HOUSTON POLICE RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION HPROA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 11, 2021

Board Meeting Called to Order: 9:30 a.m.

Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance: Nelson Zoch

Present: Aldridge, Barnard, Beale, Evans, Gaines, Kivela, Rayne, Scheibe, St.John, Zoch Absent: Chavez, Potell, Toth, Walschburger

Parliamentarian: Bill Elkin

Sergeant at Arms: Robert Crane (Absent)

Determination of Quorum: A quorum was present.

Treasurer’s Report and Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion by Beale, 2nd by Zoch to approve the February 11, 2021 Board Minutes and the Treasurer’s Report.

President – Bob Barnard • HPROA Board of Directors met at 9:30 a.m. in the HPOU conference room. • March 11, 2021 Business Meeting cancelled due to COVID-19. • April 8, 2021 will be our first in-person business meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 607 E. Whitney. Temperatures will be taken at the door, hand sanitizer will be available and social distancing guidelines followed. • The HPCU brought a new signature card to the board meeting for the PAC checking account. The approved members on this account are James Bollig, PAC Chairman; Bob Barnard, President & PAC Committee Member, Steve Rayne, Past President & PAC Committee Member; and Anthony Kivela, Executive Director & PAC Committee Member.

** Suspend Regular Order of Business **

Pam Langenbahn - owner of Performance Printing Solutions • A full service printing company based in Humble, Texas. As the owner, Pam will personally handle any problem that may develop. • Customers may select items off their website, then call in order. A link would be posted on the HPROA web page. • Displayed samples would include different sizes, types of shirts with the HPROA logo and cost. They could add the HPROA logo to items on their website. • Has a 7-10 working day turn around on orders. Orders ship to the customer with the standard USPS Priority Shipping rate, plus a $1 nominal handling free. • Will attend HPROA reunions and some monthly meetings.

Richard Floyd – HALO Branded Solutions Board Meeting Minutes 2 March 11, 2021 • A full service company with office in Houston, Texas. • Customers may order directly off their website. A link will be posted on the HPROA web page.

• Displayed samples would include different types of attire with the HPROA logo. HPROA logo could be added to all items on their website. • Has a 7-10 working day turn around on orders. Orders ship directly to the customer. • Will attend HPROA reunions and some monthly meetings. Motion by Beale, 2nd by Aldridge to authorize both Performance Printing Solutions and HALO Branded Solution to provide HPROA logo items. Called Vote. Motion Carried. Yes Vote: Aldridge, Beale, Evans, Gaines, Rayne, Scheibe No Vote: St.John, Zoch Absent: Chavez, Potell, Toth, Walschburger

** Return to Regular Order of Business **

• The April 2021 Houston Reunion at the Police Academy has been cancelled. • HPOU update: o The “Assist the Officer Fundraiser” this year offers HPD Model Cars. The small HPD car is $25. and the large is $45. The cars will be available on the first floor of the HPOU Administration Building. o The 2021 Benefits Fair will be held March 26, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the HPOU building, 1602 State Street. Check your benefits, meet with insurance providers, enjoy a continental breakfast, burgers, hot dogs and a raffle. o 13 New Regular Member applications received: Billy Barron Darlene Bumstead Matt Fowler Clay Gainer Pedro Lopez Randall McDonald John Palmer Joseph Scanlon Daniel Starr Robert Steffen Jerome Stevens Edward Strebalus Gregory Thompson Motion by Rayne, 2nd by Zoch to approve the 13 new regular member applications. Voice Vote. Motion Carried. o 1 New Associate Member application approved: Sandra Brooks – Sponsored by M. D. Beale Motion by St.John, 2nd by Zoch to approve the 1 new associate member application. Voice Vote. Motion Carried.

Executive Director – Anthony Kivela • Pension Update – HPOPS Financial Report: o Balance as of March 9, 2021: $6.457 billion, down from $6.524 billion in February. o Retirements trending upward: Fiscal Year to date 2020-2021: 154 Fiscal Year to date 2019-2020: 115 Cumulative Year to date 2020: 44 Cumulative Year to date 2019: 42 Board Meeting Minutes 3 March 11, 2021 o NOTE: Medicare and health insurance are important to retirees, but pension issues in the legislature have priority especially since the 87th is in session. o COLA’s will be reinstated in April 2021. The new COLA is set at 1.72%. COLA’s cannot be less than 0% or more than 4%. o Kivela attended the Texas Law Enforcement Committee meetings.

• Medicare: o The City Insurance Discount for pre-65 retirees has been approved. There will be a $75 monthly charge for spouses under age 65 (and not on Medicare) for both active and retired. There will be a $50 monthly penalty for active and retired who fail to do the Health Assessment. There is also a $35 monthly penalty for smokers. o We have a good Social Security Administration contact to help in very special circumstances. o City of Houston’s Medicare Plan Providers will be KelseyCare Advantage (713-442- 2264), and Aetna Health Care Premium/Steerage PPO (1-800-307-4830). o The City of Houston Portal is the best way to submit documents to the City. • 87th Texas Legislature: o Governor Abbott’s priorities are: Redistricting (special session) ERCOT (safeguard Texas grid against future blackouts in extreme temperatures) ELEC Grid (funding for increased winterization) Bail Bond Reform Elections (strengthening integrity) Police Defunding (penalty when police defunded) Broadband (expanding deployment) COVID-19 Protections (healthcare workers, businesses, individuals) o There are four Bills in the Texas Legislature supporting repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision Act (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). It is likely these will be consolidated into one bill. The HPROA supports the State of Texas sending a resolution to Congress urging the repeal of both WEP and GPO. o SB 198, Senator Jane Nelson (R), concerns weapons proficiency by a retired law enforcement officer. The HPROA discussed this bill with her office and at this time we support it. The bill was referred to the State Affairs Committee on March 2, 2021. Currently, a federal or out of state retired officer can qualify with any “qualified handgun instructor” in Texas. Yet, an In-State Texas Police Retiree needs to qualify with a police department. This legislation will include In-State Retired Law Enforcement Officers in the group who can qualify with any “qualified handgun instructor.” o Discussed HB 805, Representative (R), Houston Fire Department Pensions. o Discussed HB 1359, Representative Kyle Biederann (R), referendum as to whether Texas should leave the United States and form an independent republic. o Discussed HB 1440, Representative Matt Schaefer (R), relating to the availability of personal information of individuals who are honorably retired from certain law enforcement positions. o Discussed HB 3363, Representative (R), issuance and execution of certain search warrants in a criminal investigation and the admissibility of evidence obtained through certain searches. Board Meeting Minutes 4 March 11, 2021 o Discussed HB 867, Representative Sephronia Thompson (D). The HPROA is monitoring this bill that affects “Qualified Domestic Relations Orders” (QDRO’S). HPOPS Attorney’s are studying the language in this bill.

o Attended the Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee hearing where only invited testimony was given, most notably from the Executive Director of the Pension Review Board. o HPROA Executive Director attends the Texas Law Enforcement Committee meetings every week and provides our position on items that affect retirees. • Bill King continues to attack Defined Benefit Pensions, targeting the Teaches Retirement System this time. • Senator Whitmire (D) slammed Teachers Retirement Systems Executive Director in Austin over lavish spending. • Any member may refer someone facing difficult times to Houston Officer Peer Assistance (HOPA). They are a well-trained group of active and retired Houston Police Officers who are available to listen and provide support for fellow officers. Telephone #832-200-3499. • HPROA’s PAC does not contribute to Federal politicians or causes but will continue to check Federal legislation that may impact our organization or members. • Donations were received from: o Kathy Gibbins, Sandra Smith, Vicki Shackelford, Genie Handley, Ms. Lannie Price Dawkins and J.M. Adamcik in memory of Arthur Price. • Thank you letters were received from: o Representative Dan Huberty, District 127, for the contribution to his campaign. o Charlie Berryman for wife Mary Lynn. Terry Jackson and Debbie Michalcik for their father Harry Hall. Mary Lee for husband Carl Lee. Lisa Ward for husband David Ward. Karen Blake for husband Johnny Blake. Pat Hanna for husband Mart Hanna. Judy Eichholtz for husband Fred Eichholtz.

Old Business: • Kivela signed an audit confidentiality agreement with a consultant pending a future audit. • Name Tags - Evans recommended discussion on complimentary HPROA nametags be tabled.

New Business: • Brenda Alcort is our liaison with the Houston Police Credit Union. • Rayne: HPROA member Mattie Provost was appointed as Fort Bend Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy.

Committee Reports: • Treasurer Report – Ed Aldridge o $ 246,158.16 in the bank. • Legislative Report – Bill Elkin o House and Senate Committees are beginning to have public testimony on Bills assigned to those committees. Board Meeting Minutes 5 March 11, 2021 o In the House: In the Pensions and Financial Investment Committee, most pension related Bills are for Teachers Retirement System and Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Representative Gary VanDeaver (R), HB 315, assigned to State Affairs Committee, relates to retired police officers’ ability to purchase official uniforms of their departments. Sen. Bryan Hughes has companion Bill, SB 444. This will be researched to see if it benefits our members. • Website Report – Mike Gee o Progress has been made migrating data to the new database and it should be up and running in the near future o E-blast notifications are sent when a new edition of the Retired Badge publication comes out. o Mike may be contacted at [email protected]. • Political Action Committee (PAC) Report– Jim Bollig o PAC Fund totals: Assets as of 2-28-2021 $ 85,674.99 Assets as of 1-31-2021 $ 82,435.99 Contributions Received in February $ 4,015.00 Political Contributions: $ 0 Administration Expense: $ 200.00 PAC Reporting- Atchley & Assoc. $ 576.00 o December 12, 2020 was the last day on which certain legislators, statewide officers and political committees may accept contributions. o Each PAC contribution over $25 receives a HPROA thank you note. o PAC Committee Members are Chairman/Treasurer James Bollig, Bill Elkin, Anthony Kivela, Bob Barnard and Steve Rayne, Bookkeeper Cathy Buckles and Accountants Atchley & Associates. • Entertainment Committee – Matt Potell o The April 2021 Houston Reunion has been cancelled. o The next Fredericksburg Reunion will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Lady Bird Park Pavilion. o Host is needed for the Fredericksburg Reunion to assist the Entertainment Committee. • Membership Committee – Shelly Scheibe o 2,020 members as of March 10, 2021. 13 new regular members approved today. 1 associate member approved. • Retired Badge – Nelson Zoch o Article should be in by March 20, 2021. o Interviewed a possible candidate interested in cross training for the paper. o Will include an article on the Board of Directors August election. o Letter from a member will be included in the next issue with a disclaimer. • Family Assistance Committee (FAC) - Henry Chavez o Updates provided on members. Board Meeting Minutes 6 March 11, 2021 o A hospital bed was delivered and set up and a wheelchair was delivered to a member. A hospital bed was picked up from a member. Bobby Foster donated a scooter. o Memorial Plaque Presentations: Ray Smith presented a Memorial Plaque, Presentation and pin to Denise Goudy, widow of James Goudy. Anthony Kivela presented a Memorial Plaque, Presentation and pin to “Mardy” Tessier, widow of Robert Tessier.

Tim Dillon presented a Memorial Plaque, Presentation and pin to Diane Newman, widow of Craig Newman. Mattie Provost mailed a Memorial Plaque, Presentation and pin to Karen Blake, widow of Johnny Blake. Pat Kainer and Nelson Zoch presented a Memorial Plaque, Presentation and pin to Terry Jackson, daughter of Harry Hall. Tim Dillon presented a Memorial Plaque, Presentation and pin to Betty “Joyce” Briley, widow of Harvey Briley. o Friends we lost in February were: HPROA members: Harry Hall, Johnny Blake, Harvey Briley, Sabino Gamez and Arthur Price. HPD Retirees: Billy Lilley, Ginger Durrill, Jonas E. Foxworth, Wayne Kirby, and Tommy Westerman. We also lost: Bruce Wahl’s daughter Melissa Rios-Gutierrez. Charles Berrymann’s wife Mary Lynn. Mrs. Marcia Spruill Rockne, widow of Line of Duty death Officer Jerry Spruill also passed away. o Due to increased COVID-19 awareness, it has been decided to limit activities to protect volunteers and families. FAC will continue to deliver equipment to retirees in need.

Adjournment: Motion by Zoch, 2nd by Beale to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 p.m. Voice Vote. Motion Carried.

Sue Gaines Board Secretary