CITY OF SAN DIEGO
RETIRED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
JANUARY 13, 2004
President Nancy Acevedo called the meeting to order at 11:00AM and asked distinguished veteran Lee Norda to lead the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lee did a stint in the army after WWII as a cook and then went to work for the city as an electrician. He was called up again for the Korean Conflict and thereafter worked for the city from 1958 until 1988.
The minutes of the General Member’s meeting of November 18, 2004 were approved as submitted.
NOVEMBER: Treasurer Sylvia Tatum reported a balance in the Operating Fund on November 1, 2003 of $1,232.69. Income for November was $$1,925.13 and expenses totaled $1,052.85. Operating Fund balance as of November 30, 2003 was $2,104.97. Reserve Fund balance was $10,160.42 for a Grand Total of $12,265.39.
DECEMBER: Sylvia reported a balance in the Operating Fund on December 1, 2003 of $2,104.97. Income for December was $1,282.74 and expenses totaled $1,564.95. Operating Fund balance on December 31, 2003 was $1,822.76. Reserve Fund balance was $10,169.88 for a grand total of $11,992.64.
Dave Crow reported that the next RITF meeting would be held on Friday February 5, 2004 at 10:00 AM where the agenda will be set for discussion items for 2004. He said one item for upcoming meetings would be full health insurance payments for pre-1980 retirees.
Bob West reported that the January HAC meeting was cancelled. The next meeting will be in April. The committee is awaiting a report from the City’s Task Force on Health Issues.
Nancy informed the membership that John Casey would be replacing Bob West as the Association’s member of the Health Advisory Committee. She also stated that John was the newest member of the Board of Director’s, filling the position of Parliamentarian vacated by Rosie Wiseman.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE
Sharon Beach reported the passing of long-time “Sunshine Lady “ Mary Bergquist. Sharon reported that she sent a sympathy card to Mary’s long-time friend Art Mercer and also a sympathy card to Walt Borden on the death of his wife. Sharon also reported the passing of Ruth Adams, a long-time member of the city’s “Secretarial Pool.” Although Ruth was not an official city retiree because she was a “temp” she worked for many city departments in her career and was known by many of us over the years.
Nancy Acevedo announced the 2003 audit committee consisting of Bob Headland, Bill Schempers and Mary Bush.
STATUS OF LAWSUIT
Attorney Mike Conger stated that he had reached a tentative agreement with Bruce Herring to have the city begin full funding of their pension obligations on July 1, 2004 but that the Retirement Board would not go along with the plan. Bruce Herring informed Nancy that he would meet with the retirement board’s attorneys in an attempt to reach an agreement.
Mike also said that the city had retained the services of a “bankruptcy attorney” and voiced serious concern that the city may attempt to “solve” the pension fund problems by declaring bankruptcy.
COPIES OF PAPERS
Nancy said that copies of the revised by-laws and the issue paper on supplemental benefits (13th check) were available at the check-in table.
Retirement Fund balance as of January 12, 2004 was $3.171 Billion, up
$141 Million from last month.
SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Shorty Bates conducted the swearing-in of the Association’s new Officers and Board members: Nancy Acevedo, President; Adam Saling, vice-president; Judy Folsom, Alice Anglim and John Tsiknas, Board members; Joe Flynn, Newsletter Editor; and John Casey, Parliamentarian.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert E. Cain
Secretary