April 13, 2022 DPROA General Meeting Minutes

by | May 4, 2022 | Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 13, 2022 @ 11:00 am

The April 2022 General Membership meeting of the Dallas Police Retired Officers Association took place at the A.C. Garrett Masonic Lodge, 7119 E. Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75223

Present:           President David Elliston

Vice President Sally Lannom

Secretary Ken Seguin

Treasurer David Potts

Director Boux Bland

Director Dale Erves

DFR Advisor Larry Williams

Absent:            Director Joe Richtsmeier

Treasurer-Emeritus Crista Walker

Communications Director Carol Richtsmeier

 

President Elliston called the meeting to order at 11:04 am.

  1. President Elliston led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. President Elliston announced the names of the 11 police and firefighters who had passed away during the month of March 2022 according to the DPFPS website.
  • Police
    • Robert Spigler, James Barksdale, Howard Hulse, Willie Taylor, Joe Jones Jr
  • Fire
    • Jimmy Johnson, James Zak, W.G. Berry, Gary Hash, Jack Golden, Allen Angell
  1. Director Erves delivered the invocation.
  2. The minutes from the March 2022 meeting had been previously posted on the DPROA website.  A motion was made by member Robert Gutkowski to accept the minutes as posted; seconded by member Danny Haulbrook.  Motion carried by acclamation with none opposed.
  3. President Elliston made inquiry as to whether members had experienced any access problems to the revamped DPROA website, and those that had difficulty could contact Comm Director Richtsmeier.
  4. President Elliston noted that there was an error in the latest issue of “The Shield” magazine (DPA publication) that indicated retired police could now join the Annual Adjustment lawsuit.
  5. President Elliston advised that Judge Kristina Williams of the 192nd Judicial District Court had ruled in favor of the Dallas Police & Fire Pension Fund (DPFPS) with regard to a request for Summary Judgment on the Annual Adjustment lawsuit.  It is unclear at this point whether the written decision is a stamped and official final copy.  No appeal of the decision can be made until the judge makes a decision as to the award of attorney fees request by DPFPS.  The DPFPS, through attorney David Harper of Haynes Boone law firm, is seeking attorney fees of $237K through the Summary Judgment decision.
  6. President Elliston reported active DPD officer Frederick Frazier would be in a run-off election with Paul Chabot for Texas State District 61 (Collin County).  President Elliston had received no reply from Representative Yvonne Davis to determine if she is seeking election endorsements.
  7. President Elliston advised the Nominations Committee had met in March and he and Director Bland had attended the meeting.  Nine employee and retiree associations were represented.  There will be a “Call for Candidates” in April.
  8. President Elliston reminded members present that 2022 dues were supposed to have been paid by January 31, 2022.
  9. President Elliston stated that 97 certified letters were mailed out by himself and Secretary Seguin in March to DPROA members who were delinquent on 2021 dues payment and who were also participants in the Annual Adjustment lawsuit.  Of that number, eight letters were returned as “undeliverable” while twelve green “delivered” receipts were received so far.  President Elliston received several favorable phone calls from recipients thanking him for the reminder.
  10. President Elliston advised that the monthly Treasurer’s Report was available for review by members and were in possession of Treasurer Potts.
  11. President Elliston said the Masonic Lodge was contacted by the church next door which stated DPROA members could not use the church parking lot to attend DPROA meetings.  Member Larry Eddington will be asked to contact the Knights of Columbus Hall on E. Northwest Highway to see if that facility, which has ample parking, may be used for DPROA meetings.
  12. The next General Membership meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2022.
  13.  President Elliston noted that the next DPFPS meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2022 and it is supposed to be a “public meeting.”  He recalled that in the January 13, 2022 meeting, the trustees discussed whether to approve a “Staff Compensation Plan” request from Director Kelly Gottschalk.  Only trustees Robert French and Mark Malveaux dissented during the vote.  It was noted that she continues to seek raises, bonuses, and cost-of-living adjustments for staff employees while retirees receive no increases based on HB 3158.
  • There may be a possible call for a massive retiree turnout at the DPFPS May meeting with several DPROA speakers protesting financial compensation to the staff while the fund is losing money. Speakers can normally speak for only three minutes each and must sign up ahead of time.
  • DPFPS attorney Josh Mond has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director.
  1. There is no update from the Mayor’s special panel as to recommendations to make the fund more solvent.
  2. Director Erves delivered a letter of resignation from the board effective May 11, 2022 due to family and personal priorities.  He will remain a member of DPROA.  Secretary Seguin will utilize social media to seek out members who may want to fill the vacancy as an appointee for the unexpired term.  .

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 am.

//s//

Kenneth E. Seguin

Secretary

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