The first meeting of the merger committee is on Tuesday August 30, 2011 from 2-4 PM at the DRS Building in Tumwater, WA. DRS is located at 6835 Capitol Blvd, Tumwater, WA 98501. President Warbrouck will not be able to attend due to a rescheduled surgery. Vice President Jim Fossos and Director Randy Plain will represent the RFFOW. The meeting is open to everyone. If you would like to attend please contact Jim or Randy. The meeting is only scheduled for 2 hours so I don't think they will do more than discuss and plan future meetings.This is a letter sent by President Warbrouck about the August Merger Committee Meeting:



August 29, 2011

Dave Nelsen and Aaron Gutierrez,

I want to thank you for keeping us up to date on the current status of the merger study committee. I regret that I will not be able to attend the August 30th meeting due to a rescheduled surgery. The Retired Firefighters of Washington Vice President Jim Fossos and Director Randy Plain will be in attendance representing the RFFOW. Not being aware of the full agenda for the first meeting or where the discussion will lead, I want to offer the following suggestions. Keep in mind that these suggestions are not an attempt to lead the group in a particular direction. The intent is to get the group on a level playing field by making all the current information available. Seeking information that is already available would only hinder the process, create extra work for staff and increase the cost of the merger study.

• Merger benefits as outlined in the DRS letter for discussion. The benefits should be listed and indentified as a benefit for which group, department, agency, pension plan or membership.
• We must have a current fiscal analysis from the State Actuary for each pension plan before and after a merger, including any possible impact to any group, department, agency, pension plan, or member.
• The Washington State Council of Firefighters is on record as having told legislators that the merger is legal and constitutional. This same statement was repeated by several legislators. The information given to the legislators regarding the constitutional and legal status should be made available to the committee by the Washington State Council of Firefighters to expedite this process.
• The committee should be advised by DRS of any IRS concerns and what if any, inquiries the Department has made.
• All legal opinions or any other information the LEOFF 2 Board or Director Steve Nelsen received from Attorney Robert Klausner or from the law firm of Ice Miller should be available to the committee.
• The merger study committee should be reduced in number making it easier to manage and enhance the opportunity to reach a speedy and viable conclusion or statement of fact. There should be a distinction between committee and observers with ample opportunity for all observers and other interested parties to testify or submit a written document. I would suggest no more than two representatives from each group or organization as described in the legislation. A smaller group will also facilitate finding space for future meetings.

Thank you for your consideration of the foregoing suggestions.

Respectfully,
Richard C. Warbrouck,
President Retired Firefighters of Washington