|
RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF KERN COUNTY
MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
January 13, 2004
President, Norman Briggs, called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.
ROLL CALL: Jeanne Berkshire, Norman Briggs, Dolores Christian, John DeMario, Opal
Hargis, Ginger Mello, David Merritt, Walter Stewart and Elinor Wells
OTHERS PRESENT: Wanda Castro, Jerry Dodd, Belva Jarad, Everett Julkowski, Tom McCarthy,
Blue O’Connor and Doris Williams
MOTION by Jeanne Berkshire to approve the November minutes, seconded by David Merritt
and CARRIED.
Doris Williams gave the Treasurer’s Report of November 30, 2003 and December 31,
2003; copies are on file. MOTION by David Merritt to accept the Treasurer’s Reports
with the corrections to the membership figures; seconded by Elinor Wells and CARRIED.
MOTION by Elinor Wells to pay the enumerated bills; seconded by Opal Hargis and CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CRCEA – Everett Julkowski submitted the bill for dues for CRCEA and announced that
he needs about 100 of our new brochures. Everett reminded all present of the Spring
Conference for March 22 -24, 2004 at the Radisson in Visalia, CA. Everett is working on
getting the speakers. He is attempting to get Roy Ashburn and Kevin McCarthy as possible
speakers. Everett has confirmed Clem Meredith who is Consultant, Assembly Public
Employment and Retirement Committee and Ira Summers who is an expert on the 37 Act and is
an actuary. The invitations will be going out on January 26th. CRCEA is
including the Retirement Board and the Retirement Administrators Office for each county.
This new addition is to get in a closer liaison with the Retirement Offices and the
Associations. Everett has requested that he only receive about 3 "THE INTERCOM"
but again they sent him 20 copies. The copies were distributed to all the Board members
and the remainder is filed with the Secretary.
CCAPE – Blue O’Connor stated that he had nothing at this time. The meeting is
this evening. President, Norman Briggs, requested Blue taking his apology to Ward
Wolleson. Norman stated that our PR committee was to have met with the unions on
Wednesday, January 14, 2004 and this date is being cancelled. Norman will contact Ward at
a later time to make another date.
President, Norman Briggs, requested jumping down the agenda to Item #7, appointment of
new Director. Norman reported that according to our by-laws the Board can appoint somebody
to fill out a term as a director. Mary Lou Bennett worked very closely with Allan on the
Host/Hostess Program. Mary Lou contacted the President and stated that she would be very
happy to take over the Host/Hostess Program. President, Norman Briggs, stated that he
asked Mary Lou if she would also complete his term as Director and she agreed. MOTION by
David Merritt for the Board to appoint Mary Lou Bennett to complete the term of Allan
Choy; seconded by Opal Hargis and CARRIED.
Host/Hostess Program – At the time of the meeting, we did not have any numbers for
November and December. Mary Lou Bennett will be getting all the information from Mrs. Choy
about the middle of the month. Mrs. Choy asked to give her a couple of
weeks to get the information together. Mary Lou Bennett contacted the Secretary, Ginger
Mello with the numbers. For the month of November, 34 volunteers worked 102 hours and
assisted 1,135 visitors to the County Administration Building. For the month of December,
23 volunteers assisted 897 visitors to the County Administration Building.
NOTE: Secretary, Ginger Mello, is including these figures for the assistance of any
person who needs them.
Monthly Program – Jeanne Berkshire stated the program today will be a new
year’s party. Jeanne is not informing anyone of the game but for the Board to be
prepared because they will be volunteering to help. Jeanne reported that she is working on
speakers for the rest of the year.
Newsletter – Our new editor of the TREND is Vicki Stronach, who is a college
student. Vicki’s school schedule will not allow her to attend our meetings and Norm
Briggs will continue to be the interface with her. President, Norman Briggs, is going to
be working with Cathy Olague to get the Credit Union advertisement. The TREND was on the
Web Site the day before Christmas.
COMMUNICATIONS: President, Norman Briggs, received numerous County Newsletters. He also
received a newsletter from the Kern County Museum and a letter from the Museum, and
letters from the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Salvation Army,
Leadership Development Center, December 2003 and January 2004 Newsletters from the
Bakersfield Homeless Center and THE JOURNAL, California’s Public Retirement News
Source for the months of August/September 2003 and October 2003.
OLD BUSINESS:
STATUS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE – The committee would like to do quarterly
meetings with the unions. The unions were quit happy to have these meetings. They had been
told that the retirees didn’t want anything to do with the unions.
WEB PAGE – Norman Briggs reported that he did several changes. It is something
that is growing and changing. Norman is training the TREND editor to upload the TREND onto
the Web Page.
MONTHLY LUNCHEONS – Joe Porter is no longer on the Board. Doris Smith gives the
reservation numbers to the person interfacing with Mossmans and they give the number to
Mossmans. Everett Julkowski volunteered to replace Joe Porter. Everett asked exactly who
he is to speak to. President, Norman Briggs, stated it would be either Rick or Lauri.
LIABILITY INSURANCE QUOTE FROM STEVE PETTEE – David Merritt hand carried the
information to Steve. Steve glanced at the policy and stated that it looked like a pretty
good price. Steve stated that he would shop it in the market and see if he could save us
enough to make it worth our time. At this time, David Merritt has not heard from Steve on
this matter.
PAC UPDATE – President, Norman Briggs, reported that he has not called the
Attorney in Sacramento. He will follow up on that. He thought that we were organized under
501.c4 but we are organized under 501.c3. Now he will have to research .c3.
Secretary, Ginger Mello, reported on her attendance of The 13th Annual
Benefits/Retirement Training Seminar. It was a very interesting day. I enjoyed it and
became aware of things that I never thought of before. If our main purpose was to go and
learn what the State of California is doing about Health Benefits, then it wasn’t
worth the cost. The Seminar reported on numerous bills that had been before the governor
which were either signed or vetoed. Also mentioned were bills which were in the 2 year
program. As far as health care a little was learned. Pers is looking at becoming self
insured. One of the problems that they are having is with hospitals. There are numerous
hospitals in Southern California and very few in Northern California. One thing that has
come out of the higher prices is the fact that Pers is taking the time to look at the
contracts and what is in them instead of having others make that decision for them. Pers
is sitting down and meeting with all the providers to see if there is a way to reduce the
cost. CalPers is looking at the Pharmacy benefit. They are trying to get multiple year
contract prices and try to have disease management for those with chronic diseases. They
have found that mistakes in taking meds or prescribing meds costs more that the drugs
themselves. Ginger did bring a book about one inch thick back with her. If anyone would
like to look at it, just let Ginger know. The book will be filed with the Secretary.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appointment of New Director – read above
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Wanda Castro, KCERA – Anne Holdren has been appointed Executive Director. The
Retirement Board has reinstated the Investment Committee to help Anne. The Human Resources
Committee met on January 8th and they will be reporting about that meeting and
how they are going to fill the position of Executive Director at the meeting on January 14th.
Wanda asked who would be doing the Retirement Seminar’s. President, Norman Briggs
will be doing them with a backup by David Merritt. The next Seminar is May 20th.
David Merritt will be e-mailing the updated power point presentation to President, Norman
Briggs.
John DeMario announced that he has set up 4 computers but has lost 1 in transit. John
reported that he has the other 3 set up ready to go. If there are more than 3 people
interested, there will be a drawing and the price will be $75.00 each.
Doris Williams requested approval to pay the 2004 CRCEA dues. MOTION by David Merritt
to pay the dues; seconded by Opal Hargis and CARRIED.
Everett Julkowski requested to speak regarding the need of REOKC having a business
office in town where the collection of materials and mail can be centralized. Everett felt
that if the Board were interested enough they could appoint an exploration committee to
look into the feasibility of something like this including the location and cost. It was
recommended that Everett be put on the agenda in regard to Office/Part Time Employee.
MOTION to adjourn at 11:32 a.m. made by David Merritt; seconded by Elinor Wells and
CARRIED.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Ginger Mello, Secretary
|
