Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund of the City of New Orleans public meetings in 2024

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees decided to change the Actuarially Required Contribution (ARC) to a straight line, fixed contribution method. This change moves the ARC from $68 million to $48 million to better align with the City's budget. The Board also approved staff pay raises and leave payouts.

• Resolution to change ARC from $68 million to $48 million
• Approval of 2.5% pay raise for staff
• Approval for employees to cash out sick and annual leave balances above two weeks
• Approval of contribution refund for Cole Duncan
• Removal of deceased beneficiaries Dora P. Sylvia and Cynthia B. Theriot from rolls

The Board approved a resolution to change the Actuarially Required Contribution (ARC) to a straight line, fixed contribution method, moving the ARC from $68 million to $48 million. The Board also approved a 2.5% staff pay raise and the cashing out of sick and annual leave balances above two weeks.

• Adopted resolution to change ARC to straight line, fixed contribution method (Passed)
• Approved 2.5% pay raise for staff (Passed)
• Approved payment of sick and annual leave balances above two weeks (Passed)
• Approved refund of contributions for Cole Duncan (Passed)
• Approved removal of deceased members Dora P. Sylvia and Cynthia B. Theriot from rolls (Passed)
• Accepted November 2024 meeting minutes (Passed)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board is meeting to review its portfolio. The board will discuss searches for real estate and private debt and an allocation recommendation for Old Fund cash.

• Real Estate and Private Debt searches
• Allocation recommendation for Old Fund cash
• Portfolio review

The Board approved a $5 million investment in the Principal Enhanced Property Fund and adjusted the asset allocation policy to reflect this change. The Board also reviewed fund performance and discussed potential updates to the overall asset allocation policy.

• Approved $5 million allocation to Principal Enhanced Property Fund (Passed, no objections)
• Approved November Investment board minutes (Passed, no objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board will meet to review and approve the July 2024 minutes, as no meetings were held in August, September, or October. The board will also conduct a portfolio review. No old or new business items are listed.

• Approve July 2024 Investment Board minutes
• Portfolio review

The Board approved the transfer of $6 million from the New Fund R&D account into three other funds. The Board also approved the July investment minutes and received a performance update and a primer on private debt.

• Approved July Investment board minutes
• Approved transfer of $4 million to Fidelity TSM Index Fund (FSKAX)
• Approved transfer of $1 million to Hartford Strategic Income (HSNVK)
• Approved transfer of $1 million to PIMCO Income Fund (PIMIX)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees will review applications for service-connected disability pensions and widow's benefits. The meeting also includes reports on pensioner deaths and a review of October 2024 financial data.

• 5 applications for 50% Service Connected Disability Pensions
• 4 applications for Widow's Benefits (3 Non-Duty, 1 Line of Duty)
• DROP withdrawals for Jay Fielding and Christopher Wren
• October 2024 financial report showing $3,747,034.50 appropriation for the New System
• Discussion on transfer of contributions from NOMERS

The Board approved five service-connected disability pensions and four widow's benefit applications. The Board also authorized a contribution refund and two DROP withdrawals. Deceased members and widows were removed from the rolls.

• Approved refund of contributions for Nicholas Muse (No objections)
• Approved DROP withdrawals for Jay Fielding and Christopher Wren effective Oct 31, 2024 (No objections)
• Approved service-connected disability pensions for Jordan S. Angelo, Jay Fielding, Robert J. Pitre, Wayne M. Snell, and Christopher D. Wren (No objections)
• Approved non-duty widow's benefits for Carol Igau, Catherine Squires, and Eunice Jennings (No objections)
• Approved line-of-duty widow's benefit for Denise Weinmann (No objections)
• Approved removal of deceased members and widows from the rolls (No objections)
• Accepted October 2024 meeting minutes (No objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees for the Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund is meeting to review benefit applications and financial reports. The board will consider disability pensions for two fire district chiefs and a widow's benefit application.

• Service Connected Disability Pension applications for Francis Williams II and Albert Faciane Jr.
• Non-Duty Widow’s Benefit application for Mrs. Barbara Theriot
• Refund of contributions for Justin Raymond
• September 2024 financial report showing monthly benefit totals of $2,404,822.48 for the New System and $793,070.11 for the Old System
• Legal discussion regarding Bert Gilmore III QDRO

The Board approved a "13th check" of $500 for retirees and widows in the New and Old systems for December 2024 and 2025. The Board also approved several disability pensions, a refund of contributions, and a widow's benefit.

• Approved $500 '13th check' payments for retirees and widows for Dec 2024 and 2025
• Approved Service-Connected Disability Pension for Francis Williams I (effective July 17, 2024)
• Approved Service-Connected Disability Pension for Albert Faciane, Jr. (effective Oct 9, 2024)
• Approved DROP withdrawal for Francis Williams II (effective June 30, 2024)
• Approved non-Duty widow's benefit for Barbara Theriot (effective Sept 1, 2024)
• Approved refund of contributions for Justin Raymond
• Adopted terms of Bert Gilmore QDRO effective for November payroll
• Approved removal of three deceased members from the rolls

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 minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in October 2024.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund Board of Trustees meets to review and approve disability and retirement pension applications, process beneficiary changes, and receive death reports. The board also reviews monthly financial statements and discusses pending legal matters in closed session.

• Approved 50% service-connected disability pensions for Armand R. Pitre Jr., Gordon S. Case Jr., and Alfred J. Schloegel III
• Approved regular service pensions for David S. Castle and Terry Hardy Sr.
• Approved refund of contributions for Anthony J. Tadlock after 2 years of service
• Approved widow’s benefit for Mrs. Caroline Perkins
• Reviewed July and August 2024 financial statements showing $3.7M appropriations and $2.4M in monthly benefits

The Board approved several service-connected disability pensions, regular service pensions, and a widow's benefit. The Board also denied a line of duty disability appeal for Louis Carrier and approved one DROP application.

• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pensions for Armand R. Pitre, Jr., Gordon Case, Jr., and Alfred J. Schloegel, III
• Approved Regular Service Pensions for David S. Castle and Terry Hardy
• Approved DROP application for Fredrick H. Knecht
• Approved Line of Duty widow's benefit for Mrs. Caroline Perkins
• Denied line of duty disability application appeal for Louis Carrier
• Approved refund of contributions for Anthony J. Tadlock
• Approved DROP withdrawal for Armand Pitre, Jr.
• Approved removal of five deceased members and widows from the rolls

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board did not hold its scheduled September 2024 meeting. No decisions or discussions were recorded for this period.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund in September 2024.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board did not hold a meeting in August 2024. The agenda indicates no scheduled items or actions for this period.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in August 2024.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

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

The minutes record that there was no regular board meeting on August 14, 2024. No actions were taken.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

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

• Approval of March Investment Board minutes
• Portfolio review

The Board approved transferring $8.8 million from the New Fund R&D account into four specific investment funds to align with investment policy. The Board also approved attendance for members and staff at the NCPERS Public Safety conference and accepted the March meeting minutes.

• Approved $8.8M portfolio rebalancing from New Fund R&D account (No objections)
• Approved $3.4M purchase of Europacific Growth (RERGX) (No objections)
• Approved $3.4M purchase of Fidelity TSM Index Fund (FSKAX) (No objections)
• Approved $1M purchase of Hartford Strategic Income (HSNVX) (No objections)
• Approved $1M purchase of PIMCO Income Fund (PIMIX) (No objections)
• Approved attendance at NCPERS Public Safety conference for board and staff (No objections)
• Approved March Investment board minutes (No objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Board of Trustees is meeting to review applications for service pensions, disability pensions, and death benefits. The board will also review financial reports for June 2024.

• Disability pension application for Brian K. Sennett, Sr.
• Regular service pension application for Eric J. Frederick
• DROP applications for Ryan D. Woods and Douglas P. Balser
• Non-Duty Death Benefit applications for Dianne A. Washington, Lillian C. Pechon, Malvina L. Gallodoro, and Judy Calongue
• June 2024 financial report showing $3,747,034.50 in New System appropriations

The Board approved several service-connected disability, regular service, and DROP pension applications. It also approved four non-duty widow's benefit applications and removed three deceased members from the rolls. The Board entered executive session to discuss a disability retirement appeal for Louis Carrier.

• Approved Service Connected Disability Pension for Brian K. Sennett, Sr. (No objections)
• Approved Regular Service Pension for Eric J. Fredrick (No objections)
• Approved DROP withdrawal for Eric Fredrick (No objections)
• Approved DROP applications for Ryan Woods and Douglas P. Balser (No objections)
• Approved non-duty widow's benefits for Dianne Washington, Lillian C. Pechon, Malvina Gallodoro, and Judy Calongne (No objections)
• Approved removal of deceased members Louis P. Pechon, Jr., Robert C. Schmitt, and Ella E. Foto from rolls (No objections)
• Approved June 2024 meeting minutes with spelling corrections (No objections)
• Decided to schedule an appeal hearing for Louis Carrier regarding a disability retirement application

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board has no meeting scheduled for June 2024.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for June 2024. No decisions were made.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees is meeting to review applications for service-connected disability pensions and non-duty widow benefits. The board will also process a contribution refund and review May 2024 financial reports.

• Disability pension applications for Peter E. Lindblom, William E. Shanks, and David J. Hebert Jr.
• Widow's benefit applications for Beth Ann Vosbein, Linda L. Burns, and Florence Schaubhut
• Contribution refund for Jamal Dortch
• May 2024 financial report showing $3,747,034.50 appropriation for the New System
• May 2024 financial report showing $857,769.67 appropriation for the Old System

The Board approved three service-connected disability pensions and three non-duty widow benefits. It also authorized a contribution refund for a resigned member and a benefit adjustment following a death.

• Approved May 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved refund of contributions for Jamal Douth
• Approved Service Connected Disability Pension for Peter E. Lindblom
• Approved Service Connected Disability Pension for William E. Shanks
• Approved Service Connected Disability Pension for David J. Herbert, Jr.
• Approved non-duty widow benefits for Beth Ann Vosbein, Linda Burns, and Florence Schaubhut
• Approved removal of deceased members and widows from the rolls
• Approved pop up benefit for Lawrence Hudson

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The May 2024 Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund was cancelled.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in May 2024.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees will review service-connected disability pension applications and widow benefit requests. The meeting also includes a review of financial reports for April 2024 and potential discussions regarding fiduciary insurance.

• Service-connected disability pension application: Ernest Morris, Jr.
• Service-connected disability pension application: Roland A. Domio Jr.
• Non-duty widow's benefit application: Elaine C. Witty
• Line of duty widow's benefit application: Amy Rogers
• April 2024 financial report showing $3,747,034.50 in new system appropriations

The Board approved service-connected disability pensions for two members and survivor benefits for two widows. The Board also approved the April 2024 meeting minutes and removed deceased members from the rolls.

• Approved April 2024 meeting minutes (No objections)
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Ernest Morris, Jr effective May 8, 2024 (No objections)
• Approved 50% Service-Connected Disability Pension for Roland A. Domio, Jr effective May 8, 2024 (No objections)
• Approved line of duty widow's benefit for Amy Rogers effective March 1, 2024 (No objections)
• Approved non-line of duty benefit for Elaine C. Witty effective April 1, 2024 (No objections)
• Removed Robert J. Evans and Martha Ann St Romain from the rolls following their deaths (No objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The agenda indicates that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in April 2024.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for April 2024. No actions were taken and no decisions were made.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees for the Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund is meeting to review pension and widow's benefit applications. The board will also examine March 2024 financial reports and discuss fiduciary insurance fees.

• DROP application for Joseph Jurisich IV
• Widow's benefit applications for Caron Jacobs, Nicolette M. Andrews, Dione Marie Landrum, Christine Mary McCann, and Tana R. Turner
• Child benefit application for Jace Joshua Naquin
• March 2024 financial reports showing $3,747,034.50 in New System appropriations
• Fiduciary Insurance Waiver of Recourse fee

The Board approved a DROP application for Fire District Chief Joseph Jurisich IV and several widow and child benefit applications. The Board also accepted the 2023 expense committee report and approved the March 2024 meeting minutes.

• Approved DROP application for Joseph Jurisich IV effective March 1, 2024
• Denied line of duty application for Mrs. Caron Jacobs; approved non-line of duty benefit effective March 1, 2024
• Approved non-line of duty benefit for Mrs. Nicholette M. Andrews effective March 1, 2024
• Approved 66 2/3% Line of Duty death benefit for Mrs. Dion Marie Landrum effective February 16, 2024
• Approved non-duty death benefit for Mrs. Christine Mary McCann effective March 1, 2024
• Approved line of duty benefit for Ms. Tana R. Turner effective April 1, 2024
• Approved child benefit for son of Josua Guidry effective October 10, 2021
• Accepted 2023 expense committee report with no exceptions noted

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters’ Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board will conduct a portfolio review. The board is also scheduled to discuss asset allocation and rebalancing.

• Approval of September Investment Board minutes
• Portfolio review
• Asset allocation and rebalancing

The Board authorized a $10 million transfer from the New Fund R&D account to various index and bond funds to align with investment policy. The Board also approved a consent agreement regarding the acquisition of AndCo by Mariner.

• Approved $10M portfolio rebalancing: $3M to Fidelity TSM Index Fund, $3.5M to Baird Aggregate Bond, $2M to Europacific Growth, $750K to Hartford Strategic Income, and $750K to PIMCO Income Fund
• Authorized Thomas Meagher to execute consent agreement for the Mariner acquisition of AndCo
• Approved July and September Investment Board minutes

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Board of Trustees is meeting to review applications for service-connected disability pensions and widow benefits. The board will also discuss the 2024 budget and fiduciary insurance fees.

• Service-connected disability pension applications for Paul F. Martory III and Michael P. Smith
• Non-duty widow benefit application for Mrs. Deborah Sauter
• Discussion of the 2024 Budget
• Fiduciary Insurance-Waiver of Recourse fee
• February 2024 financial report showing monthly benefit totals of $2,373,513.75 (New System) and $830,346.05 (Old System)

The Board approved service-connected disability pensions for two members and a non-line of duty widow's benefit. The Board also reviewed a proposed 2024 budget and noted a change in the fund's actuary to Aon.

• Approved Service Connected Disability Pension for Paul F. Martory, II (No objections)
• Approved Service Connected Disability Pension for Michael P. Smith (No objections)
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow’s benefit for Mrs. Deborah Sauter (No objections)
• Approved registration and attendance for members and staff at NCPERS conferences (No objections)
• Accepted February 2023 meeting minutes (No objections)
• Removed eight deceased pensioners and one widow from the rolls (No objections)

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The Board of Trustees is meeting to process pension applications, beneficiary changes, and death benefit claims. The board will also review financial reports for the New and Old systems and discuss the 2024 budget.

• Regular service pension application for Michael Williams
• Non-Duty Death Benefit applications for Geradine Cancienne, Carmen Conrad, and Chongkonrat Messina
• Pre-Retirement Death Benefit and minor children's benefit applications for Leslie Wallace
• Review of January 2024 financials including $3,747,034.50 appropriation for the New System
• Discussion of the 2024 Budget and CEA agreement

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding to modify the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement, allowing for additional retiree payments and removing the requirement for an independent advisor board. The Board also approved several pension and widow's benefit applications and a contribution refund.

• Approved modification of Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) via MOU
• Approved Regular Pension application for Michael Williams effective Feb 7, 2024
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefit for Mrs. Geradine Cancienne effective Jan 1, 2024
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefit for Mrs. Carmen Conrad effective Dec 1, 2023
• Approved Non-Line of Duty widow's benefit for Mrs. Chongkonrat Messina effective Jan 1, 2024
• Approved Line of Duty benefit for Mrs. Leslie Wallace and children's benefits effective Dec 27, 2023
• Approved refund of contributions for Jared Carter
• Approved removal of deceased pensioners Glen Wallace, Edwin S. Hattier, George Naquin, and Daniel J. Sauter from rolls

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The agenda indicates that there was no February 2024 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 February 2024.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Investment Board

The Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund Investment Board did not hold a meeting in January 2024.

The minutes record that there was no Investment Board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund in January 2024.

Firefighters' Pension & Relief Fund — Pension Board

The agenda indicates that there was no regular board meeting for the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension and Relief Fund on January 10, 2024.

The minutes record that there was no regular board meeting on January 10, 2024. No decisions were made.