ABOUT LACERA

BOARD OF RETIREMENT MINUTES 3-4-10

PRESENT

• Les Robbins, Chair
• Simon S. Russin, Vice Chair
• Yves Chery, Secretary
• Edward L. Blecksmith
• James P. Harris (Alternate Member)
• Ed C. Morris (Alternate Retired)
• William R. Pryor
• Mark J. Saladino

ABSENT

• William de la Garza

STAFF ADVISORS AND PARTICIPANTS

• Gregg Rademacher, Chief Executive Officer
• Robert Hill, Assistant Executive Officer
• Janice Golden, Assistant Executive Officer
• Robb Van Der Volgen, Chief Counsel
• Fern M. Billingy, Senior Staff Counsel
• Jose R. Medrano
• Deborah Terrell-Trimble
• Cassandra Smith, Retiree Health Care Division

1. CALL TO ORDER

   The meeting was called to order by Chair Robbins at 9:00 a.m., in the Board Room of Gateway Plaza.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

   Mr. Chery led the Board Members and staff in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2010

   A motion was made by Mr. Chery, seconded by Mr. Morris, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2010.

   The motion passed unanimously.

4. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
   1. For Information
      1. February 2010 All Stars

         Mr. Hill announced the eight winners for the month of February, (Barbara Gordon, Jeannine Smart, Dave Choe, Mureen Tsang, Darla Davis, David Escamilla, Mary Ortiz, and Esmeralda Del Bosque) of the Employee Recognition Program. Katy Tieu was the winner of LACERA’s Web Watcher Award. David Murphey, Lillie Abram, Alice Yen, and Mary Ortiz were the winners of LACERA’s RideShare Program.

      2. Chief Executive Officer’s Report (Memo dated February 24, 2010)

         Mr. Rademacher presented a Board Service Scroll to James P. Harris. The scroll expressed the Board’s appreciation for his dedicated service on the Board of Retirement.

         Mr. Rademacher provided a brief overview of his Chief Executive Officer’s Report with emphasis on the consolidation of the Office of Public Safety with the Sheriff’s Department. There is in place a staff working group to discuss various implementation procedures.

         Mr. Rademacher reported that Mercer will renew the existing contract with LACERA to provide consultant services for the Retiree Health Care Benefits Program for a period of two years.

         LACERA’s retiree mailing service policy has been reviewed by staff. It was decided that all retiree mailing services would be administered through LACERA’s mailing house. This will create a unified process in providing retiree mail service to eligible retiree organizations.

         Mr. Rademacher gave a brief report on his trip to Sacramento and his meeting with Assembly Member Anthony Portantino and Karen Green, Chief Consultant to the Assembly Committees PER & S&S Committee on LACERA’s bill, AB 1902.

         Mr. Rademacher reported that he would be out of the office on Monday, March 8th and Tuesday, March 9th attending the California Association of Public Retirement Systems General Assembly Meeting.

5. NON-CONSENT AGENDA
   1. Recommendation as submitted by Robert S. Van Der Volgen, Chief Counsel:

      Approve the ballot insert entitled “POWERS AND DUTIES OF RETIREMENT BOARD MEMBERS” to be included with the ballot materials for the election of the Seventh Member of the Board of Retirement. (Memo dated February 25, 2010.) A motion was made by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr. Pryor, to approve the ballot insert entitled “POWERS AND DUTIES OF RETIREMENT BOARD MEMBERS” to be included with the ballot materials for the election of the Seventh Member of the Board of Retirement.

      The motion passed unanimously.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

   Ms. Swendson addressed the Board on behalf of her father requesting that the Board waive the six (6) month waiting policy on medical insurance to allow him to switch from one medical plan to another immediately.

   Mr. Medrano addressed the Board requesting that they waive interest on his outstanding balance of retirement contributions due LACERA.

   Ms. Terrell-Trimble addressed the Board requesting refund of her contributions in excess of 30 years of service.

7. GOOD OF THE ORDER

   (For discussion purposes only.)

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
   1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
      1. Initiation of litigation pursuant to Subdivision (c) of California Government Code Section 54956.9:
      2. Potential Cases.

      The Board met in Executive Session to discuss the above anticipated litigation with its legal counsel. The Board reconvened in open session, at which time Mr. Van Der Volgen reported that the Board gave direction to the legal office with regard to those matters.

      Chair Robbins spoke with the Board and staff regarding the request Ms. Swendson made during Public Comment to waive the six month waiting period.

      After a lengthy discussion among the Board it was noted that no formal action could be taken on Ms. Swendson’s request until the request had been properly noticed pursuant to the Brown Act. Therefore, it was decided that staff will investigate further and report back to Chair Robbins with additional information on the matter. Based on those findings, the Chair will decide whether to hold a special meeting of the Board or hold the item over to the next regular Board meeting.

      The Board will be apprised of this situation.

9. ADJOURNMENT

4/29/10