Wednesday, May 12, 2021 @ 11:00 am

The May 2021 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 April 2021 meeting had been previously posted on the DPROA website.  A motion was made by member Linda Kindt to accept the minutes as posted; seconded by member Robert Gutkowski.  Motion carried by acclamation with none opposed.
  4. President Elliston discussed the status of HB3375 sponsored by Representative Yvonne Davis.  He noted that discussion with her was initiated by the Dallas Black Retired Firefighters Association.  The bill had been passed in the House as part of the consent agenda on May 11 and was being sent to the Senate.  The bill only adds language that allows survivors of Police & Fire pensioners to make application for emergency withdrawals from the DROP money converted to annuities in the same manner as a pensioner.  Member Larry Eddington noted that the bill, if passed and signed by the governor, would be an amendment to Texas Civil Statue 6243A1 pertaining to a pension system for police officers, fire fighters, and fire alarm operators in certain cities.  It would not be an amendment to HB3158.
  5. President Elliston advised that the recent Spring BBQ picnic in Canton, TX, during the weekend of April 23-25 was a success with attendance of 100+ persons.  Plans are already being made by Spouses Behind the Badge to hold the event again in 2022 on the same weekend at the same location.  In its E-Board meeting, the board voted to donate $500.00 to ATO to cover the $297.68 cost of food and $202.32 as a charitable gift.
  6. President Elliston said that the next hearing on the Annual Adjustment lawsuit (represented by attorney George Vie) will be on June 2, 2021. The hearing will be conducted via Zoom.
  7. President Elliston said that a recent court victory by Houston Firefighters on pay matters would not have an impact on our Annual Adjustment lawsuit according to the DPROA attorney David Feldman.
  8. President Elliston advised that the next Pension Board meeting would occur May 13 on line and is considered a public meeting.  He stated that at a recent hearing in Austin, DPFPS Director Kelly Gottschalk commented that the pension is only 37% funded, a decrease from her previous statement that it was 44% funded.  This is probably related to the fact that the department has about 600 fewer officers contributing than it had in 2015.
  9. The Mayor’s pension panel is still underway and there has been no action with recommendations to date.
  10. Following Director Bland’s testimony recently in Austin regarding HB3375, Pension Board member Allen Vaught testified against the portion of the bill that would have allowed a one-time distribution to pensioners.
  11. President Elliston confirmed that the scheduled Zoom meeting of him and Vice President Lannom with Chief Eddie Garcia is still set for May 17, 2021.  Topics for discussion included: (a) LEOSA letters to be signed by the Chief, (b) notifications to retirees about annual pistol qualifications, (c) general support from the Chief on topics affecting retirees, and (d) and inviting him to attend the June or July general membership meeting.
  12. Former DPROA Vice President Dwight Walker suggested it may advisable to begin planning for legislative efforts now for the 2023 session.
  13. Treasurer Walker reported that the DPROA currently has about 1,100 members.  There is a total of $849,605.84 in all accounts with $332,134.43 of that amount set aside as designated funds for the lawsuit in which the Feldman Firm represents the DPROA.
  14. President Elliston encouraged all members to enroll in automatic deduction with the pension office for payment of monthly dues.
  15. Secretary Seguin and Director Bland discussed the recent monthly report from the Ratliff Company on lobbyist efforts.  In addition to HB3375, these are also of interest:
  • SJR22 prohibiting the use of state funds to pay for the obligations of a local public retirement system. This bill is unlike to progress any further.
  • SB198 relating to the demonstration of weapons proficiency by qualified law enforcement officers. It’s expected to now be passed by the House and sent to the governor.
  1. The next monthly DPROA meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2021.
  2. President Elliston mentioned that retired DPD Lieutenant David Goelden has completed another 20-year police career in Rockwall County.  His retirement party will be May 26 at 1:00-4:00 pm at the Rockwall County Courthouse.
  3. Secretary Seguin advised that memorial funeral services for the wife of retired DPD Sgt. Melvin McNulty will be video-streamed live Saturday, May 15 at 10:30 am on YouTube at the Evergreen Funeral Home in Dallas. Angela McNulty, age 55, will be taken to Monroe, LA for graveside services.  Melvin and Angela were married for 37 years. She was a college professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.
  4. Former Vice President Dwight Walker mentioned that Garda Armored Car Company is looking to hire retired police officers in a variety of positions.
  5. Member Linda Kindt stated that retired Deputy Chief Jeff Cotner will have non-law enforcement positions available for October’s State Fair.
  6. Member Tom Moorman asked about possibly reducing the annual dues for widows/widowers to one-half of the current amount.  President Elliston noted that to make any such change would require a general membership vote (electronic rather than paper ballot) and would also involve a cost to be paid to the contractor.  The topic has been tabled until the June board meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon.

//s//

Kenneth E. Seguin

Secretary