Call To Order:
1st Vice-President Doug Bostock called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.
Prayer: Doug Bostock Pledge of Allegiance: Bill Elkin
Recognition of Visitors - Doug Bostock:
· Senator Dan Patrick, Representative Allen Fletcher, Candidate for Senate District 17 Joan Huffman, Texas Plus Representative Alex Rich and City of Houston Human Resources Representatives Donna Mitchell and Evelyn Williams.
District 130 State Representative Allen Fletcher:
· HPROA Member Fletcher is the only retired Texas Peace Officer in the House of Representatives. He mentioned the affect 9/11 has had on this country and stated his son is currently serving in Iraq. He thanked everyone for their support and promised to work on legislation which would benefit law enforcement.
District 7 State Senator Dan Patrick:
· Thanked members for their support and stated he would continue to work for the people. Stated he stopped by just to say hello because he did not have to run for re-election until 2010. Senator Patrick stated his office was open to any retired or active peace officer if they lived in his district or not and invited everyone to listen to his radio talk program on AM 700.
District 17 Candidate for State Senate Joan Huffman:
· Judge Huffman is a former Harris County Prosecutor and State District Court Judge first elected in 1998. She started as a secretary with Harris County Intake, 11pm-7am shift, and continued working while attending Law School. Stated she has support from the HPOU, the Brazoria, Harris and Ft.Bend County Sheriffs Departments, TMPA, CLEAT, and the Texas Attorney General. She has worked with the Gang and Organized Crime Task Forces as a Prosecutor. She will be concerned about things that affect law enforcement. There are only 31 Texas Senators so every vote is important in this special winner take all election and asked for our support and endorsement.
City of Houston Human Resources Representatives Evelyn Williams and Donna Mitchell:
· City has alternative medical programs for retirees covered by Medicare Parts A and B, covered by City Insurance, live in the service area, are a covered dependent, and do not have end stage renal disease.
· Retirees may enroll in one of the City Medicare Open Enrollment Supplement Programs on the first of the month and may disenroll within the first 90 days to return to the City HMO if they are not satisfied.
· Medicare Advantage Plans sponsored by the City of Houston cost less than standard Blue Cross HMO.
· For the first time, retirees may have split coverage. If the retiree wishes to enroll in one of the Medicare Supplement programs the spouse may choose to stay in one of the standard medical plans.
· There will be Open Enrollment Meeting in December. Retirees will be receiving information regarding the meetings.
Texas Plus Medicare Supplement Representative Alex Rich:
· Texas Plus has over 4 Billion in assets and is the largest HMO Medicare Advantage Plan in Southeast Texas.
· The current cost is $7.81 per month. In 2009 the cost will be no more than $9.46 per month.
· The co-pay is $10 for Primary Care Physician and $25 for specialist including x-rays and lab work.
· $50 emergency room, $50 ambulance, $125 or $175 outpatient or acute care, $300 hospital admission.
· An annual cap of $1,500 out of pocket expenses.
· Prescription coverage is $10 generatic, $30 name brand, and $45 for non-preferred name brand drugs. There is no gap and no medication limit with City of Houston coverage.
· Prescriptions may be filled at any participating pharmacy. No mail order pharmacy.
· $25 Vision co-pay, $50 toward glasses, and a dental program.
· 10% co-pay for durable medical equipment.
· A 24/7 help hot line.
· No lifetime maximum benefit.
· Comprehensive network of hospitals, physicians and specialist.
· City plan is different than those offered to anyone else.
· No coverage outside the United States.
· Over 900 City of Houston Employees has already joined.
Secretary's Report and Treasurer's Report:
· Motion by Louis Elliott, 2nd by Bill Elkin to accept the reports as printed. No discussion. Voice Vote. Motion Carried
Board Meeting Report - Doug Bostock:
· Jack Miller was unable to attend today because he is under mandatory evacuation due to Hurricane. .
Executive Director - Bill Elkin:
· The Pension is @ 3.24 Billion.
· 60 Officers have retired to date with 1 in August, 3 in September, and 7 scheduled for October.
· Incident occurred in Sturgis, South Dakota where a Seattle, Washington Police Officer was arrested and indicted for carrying a firearm although he had the Federal Right to Carry. Congress directed the U.S. Attorney General's Office to do all that was necessary to meet the conditions necessary for implementation. The Attorney General did nothing and the Federal Law is much weaker than the Texas Right to Carry Legislation.
· The Police Academy Pistol Range is going to try to complete all the paper work at the range for retired officers' firearms certification. If the Academy can get Administration approval and the equipment they would be able to take care of all the paper work out there.
· Humble Mayor and HPROA Member Donnie McMannes stated the Humble Police Department is in need of Reserve Officers. Anyone interested in being a Reserve Officer should contact the Humble Police Department. They will furnish all equipment and Texas Law mandates Reserve Officers serve 16 hours per month.
· Things have been gearing up for the opening of the January Legislative Session. We have already attended some political functions and will be working on putting more teeth in the Texas Law for Retired Officers' Right to Carry.
Retired Badge - Nelson Zoch:
· Papers were mailed out yesterday.
· There is a new contributor in this issue and would like to have more new contributors.
· If anyone belongs to an organization and would like to advertise in the paper just get in touch with Zoch.
· Articles may be e-mailed directly to Zoch at lt2212d599@hotmail.com.
· Any member with an address change should contact HPROA Secretary Cathy Buckles at (713) 802-2967, or at cathy@hpdretired.com.
Website Committee - Jim Ashby:
· Over 7,000 visits to the website last month.
· There is a place on the website where members can go to make a change in their address, phone numbers, or e-mail.
· If you are having e-mail problems contact Ashby at info@hproa.com or at 281-498-3834.
· The website Username and Password is available to all members by contacting the Webmaster by e-mail at info@hproa.com
PAC Committee - Steve Rayne:
· In August the PAC contributed to five candidates recommended by Bill Elkin and Steve Lyons. The contributions were given to the candidates at the receptions.
· PAC report is in the handout.
Entertainment Committee - Bill Elkin:
· The Hill Country Reunion in Fredericksburg will be held Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Lady Bird Park Pioneer Pavilion, 432 Lady Bird Drive, Hwy 16 South. The Board voted to provide a complementary lunch to each current HPROA member and spouse. We have 35 RV spaces reserved for our campers. Motel information is available on the Website and in the Retired Badge. Lamar and Dee Kimble will again host the reunion.
· The Houston area Spring Reunion will be held the last Saturday in February 2009 at the Houston Police Academy. The lunch will again be complementary for current HPROA Members and their Spouses. Albert and Mary Nichols will act as host.
Family Assistance Committee - Nelson Foehner:
· The sick and shut-in report is on the back table. Please pick one up. The oral report will cover only those added after the list was printed. Family Assistance Reports are updated on the HPROA website.
· There are sick and shut in members we do not know about. Please contact a member of the Family Assistance Committee with information regarding any Officer we need to contact. Delvin Kendrick, Nelson Foehner and Forrest Turbeville are on the Family Assistance Committee. Turbeville can be reached by cell phone at (713) 319-5466.
Good and Welfare of the Association:
· Eickenhorst pointed out the benefits of having a Medical and Financial Durable Power of Attorney.
· Andy Geffert stated he had received a letter from Social Security stating that he was ineligible for Social Security Benefits because he received a City of Houston Pension. Nelson Zoch stated he would work with Geffert to resolve this matter. The Offset Penalty Provision states anyone receiving a government pension cannot receive another government pension if they were not vested by January 1, 1986.
· Nelson Foehner stated there were 59 lottery players. Four winning tickets totaled $57 which he reinvested in the future drawings. We had no winning tickets in the second drawing.
Door Prize Winners:
$50 - Stefanie Leonard $50 - Al Blair
$50 - Nelson Foehner $50 - Ed Brossman
63 Members in attendance.
Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Sue Gaines
Board Secretary
