March 10, 2021 General Membership Meeting Minutes

by | Mar 23, 2021 | Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 @ 11:00 am

The December 2020 General Membership meeting of the Dallas Police Retired Officers Association took place at the Dallas Police Association, 1412 Griffin Street East, Dallas, TX 75215.

Present:
President David Elliston
Vice President Sally Lannom
Secretary Kenneth Seguin
Treasurer Crista Walker
Director Boux Bland
Director Joe Richtsmeier
Director Dale Erves
Communications Director Carol Richtsmeier
DFR Advisor Larry Williams

  1. President Elliston called the meeting to order at 11:05 am and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Director Dale Erves delivered the invocation.
  3. The minutes from the December 2020 meeting had been previously posted on the DPROA website.  A motion was made by member Frank Ruspoli to accept the minutes as posted; seconded member Larry Eddington. Motion carried by acclamation with none opposed.
  4. The candidates who were successfully reelected to another term on the board were given their oath of office:
  • Vice President Lannom administered the oath of office to:
    • President David Elliston
  • President Elliston then administered the oath of office to:
    • Secretary Ken Seguin
    • Director Boux Bland
    • Director Dale Erves
  1. President Elliston confirmed that attorney George Vie had deposed Ms. Anumeha Kumar, Executive Director of the Texas Pension Review Board.  She will have an opportunity to review the deposition transcript before it is submitted for a hearing before one of five judges who will rule on the merits of the case.  President Elliston stated he was optimistic about the case remaining in Travis County.
  2. President Elliston advised the DPFPS Board gave authorization to Director Kelly Gottschalk to explore possible legislation to let DPFPS employees join the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).  That Board is still waiting to receive peer review data from other pension agencies.
  3. In response to a question by member Tom Moorman, President Elliston spoke of appointed Chairperson Raphael Anchia of the governor’s pension committee who was concerned about the financial stability of TMRS which provides pensions to state judges, DPS employees, and legislators.  The pension covers 135,000 plan members but has $14.7 billion in unfunded liabilities.   Mr Anchia was heard to say that he is a believer in keeping promises to retirees.
  4. President Elliston said that Mayor Eric Johnson’s pension review group is looking at options to make the DPFPS financially solid, to include possible Pension Obligation Bonds and the selling of assets.  He also advised that DPFPS Director Kelly Gottschalk was heard to say that HB 3158 was not intended as a “fix” to the Police & Fire Pension but rather a “bridge” to fixing it.  DPFPS Board Chair Bill Quinn and Robert Walters of the Dallas Citizens Council are both members of the Mayor’s pension review group.
  5. President Elliston talked about the data base of membership.  He related that Comm Director Richtsmeier had advised that the ‘clean up” was completed by Bluebird Creative.  There are about 35 members with issues about email-matching data.
  6. President Elliston advised he and Vice President Lannom are scheduled to have a Zoom meeting with new Chief of Police Eddie Garcia on April 15, 2021.
  7. Director Bland reported on the Ratliff Company lobbyist report.  (a) He stated   Representative Huberty had filed a bill relating to certain increases in benefits under the firefighters’ relief and retirement fund in certain municipalities.  (b) SJR 22 was jointly filed by Representative Huffman and Senator Schwertner as a constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of state funds to pay for the obligations of a local public retirement system.  (c) Representative Yvonne Davis was filing a bill that would allow public safety family survivors in certain cities to make requests for emergency withdrawal of monies from pension funds.
  8. Treasurer Walker gave the monthly financial report for February.  Total funds in DPROA’s accounts amount to $857,037.80.  There are 11 firefighters and 8 police officers who paid twice for dues because of PayPal and she is working to resolve those issues.  Membership consists of 699 police officers and 416 firefighters (or survivors).  The total is 1,115 members.
  9. The plan for a three-day weekend (23-25 April) at Mill Creek Ranch Resort in Canton, TX for active and retired police is still “on” with a BBQ meal and music scheduled for 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 24, 2021.  It will be hosted by Spouses Behind the Badge and the DPA Double-6 BBQ Team.  DPROA will set up a table at this event for possible new member applications.
  10. President Elliston discussed pistol range qualifications for retirees and that a bill was being proposed that would allow retirees who live a considerable distance from the department from which they retired, to qualify under the oversight a certified police range master.  He believes that the bill is trying to resolve issues between Texas state law and federal LEOSA law enacted under Public Law 108-277.
  11. The next General Membership meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2021 at the DPA (pending further developments of the Corona Virus).  Membership will be advised if the meeting will be held.  Chief Eddie Garcia will be invited to a future General Membership meeting when Covid concerns are more fully alleviated.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am.

//s//

Kenneth E. Seguin
Secretary

 

 

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