MINUTES

PORAC VALLEY CHAPTER
MAY 13, 2004
ROCKLIN , CA

Minutes by Paul Brown

ATTENDANCE:

            Dave Souza – San Joaquin DSA
Paul Brown – Sacramento POA
Randy Beitema – San Joaquin DSA
Mastagni, Holstedt & Amick:  John Holstedt, Mike Amick, David Mastagni Jr, David Garcia, Don Novey Jr, David French
Jim Bock, Robert Di Piero – San Joaquin Delta POA
Ilsa Von Leden – Yolo County DSA
Jim Tomaino – CBM
Placer DSA:  Kate Newman, Dick Farlee, Karen Padilla, Randy Padilla, Josh Tindall, Rhonna Tindall, Jim Mallery, Suzanne Mallery, David Brose, Judy Brose
Paul Harrison- Meyers-Stevens & Toohey
Luciano Beltran – Goyette & Associates
James Morgan – El Dorado DSA

CALL TO ORDER:  7:05 PM

President Souza welcomed all and thanked host Placer DSA.  Placer DSA led group in pledge of allegiance.  Souza called for moment of silence to honor those who died in the line of duty for 2003 and since January 2004.

Information Presentation

Nina Sacarro Ashford – McNally & Temple PR Firm
    1.      Opposition to Initiative on “3 Strikes Limits”
    2.      Information on Opposition to Initiative on “Indian Gaming”

 PORAC Board of Directors has taken an oppose position to the Indian Gaming initiative.  PORAC recommends that Chapters and Associations convey this position to their membership.

 TREASURER’S REPORT

            APRIL 2004

            Revenues                                              3,257.25
            Expenses                                              3,381.67
            Net                                          -           <124.42>

            Checking Account Balance                   14,565.84
            PAC Account Balance                          44,713.25

 Motion:  Beitema / French:  To accept Treasurer’s Report as presented.  Motion Passed.

 OLD BUSINESS

 None

 NEW BUSINESS

 None

 REPORTS

 OGA:  Beitema gave information updates on PORAC Board activity during recent Police Memorial Week.

1.      He reported State Headquarters opened its new office.

2.      He reported on the recent Legislative Day topics:  (1)  Juvenile Justice Funding, (2) Funding of State Mandates which affect POBR,  (3)  POST Funding,  (4)  PERS Retirement formula changes under consideration for new hires, and (5) PERS Retirement maximum cap proposal of 100%.

3.      He advised that PORAC was awaiting the Governor’s revised State Budget proposal to see fiscal and policy impact on public safety and labor.

4.      He reported on pellet handguns and rifles manufactured by AIRSOFT.  The AIRSOFT weapons are extremely life-like and categorized under the air gun definition.  PORAC pursuing an emergency bill with the Attorney General’s office.  Recently, 2 officer-involved shootings involved subjects with these AIRSOFT weapons.

 INSURANCE & BENEFITS:

John Holstedt (Mastagni, Holstedt & Amick) gave an overview on recently passed Senate Bill 899 (SB 899) that reformed Worker’s Compensation.  Numerous changes will affect how on-the-job injuries will be handled and evaluated.  More information to follow.  PORAC Training will look at making 1-day workshops to assist in learning about the new law.

Luciano Beltran (Goyette & Associaties) brought up an issue about an IRS ruling that retirees that receive cash stipends to be applied toward medical coverage are subject to withholding tax within 37 Act Counties.

 Paul Harrison (Meyers-Stevens and Toohey) reminded associations and members to always review and update listed beneficiaries on members’ insurances.  Too often a member dies and insurance checks are paid to former spouses, rather than current spouses, because no beneficiary change was made.  He recommended an annual review on behalf of members to help catch those out-of-date records.

 LEGAL DEFENSE:

David Mastagni Jr (Mastagni, Holstedt & Amick) reported on recent legal action taken against an international website that was posting personal information on police officers.  Mastagni Jr confronted the host site in the country of Germany with legal action and got that company to stop the website within 72 hours.  An additional website has since popped up and subsequent action will be pursued to protect officers’ privacy.

 POLITICAL ACTION

             Beitema discussed the Governor’s expected State Budget.

 President Souza brought up a fundraiser for Assembly person Greg Aghazarian.  Mr. Aghazarian has been a PORAC supporter on legislation.

 Motion:  Beitema / Brown:  To purchase 4 tickets @ $150 each to attend cocktail reception fundraiser for Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian on June 9, 2004 .  Motion passed.

 ASSOCIATION REPORTS

 Paul Brown (Sacramento POA) gave brief update that Sacramento POA was seeking appeal on appellate outcome of City of Sacramento re-hiring retirees back without “meeting and conferring” on impact to bargaining unit.  The SPOA will file the appeal with the CA Supreme Court.  This case will have impact on Sacramento and other agencies in hiring retirees at reduced cost without consideration to currently employed active sworn members.

 GOOD & WELFARE

            Next Valley Chapter Meeting will be June 10 hosted by Oakdale POA in Oakdale.

MEETING ADJOURNED:      8:20 PM

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