CITY
OF SAN DIEGO
RETIRED EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2004
BOARD MEMBERS: Nancy Acevedo, Bob Cain, Joe Flynn, Sylvia Tatum,
Alice Anglim, Dave Wood, Sharon Beach, Don Robbins, Dave Crow,
Charles Buchanan, Adam Saling.
ABSENT: John Tsiknas, John Casey
RETIREMENT ISSUES TASK FORCE: Bob West
GUESTS: Rosie Wiseman, Patricia Karnes, Joan Lundy-Boyd
President Acevedo called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM.
The minutes of the Board of Director’s meeting of October 12, 2004 were approved as submitted.
Letter from Vincent Hayes, Retirement Office, to Therese Balbo in response to her letter regarding lack of reporting of individual retirement accounts for “deferred” members (those leaving City employment prior to retirement but leaving their funds in the system) Vince stated that 95% of deferred vested members move and provide no forwarding address so it is impossible to contact them. He said he would add Ms. Balbo’s name to the Free Spirit newsletter mailing list. He also stated that the Retirement Office is in the process of developing an individual “member statement” to be issued to all members by mid-2005.
Letter from President Acevedo to April Boling advising her of her selection to receive the Association’s annual “Outstanding Contribution Award.”
Sylvia Tatum reported that only 66 had paid for the December Holiday Luncheon and that 85 was the minimum guarantee to Tom Ham’s restaurant. Deadline for payment is November 30.
Sylvia said the returned newsletters with bad addresses are decreasing every month so mailing list is getting up to date.
Sylvia reported a balance in the Operating Fund as of October 1, 2004 of $3,311.57. Income for October was $1,921.26 and expenses were $1,022.11, leaving a balance in the Operating Fund on October 31, 2004 of $4,210.72. Reserve accounts totaled $10,263.18 for a grand total of $14,473.90.
January: Nutritionist and installation of new officers and Board members.
Dave Crow reported that any discussion of benefits between the RITF and management is “on hold” pending the outcome of the Mayor’s election results. Mayor Murphy has been quoted as saying he would be in favor of freezing wages for the next two years in light of budget and retirement fund problems. In light of this it would seem unlikely that retiree benefit increases would be on the table.
Donna Frye’s position re salaries is unknown.
Dave reported that Cathy Lexin will be resigning from the Retirement Board in order that there not be a conflict of interest as she will be the Manager’s representative on upcoming “meet and confer” sessions on new employee contracts. Bill Lopez has been mentioned as her replacement.
Dave also reminded the Board that he would also be leaving the Retirement Board at such time as elections take place to replace him as retired employee representative. He said there had been discussion about development of a “phone-in” system of voting by retirees. After discussion it was moved, seconded and approved unanimously that the Board oppose any voting scheme other than a mail-in paper ballot.
Dave reminded everyone that one check would be issued at the end of November for regular monthly retirement benefits, the “13th check”, and three “Corbett Settlement” payments. He passed out a sample Auditor’s “Statement of Retirement Allowance” showing that the five amounts would be reported separately.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
NEWSLETTER
Joe Flynn reported that Ruth Ann Hageman had volunteered to help him with the Newsletter.
Joe reported that there were five association members living out of the country and at 80 cents per newsletter mailing fee this amounted to $48 per year mailing costs for five people. Joe asked for an opinion of the Board re increased dues for “overseas” members to cover this extra expense. After discussion it was decided that the Association was solvent enough to pick up these additional mailing expenses. Joe was asked to include a note with the next newsletter to overseas mailings asking the five members to voluntarily contribute towards the increased mailing fees.
Dave Crow reported that the HAC met last month. He stated that there were currently 16 different health care plans administered by the City, some applying to very few people, with one plan applying to only one person! There is an obvious need to consolidate these plans. The HAC has asked staff to come to the next meeting with a comprehensive overview of all of the plans.
Don Robbins stated that ballots had been printed and all nominees notified that they had three minutes at the General Member’s meeting to state their case.
Bob Cain, Charles Buchanan and Bob West were elected to count the ballots.
Nance passed out a draft of revised by-laws to accommodate the changes mandated by the Board’s approval of an Advocacy Committee to be added to the Standing Committees of the Association.
It was moved and seconded to approve the draft by-laws revision as submitted and present them to the General membership in January for a vote. Passes unanimously.
Adam Saling said he had been in contact with the insurance agent he had been dealing with about a year ago when the matter of liability insurance came up. The agent said to expect a 20% increase in premiums from that time. The agent will present a formal proposal which Adam can bring to the January Board meeting for discussion.
Sharon Beach and Nancy Acevedo went to Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office and talked to one of his staff persons about the problem of deductions being made from Social Security payments if a person is receiving benefits from a deceased spouse’s Social Security and other retirement benefits are increased. While Nancy is in Hunter’s District, Sharon is not so she was informed that he could not help with her particular problem. However, Nancy will attempt to talk to him regarding the basic law this deduction is made under and if the law can be changed under the proposed Social Security revisions in the next Congress.
The balance in the Retirement Fund as of November 8, 2004 was $3.503 Billion, up $94 Million from the previous month.
February 25, 2005 was chosen for the date of the annual Board of Director’s Retreat with a backup date of February 18th. Nancy will attempt to secure the meeting room at Mission Trails Park headquarters.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert E. Cain
Secretary