Meeting Date:  February 19, 2009

Board Members Present:Shelley Smith (President), Jule Bishop (Treasurer), Judith Reel (Secretary), Nick Karno (Criminal Director), Felton Newell (Criminal Director), Garcelle Embry (Civil Director), Chris Bobo (Proprietary Director)

SEIU Local 721 Representative Present:  Bob Hunt (General Counsel)

I. Old Business

A. City Attorney Election
The Board reviewed the membership vote regarding whether to endorse a candidate in the race for City Attorney, and if so, whom to endorse. There was no clear consensus about whom to endorse, and a significant number of members preferred that the Board not endorse any candidate. After extensive debate, by a 5–2 vote, the Board voted not to endorse any one candidate, but instead concluded that three candidates, Messrs. Michael Amerian, Carmen Trutanich and Jack Weiss, were “Well-Qualified” to serve as City Attorney. The Board unanimously voted to make an equal contribution to each of the three “well-qualified” candidates.

II. New Business

A. PAC Account        
The Board discussed the rights of our members to opt-out of having dues spent on political activities. Political Action Committee (“PAC”) monies are used to fund contributions to candidates and public officials. LACAA’s By-Laws allow the Board to make campaign contributions only for “Los Angeles City Council seats, Los Angeles City-wide Elections, and any initiative or ballot measure that directly relates to the purposes of the Association. . . . ” By-Law Article 1, Section 4.

The Board voted to authorize sending a notice to members identifying the amount of money allocated to the PAC account during the last fiscal year, and to allow members who did not wish to fund LACAA’s political contributions to request reimbursement of their pro-rata share.

B. Miscellaneous       
The Board voted to purchase a table at the annual American Diabetes Roast to be held at the Century Plaza Hotel. City Council member Wendy Greuel is the honoree.