City of San Diego Retired Employees Association
July 11, 2017
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.

There was a moment of silence in recognition of the passing of Anna Tsiknas.

Board Members Present: Nancy Acevedo, Jim Baross, Karen Butler, Shirley Hall, Joan Hernandez, Brad Jacobsen, Joan McNamara, Ted Myrus, Mary Ann Stepnowsky, John Tsiknas, Dave Twomey, and Janet Wood

Guests Present: None

AGENDA: There were no changes to the agenda.

MINUTES: The minutes of the May 2017 Board meeting were approved.

COMMUNICATIONS: Jonathan Hays’ staff are handling calls and questions regarding
the new insurance options.

TREASURER’S REPORT: The audit has been completed.

Karen noted that Jonathan Hays has not deposited the monthly maintenance check for May, therefore this expense is not reflected in the financial reports.

M/S/C to approve the July Treasurer’s Report.

RETIREMENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

No report.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

  1. The investment fund has been established; transfers can begin pending the
    establishment of a security passcode for use by Karen, Jim, and Dave. Funds will be
    transferred to Russell at a rate of 12.5% of the current amount in the Legal Defense Fund
    every quarter until 50% of the funds have been transferred (one year). An ad hoc
    committee (Mike Bresnahan, Jim Baross, Mary Ann Stepnowsky, Dave Twomey, and
    Chris Brewster) will monitor activity. Investment returns will be reported in the
    Treasurer’s Report quarterly.
  2. A Nominating Committee needs to be formed. John Tsiknas and Jim volunteered to serve; a General Member will be sought out at the membership meeting. Dave Twomey, Joan McNamara, and Shirley Hall have all consented to run for reelection.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

  1. We added an estimated 54 new members as a result of the insurance program and our
    presence at the Health Fair. Final figures will follow. There was also a spurt in interest
    from members of Retired Police & Fire.
  2. The U-T published a joint op-ed from REA and Retired County Employees, supporting public employee retiree pensions; there were no negative comments. The piece was shared statewide and a second is being planned.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Advocacy: The next meeting is July 27.

Joan McNamara is looking into low-/no-cost activities for REA members. These include a backstage tour at the Old Globe; a visit to an art restoration center; and a trip to the old General Dynamics wind tunnel.

Retiree Issues Task Force (RITF): No report.

Other Retired Public Employee Associations: No report

Active Employee Associations: No report.

Communications: No report.

Membership: Membership is now at an all-time high of 1492.

Sunshine: No report.

Newsletter: Deadline for next issue is July 20.

General Membership Programs: The September speaker was forced to cancel. An advocate for the proposed Soccer City project has been scheduled.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25am.

Respectfully submitted,

Brad Jacobsen
Secretary