RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF KERN COUNTY

MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING

January 11, 2005

President, Norman Briggs, called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m.

ROLL CALL: Jeanne Berkshire, Norman Briggs, Nettie Collins, John DeMario, Opal Hargis, Lois Maujer, Ginger Mello, David Merritt, Earlene Smith, Walter Stewart and Elinor Wells

OTHERS PRESENT: Wanda Castro, Belva Jarad and Everett Julkowski

MOTION by Opal Hargis to approve the November Minutes as read, seconded by Elinor Wells and CARRIED.

Treasurer, John DeMario, gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November. MOTION by Jeanne Berkshire to approve the Claims Payable for November, seconded by David Merritt and CARRIED. MOTION by David Merritt to approve the Claims Payable for December, seconded by Opal Hargis and CARRIED. MOTION by David Merritt to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the months of November and December and the Year End Report, seconded by Nettie Collins and CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

CRCEA – Everett Julkowski reported that he has no report. Everett also announced that because of health reasons he has had to resign from the Conference Committee with CRCEA. Everett did state that he would like to remain as the CRCEA delegate for Kern County with David Merritt as his alternate.

CCAPE – Blue O’Connor was not in attendance at the meeting.

HOST/HOSTESS PROGRAM – Mary Lou Bennett was not in attendance at the Board Meeting. Mary Lou called Secretary, Ginger Mello this morning stating that she would not be able to make it to the Board Meeting but would be in attendance at the General Meeting this afternoon.

MONTHLY PROGRAM – President, Norman Briggs, announced that he was planning to give the presentation that our attorney, Mr. Sweeney, gave at the CRCEA Conference in October. As it turns out, Mr. Sweeney has to come to Bakersfield for other matters and hopefully will make it in time to talk to the Board at 11:30 a.m. and then give the presentation to the General Membership this afternoon. It was announced that Mr. Kirkwood, President of CRCEA, is also retaining Mr. Sweeney’s law firm for CRCEA. David Merritt suggested that the Board Minutes only have Motions and Votes without extensive discussion on strategy issues. Everett Julkowski suggested that when the Board is discussing strategy maybe it should be a closed session. Both suggestions were very willingly accepted by the Board Members. MOTION by Opal Hargis to move that the President of Retired Employees of Kern County have the authority to dispense funds up to $2,000 for legal fees with a report to the Board, any amount exceeding $2,000 requires prior Board approval, seconded by David Merritt and CARRIED.

NEWSLETTER – This issue of the TREND is sent out to everybody. This means 4,348 issues were sent out by US Mail or on the Web Site. President, Norman Briggs, stated that he was very pleased with the issue. Opal Hargis commented that as an ex-Secretary it really bothers her to see the lack of punctuation.

KCERA – Wanda Castro announced that during the 2003 year there were 198 people who retired. During the 2004 year there were 190 or 193 people who retired. So far in the first quarter of 2005 there have been 209 applications for retirement. Wanda suggested that we be prepared for an increase in our membership with all these retirees. Wanda also announced that there are two new Board members. The alternate retiree is Norman Briggs and the alternate safety member is Mike Lackey.

COMMUNICATIONS – President, Norman Briggs, announced that he has sent a letter to each of the Board of Supervisors regarding the fee increase. Also a letter was sent to each of the Board of Supervisors from the unions and REOKC regarding health benefit issues. Also President, Norman Briggs, received in the mail a letter from Tejon Ranch, 2 from Bakersfield Rescue Mission, 2 from Kern County Museum, a letter from Bakersfield Homeless Center, a letter from Arthritis Association of Kern County, 11 County Newsletters and a Christmas card from Kern Federal Credit Union.

OLD BUSINESS:

STATUS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE – It was announced that the next meeting will be held in February and Secretary, Ginger Mello, will be working with Wally Grogan on setting up this meeting.

WEB PAGE – The Web Page is active and Norman Briggs has added two more links. There have been over 2,000 hits on the site. Norman stated that he is getting a little more involved with it and he is working with a six (6) year old product called Front Page 98 and for $100 he can become current. MOTION by David Merritt to allow Norman Briggs to acquire the updated version of Front Page which will become property of REOKC, seconded by Nettie Collins and CARRIED.

RENTAL OF OFFICE SPACE – Everett Julkowski stated that he is starting to look for a space. He is finding that the biggest problem is parking. He will continue to look.

FEE INCREASE – CORRESPONDENCE – Ginger Mello, Secretary, stated that she has secured the rooms for January through June 2005 at the same fee as in the past.

COMPUTER GIVE AWAY – John DeMario announced that he will have one (1) computer to give away today. John stated that who ever wins will have to pick up the computer at his house and that he should have two (2) to give away next month. The $1.00 fee for the computer give away ticket is so that John will be able to purchase drives for the units that he repairs. He has been increasing the size of the drives per unit and will need to purchase some at the end.

NEW BUSINESS:

No New Business

ANNOUNCEMENTS: David Merritt announced that he will be helping KLEA with medical benefits as it pertains to retiree needs as a part of the carve out of medical benefits. If 1301 and KLEA do carve out of the County plan there is at least some discussion at this point for those who are pre-Medicare.

MOTION by Lois Maujer to adjourn the regular meeting and start the closed executive session, seconded by Nettie Collins and CARRIED. Mr. Jim Sweeney from our Law Firm spoke to the Board and will give a presentation to the General Meeting and will be attending a meeting with Bill Douglas and County Counsel along with Norman Briggs and David Merritt today at 2 p.m. Mr. Sweeney reported exactly where we stand and what he feels that we should be looking toward.

MOTION by Opal Hargis to reconvene our regular Board Meeting and to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m., seconded by Lois Maujer and CARRIED.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

 Ginger Mello, Secretary