CITY OF
RETIRED EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
BOARD MEMBERS: Nancy
Acevedo, Bob Cain, Joe Flynn, Sylvia Tatum, Alice Anglim, Charles Buchanan,
Dave Crow, John Casey, Sharon Beach,
Don Robbins, John Tsiknas,
Adam Saling.
ABSENT: Dave Wood
RETIREMENT ISSUES TASK
FORCE: Bob West
GUESTS: Bob Headland, Pat Karnes, Ruth Ann Hageman and Terry
Flynn.
President Acevedo called the
meeting to order at 9:30 AM.
The minutes of the Board
meeting of August 10, 2004 were approved as submitted.
Sylvia Tatum reported a
balance in the Operating Fund on August 1, 2004 of $2,434.36. Income for August was $1,362.35 and expenses
were $1,001.65, leaving a balance in the Operating Fund on August 31, 2004 of
$2,795.06. Reserve accounts totaled
$10,244.45 for a grand total of $13,039.51.
September: Mike Conger with lawsuit update
October: Speakers on both sides of “strong mayor”
ballot proposition
Dave Crow stated that the
Task Force was “on hold” pending the outcome of two ballot propositions
regarding the Retirement System and makeup of the Retirement Board and the
mayor’s race.
He reported that the Board
agenda is available on the Retirement Office web site and that anyone can
request that they be put on an e-mail notification list.
John Casey reported that the
next HAC meeting would be October 15.
Joe Flynn passed on greeting
from ex president Shorty Beights. Joe
said he is working with Sylvia to resolve address problems based on returned
newsletters.
Charles Buchanan said there
were no seminars pending. He said a
revised Association greeting and invitation to join letter had been forwarded
to the Retirement Office for inclusion in new retirees
packets.
Alice Anglim reported that
Mike McGee, Labor Relations Assistant in the Manager’s Office, went over
grievance procedures at the last meeting.
John Tsiknas reported 5,183
“hits” on the Association’s web site since May 1st. John reported that Bob Cain had e-mailed him
all Board meeting minutes for 2004 and that they would be put on the web site.
John recommended that Board and General Member meeting minutes be sent to the
Board by e-Mail since all but two board members have computers. Bob Cain agreed but reminded the Board that
the by-laws state that the minutes are to be sent by post paid mail to each
Board member. The Board passed a motion
to direct the Secretary to send meeting minutes electronically to those Board
members with computers beginning with the September minutes.
Don Robbins stated that there
were seven people interested in becoming Board members but no candidates as yet
for Secretary. Alice Anglim said she had a good lead on someone who would agree
to take on the job of Secretary.
The Nominating Committee will
meet before the next Board meeting to discuss election procedures.
Nancy Acevedo brought up the
subject of “OFFICIAL ACTIONS” as mentioned in
Article V, Section 2(c) of
the bylaws, to wit: “All official actions to be taken by the association
shall be presented to the Board prior to a vote by the members.” She asked if the Board thought that the president
(or other Board member) speaking to the City Council, Retirement Board, etc.
and voicing the opinion of the Board/Membership of the Association was an
“official action” requiring a vote of the membership. After discussion, it was the unanimous opinion
of the Board that the president could speak for the Association at any time
without a vote of the membership. If the
Board and general membership at any time felt that the president was not
representing the majority opinion of the Association, he/she could be removed
from office pursuant to Article V, Section 5 of the bylaws.
The Board authorized
president Acevedo to speak to the Retirement Board about the Association’s
displeasure at the change in notification procedures of Board meetings and
rescheduling Board meetings without proper and timely notification.
Jim Gleason submitted a draft
of a letter of appreciation to Judge Patricia Cowett for the legal work performed by Mike Conger
and Richard Benes on behalf of the City retirees in their lawsuit against the
City Council and the Retirement Board.
Judge Cowett will determine the compensation due the attorneys for their
work.
Board approved sending the
letter on behalf of the Association as drafted with one revision. John Casey opposed.
Joe Flynn and Alice Anglim
volunteered to be committee members from the Board and Bob Headland volunteered
as general member.
Adam Saling began to read the
recommendations of the Committee point by point, also reading a lengthy series
of changes submitted by Bob West and also taking comments from the floor. It quickly became obvious that a thorough
review of the committee recommendations and proposed changes thereto would be a
lengthy process far beyond the time remaining for the regular Board
meeting. President Acevedo suggested a
special meeting be convened for the sole purpose of reviewing the Committee’s
recommendations and all suggested revisions.
She said she would attempt to find a place and time convenient to all
for the meeting to be held prior to the next regular Board meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at
10:55 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert E. Cain
Secretary