MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 3, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
President Juan Albarran called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:22a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Juan Albarran, President
Robert Steinbacher, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Craig White
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee David Lowe – Pension
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Steve Tufts (Excused)
Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
Trustee Barry Hedberg – Pension (Excused)
Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension (Excused)
Todd Layfer – Executive Director (Excused)
GUESTS:
David Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Steve Ruda led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held August 6, 2014. David Lowe so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees held August 6, 2014.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran asked the Board for nominations for President and Vice President for 2015.
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to approve the nominations of Juan Albarran for president and Bob Steinbacher for vice president. Craig White so moved. David Lowe seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve nominations of Juan Albarran for president and Bob Steinbacher for vice president.
2) Juan Albarran provided an update on the 7470 Figueroa building and mentioned that as of September 1st, LAFRA has taken over management of the building. He indicated we have gotten the fire clearance through plan check. He stated that we should have clearances for everything else by next week and indicated that he will report back with the results.
3) Juan Albarran asked the Board to decide on the nominee for the Open House event. After a vote of the Board, it was decided that Ray Mayo will be honored at this year’s open house.
4) Juan Albarran addressed the Board on giving the president an opportunity to work one day in the field at a fire station. He asked if they would consider making a change to the Policy Manual and allow one Saturday per month when the vice president is available. After much discussion of coverage, David Peters motioned to move the issue of the ability of president working SOD to the Administrative Committee. Gene Bednarchik seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to move the issue of the ability of president working SOD to the Administrative Committee.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher referred to the upcoming L.A. Kings Fest on September 14th and thanked all the Trustees and fire stations helping with the event. He indicated that all the food sales will be donated to WODFF.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Sacramento Memorial on October 11th and asked if anyone was interested in attending.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Bob Steinbacher reported on the Golf Tournament for Todd Layfer and stated that they are now fully booked with players. He stated that at the next committee meeting, he and Marlene will match players.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski reported that the global real estate search is on because they will be terminating EII. He also stated that as soon as they approve the Large and Small Cap, they will rebalance the portfolio.
The committee recommends and I so move to terminate manager, EII Global Property Fund. James Coburn so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to terminate manager EII Global Property Fund.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Cawdrey presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,079,823.67. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $1,079,823.67.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the professional fees in the amount of $175,662.83. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $175,662.83.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $4,000 in start-up money for the L.A. Kings Fest. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $4,000 in start-up money for the L.A. Kings Fest.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters 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.
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 $23,627.72,
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $3,600,
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $18,000.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
James Coburn read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Daniel J. Mc Mahon
Loren A. Illengo
Donald E. Beaver
Thomas M. Burroughs
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $70,269.58 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $70,269.58 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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve an additional $5,500 for an active duty death. Steve Domanski so moved. Doak Smith seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve an additional $5,500 for an active duty death.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn 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.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
Juan Albarran reported that there had been an error in the last month’s Grapevine issue with a donation in memory of a member that has not passed away. He indicated that they will resolve the issue by developing additional options for the donation file in the system.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported that California Elections has submitted their proposal for the upcoming elections. Juan Albarran stated that the Group 3 Trustees were up for this year’s election. He also indicated that those Trustees need to submit their intent to run by October 15th.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT
David Lowe presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve the proposed Bylaw changes for election. He stated that this Bylaw change reflects a change in Trustee vacancies. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the proposed Bylaw changes for election.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez reported that they will be making some changes under the application submission process as well as changes on how they notify the winners.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Over the Line Tournament – September 3rd
2) L.A. Kings Hockey Fest – September 14th
3) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 18th – 21st
4) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 22nd
5) SIIA Conference Arizona – October 5 – 7
6) LAFD Firefighter Memorial – October 11th
7) IFEBP Annual Conference (Boston) – October 12th – 15th
8) Mayo Classic – October 22nd
9) LAFRA Open House – December 6th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Ed Tapia – September 6th Castle Catering Pasadena
2) Matthew Powell – September 13th Dalmatian Amer. Club
3) Jim Eberle & Dave Rowley – September 26th 94th Aero Squadron
4) Jorge Ostrovsky – October 4th Jorge’s House
5) Raul Miranda – October 18th The Odyssey Restaurant
ADJOURNMENT
Juan Albarran entertained a motion to adjourn. Doak Smith moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:16 p.m.
Juan Albarran, President