Minutes of The s7

MINUTES OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUSTIN, TEXAS

The regular meeting convened at the pension office at 4101 Parkstone Heights Drive, Suite 270, Austin, Texas, on January 20, 2015 at 8:30 a.m., with the following present:

Keith Johnson Vice-Chair Bryan Burnham Art Alfaro Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Campbell Jeremy Burke Trustee Donald Lowe James Fedro Trustee Dan Moore Bill Stefka Adminstr. Tommy Rutledge Linda Adney Adm. Asst. Gary Schriber

Election of the Vice-Chair was the first item discussed. A motion was made by James Fedro nominating Keith Johnson as Vice-Chair. With a second from Jeremy Burke, the Board approved with Mr. Alfaro, Burke and Fedro voting “Aye”, and Mr. Johnson abstaining.

Minutes of the regular meeting held December 18, 2014 were reviewed by the Board. A motion was made by Art Alfaro to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held December 18, 2014. With a second from James Fedro, the Board unanimously approved.

Agenda item 3 was approval of retirement benefits for Malvin W. Brown, Jr., James J. Eberle, Gaylon S. Gipson, and Troy R. Nissen. After review of the benefit information, a motion was made by Jeremy Burke to approve benefits as stated on the benefit calculation form. With a second from James Fedro, the Board unanimously approved.

Next on the agenda was approval of benefits for Janette C. Layton, surviving beneficiary of deceased retiree John O. Carpenter. After review of the benefit information, a motion was made by Jeremy Burke to approve benefits as stated on the benefit calculation form. With a second from James Fedro, the Board unanimously approved.

Engaging the services of a governmental affairs advisory firm for possible future legislation services was the next item to be discussed. Keith Johnson gave a summary of his recent meeting with Nancy Fisher, governmental affairs consultant with Hill Country Strategies, and the Austin firefighters’ association. He noted that the pension fund had used Ms. Fisher in the past and she has agreed to the same fee structure as before. After further discussion the Board instructed Bill Stefka to work with getting an agreement from Ms. Fisher for the Board’s review at the next meeting. No action was necessary at this time.

Agenda item number 6 was a review of the plan’s ethics policy. Chuck Campbell, the Fund’s legal counsel, reviewed the current policy with the trustees and noted several items of importance including reminders of what lines not to cross in keeping with the policy. Bill Stefka noted that he would be scheduling a meeting with newly elected Mayor Steve Adler, who is also the Chair of the pension board, to welcome him to the Board and to discuss the new State Pension Review Board training requirements for January 20, 2015 Page 2 pension board trustees. Keith Johnson mentioned that once the Pension Review Board’s training program rules and procedures are in place for all trustees statewide, then it may be good to incorporate these requirements into the plan’s ethics policy for our trustees. No motion was necessary at this time.

January 2015 Minutes Next on the agenda was to ratify all refunds of pension contributions and accrued interest to fire fighters who terminated their services during 2014 for purposes other than retirement. A motion was made by James Fedro to ratify all refunds of pension contributions and accrued interest to firefighters as stated on the refund report. With a second from Jeremy Burke, the Board unanimously approved.

The Board next discussed agenda item 8 which was attendance and funding for future education seminars and conferences. Art Alfaro made a motion to approve attendance and funding for any trustees and staff who are able to attend the conferences mostly TEXPERS (Texas Public Employees Retirement Systems) and NCPERS (National Conference of Public Employees Retirement Systems) any other relevant seminars when brought before the pension board that trustees are interested in attending and within the travel policy guidelines. With a second from Jeremy Burke, the Board unanimously approved.

The next item on the agenda was discussion about the administrative employees’ benefits. The Board reviewed staff duties, responsibilities, improvements made, as well as a comparison of other employees in similar positions and plan size. Based upon the information provided, a motion was made by James Fedro to approve a salary increase as recommended in the administrative employees’ benefits review and to be effective January 1, 2015. With a second from Art Alfaro, the Board unanimously approved.

The Board next reviewed the financial statements and the fund expense report. No action was necessary.

Under old business, new business, future agenda items, some future agenda items are, performance report from Meketa Investment Group, governmental affairs advisory contract with Hill Country Strategies and legislative package.

A motion was made by Jeremy Burke to adjourn. With a second from Art Alfaro, the Board unanimously approved.

BOARD MEMBERS Stephen Adler, Chair Keith Johnson, Vice-Chair Art Alfaro, Secretary-Treasurer James Fedro, Trustee Jeremy Burke, Trustee 4101 Parkstone Heights Drive, Suite 270 454-9567/FAX 453-7194 E-mail: afdpension@ austin.rr.com Website: WWW.AFRS.ORG

January 2015 Minutes