Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund of the City of New Orleans public meetings in 2023

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees reviewed several pension applications including disability, DROP, and widow benefits. The Board also approved a 2.5% staff pay raise effective January 1, 2024.

• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Thomas D. Howley
• Denied 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension application for Louis Carrier
• Approved DROP applications for Michael Donaldson and Paul A. Templer, Jr.
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefits for Mrs. Wanda Hickman and Mrs. Cheryl Washington
• Approved 2.5% staff pay raise and Secretary Treasurer salary adjustment effective January 1, 2024

The Board approved a 2.5% pay raise for staff effective January 1, 2024, and adjusted the Secretary Treasurer's salary. The Board also ruled on several disability, DROP, and widow's benefit applications.

• Approved 2.5% staff pay raise effective January 1, 2024
• Adjusted Secretary Treasurer salary to the rate of a 10-year captain
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Thomas D. Howley
• Denied 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Louis Carrier
• Approved DROP applications for Michael Donaldson and Paul A. Templer, Jr.
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefits for Wanda Hickman and Cheryl Washington
• Denied line of duty benefit and approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefit for Jean Arnone
• Removed deceased members and widows from the rolls

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The December 2023 Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund did not take place.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund in December 2023.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The agenda indicates that there was no November 2023 Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in November 2023.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees is meeting to review applications for service-connected disability pensions and survivor benefits. The board will also review financial reports for October 2023 and discuss a Small Cap Core active manager.

• Disability pension applications for Anthony C. Lonon, Jimmie D. Harris, and Anthony P. Smith
• Death benefit application for Kayla V. Beaulieu and survivor benefits for Arielle E. Daigle, Larissa R. Daigle, and Jaxson A. Welch
• October 2023 financial report showing $3,265,664.83 appropriation for the New System
• Discussion of Small Cap Core active manager
• DROP withdrawal for Anthony P. Smith effective October 31, 2023

The Board approved a new $5 million investment manager and a new firm to conduct a five-year actuarial study. The Board also approved several disability pensions and a surviving spouse benefit.

• Hired Fisher Investments as small cap core manager for a $5M account and terminated Clarkson Partners
• Terminated Rudd and Wisdom and engaged AON to perform the 5-year actuarial study
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Anthony C. Lonon
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Jimmie D. Harris
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Anthony P. Smith
• Approved DROP withdrawal request for Anthony P. Smith effective October 31, 2023
• Approved surviving spouse and dependent children's benefits for Kayla V. Beaulieu
• Removed Mark Beaulier and James M. Hickman from the rolls

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees for the Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund is meeting to process pension applications and beneficiary changes. The board will review requests for disability, regular service, and widow's benefits.

• Disability pension application for Darryl J. Keene (50% Service Connected)
• Regular service pension application for Douglas C. Cardinale
• Widow's benefit applications for Carole Ann Chagnard, Gail Schiel, and Elaine D. Miller
• Refund of contributions for Ethan Thibodeaux
• Financial report for September 2023 showing monthly benefit totals of $2,319,899.96 (New System) and $840,789.03 (Old System)

The Board approved a service-connected disability pension for Darryl J. Keene and a regular service pension for Douglas Cardinale. Three widow's benefit applications were approved, and two deceased members were removed from the rolls. The Board also approved a refund of contributions for Ethan Thibodeaux.

• Approved September 2023 meeting minutes
• Approved refund of contributions for Ethan Thibodeaux
• Approved 50% Service Connected Disability Pension for Darryl J. Keene effective Oct 12, 2023
• Approved Regular Service Pension for Douglas Cardinale effective Oct 1, 2023
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefit for Carol Ann Chagnard effective Sept 1, 2023
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefit for Gail Scheil effective Sept 1, 2023
• Approved Line of Duty widow's benefit for Elaine Miller effective June 1, 2023
• Removed Melvin W. Schiel and Barbara A Bruner from the rolls

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The agenda indicates that there was no October 2023 Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for October 2023. No decisions were made.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Investment Board will conduct a portfolio review during this meeting. The agenda includes a specific review of small cap and international equity.

• Portfolio review
• Small Cap and International equity review

The Board reviewed investment performance updates for the period ending August 30, 2023. The Board selected two firms to interview for a small cap core manager position. Approval of the July minutes was deferred.

• Approved inviting Fisher Small Cap and Mass Mutual for Webex presentations (No objections)
• Deferred approval of July Investment board minutes

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Board is meeting to review applications for service-connected disability pensions and widow's benefits. The board will also review financial reports for August 2023 and process contribution refunds and DROP withdrawals.

• Disability pension applications for Russell L. Choina, Steven T. Condon, Bert E. Gilmore III, and Reginald A. Green
• Non-Duty Death Benefit application for Huspawaty Scheffer
• Refund of contributions for Tyler Walker
• DROP withdrawal for Steven T. Condon effective August 31, 2023
• August 2023 financials showing $3,265,664.83 appropriation for the New System

The Board reviewed investment performance updates through August 30, 2023. Following a review of potential small cap core managers, the Board selected two firms to conduct presentations via Webex.

• Approved inviting Fisher Small Cap and Mass Mutual to make presentations via Webex (No objections)
• Deferred approval of July Investment board minutes until the next meeting

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees will conduct a roll call and seat elected members per R.S. 11:3362. The meeting is scheduled to be held via Webex.

• Seating of elected members per R.S. 11:3362

The Board held a special meeting to seat four newly elected members and administer the oath of office. The Board then nominated and approved its leadership for the current term.

• Seated four newly elected Board members via oath of office
• Nominated Martin Gaal as Board President (Passed, no objections)
• Nominated Thomas Meagher as Secretary Treasurer (Passed, no objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The August 2023 Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund did not take place.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for August 2023. No decisions were made.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees reviewed disability applications, approved widow benefits, and addressed upcoming board elections. The Board also approved an updated Summary Plan Description (SPD) and a 25% monthly benefit garnishment for a member.

• Approved the adoption of an updated Summary Plan Description (SPD)
• Approved a 25% monthly benefit garnishment for Gertrude Parker per US Attorney request
• Approved widow benefits for Mrs. Juanita M. Breckenridge, Mrs. Penny R. LaMonte, and Mrs. Weda Wade Lee
• Directed Jeffery B. Conner to meet with the Fund’s physician regarding a disability application
• Confirmed current Board members will remain for a two-year term starting August 24, 2023

The Board approved an updated Summary Plan Description incorporating new legislation on cancer, PTSD, and heart and lung bills. Three widow's benefit applications were approved, and the Board authorized a benefit garnishment requested by the US Attorney.

• Approved updated Summary Plan Description (SPD)
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow’s benefit for Mrs. Juanita M. Breckenridge
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow’s benefit for Mrs. Penny R. LaMonte
• Approved Line of Duty widow’s benefit for Mrs. Weda Wade Lee
• Approved 25% monthly benefit garnishment for Gertrude Parker
• Approved July 2023 meeting minutes
• Required physician meeting for disability applicant Jeffery B. Conner
• Removed Ceasar Shelly and Rita S. Lapara from rolls following deaths

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board will review the portfolio and discuss small cap core managers. The board will also vote on approving the March 2023 meeting minutes, as no meetings were held in April, May, or June. The board reserves the right to enter executive session for discussions on personnel or litigation.

• Approval of March 2023 Investment Board minutes
• Discussion on small cap core managers
• Portfolio review

The record indicates that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in July 2023. No decisions were made.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The board will consider two disability pension applications, three widow benefit applications, and a DROP application, along with reviewing the June 2023 financial report and discussing old and new business items.

• David V. Condon: application for 50% service-connected disability pension
• Jeffery B. Conner: application for 50% service-connected disability pension
• Linda M. Mathis, Kerri Wroblewski, Martha A. Scavo: applications for non-duty widow's benefits
• Nigel L. Cameron: DROP application effective July 1, 2022
• June 2023 financial report: $3,265,664.83 appropriation, $2,298,828.56 monthly benefit total

The Board approved a service-connected disability pension for David Condon and a DROP application for Nigel L. Moore. Non-duty widow's benefits were approved for Linda M. Mathis, Keri Wroblewski, and Martha Scavo. One disability application for Jeffery B. Conner was deferred pending more medical information.

• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for David Condon (No objections)
• Deferred disability application for Jeffery B. Conner pending medical information
• Approved DROP application for Nigel L. Moore (No objections)
• Approved Non-Duty Widow’s benefit for Linda M. Mathis (No objections)
• Approved Non-Duty Widow’s benefit for Keri Wroblewski (No objections)
• Approved Non-Duty Widow’s benefit for Martha Scavo (No objections)
• Removed deceased members and widows from the rolls (No objections)
• Accepted April 2023 meeting minutes (No objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board will meet to conduct a portfolio review. The board will also review and accept the minutes from the March 2023 meeting.

• Approval of March 2023 Investment Board Minutes
• Portfolio review

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in June 2023.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees is meeting to review applications for service-connected disability pensions, DROP withdrawals, and widow's benefits. The board will also review May 2023 financial reports for the New and Old pension systems.

• Service Connected Disability Pension applications for Kenneth G. Kirsch and James A. Berggren
• DROP application for David F. Nick
• Non-Duty Widow’s Benefit application for Mrs. Carolyn Cassreino (Gerard)
• Line of duty benefit request for Mrs. Urselle Cryer (Leon)
• May 2023 financial report showing $3,265,664.83 appropriation for the New System

The Board approved a health care reimbursement plan for staff under 65 after the City of New Orleans rejected their entry into the city health plan. The Board also accepted the 2023 election process for active and retired members and approved several disability and widow's pensions.

• Approved reimbursement for pension staff under 65 for employer-portion health care costs effective July 1, 2023
• Accepted the 2023 election process for active and retired members
• Approved $7,500 appraisal for Lakewood golf course property
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pensions for Kenneth G. Kirsch and James A. Berggren
• Approved DROP application for David Nick effective June 1, 2023
• Approved Non-Duty Widow’s benefit for Mrs. Carolyn Cassreino and Line of Duty Widow’s benefit for Mrs. Urselle Cryer
• Approved travel and conference fees for Paul Mitchell to attend Koried Global Summit
• Approved contribution refund for Douglas Colson

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees for the New Orleans Firefighters’ Pension and Relief Fund met to handle member applications and financial updates. The board discussed the pending sale of the Fund's interest in a waterpark and reported on community opposition to a proposed development by the STOYA Group.

• Sale of Fund's interest in Waterpark for $1,500,000 with a $50,000 deposit received
• Approval of contribution refund for Joseph Kenny
• Approval of DROP application for Troy Moore effective February 1, 2023
• Report of community opposition to the STOYA Group proposal at a May 8 meeting
• Update on Senate Finance committee bill to raise supplemental pay by $100 per month

The Board approved a DROP application for Troy Moore and a contribution refund for Joseph Kenny. Members were also removed from the rolls following reports of death. The Board noted a pending $1.5 million sale of the Fund's interest in a waterpark.

• Approved April 2023 meeting minutes
• Approved contribution refund for Joseph Kenny
• Approved DROP application for Troy Moore
• Approved removal of Anthony C. Fascio, Sr., Shelia S. Murphy, and William Solis from the rolls

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board will meet to review its portfolio. The board will also consider the approval of the March 2023 meeting minutes.

• Portfolio review
• Approval of March 2023 Investment Board Minutes

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The scheduled April 2023 Investment Board meeting for the Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund did not take place.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for April 2023. No actions were taken and no decisions were made.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Investment Board of the Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund will conduct a portfolio review. The board will also review and accept the minutes from the November 2022 meeting.

• Approval of November 2022 Investment Board Minutes
• Portfolio review

The Board reviewed fund performance updates through February 2023 and discussed various asset holdings. No new policy changes or funding allocations were voted upon during the session.

• Approved minutes of the November 2022 investment Board meeting

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The February 2023 Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund did not take place.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in February 2023.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The scheduled Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund did not take place.

The record indicates that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension & Relief Fund in January 2023. No actions were taken.