MINUTES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – 01/2020

by | Jan 8, 2020 | Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 8, 2020 @ 11:04 am The January 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 Dwight Walker
  • Secretary Kenneth Seguin
  • Treasurer Crista Walker (at 10:42 am)
  • Director Boux Bland
  • Director Dale Erves
  • Vice President Elect Sally Lannom
  • Director Elect Joe Richtsmeier
  • DFR Advisor Larry Williams

Absent:

  • Director Louis Felini
  • Communications Director Carol Richtsmeier

Discussion:

  1. President Elliston called the meeting to order and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Director Erves delivered the invocation.
  3. President Elliston advised that the minutes from the December 2019 meeting had not yet been posted on the DPROA website for membership review. They will be posted soon. The approval vote will be delayed until the February general membership meeting.
  4. President Elliston reported that Mrs Mary Knowles, wife of retired Officer Charles Knowles, #1448, contacted the DPA and said that her husband had been hospitalized at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite, 1011 N Galloway Ave, Mesquite, TX 75149, and would appreciate visitors.
  5. President Elliston advised that there is no monthly report from the Ratliff Company but one is expected for February.
  6. President Elliston reported that one or two new participants had joined the lawsuit since sign-up was reopened on January 1 for a three-month period.
  7. President Elliston reminded the membership that annual dues (or monthly dues) were payable not later than January 31, 2020.
  8. President Elliston reported that the deposition of a Texas Pension Review Board representative is scheduled for January 21 in Austin, but that attorney George Vie has indicated it may have to be pushed back by 2 or 3 days. President Elliston and Director Erves are planning to be in attendance for the deposition.
  9. President Elliston advised there was no information from attorney Kirk Pittard on the Degan lawsuit, with answers from the Texas Supreme Court to the questions from the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
  10. President Elliston state that Sally Lannom and Joe Richtsmeier (incoming Vice President and Director) would be sworn in during the March general membership meeting. He also stated that the board is looking for a volunteer candidate to replace Treasurer Crista Walker whose term is expiring but has agreed to remain on the board until a replacement can be found.
  11. Treasurer Walker gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report which had been emailed to board members the previous day. She advised that there was
    • $131,837.67 in the checking account
    • $426,634.74 in the money market account
    • $558.472.41 TOTAL in both accounts, of which
    • $295,672.41 is available for spending – Of the original $200,000 contracted agreement with the Feldman firm, $50,000 is still owed and Treasurer Walker will pay that amount later in January. – One new participant (not eligible for membership) has joined the lawsuit ($400). Total participants are now at 1,033. – Members may view the financial report at any general membership meeting.
  12. In response to a membership question, President Elliston stated that any surviving spouse of a member can become a full/active DPROA member at the same dues rate as the officer was, and would have full voting privileges.
  13. Director Erves announced that he would have DPROA POLO shirts and ball caps for sale after the meeting, and had car decals as well.
  14. Vice President Walker asked the membership to be mindful of opportunities to visit with sick or hospitalized retired officers, and that DPROA exists for that reason as well as the ongoing legal concerns. He also stated that he was running for election as the Precinct 1 Commissioner in Rockwall County. The primary election will be in March 2020.
  15. President Elliston announced that the annual Dallas Police Retirees luncheon would be on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the Double Tree Hotel on W. Mockingbird Lane near Love Field. Costs have been lowered to $25.00 per person. Checks can be sent to Hans Bryson or John Allen who have posted their contact info on Facebook.
  16. Communications Director Carol Richtsmeier has prepared an advertisement for publication in the Jan-Feb issue of the DPA’s Shield magazine. It pertains to the reopening of new sign-ups for the Annual Adjustment / Benefit Supplement lawsuit.
  17. Treasurer Walker will accept checks for annual dues payment at the conclusion of the meeting.
  18. Mention was made of the candidacy of Brian Slaton for the Texas House of Representatives seat currently held by Representative Dan Flynn. A motion was made by member Larry Eddington for the DPROA to give an endorsement to Mr Slaton; motion seconded by member Linda Kindt. Motion passed by membership present without dissent.
  19. In response to a member question, Secretary Seguin clarified that there are still two legal cases pending in which the DPROA is involved — (1) The Degan case before the federal 5th Circuit, and (2) the DPROA vs the Texas Pension Review Board in Austin.
  20. Director Erves mentioned that there is some movement at the national level for possible legislation affecting those with a 401k plan to convert it into an annuity.
  21. The next General Membership meeting is scheduled for February 12, 2020 at the DPA.

    The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 am.

    //s//

    Kenneth E. Seguin

    Secretary

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