MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 5, 2012
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 11:03 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- John Jacobsen, President
- Juan Albarran, Vice President
- Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
- Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
- Trustee Michael Overholser
- Trustee Gary Matsubara
- Trustee Chris Stine
- Trustee Doak Smith
- Trustee Francisco Hernandez
- Trustee Craig White
- Trustee Robert Steinbacher
- Trustee Steven Domanski
- Trustee Kurt Stabel
- Trustee David Ortiz
- Trustee David Lowe – Pension
- Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
- David Ned Smith – Executive Director
- Controller – Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Trustee Gene Bednarchik (Excused)
- Trustee Rick Godinez (Excused)
- Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
- Trustee James Coburn (Excused)
- Trustee Steve Tufts (Excused)
- Trustee David Peters (Excused)
- Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension (Excused)
- Trustee Mark Akahoshi (Excused)
GUEST:
- Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. David Lowe led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Special Board of Trustees meeting held August 15, 2012 and the Board of Trustees meeting held August 5, 2012. David Ortiz so moved. Tim Larson seconded the motion. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Special Board Meeting held August 15, 2012 and the Board of Trustees held August 5, 2012.
PRESIDENT & V.P. ELECTION
Jacobsen entertained a motion to approve the nomination and election of John Jacobsen for President and Juan Albarran for Vice President for the year 2013.
Gary Matsubara motioned to approve the nominations and elections. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to elect John Jacobsen for President and Juan Albarran for Vice President for the year 2013.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jacobsen informed the Board that UFLAC was holding an EAP Workshop on September 10th and 11th. He mentioned that Steve Domanski has reserved a couple of spots if anyone was interested in attending.
2) Jacobsen referred to a legislative bill affecting workers comp and how it could affect both active and retired members. He stated that the draft bill will modify the review process cut a portion of due process out of the equation. Also, it will eliminate our ability to seek reimbursement from the City for worker’s comp claims that were paid by the medical plan.. He indicated that the bill has not yet been approved by the legislature.
3) Jacobsen referred to the mailing that went to members who are not contributing to the WODFF via payroll deduction. He indicated that so far, we have gotten a good response primarily from retirees. He mentioned that the overall feedback was positive.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
Juan Albarran referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and stated that Kurt Stabel, Robert Steinbacher and he will be attending the event to escort the families of those members being placed on the Memorial Wall. He stated that members being place on the wall were Keith Kroll, Ralph Urquiza, Eric Shepherd and Glenn Smith.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer presented the financial expenditures compared to the budget for the year through June 30, 2012. He stated that the main revenue from operations were on target from what was projected. He referred to the benefits paid to members and indicated that the medical and pharmaceutical benefits are tracking below what was anticipated. He mentioned that the DME benefit payout was running higher than anticipated. He indicated that the assistance for members has been tracking approximately 42% below from what was budgeted. He referred to contributions and indicated that the payroll deductions are on target and reviewed the net income for Hope for Firefighters and other events compared to 2011. He stated that overall expenditures were below budget.
2) David Smith informed the Board that the new WODFF.org website was up and working. He indicated that this site was directed towards non-members of the Relief and for those wanting to donate to the WODFF. He also stated that this site was produced in-house with the LAFRA staff which enables them to make future changes easily. He referred to the LAFRA.org site and indicated that they are currently reviewing multiple draft pages and it will hopefully be up and running within a few weeks.
3) Todd Layfer provided an update on the new Member Services position and stated that they have selected 10 candidates from over 65 applications for the interview process. He stated that the second round of interviews will be conducted by himself and David Smith.
4) David Smith referred to the FRITS program project and stated that the consultant is roughly 50% complete with documenting the FRITS program. He stated that he should have it completed by the end of October. He indicated that in November, they will go out for bids to have the FRITS system upgraded to one of the new software platforms.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher informed the Board that there will be an Investment Committee meeting on September 19th at 10:00am. He mentioned that Kurt Stabel will give a brief synopsis on IVA’s view of world investments.
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 $1,262,977.24. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,262,977.24.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $65,418.16. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $65,418.16.
Robert Steinbacher referred to the Six Flags Magic Mountain event and stated that the risk of the cost for the required guaranteed attendance wasn’t considered worth the value of the event to LAFRA. Jacobsen reported that the sales and attendance have gone down through the years and recommended that we not hold the event next year.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Robert Steinbacher 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.
Steinbacher informed the Board that the Administrative Committee has decided not to contract with the Part D Advisors after consulting with Burchfield and Bradawn.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $7,686.55
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $2,400,
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $49,500
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Doak Smith read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Loren L. White
Albert U. Loewe
Carl A. Carlson
James A. Graham
James R. Costello
Herbert L. Tourtillott
Robert H. Wickord
Arnold L. Osburn
Heinz W. Wahlers
John E. Pollock
Alan A. Vorgitch
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Doak Smith presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $32,264.87 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $32,264.87 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. Doak reported that there were two assistance applications that were denied because of no financial need. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the financial assistance applications for surviving spouses, active and retired members.
The committee recommends and I so move to assist a member with DME in the amount of $34,973. Doak Smith informed the Board that the member has Kaiser insurance coverage and has provided the committee with a prescription and letter of necessity from his physician. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve assistance for a member in the amount of $34,973.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
Doak Smith presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the emergency advancement applications for active and retired members.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis informed the Board that he has not received any intent to run for a Trustee position other than from existing Trustees whose terms are expiring.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Over the Line Tournament – September 12th
2) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 24th
3) Mayo Classic – November 7th
4) IFEBP Annual Employee Benefits Conf. – November 11th – 14th
5) LAFRA Open House – December 1st
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Tom Lambert – September 8th Ports O’Call Restaurant (Kuljis)
2) Michael Whitehouse – October 2nd Odyssey Restaurant (Peters)
3) Brian Rubino – November 13th Knollwood Country Club (Steinbacher)
4) Michael Camello – January 25th Brookside Golf Club (Kuljis)
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn. Gary Matsubara so moved. Tim Larson seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:10am.
John Jacobsen, President