City of San Diego Retired Employees Association

October 12, 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, Joan McNamara, 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 September 2021 Board meeting were approved, with one abstention.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen reported that she has not received an invoice from Learn to Swim; Dave said he had forwarded it, and will re-send it.

M/S/C to accept the September Treasurer’s Report.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: John reported that the Russell 3000 experienced an expected correction of about 9%; the appreciation since the original investment in 2017 is 58.38%. The Money Market appreciation during the same period is 3.07%. Overall,  the Russell did rather well since the end of 2020. At the end of 2020 the appreciation for the Russell was at 47.74% and now at the end of September 2021 the appreciation is at 58.38%, a gain of 22.28%.

RETIREMENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT: Charlie reported that the Retirement Board meetings will continue to be via Zoom until at least January. A decision on the Annual Supplemental Benefit will be made by the end of the week.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ITEMS: Dick reported that a member complained that she did not receive notice from SDCERS that her Medicare Part B reimbursement request was denied. Upon inquiry, Dick learned that her request was not denied but had not been processed because some of the online documentation was not the required pdf format. It was rejected by the SDCERS firewall. She was not notified of the issue. Dick said he would work with SDCERS staff to improve the submittal process.

Edward Kado is recommending that we spend $2500-$3000 to upgrade our webpage software. Not only will the newer software be easier to work with, but tech support for the current software is diminishing. The matter was referred to the Advocacy Committee.

ACTION ITEMS:

1) There was discussion about protocols for our in-person November 9 meeting. Tables and chairs will be arranged to provide distancing, the food will be boxed lunches, and proof of vaccination will be required. Stacey, Joan Hernandez, Shirley, and Mary Ann volunteered to be the door monitors. Masks will be optional.

[NOTE: We were later informed that the City would be using the auditorium for a covid-related event. Dick polled the Board asking if we should move the meeting to Wednesday, November 10, or use Zoom. The consensus was to hold the November meeting via Zoom.]

2) Dave reported that Bali Hai can provide a smaller venue (28 people max) and menu for the Holiday Party; the room will have a window but no view. Charlie reported that the RFPA has received over 150 paid reservations for their party. Based on that information, it was decided to proceed with using the larger room and menu. However, we will not have a drawing for door prizes. Members will need to pay in advance – no at-door payments, and no latecomers – to guarantee their attendance. Mary Ann will be the recipient of the service recognition. It was suggested that we look into using PayPal for next year’s party.

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORT

1) Dave reported that our goal for the virtual food drive will be $2000. The “Read Across America” event will be held at Baker Elementary School in District 9; Dick and Mike will discuss the event with the Mayor’s staff at their upcoming meeting.

2) Stacey reported that 34 people expressed interest in volunteering for various activities, mostly focusing on those that take place outdoors.

The next meeting is Thursday, October 28 at 9:30am via Zoom.

OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership: No report

Newsletter: Deadline for the next issue is October 17.

Nominating Committee: All current officeholders whose terms are expiring have agreed to continue. They will be presented as a slate.

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: Chris reported that the group discussed the investment returns of SDCERS, SDCERA, and CalPERS. Recent surveys indicate that a vast majority of US residents support retirement security. Congress is developing a retirement program for workers whose employers don’t have a retirement plan (ie, gig workers).

MEA: Jim reported that Ann Smith sent members a letter informing of MEA’s rationale for not challenging the City’s vaccination mandate.

Other Retired Public Employee Associations: No report

PROGRAMS: No changes

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15am.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Brad Jacobsen

Secretary