Board Meeting Minutes - 7/10/2018

City of San Diego Retired Employees Association
July 10, 2018
Board Meeting Minutes

NOTE: All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Jim Baross at 9:30am.

Board Members Present: Jim Baross, Mike Bresnahan, Karen Butler, Shirley Hall, Joan Hernandez, Charlie Hogquist, Brad Jacobsen, Ty Rogers, Mary Ann Stepnowsky, John Tsiknas, Dave Twomey, and Janet Wood

Guests Present: Art Brown, Dick Wilken

AGENDA: There were no changes to the agenda.

MINUTES: The minutes of the May 2018 Board meeting were approved.

COMMUNICATIONS: There were lots of calls and questions about the changes to the health insurance plans.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen reported that she paid the $1000 deposit to the Bali Hai for the Holiday Party. Reimbursements for refreshments and other expenses associated with the SDCERS Health Fair will be on the July report. The Investment Committee reported that the value of our investments is increasing. There will be no more lump-sum transfers from the Legal Defense Fund into the investments.

M/S/C to approve the May and June Treasurer’s Reports.
M/S/C to approve the Investment Committee report.

On behalf of the Audit Committee, Jim reported that all is well.

RETIREMENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

Charlie reported that the investments are steady. A big worry is the upcoming Prop B decision at the State Supreme Court; the decision will be announced before August 31. The City is being mum and unresponsive about discussing possible outcomes; there has been no communication between the City and SDCERS or MEA. Charlie also noted that disability benefits under Prop B may need to be recalculated; no one knows how many people are affected.

M/S/C to empower a group comprised of REA and Retired Police & Fire Association members to issue a joint statement in response to the Prop B decision.

Charlie also stated that retirees with a Valic 457 deferred comp account should have received notification of their options (stay with Valic or automatically transfer to CalPERS).

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

It was noted that although the Health Fair was well-attended, our table was not in a very good location. It was decided that we should have a presence next year at both the Health Fair and the prior Health Care Preview.
Jim asked for a Board member to join him on the Nominating Committee; Shirley volunteered. He will make a request at the General Membership Meeting.
Because of a conflict in his schedule, Jack McGrory will not be able to speak at the September meeting, but will be at the October meeting. SDCERS staff have agreed to present in September; August’s program, which was to have featured Gregg Rademacher, will now be a bicycle and pedestrian safety and awareness presentation coordinated by Jim Baross.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

Joan McNamara reported that we have all the insurance we need.
Joan McNamara reported that the next REA outing will be San Diego Museum of Art’s conservancy and restoration program.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Advocacy: The next meeting is July 26. The committee is working on setting up one-on- one meetings with local elected officials, beginning with City Council members. Ideally, one of the REA participants will be a resident of that councilmember’s district. Retiree Issues Task Force (RITF): No report.

Other Retired Public Employee Associations: No report.

Active Employee Associations: Mike Zucchet stated that 40% of current City employees were hired after Prop B and that these people may prefer a 401k to a defined benefits plan, as they may not see working for the City as a near-lifelong career. Regarding the recent US Supreme Court decision on public employee union dues, Zucchet said that only 3% of MEA’s members are paying the fee instead of dues.

Strength of the Past, Voice of the Future

Board Meeting Minutes – 7/10/2018