $10,000 or more. She also mentioned that they will be launching some formal promotions letting people know that the society exists.
2) Jacobsen referred to the 2% salary opt-in for healthcare subsidy issue and stated that he attended a meeting at Pensions yesterday. He said that there was no new information. He mentioned that the Pension Board has put together some examples to share with active members to give them some clarification on what it means to them.
3) Jacobsen mentioned that the Pension Dept. is going to audit the Relief’s medical plan subsidy use and indicated that they have started the process with a data request. Also, he stated that we have signed an Operating Agreement with the Pension Department that states how we exchange information on a monthly basis. He stated that the audit will begin in the next couple of weeks after Dawna Gray completed gathering the documents requested from Pensions.
4) Jacobsen referred to Open Enrollment and indicated that notice will be in the next month’s Grapevine and placed on the website. He mentioned that the open enrollment period is through the month of October and indicted that we will begin to send letters to the membership reminding them of open enrollment.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Robert Steinbacher presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to terminate the service contract with our value manager, Knightsbridge. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to terminate the service contract with Knightsbridge.
Robert Steinbacher informed the Board that on September 22nd, they will hold interviews with new managers to replace Knightsbridge. Also, he stated that there were a few other managers that were on the watch list. He also reported that we have had two capital calls for RCP.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) David Smith provided an update on the Hope for Firefighters event and mentioned that they received a check from Linda Lara for $2,600 for merchandise sales. He reported that the net profit was $74K and the total income was $114K. He mentioned that last week they hosted a luncheon for the Hope Committee as a thank you.
2) David Smith mentioned that the planning of the Golf Tournament was going well and indicated that they had received about $90K in contributions to date. He mentioned that they have received several auction items from donors and indicated that Tim Larson had done a great job soliciting items as well.
3) David Smith informed that they received notice from the attorney that the Loughran Estate final settlement has been filed with a court in Santa Barbara for a hearing on September 15th. He indicated that the conservatory issue should soon come to an end.
4) Todd Layfer reviewed Actual Expenditures compared to the Budget. He referred to the main revenue sources and reported that they on target with medical premiums and member dues. He mentioned that the donations and bequests were up by 9.6%. He also indicated that the dividends and interests were also up 23%. He reported on the benefits paid to members and mentioned that the Sick and Injury benefits were down this year compared to last year. He also indicated that the payroll contributions to WODFF increased due to higher deductions from retirees. He reported that the operating expenses were slightly higher year to date because of some early payments but indicated that it will be on budget by yearend. He reported that the Grapevine loss is running better than expected so far and indicated that they are advertising for longer periods of time and added larger ads. He reported on the investment balances and indicated that the portfolio has been a push since last year. He stated that overall, the Association is in an excellent financial position.
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 $1,098,672.76. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,098,672.76.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $103,992.81. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $103,992.81.
David Smith mentioned that they have replaced an intern writer for the Grapevine magazine. He mentioned that they pay the intern $75 per article written for the Grapevine.
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 all applications to the Medical Plan.
David Peters reported that the Plan received $725K from the Retiree Drug Subsidy program.
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 $7,825.46
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $7,125,
The Life & Accident Death Benefits in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $31,500
The Life and Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $6,453.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
MEMORIALS
William F. Wooster
John E. Cass
Everett B. Courter
Eugene E. Olson
Charles L. Muller
William W. Huff
David B. Stevens
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $23,043.20 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $23,043.20 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
Donations to WODFF for August 2011
- ALVINA C. BAKULA IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND CAPT. EDWARD C. BAKULA
- CAROL CALHOON
- MILDRED SHAVER ESTATE PROCEEDS FROM THE MILDRED SHAVER ESTATE
- ROBERT B GRIDER IN MEMORY OF CAPT. JOHN E. CASS YOUR BELOVED BROTHER-IN-LAW, UNCLE & GREAT-UNCLE
- N KOBAYASHI IN HONOR OF GARY & CATHIE MATSUBARA’S WEDDING
- NOEL F. OWEN IN MEMORY OF JOHN E. CASS
- BOBBY MCCLELLAN IN MEMORY OF JOHN W.(BILL)CRENSHAW & EUGENE OLSON
- ROBERT A DAVIDOW
- MARJORIE J. WILLIAMSON
- JOHN J. ADAMS IN MEMORY OF EVERETT COURTER
- JOHN E. KNIERIM IN MEMORY OF DONALD GOODSPEED
- HELEN L. SCHULZ
- JOHN VERDONE IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED GRANDSON PRIMO JOHN VERDONE WHO PASSED AWAY 08/28/2010
- IRENE E. HASKIN IN MEMORY OF MARILYN BRASS
- BETTY V. LARSON
- MICHAEL T. MITCHELL IN MEMORY OF WILLARD S. ATKIN
- ROBERT P. LUTZ IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH MCKIBBEN WIDOW OF CAPT. JIM MCKIBBEN
- FS 87 EXTINGUSHER FUND
- FIRE STATION NO. 87 FROM OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
- LEW TAUB
- DON CLINE IN MEMORY OF JACK WIDNER
- RICHARD L. GARNER IN MEMORY OF DAVE STEVENS
- R. SCOTT & KATHY DRIGGERS IN HONOR OF GARY & CATHIE MATSUBARA’S WEDDING
- LISA M MONTOYA IN HONOR OF GARY & CATHIE MATSUBARA’S WEDDING
- RAY TANIMOTO IN HONOR OF GARY & CATHIE MATSUBARA’S WEDDING
- SHARON SANWO IN HONOR OF GARY & CATHIE MATSUBARA’S WEDDING
- ROY TANIMOTO IN HONOR OF GARY & CATHIE MATSUBARA’S WEDDING
- RALPH E DAVIS IN MEMORY OF JACK NOWELL
- GREGORY B. STONE IN MEMORY OF RAY O’CONNOR
- RICHARD F. RUSH IN MEMORY OF LAWRENCE “WHITEY” WIRTZ
- DAVID L. KATZ IN MEMORY OF DAVE STEVENS
- FRED R. NUESCA
- WILLIAM A. BURNIDGE IN MEMORY OF CLARK V. CORNWELL JR.
- HELEN MEGORDEN
- EDWARD ROZESKI IN HONOR OF ANN NIX 90TH BIRTHDAY
- DEBI ROZESKI IN HONOR OF ANN NIX 90TH BIRTHDAY
- DELLA F CRENSHAW IN MEMORY OF EUGENE E. OLSON
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 advancements for active and retired members and surviving spouses. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the advancements for active and retired members and surviving spouses.
GRAPEVINE/WEB COMMITTEE
Chris Hart reported on the revenue increase for ads in the Grapevine magazine. He also indicated that they would also like to see writers for Battalions 4, 5, 6, 15 and 17.
SECRETARY REPORT
Andy Kuljis asked the Board to approve the nomination and election of John Jacobsen for President and Juan Albarran for Vice President by show of hands. The Board voted unanimously to approve both candidates into office.
Andy Kuljis certified the Board’s action to elect John Jacobsen as President and Juan Albarran as Vice President.
OLD BUSINESS
Jacobsen entertained a motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting held August 17, 2011. Gary Matsubara so moved. David Peters seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting held August 17, 2011.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Kings Fest – September 11th
2) IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Colorado Springs Sept. 17th
3) LAFD Invitational Golf Tourn. – September 19th
4) Blood Drive at FS 114 – September 25th
5) SIIA – October 9th – October 12th
6) LAFRA Casino Night – October 22nd
7) IFEBP Annual Conf. – October 30th – November 2nd
8) LAFRA Open House – November 5th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) John A. Buck – September 12th Ports O’Call Restaurant (Kuljis)
2) Mike Pesich – September 22nd Ports O’Call Berth 76 (Larson)
3) Bruce Bickly – September 27th Odyssey Restaurant (Overholser)
4) Jerry Brown – October 1st Proud Bird Restaurant (Coburn)
5) Andy Zar – October 9th Fire Station 49 (Hedberg)
6) Wilbert Lew – October 16th Holiday Inn
7) Dan Arnold – October 16th FS 114
8) Mike Bennett – October 22nd Aqua Dulce Airport (Domanski)
9) Bob Turner – November 5th & 6th Hyatt Regency Valencia (White)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. Tim Larson so moved. Jeff Cawdrey seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:49am.
John Jacobsen, President