MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 6, 2017
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 11:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Steve Domanski – Pension
Todd Layfer – Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
GUESTS:
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Bill Quinn, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Tim Larson led the invocation. David Peters led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher stated that the minutes for July and August will be ratified at the October Board meeting.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher referred to the nominations for President and Vice President and indicated that they will need to ratify them at the October Board meeting.
2) Bob Steinbacher provided a brief update on the current medical plan discussions with the Pension Department.
3) Bob Steinbacher indicated that Jeff Cawdrey will attend the Drill Tower 40 graduation ceremony since he will be attending the Pension Ad Hoc committee meeting.
4) Bob Steinbacher referred to the LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance on December 9th and indicated that an ad will appear in the October Grapevine.
5) Bob Steinbacher indicated that the Board Offsite will be September 24th at the W Hotel. He stated that they will have dinner with some Golf Tournament sponsors later that evening.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Colorado Springs Memorial and indicated that rooms have been booked for those Trustees attending.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Sacramento Fallen Firefighter Memorial and indicated that Gayle Sonoda, Steve Domanski and Steve Ruda will be attending.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer referred to the Golf Tournament and indicated that sponsorship revenue is currently at $155K.
2) Todd Layfer informed the Board that LAFRA staff attended a Business Writing Seminar and indicated that it was successful. He indicated there will be one more staff training in October.
3) Todd Layfer referred to the Code 96 letters being sent to retirees regarding the assessment increase and indicated that they were sent last week. He indicated that the active member letters will be sent by September 13th.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:21 a.m.
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:58 a.m.
One legal matter and one personnel matter was discussed during Executive Session. No actions were taken.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
John Jacobsen informed the Board that an Investment Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 12th to discuss manager performance and making changes. He mentioned that he and Jeff Cawdrey will be visiting Cohen & Steers and Lazard
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 $935,040.64. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary bills in the amount of $935,040.64.
The committee recommends and I so move to approve $500 for the LAFD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $500 for the LAFD Fall Firefighter 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.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Tim Larson presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of $53,831.65
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of $8,370,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount of $5,795
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of $27,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Tim Larson read the names of members who recently passed and asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
John E. Knierim
Robert C. Story
Dennis R. Jarvis
Roy D. Ward
Spencer L. Thomas
Harley W. Rust
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Tim Larson presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to accept the donations in the amount of $3,953.24 to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the amount of $3,953.24 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’S REPORT
Andy Kuljis stated that he attended the L.A. Retired Fire & Police Association meeting and indicated that they thanked LAFRA for providing an accessible van for a member.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 16th
2) LAFD Golf Tournament – September 25th
3) Sacramento Fallen Firefighter Memorial – September 30th
4) LAFRA Open House – November 4th
5) LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance – December 9th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Joe Moreno – Saturday, September 30th C @ Private Residence (Steinbacher)
2) Dave Peters – Saturday, October 7th @ Private Residence (Steinbacher)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn. David Peters so moved. John Jacobsen seconded. There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:19 p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President