MINUTES ARE PUBLISHED AS APPROVED AT THE NEXT MEETING
10/12/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA OCTOBER 8, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by the President, Ed Carlson, at 1:30 p.m. All officers were present. There were 39 members present.
Current officers are: Ed Carlson, president; Bob LaFlamme, vice president; Agnes Vogel, treasurer; and Paula Savela, secretary.
September 10, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as read. President Carlson noted for the record, that neither he nor vice president LaFlamme were able to attend the AFL-CIO Retiree Convention in Duluth on September 14 and 15, as the September 10 minutes stated they would.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s Report was approved as read.
Correspondence
President Carlson said he received a letter stating that all current MAPERA officers’ terms expire in November. He stated that Paula Savela chooses not to continue as secretary. He said there also is a trustee position open. These positions need to be filled in November, and members will check to see who may be interested in filling the vacancies.
New Business
Bob LaFlamme reported that the retiree health care committee met recently, and said there is another court hearing set for November 26.
Eli Miletich said that the temporary restraining order would continue, although the city has not been following that order. He named a couple of retirees who are still having problems with their health insurance. He said that a couple of issues have cleared up this past week regarding prescriptions. Eli said that attorney Don Bye is able to attend the November 12 meeting, and will show up between 2:30-2:45 pm, after our regular meeting is over.
Bob LaFlamme urged city retirees to send any correspondence to the ad hoc committee that they receive regarding health insurance. He also urged city retirees not to sign up with other drug companies who send them information.
Other Business
Eli Miletich stated that he is proud to be associated with Ted Griak, Bob LaFlamme and Jerry Veillet, who have given so much of their time working on behalf of city employees, both while working for the city of Duluth, and also after their retirement. Eli said he wants this to go on record in today’s minutes.
President Carlson asked what members would like as the main course for the December 10 luncheon at the Elks Club. It was decided that we would have the same main course as last year, barbequed ribs.
Tom Marshall and Dawn Hulmer who are our current representatives on the PERA Board, were present to address our group. A heated question and answer discussion followed. Bob LaFlamme thanked both PERA representatives for attending our meeting.
Per President Carlson’s request, Secretary Savela will send a letter to John Thomas at Northern Communities Credit Union, and John Westmoreland at Council 5, requesting a monetary donation for our December 10 Christmas luncheon. A copy of that letter is attached to these minutes.
The $5 drawing winner was Bill McCormick.
Meeting adjourned at 2:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary
10/08/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by President, Ed Carlson, at 1:30 p.m. All officers were present. There were 44 members present.
Current officers are: Ed Carlson, president; Bob LaFlamme, vice president; Agnes Vogel, treasurer; and Paula Savela, secretary.
June 11, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s report was approved as read.
Correspondence
President Carlson reported that the International will be having a board meeting the end of this month. He said being that there is no charter in effect, he’s not sure what will happen.
President Carlson stated that Steve Regenstreif has not responded regarding our requested wording change for the MAPERA Constitution.
Vice president LaFlamme said he has not been able to get in touch with John Westmoreland of Council 5, for a meeting. He stated that he has invited Mr. Westmoreland and people from the State to meet with us, but there has been no response. Bob LaFlamme said he has been paying dues to MAPERA for about 20 years. Future dues collected will be held in escrow until we get an answer regarding our proposed Constitution wording change.
New Business
President Carlson said he, his wife; and vice president Bob LaFlamme and his wife will be attending the AFL-CIO Retiree Convention to be held in Duluth on September 14 and 15. MAPERA will pay $15 for each of the attendees.
Eli Miletich said that because the cost of living has gone up so much recently and keeps going up; and the PERA Board is still attempting to cap the yearly raise at 2.5% at the most; he offered the following resolution to be sent to PERA, with a copy sent to AFSCME and the Central Labor Body:
Motion: MAPERA hereby requests that PERA set aside the policy for a 2.5% cap on retirement yearly adjustments, based on the fact that the high cost of living has overwhelmed retirees as well as other citizens.
Motion seconded and carried. A copy is attached to these minutes.
Other Business
Motion: Rolland Royer moved an American flag be placed on the head table, and that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited before the start of our meetings.
Motion seconded and carried.
Our speaker was Buddy Robinson from MN Citizens Federation - Northeast. He handed out a flyer containing Medicare information. He briefed our group regarding important Medicare news. He also spoke about Minnesota Power electric rate hikes.
Eli Miletich made the following motion:
Motion: MAPERA wants to go on record as supporting Minnesota Citizens Federation NE, opposing the Minnesota Power proposed rate increase.
Motion seconded and carried.
Vice president LaFlamme requested that someone from DEDA be asked to attend one of our future meetings, to explain exactly what DEDA is about.
There was a request to invite both Tom Marshall and Dawn Hulmer to attend our October meeting. They will both be asked to attend the next meeting.
President Carlson said that next month there will be nomination of officers.
The $5 drawing winner was Bob LaFlamme.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary
9/10/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA JUNE 11, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by the President, Ed Carlson, at 1:30 p.m. All officers were present.
Current officers are: Ed Carlson, president; Bob LaFlamme, vice president; Agnes Vogel, treasurer; and Paula Savela, secretary.
MAY 14, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s report was approved.
New Business
President Carlson said he got a call today stating the charge per person for the July 9th picnic will be $12 per person, and a guarantee of 80 persons is necessary. After discussion, two phone calls were made to other caterers to find out they types of food they serve and the cost per person. There was a vote, and Kurtz Catering is the chosen service for the picnic, at a cost of $8.75 per person.
Other Business
Vice President, Bob LaFlamme, reported on a meeting held this morning with our attorney, Don Bye. Bob said a hearing is planned for Thursday, June 11th at 2:30. The judge is from Two Harbors.
President Carlson said he has tried to contact AFSCME Director, John Westmoreland, regarding the wording change to our Constitution, but has not been able to reach him.
President Carlson read out loud the current and proposed new wording for the Constitution. He stated that this is the second reading of the wording change.
President Carlson said he and Bob LaFlamme plan to meet with John Westmoreland and tell him that Council 5 needs to make up its mind regarding membership, and then Steve Regenstreif can be informed regarding what has been decided.
Yvonne Harvey stated she feels that MAPERA should send a delegate to the convention in San Diego, as there is no charge to us.
Bob LaFlamme said that we already have voted on this. MAPERA voted to not send a delegate.
There was a second motion to allow someone from MAPERA to attend the convention. A vote was taken. Motion again passed to not send a delegate.
State Representative, Mary Murphy, spoke to our group. She said that the last Legislative Session was the most productive session in many years. She addressed several issues and responded to questions from members.
Eli Miletich thanked Mary Murphy for all the work she has done in the Legislature.
Tomorrow Eli will be unveiling a sign designating a portion of Trinity Road as “Walter Mondale Drive”. Walter Mondale will be present at that unveiling.
There will be an AFL-CIO Retiree Convention in Duluth on September 14 and 15.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and approved to pay for two people from MAPERA to attend the convention.
The $5 drawing winner was Stanley Glumac.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary
6/11/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA MAY 14, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by the President, Ed Carlson, at
1:30 p.m. All officers were present. There were 47 members present.
Current officers are: Ed Carlson, president; Bob LaFlamme, vice president; Agnes Vogel, treasurer; and Paula Savela, secretary.
April 14, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer's report was approved as read.
New Business
Eli Miletich gave an update regarding the retiree health care issue. He stated that the next step is up to the City administration, and right now everything is at a standstill.
Other Business
Vice President LaFlamme mentioned the AFSCME retiree membership situation. He said he and President Carlson have asked for help from Council 5, John Westmoreland, and Washington DC. Bob LaFlamme said we are doing everything we can, and have asked them to give us something we can work with.
President Carlson and Bob LaFlamme will be meeting with John Westmoreland next week.
Yvonne Harvey said she got a phone call the day after she spoke to an AFSCME representative regarding the membership subject. The representative who called her said that someone will call her back regarding this when they figure out the situation. She said she has not received a call back.
President Carlson said he came up with an idea, that we will not send anyone to the annual AFSCME Leadership Conference & Retiree Council meeting this year in San Francisco. Also he said that Treasurer Vogel will send no money to the International in January. The annual dues money collected will be held in escrow at the bank until the membership issue is resolved.
Motion: Eli Miletich moved to put any dues money collected into an escrow account until AFSCME resolves the membership issue, and to not send any delegates from MAPERA to the convention.
Patrick Alexander suggested that AFSCME Council 5, and Steve Regenstreif be mailed a certified letter with the proposed constitution changes, every two weeks until we get an answer regarding changes to the constitution.
Eli Miletich amended his motion to add that a certified letter be sent every two weeks.
Motion seconded and carried.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and approved to send to MAPERA members a lined-out paragraph containing the current constitution wording. The document will also include the underlined revised wording of the constitution. A note is to be enclosed informing members that the revised resolution will be voted on at the MAPERA annual picnic on July 9th. The note to members will also ask them to RSVP to Yvonne Harvey at 728-1779 by July 1st, to let her know if they will be attending the picnic. Yvonne will let President Carlson know how many members plan to attend the picnic, so he can order food accordingly.
Bob Winkler said he will work with Agnes Vogel to send the letters out electronically.
Lori Peters who works for the State of Minnesota, addressed our group regarding telephone equipment that is provided to hearing impaired people in Minnesota. The equipment is provided at no charge, to be returned when it is no longer needed.
President Carlson stated that Mary Murphy will be invited to the June 11th meeting.
The $5 drawing winner was Eli Miletich.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary
5/14/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA APRIL 9, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by the President, Ed Carlson, at 1:30 p.m. All officers were present. There were 54 members present.
Current officers are: Ed Carlson, president; Bob LaFlamme, vice president; Agnes Vogel, treasurer; and Paula Savela, secretary.
March 12, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s report was approved as read.
New Business
Motion: Joyce Boman made a motion that MAPERA reimburse for coffee and treats each month, in the amount of $30 per month. The motion was seconded and approved.
Motion: Joyce Boman made a motion that MAPERA pay for a new coffee maker to be used at our monthly meetings. The motion was seconded and approved.
Joyce thanked the ladies for all the goodies they provide at our meetings, and those present responded with their applause.
Other Business
President Carlson read a sentence from a flyer distributed by the AFSCME Retiree Program. The title of the flyer is “How to Join”. The sentence reads: Membership in the AFSCME Retiree Program is open to all retired members of AFSCME or its affiliates, as well as other public-sector retirees and spouses.
Vice President LaFlamme stated we are trying to clarify this, and said we are just trying to do this the right way.
President Carlson said that Steve Regenstreif told him it probably will take the International and Council 5 all summer to clarify this.
Motion: Eli Miletich made a motion to give them until our June meeting. If this issue hasn’t been resolved, we will stop sending the AFSCME Retiree Program International a check.
President Carlson suggested that we give them until October because there is not much we can do because the fee already has been paid for this year.
The motion to give the International until June was seconded and carried.
While discussion was going on, Yvonne ____________ who represents AFL-CIO, made a phone call regarding the statement made in the “How to Join” flyer. Yvonne was told by the person she spoke with that the statement made in the flyer is true, and Yvonne will be sent a copy of the constitution.
Eli Miletich reported on what is currently happening regarding the retiree health care issue.
President Carlson asked if members would like to have as our guest speaker in May, someone from the State of Minnesota who addresses hard of hearing issues. He will ask that person to speak to our group at our May meeting.
Buddy Robinson spoke to our group regarding imported prescriptions.
The $5 drawing winner was Dorothy Bohlman
Meeting adjourned at 2:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary
4/10/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA MARCH 12, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by the President, Ed Carlson, at 1:30 p.m. All officers were present. There were 51 members present.
Current officers are: Ed Carlson, president; Bob LaFlamme, vice president; Agnes Vogel, treasurer; and Paula Savela, secretary.
February 13, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s report was approved as read.
Correspondence
Secretary Savela read a letter dated February 26, 2008, from St. Louis County Commissioner, Steve O’Neill. The letter was in response to the February 19th resolution sent to the St. Louis County Board, regarding MAPERA’S disapproval of the recent appointment of Alan Mitchell as County Administrator. The resolution also had been sent to the Duluth News Tribune and the three Duluth TV stations. The letter from Steve O’Neill is attached to the February 13th minutes.
New Business
Vice president, LaFlamme said he met with new AFSCME Director, John Westmoreland, but because President Carlson had suffered a recent heart attack and could not attend that meeting, they will set up another meeting this month.
Bob Winkler said that since the second mailing to retirees, over 47 donations have been sent to the City of Duluth Retired Employees Security Fund (CODRESF), and approximately 15 new members have joined MAPERA.
Secretary Savela gave a brief update regarding the current status of the CODRESF fund.
Eli Miletich mentioned that the fund drive letter went to all area unions. None of them have sent a contribution, and none of them have acknowledged that we are union members.
There was mention of city retiree Hartley Conrad who is in need of cataract surgery. He has been retired many years, and was told that he could not have surgery unless he came up with money upfront; something he has never experienced in the past. Therefore, he has chosen not to have surgery at this time.
President Carlson mentioned a conference that the Citizens Federation Northeast will be holding on Saturday, April 19. He suggested that five people from MAPERA attend, and that the $10 cost per person be paid by our organization.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and approved to authorize payment of $10 for each retiree who would like to attend the conference.
President Carlson said he spoke to Steve Regenstreif, Director, AFSCME Retiree Program. President Carlson requested that there be a resolution to add wording that MAPERA can accept as members all city, state and federal employees. There will be an executive board meeting at the International headquarters on March 18 and 19.
President Carlson stated that this year vice president, Bob LaFlamme will receive the Helen Horval Award for Retired Volunteers. Being that vice president LaFlamme cannot attend, Lorraine Reinke and Sarah Trader will be present to accept the award on his behalf.
Sarah Trader suggested that retirees see the movie “Sicko”.
Dick Smith said that there are two retiree Internet sites set up. Each site contains interesting retiree information. The sites are: mapera.org and duluthretirees.org
The $5 drawing winner was Reilly Lucore.
Meeting adjourned at 2:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary
3/12/08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAPERA FEBRUARY 13, 2008
The regular meeting was called to order by the President, Ed Carlson, at 1:30 p.m. All officers were present. There were 60 members present.
January 9, 2008 Minutes
Minutes were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s Report was approved as read.
New Business
Bob Winkler said the bill from Barcodes Plus in the amount of $201.57 has not been paid yet. He said this bill is regarding the recent mailing to additional City of Duluth retirees. Included in the mailing was the letter that was originally mailed on November 16, 2007, asking retirees to contribute to a legal fund, in the event the City attempts to change current retiree medical benefits. Also included in the mailing was the MAPERA Membership Application. After brief discussion it was moved, seconded, and approved that the bill for the mailing be paid.
President Carlson said that he and Vice President LaFlamme have a meeting on Friday, at 1:00 to meet the new AFSCME Director, John Westmoreland, who is from St. Paul. President Carlson said that Mary Theurer no longer works for AFSCME. One of the topics to be presented to Mr. Westmoreland, is the fact that our organization has had no representation from union representatives at our monthly meetings.
Eli Miletich stated he is concerned about the recent action by the County Board, appointing defeated former County Attorney, Alan Mitchell, as County Administrator.
Motion: Eli moved that a resolution be sent to the attention of County Board Members, stating that MAPERA goes on record as protesting this appointment. He requested that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Duluth News Tribune, and the three Duluth TV stations.
Motion seconded and approved. A copy of the resolution is attached to these minutes.
Mary Most Vanek, PERA Executive Director, was present and spoke about issues related to the POST Fund, capping PERA benefits, current status of the PERA fund and what the future looks like for the fund. Mary addressed and answered questions and concerns from members.
The $5 drawing winner was Roger Clemens.
Meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Savela
Secretary