Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund Board of Trustees met May 17

Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund Board of Trustees met May 17.

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 10:39 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, Earnest W. Wotring (Mayor’s Representative), and Albertino “Al” Mays (Citizen Member). Trustee absent was Arif Rasheed (City Treasurer Designee). Also present were staff members Timothy Schauer (Executive Director), Ajit Singh (Chief Investment Officer), 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 10:39 a.m.

The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence. The Chair invited comments from the public.

The Chair, along with all board members, congratulated Christine Salazar for her ten years of service with the Fund and for graduating Cum Laude at the University of Houston Downtown with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a double minor in Business and Communication.

There was a motion by David O. Lantrip, seconded by Gerard L. Daniels, to approve the following items listed on the Consent Agenda:

A. Approval of the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

B. Approval of the report of the Pension Benefits Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

C. Approval of the minutes of the Investment Committee meeting held on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

The motion carried.

The Executive Director stated that the Fiscal Year 2023 proposed budget was approved by the Budget and Audit Committee and is being presented to the Board for further approval.

There was a motion by Stephen R. Whitehead, seconded by Albertino “Al” Mays, to accept the Fiscal Year 2023 proposed budget, as recommended by the Budget and Audit Committee. The motion carried.

The Executive Director provided an update on the sale of the memorial benches which opened for sale to eligible Fund members on Monday, March 21, 2022 and ended Thursday, April 21, 2022. He stated that a total of 13 benches have been sold leaving 17 more benches available for sale to any eligible Fund members, on a first come, first served basis.

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.

The Chair provided an update on current and future activities of the Fund, including impending visits with legislators.

Joe Gimenez with G3 Public Relations gave a presentation on media communcation. Stephen R. Whitehead departed the meeting at 11:15 a.m. and returned at 11:17 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:54 a.m. on a motion by David O. Lantrip, seconded by Lisa R. Slagle. The motion carried.

https://www.hfrrf.org/files/lists/7013/Minutes%20Board%20May%2017,%202022.pdf