MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 7, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association to order at 10:15 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Juan Albarran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Steven Domanski – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President (Excused)
Trustee Frank Aguirre (Excused)
Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
Trustee Steve Berkery (Excused)
Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
Trustee Tyler Tomich (Excused)
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
David Lowe, Retired
Barry Hedberg, Retired
James Coburn, Retired
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Jim Dolan, Asst. Secretary
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Steve Ruda led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held August 10, 2016. Gene Bednarchik so moved. David Peters 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 meeting held August 10, 2016.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher announced this year’s LAFRA Open House Honoree, Dennis Mendenhall. He indicated that Dennis Mendenhall has supported the Relief Association for many years as Trustee and is a part of the Supervisory Committee. Open House is on November 5th.
2) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that Todd and he met with our neighbors to discuss the increasing population of homeless tents near our buildings. He indicated that this would be an issue to address with the City of Los Angeles and So. Cal. Edison since the homeless population is utilizing those areas owned by the City and Edison.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA 110th Anniversary Dinner Dance and indicated that they will create flyers containing cost information and location. He indicated that we will also handle ticketing on the LAFRA website.
4) Bob referred to the 110th Anniversary Yearbook and indicated that Trustee David Ortiz has stepped up as the chairman for this project. He asked that Trustees let him know if they would like to help with the planning and coordination of creating the yearbook. He projected that they would print approximately 6,000 units with distribution in December 2017.
5) Bob Steinbacher informed that the LAFRA Health Fair will be held next April 2017 at the Frank Hotchkin’s Memorial Training Center. He indicated that this will enable more participation from the active members.
6) Bob Steinbacher referred to the utilization of the RB Code and indicated that we will now receive quarterly reports for us to review from the City.
7) Bob Steinbacher provided a brief update on the Pension Board Meeting and their discussion concerning medical plans.
8) Todd Layfer provided a brief building updated and indicated that we will begin sprucing up the exterior area of the building and adding landscaping work in preparation of the LAFRA Open House.
9) Bob Steinbacher referred to the election of President and Vice President for 2017 and indicated that they needed to vote.
John Jacobsen acting as Vice President entertained a motion to accept the election of Bob Steinbacher as President for 2017. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the election of Bob Steinbacher as President for 2017.
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to approve the election of Jeff Cawdrey as Vice President for 2017. Gene Bednarchik so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the election of Jeff Cawdrey as Vice President for 2017.
10) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that the Over-the-Line Tournament has been canceled due to lack of participation. He thanked Sean Millet for his efforts in planning this event.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that the travel arrangements have been made for those attending.
2) Bob Steinbacher referred to the Annual IFEBP Conference in Orlando, FL and indicated that he needed to know as soon as possible who’d be attending so that the travel arrangements could be made.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer provided an update on the Golf Tournament and reported that so far, golf sponsorships were at $148K. He reported that in 2015, the all in revenue collected was $152K. He indicated that they will have 120 golfers.
2) Todd Layfer reported on the Hope for Firefighters Committee wrap up lunch and indicated that overall the event was a success. He indicated that they discussed the topic of using water for the muster games. He indicated that there were suggestions made for next year which include the use of portable restrooms.
3) Todd Layfer and Liberty Unciano presented the Quarterly Expenditure review through the month of June 2016.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $923,749.79. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $923,749.79.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay professional fees in the amount of $157,229.70. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in the amount of $157,229.70.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the Recruit Graduation Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the Recruit Graduation Ceremony.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $300 for the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $300 for the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the LAFDHS Memorial Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the LAFDHS Memorial Ceremony.
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.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve entering into a 4-year contract with Health Scope Benefits effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2020. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve entering into a 4-year contract with Health Scope Benefits effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2020.
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 $43,788.80
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $6,829.40,
The Life & Accident Death benefit in the amount of $12,000
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $2,866
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $45,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that there was a request from a retired chaplain to do a service for an out-of-state LAFRA member that has passed. He indicated that they are looking to create a funding mechanism to help with these types of services.
Dave Peters motioned to approve up to $300 one time for chaplain travel expense. Steve Domanski seconded. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $300 one time for chaplain travel expenses.
Doak Smith read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
John R. Boyd
William G. Ritsch
James H. Cadam
Hollis B. Williams
Robert D. Looney
John N. Parkinson
Francis L. Zitko
Ryan T. Bonar
Walter Berger
James L. Miller
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Doak Smith presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $4,827.43 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $4,827.43 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.
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.
SECRETARY REPORT
Andy Kuljis informed the Board that the elections notices will be published in the September issue of the Grapevine. He indicated that the candidate application period to run for Trustee opens October 1st and closes on October 14th. He indicated that the Group 2 Trustees will be up for this year’s election.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Rick Godinez referred to the upcoming Golf Tournament and indicated that they have been targeting new sponsors and have been very successful. He asked that the Trustees remember to thank the sponsors for their support.
SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFD Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony @ FHMTC – September 9th
2) LAFD Historical Society 9/11 Memorial Ceremony – September 11th
3) Colorado Springs Memorial – September 15th – 18th
4) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament – September 19th
5) LAFDHS Annual Firefighter Memorial Ceremony – October 8th
6) Sacramento Firefighters Memorial – October 15th
7) LAFRA Open House – November 5th
8) IFEBP Annual Conference – November 13th – 16th (Orlando, FL)
9) LAFRA Holiday Party – December 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Greg Malais – Saturday, September 10th B @ The Odyssey Restaurant (Albarran)
2) David Marino – Saturday, September 10th B @ Bistro Garden (Steinbacher)
3) Frank Morales – Saturday, September 10th B @TAP Fish & Brewery (Godinez)
4) Robert Dale Shrode – Sunday September 25th A @ The Turner Backyard (Steinbacher)
5) Bob Fogelman – Saturday, October 1st C @ Fire Station 5 (Steinbacher)
6) Michael McKnight – Sunday, October 9th B @ Valyermo Ranch (Domanski)
7) Mark Carcamo – Friday, November 4th A @ San Pedro Fish Market (Kuljis)
8) Jeff Coffey – Friday, October 14th C @ Frazier Park (White)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. Craig White seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn.
The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:43 a.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President