| RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF KERN COUNTY
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
January 11, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 noon. Walter Stewart led the Pledge of
Allegiance and a moment of silence. Table assignments were announced and the members went
in order after the guest speaker and handicapped members got their lunch. There were three
(3) new attendees and one (1) guest.
President, Norman Briggs, announced that at the CRCEA Conference in October, our law
firm gave an excellent presentation. President, Norman Briggs, was going to give the
presentation today, but we are very fortunate to have Mr. Sweeney from our law firm
present to do it today. Mr. Sweeney gave a little information on his background and told
that his law firm specializes in political and governmental law and working with
non-profit associations. The presentation was on the changing role of county retiree
associations. Kern County is one of 20 Counties that are governed by the 1937 Act. There
were two bills passed recently that affected the retiree associations in the 1937 Act
counties. AB 111 was enacted in the 2001-2002 session of legislature and SB 270 was
enacted in the 2003-2004 session. Both bills dealt with how the retiree associations
participate in the negotiation process in the benefit administration process. Both bills
amended the 1937 Act to provide specifically for greater participation by county retiree
associations in assessing health care plans. AB 111 requires that the county must notify
the qualified retirement association (REOKC) and provide them the opportunity to comment
on any significant changes affecting health care benefits, including changes in carriers,
plan designs and premiums. SB 270 requires that the retirement system must notify the
qualified retirement association (REOKC) of any changes in the retirement benefits offered
by the system for the use of excess funds for the retirement system.
BUSINESS MEETING:
TREASURER, John DeMario gave the Treasurer’s Report for November 2004 and
December 2004. The report stated that the REOKC membership as of November 30, 2004 was
3,193 and membership as of December 31, 2004 was 3,184.
CRCEA – Everett Julkowski stated that he did not have a report.
EYE GLASS – Helen Heath reported that she has collected 14 pair of glasses
with cases and 3 pair of dark glasses with cases.
HOST/HOSTESS PROGRAM – Mary Lou Bennett reported that for the month of
November there were 33 volunteers who worked 109 hours and assisted 1,614 visitors to the
County Administration Building. Also for the month of December there were 35 volunteers
who worked 118 hours and assisted 1,524 visitors to the County Administration Building.
The total for the year 2004 was 391 volunteers who worked 1,207.5 hours and assisted
15,565 visitors to the County Administration Building.
NEWSLETTER – President, Norman Briggs, announced that with every issue he
gets 10 to 15 new requests to get their TREND electronically. At this time we are saving
about $1,000.
OLD BUSINESS: At this time, President, Norman Briggs, Mr. Jim Sweeney and David
Merritt are leaving to attend a meeting with Bill Douglas and County Counsel at 2 p.m.
President, Norman Briggs, turned the meeting over to Vice-President Jeanne Berkshire. The
next item on the agenda is the computer give away. The winner of our first give away was
David Merritt. Next month there will hopefully be 2 computers to give away, which means
there will be two buckets of tickets.
NEW BUSINESS: Sheila Roth suggested an article to go in the TREND of a list of
businesses that give discounts to seniors. Sheila also reminded everybody of the reading
program at the local schools. Sheila announced that the last training program would be
Thursday evening and if interested to see her after the meeting.
Paula Smith won the attendance prize. There were 29 - $5.00 amounts for the cash
giveaway. After the distribution of prizes, the meeting was adjourned at 1:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted this 16th day of January 2005.
Ginger Mello, Secretary |
