City of San Diego Retired Employees Association
November 9, 2021
Board Meeting Minutes
NOTES: All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted
The meeting was held via Zoom
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Dick Wilken at 9:15am.
Board Members Present: Jim Baross, Mike Bresnahan, Chris Brewster, Karen Butler, Shirley Hall, Joan Hernandez, Charlie Hogquist, Brad Jacobsen, Mary Ann Stepnowsky, John Tsiknas, Dave Twomey, Dick Wilken, and Janet Wood
Guests Present: Joe Flynn, Stacey LoMedico
AGENDA: There were no additions or changes to the agenda.
MINUTES: The minutes of the October 2021 Board meeting were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen reported that there was nothing of import to report.
M/S/C to accept the September Treasurer’s Report.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: John reported that the Russell 3000 rebounded from the correction, and the appreciation since the original investment in 2017 is 68.52%. The Money Market appreciation during the same period is 3.05%.
RETIREMENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT: Charlie reported that the Annual Supplemental Benefit was approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ITEMS: Dick updated the Board on a member’s complaint that she did not receive notice from SDCERS that her Medicare Part B reimbursement request had not been received. There is apparently some friction between SDCERS and Risk Management with the latter handing off obsolete software that it would take an expensive IT overhaul for SDCERS to resolve. Brad, Stacey, and Chris expressed frustrations with communications to SDCERS via Cox.
Dave informed the Board that dessert for the Holiday Party will be provided by Extraordinary Desserts. Brad informed the Board that we currently have 23 RSVPs for the event, 12 of them have paid.
Dave also reported that the food drive is going well, with us being over halfway to our $3000 goal.
ACTION ITEMS: None
ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORT
1) Dave reported that he met with the principal of Baker Elementary and a representative from District 9 to discuss the “Read Across America” event; it went well. Dave wants to recruit local celebrities to be readers and to attract media attention to the event.
2) Stacey reported that volunteers are signing up for two events in December and one in February.
3) Mike and Mary Ann are doing some preliminary work on instituting online membership enrollment and payments for events.
The next meeting is Tuesday, November 11 at 9:30am via Zoom specifically to discuss a possible dues increase.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
Membership: No report
Newsletter: Mary Ann reported that Connor did a great job on the November newsletter. Deadline for the next issue is November 18.
OTHER RETIREE/ACTIVE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION REPORTS
Retiree Issues Task Force (RITF): SDCERS agreed to include contact information for both REA and RFPA in the Scoop.
Retirement Security Roundtable: No report
MEA: Jim reported that the next meeting will be November 10.
Other Retired Public Employee Associations: No report
PROGRAMS: Dave reported that Mike Zucchet cannot commit to his usual January visit until he gets the calendar of Port Commission meetings later in November. Scott Lewis is a possible substitute.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00am.
Respectfully submitted,
Brad Jacobsen
Secretary