City of San Diego Retired Employees Association 

January 11, 2022 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, Joan McNamara, Mary Ann Stepnowsky, John Tsiknas, Dave Twomey, Dick Wilken, and Janet Wood 

Guests Present: Joe Flynn, Stacey LoMedico, Abby Salaiz 

AGENDA: There were no additions or changes to the agenda. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the November 2021 Board meeting were approved (12-1-1). The minutes of the December 2021 Emergency Board meeting were approved (13-1-0). 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen reported that she had a complete computer crash and had to re-create all the documents; minor adjustments to the November and December reports will need to be made. 

M/S/C to conditionally accept the November and December Treasurer’s Reports, subject to revisions. 

Karen produced the 2022 budget as developed at the Board Retreat. As had been decided at the Retreat, the 2022 budget reflects income from the proposed dues increase. Should the membership reject the dues increase, the shortfall can be addressed by moving funds from the reserve accounts, and by cutting expenditures. 

M/S/C to approve the 2022 budget. 

 

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: John reported that the Russell 3000 appreciation since the original investment in 2017 is 70.52%. The Money Market appreciation during the same period is 3.02%. 

 

RETIREMENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT: Charlie reported that the next SDCERS Board meeting is Friday, with a new Board member. Investment returns are good, and the City’s contribution will be forthcoming. 

 

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Dick informed the Board that Treasurer Karen Butler is resigning effective December 31, but will continue to serve until a replacement can be found and trained. Mary Ann recommended Abby Salaiz; they worked in the City Attorney’s office, and Mary Ann was impressed with Abby’s abilities including working under pressure. Dick spoke with Abby and was also impressed. 

Abby introduced herself to the Board. She is a recent retiree, having spent 34 years with the City, mostly as a supervising management analyst, and she loves using Excel. 

M/S/C to appoint Abby Salaiz as Treasurer, with her effective date to be determined by Dick Wilken. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ITEMS:  

1) Dick reminded the Board that the five re-elected Board Members’ terms began today. 

2) There was a debriefing of the Holiday Party. It was a smashing success despite foul weather, and we broke even on the event. There were no problems at the door, either with payment or with verification of Covid vaccination. Some Board Members felt that the games intruded on time that guests were spending reconnecting with each other; perhaps the game time could be curtailed in 2022. Finally, it was suggested that we again open the bar early next year. 

 

ACTION ITEMS: 

At the annual retreat, the Board discussed raising the dues, with some members advocating for a $1 and others for an increase of $2. In the end, the Board decided to recommend to the General Membership that they approve a dues increase of $1. This decision needed to be ratified at an official Board meeting. 

M/S/C (13-1-0) to recommend the General Membership approve a dues increase of $1 from $2 per month to $3 per month and $45 a year for annual payers 

Dick proposed a timeline for the process: 

  • The proposal will be announced at the January 11 General Membership meeting, with voting at the March 8 meeting 
  • The justification letter will be published in the February newsletters and will also be available via email, and by USPS mail upon request; this will also inform members of the March 8 vote. 
  • A second announcement will be made at the February 8 meeting. Members who want a printed copy of the justification letter will be directed to our call center 
  • The General Membership will vote on the dues increase at the March 8 meeting 

M/S/C to approve Dick’s timeline for bringing the proposed dues increase to the General Membership 

 

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORT 

1) Dave reported that the Read Across America event will be March 3. The school selected is K-5 with 17 classes. He has been coordinating the event with the principal, a Council Rep from D9, and with a PR rep Gary Katz. Students at a nearby middle school may be readers at the event. 

2) Stacey reported that there have been two events at which REA members and other retirees participated. She is working with Park & Rec for more events but that there are issues there regarding screening of volunteers. 

3) The next meeting is Thursday January 27, November 11 at 9:30am via Zoom. 

 

OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Membership: No report 

Newsletter: Deadline for the next issue is January 19. 

 

OTHER RETIREE/ACTIVE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION REPORTS 

Retiree Issues Task Force (RITF): No report 

Retirement Security Roundtable: No report 

MEA: No report 

Other Retired Public Employee Associations: No report 

 

PROGRAMS: Dave reported that the schedule is good through April, with some later speakers needing confirmation. 

 

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40am. 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Brad Jacobsen 

Secretary