Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund Board of Trustees met April 19

Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund Board of Trustees met April 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund (HFRRF) Board of Trustees convened at the Fund offices at 4225 Interwood North Parkway, Houston, Texas 77032, at 10:04 a.m.

Trustees present were Brett R. Besselman (Chair), Stephen R. Whitehead (Vice Chair), Lisa R. Slagle (Secretary), Gerard L. Daniels, Pete Ng, David Riegor, David O. Lantrip, Arif Rasheed (City Treasurer Designee), Earnest W. Wotring (Mayor’s Representative), and Albertino “Al” Mays (Citizen Member). Also present were staff members Timothy Schauer (Executive Director), Claudia McInnis (Director of Finance and Administration), Dalia “Dolly” De La Cruz (Director of Member Services), Andrea Sharayha (Director of Human Resources), John D. Moore II (Director of Technology and Building Services), and Adam E. Smith (General Counsel).

The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.

The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence. The Chair invited comments from the public. No comments were received.

The Board Secretary, Lisa R. Slagle, made a correction to the March 15, 2022 board minutes which was accepted by the Board.

There was a motion by David O. Lantrip, seconded by Albertino “Al” Mays, to approve the following items listed on the Consent Agenda:

A. Approval of the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, as amended.

B. Approval of the report of the Pension Benefits Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

C. Approval of the report of the Budget and Audit Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

D. Approval of the minutes of the Personnel and Procedures Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

E. Approval of the minutes of the Investment Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The motion carried with the amendment of the minutes of the Board meeting held on March 15, 2022.

There was a motion by Albertino “Al” Mays, seconded by David Riegor, to approve the Chief Investment Officer’s travel outside the 48 contiguous United States to attend the EQT Annual Investor meetings and LPAC on June 20-22, 2022, with airfare and up to four nights of hotel accommodation, to be paid by EQT Partners. The motion carried.

There was a motion by Lisa R. Slagle, seconded by David Riegor, to approve the Director of Member Services’ travel outside the 48 contiguous United States to attend the 41st Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium on August 7-10, 2022. The motion carried.

There was a motion by Stephen R. Whitehead, seconded by Gerard L. Daniels, to approve the Senior Investment Analyst’s attendance to the Milken Institute 25th Global Conference with complimentary registration, to be held on May 1 - 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. The motion carried.

There was a motion by Gerard L. Daniels, seconded by Stephen R. Whitehead, to approve the Records Management Coordinator’s attendance to the ARMA Conference & Expo with complimentary registration, to be held on April 26 & 27, 2022 in Houston, TX. The motion carried.

The Executive Director provided an update on the sale of memorial benches which opened for sale to eligible Fund members on Monday, March 21, 2022 and will end at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2022. He stated that eight (8) benches have been sold and continuing to get inquiries from members.

The Chair provided an update on the meeting with City of Houston personnel regarding the proposed Risk Sharing Valuation Study for July 1, 2021.

The General Counsel provided updates on the Fund’s lawsuits against the City of Houston and City officials related to Senate Bill 2190 in the 85th Texas legislature and on the declaratory judgment relating to informal marriage.

Anthony J. Roda with Williams & Jensen provided government relations update on federal legislative issues.

The Board recessed at 10:22 a.m. to accommodate the arrival of The Honorable Kevin Brady. David Riegor and Earnest Wotring departed the meeting.

The Chair reopened the meeting at 10:57 a.m.

The Honorable Kevin Brady with his Deputy Chief of Staff, Craig Lewellyn, entered the meeting room.

The Board welcomed Congressman Kevin Brady who discussed the legislative action expected to address the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and other retirement related issues.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m. on a motion by David O. Lantrip, seconded by Gerard L. Daniels. The motion carried.

https://www.hfrrf.org/files/lists/7004/Minutes%20Board%20April%2019,%202022.pdf