April 2008 Valley Chapter Minutes

Attendance:
Davis POA:
Rod Rifredi

Grant Schools POA:
William Cho, Brian Rahlf

Modesto PMA:
Andy Schlenker (LDF)

Sacramento POA:
Paul Brown (VC-Treasurer)

San Joaquin County DSA:
Randy Beintema (VC-Director), Steve Walker (VC-President), William Gardner, Scott Steward, Dave Oliver, Shelby Oliver, Robert Foppiano, Kevin Johnson

San Joaquin Delta Colleg POA:
Jim Bock (VC-Secretary), Robert Di Piero, James Wood, Mario Vasquez, Geff Greenwood, Dan Harris, Mary Morehead

Stanislaus County DSA:
Gary Vernon

Stanislaus County RDSA:
Paul Konsdorf (Goyette & Associates)

Stanislaus County Supervisors Association:
Larry Seymour (VC-Vice President)

Stockton POA:
Gordon Gray, Chuck Flesher, Joe Schmit (ret.), AC Mayer (ret.)

Stockton PMA:
Chris Trulsson

Stockton Unified School District POA:
Rob Matthews, Mayra Franco, Michael Hitchcock

Union City POA:
Rob Young

PORAC:
Ron Cottingham (President)

Legal Defense Fund:
Kathleen Cechini, Jennifer Allen, Carrie Crocket, Tracie Johnson, Kristeena Brooks

Carroll, Burdick and McDonough:
Gary Messing, Jason Jasmine

Goyette and Associates:
Luciano Beltran (RPOAC)

Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller, Johnsen and Uhrhammer:
Mike Amick, John Holstedt, Anthony McClaren, Amanda Lucas

Myers, Stevens and Toohey:
Paul Harrison

California Casualty:
Sophie Imbuelten

Guests:
Cathy Kennedy (for Yolo County Supervisor)

Board Member Roll Call:
All Present

Total Attendance:
48

Call To Order:
1907 hours by President Steve Walker

Pledge of Allegiance:
Led by President Steve Walker

Moment of Silence:

Introductions:

Revenues - $3,197.05
Expenses - $0.00
Net - $3,197.05
General Checking - $18,702.36

Old Business:
President Walker (San Joaquin County DSA):
Les Weidman for Supervisor - At the March 2008 meeting, Stanislaus County DSA brought in a request to endorse Les Weidman for the District 2 seat for the Board of Supervisors of Stanislaus County. A motion, second and vote were brought to the floor and carried, however, per our bylaws, had to be tabled for 30 days to allow for other affected member associations to voice their position. No opposition has been filed, so therefore the motion and vote carry as indicated below:

Service Providers:
Sophie Imbuelten (California Casualty):
Impact Teen Driver Campaign - California Casualty, the Association of California Highway Patrolmen and the California Teachers Association shared sponsorship of this program to increase awareness, educated and bring attention to teen driving behavior and choices. Please visit the website as it brings valuable and crucial information to you. http://www.impactteendriver.org

Paul Harrison (Myers-Stevens & Toohey):
Long Term Disability Insurance - The PORAC Insurance and Benefits Trust recently made some significant enhancements to its "Premier" Long Term Disability plan. Effective April 01, 2008, the maximum monthly benefit has been increased to $7,000. Although providing a significant increase in the benefit, the price for this plan has not increased. Additionally, a new plan has been created as the "Premier Plus" plan, which increases the monthly benefit to a maximum of $9,000. The monthly cost for the "Premier Plus" plan is only $22.50.

Gary Messing (Carroll, Burdick and McDonough):
FBOR - With the recent creation of the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights, there may be some issues regarding Civil Review Commissions contained in FBOR that could open up some issues within PBOR.

Anthony McClaren (Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller, Johnsen and Uhrhammer):
Sacramento Police - A suspect who recently plead guilt to PC148 and was convicted as a result has filed an injury claim against the city as a result of injury suffered while he resisted arrest. Throug this claim he is trying to water down the Hecht decision. Mastagni is working to maintain the integrity of the Hecht decision.

Luciano Beltran (Goyette and Associates):
2007 Pension Act - With the new guidelines remind those of members who are retiring that f they have deferred comp, they can take up to $3000.00 tax free.

PAC/OGA:
Andy Schlenker (LDF):
Ratemycop.com - The Constitution is causing some issues regarding this problem, however, with caution we are looking for solutions into the problem.

Tulare County - The Drug Task Force is currently being investigated after a raid in which the evidence was measured in at 242 pounds of coke. When the DOJ weighed the evidence, their scales registered only 232 pounds.

Amador County - A SWAT team member who works for another agency was heading home with his assigned rifle. As he removed the rifle from his car, he unintentionally discharged a round, which went in to his neighbor's house. No one was injured and he paid for all of the damages. Despite this, the county is trying to pursue criminal charges against him.

Status of LDF Fund - LDF has increased to 75,000 members and is going strong.

Ron Cottingham (PORAC):
AB 1855 - Currently PORAC is working with this legislation to help us with the Rate My Cop issue.

AB 2377 - This legislation is an attempt to tighten up requirements on Pitchess and prevent fishing expeditions.

Impact Teen Driver Program - This is a great program and PORAC is endorsing it.

Randy Beintema (San Joaquin County DSA):
Upcoming Statewide Elections - Elections are quickly approaching and we need to look into them and decide on the action we plan on taking.

Gary Vernon (Stanislaus County DSA):
Les Weidman - Thanked Chapter for their endorsement of Les Weidman for Stanislaus County Supervisor

Rod Rifredi (Davis POA):
Cathy Kennedy - Introduced Cathy Kennedy, who is running for Yolo County Supervisor. Spoke of her dedication to Law Enforcement and her common sense views on spending and accountability. Cathy Kennedy also spoke to the Chapter and provided a background of her experience and beliefs.

Paul Brown (Sacramento POA):
City Elections - Provided a letter from Sacramento POA in which they announce their endorsement for several candidates in city wide elections and requested endorsement support from the Chapter as well. Additionally, he brought up a request from West Sacramento POA seeking an endorsement for the Mayor of West Sacramento POA, which has registered Yolo County DSA support.

Association Reports:
Rod Rifredi (Davis POA):
Golf Tournament - On April 27, 2008 Davis POA will be hosting a the Trevor Edens Golf Tournament. He was an officer who was severely injured in January 2007. We would like to see a good turn out. Details for the event are available for a download at the Valley Chapter web site.

P.O.S.T. Committee on Vehicle Operations - I have been appointed to the POST EVOC Committee to look into ways of better training police officers on how to avoid collisions. We met once in January and will be meeting in the future as we address these issues and see what the best course of action for training is.

Chris Trulsson (Stockton PMA):
Kosta Panos - Announced that a Reserve Police Officer with the Stockton Police Department and full-tim Officer with the UOP Police Department (Kosta Panos) was recently hospitalized with some very serious medical problems and requested any prayers be directed toward Panos' recovery during these hard times he is having to endure.

Scott Steward (San Joaquin County DSA):
Recent POBR Case - Thanked Mastagni for their help in successfully winning the POBR violation case featured in the current issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

William Cho (Grant Schools POA):
Department Status - We are still fighting for our department to stay intact. Nothing new to report at this time. Thank you to all who have been able to assist. San Diego City Schools POA was kind enough to donate some financial support to our cause. All of the assistance we have received to date has been greatly appreciated.

Closing Comments:
President Steve Walker:
Next Meeting - The next meeting will be hosted by the Yolo County DSA and will be on May 08 at Ludy's Main St. BBQ in Woodland. Check the Chapter web site for directions.

Police Memorial Week - Next month will bring us to Police Memorial week. If any agencies need assistance, please contact Sacramento POA with questions.

Thank You - Thank you to San Joaquin Delta College POA and Stockton Unified Schools POA for hosting this month's meeting and providing a location with great food and atmosphere.

Meeting Adjourned:
President Steve Walker asked for a motion from the floor to adjourn the meeting at 2058 hours.