2025 Meeting Minutes
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
January 9, 2025
President Nordlund called the meeting to order in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club at 1145 hours January 9, 2025. Ed Caalim led the Pledge of Allegiance and Nordlund asked all to remain standing for a lengthy list of last rings:
Joe Nicholas #2683 passing December 1 at 85 years
Dan Melton #2711 passing December 4 at 80 years
Larry Brotherton #5287 passing December 9 at 75 years
Steve Quint #4059 passing December 15 at 69 years
John Larson #2060 passing December 24 at 87 years
Clay Monson #4904 passing December 26 at 60 years
Tim Perry #2602 passed January 4 at 86 years.
Beneficiaries:
Connie Still wife of Fred passing November 17 at 73 years
Joy Jarvis wife of Steve passing December 13 at 77 years
Marie Fletcher widow of Barry passed December 18 at 78 years
Roll call of directors showed Terri MacMillan, Nick Bulpin, Jerry Taylor, Dan Oliver, rich O’Neill, and Cloyd Steiger as present with Joe Bouffiou, Mike Ward and Keven O’Neill excused.
President Nordlund directed attention to the minutes of the November 7th meeting and asked for any corrections, omissions or additions. There being none, Ed Caalim moved the minutes be accepted as written, second by Jerry Taylor and passed.
President Nordlund reported there has been proposed SB 5085 authored by Senator Robinson as pre-filed 12/19/2024. This would provide some DRS pension fund stability. The bill is written as an attempt to join LEOFF Plan 1, TERS Plan 1 and PRS Plan 1 and create the Legacy Retirement System moving all combined assets to provide full funding for these select retirement plans.
Nordlund asked Jarry Taylor to share his extensive experience dealing with attempted raids on various DRS Retirement Plans. Taylor recalled since the year 2000 several proposals have been dropped by both Washington State House and Senate legislators targeting fully funded plans (LEOFF 1 @146%)) this is an effort to apply excess funds to bring underfunded plans, (PERS 1 @ 85%) and (TRS 1 @ 80%) to more healthy funding.
Taylor reported that most attempts have been defeated due to violations of IRS/Federal Laws and guidelines.
Taylor stressed RSPOA and state RFFOW will closely monitor the progress of this proposal and will be prepared for legal challenges.
There being no further business, the door prize raffle was held and 35 folks enjoyed lunch
Nick Bulpin, Secretary
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of February Meeting
February 13, 2025
President Nordlund called the meeting to order at 1150 AM in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club February 13th, 2025. Bill Abbey led the Pledge of Allegiance and Nordlund asked all to remain standing for a moment of remembrance for:
- Mike Hagler #3397 passing January 22nd at 78 years of age.
- Thomas T.C. Sutton #2421 PASSING February 1st at 81 years of age.
- Mel Rasmussen #2227 passing February 5th at 88 years of age.
President Nordlund recognized Roger Dixon, Fred Hill and Eric Barden as newly returned attendance and Eric as new RSPOA member.
Roll Call of directors showed all present with the addition of new board member, Myrle Carner replacing Dan Melton.
Nordlund directed attention to the minutes of the January 9th meeting that have been distributed and asked for any corrections, additions or omissions. There being none, Joe Bouffiou moved the minutes be accepted as written with second by Jerry Taylor and passed.
President Nordlund gave a brief accounting of recent meeting with attorney firm, Talmadge/Fitzpatrick regarding the proposed legislative bill #5085. When more information is available email will keep you informed.
President Nordlund gave introduction of guest speaker, Steve Strachan, the current executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, along with former King County Sheriff, Chief of Kent and Bremerton Police Departments and Minnesota Legislator prior to relocating in Seattle area. Steve has been active in law enforcement for 40 years.
Steve has become active with the recent nationwide reduction of staffing law enforcement officers. He noted since 2020 when DEFUND THE POLICE became a slogan for demonstrators. However, this slogan became unpopular with politicians. The movement took a different tact by reduced criminal convictions, relaxed rules, and outside public scrutiny of police departments. This led to a reduction in staffing due to the lack of support from political leadership. All of this caused 12-hour shifts, mandatory overtime, and stress on family and officers’ health. Officers are overworked and unable to effectively do their job.
Steve does see improvement by bringing this crisis to light and political leadership is responding. Steve then answered questions and was appreciated by all.
President Nordlund then asked for the door prize drawing followed by sandwich and salad buffet for the 45 folks in attendance.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
March 13, 2025
President Nordlund called the meeting to order at 1150 hours in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club March 13, 2025. Gene Willard led the Pledge of Allegiance and Nordlund asked all to remain standing for a moment of remembrance for:
- Marty White, #3956 passing February 15th at age 74
- Paul Knapp #2160 passing February 23rd at 86 years of age
- Marlene Bryce, wife of Riley Bryce passing away March 12 at 90 years
Roll Call of Directors showed Terri MacMillan, Nick Bulpin, Jerry Taylor, Joe Bouffiou, Myrle Carner, Dan Oliver, Rich O’Neill and Mike Ward as present with Kevin O’Neill and Cloyd Steiger excused.
The minutes of the February meeting have been distributed and Nordlund asked for any corrections, additions or omissions. There being none Liz Day moved the minutes be accepted as written, second by Joe Bouffiou and passed.
President Nordlund reported the Washington legislature is looking at SSB 5085 and House Bill 2034 both concerning the surplus funds in the LEOFF Pan 1. There is a scheduled legislative meeting later this day. We will learn and be reporting the results of today’s meeting. The RSPOA Board will have a meeting later today to plan what steps should be taken as these bills move forward.
President Nordlund introduced guest speakers Jan Brandes from the pension office and and Theresa James from UMR to help explain the bill paying process to meet requirements provided to pension benefactors. They both did an excellent job explaining benefits and followed by answering several questions with approval by all.
John and Rita Guich conducted the door prize drawing. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1225 hour and 56 folks enjoyed a very nice Corned Beef/Cabbage lunch to honor St. Patrick’s Day.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
April 10, 2025
President Nordlund called the meeting to order at 1150 hours in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club April 10, 2025. George Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance and Nordlund asked all to remain standing for a moment of remembrance for:
Denise Thomas, widow of Richard passed away 3/12 at 85 years
Doug Fritschy #2033 passed away 3/20 at 86 years
Lee Habryle #2199 passed away 3/23 at 88 years
Ron Schimke #2315 passed away 3/29 at 86 years an
Neal Swenson 2339 passed away 3/29 at 89 years
Roll call of directors showed Terri MacMillan, Nick Bulpin, Jerry Taylor, Dan Oliver, Joe Bouffiou, Myrle Carner, Kevin O'Neill, Rich O'Neill, Cloyd Steiger and Mike Ward all present. Also, Nordlund recognized and welcomed Riley Brice and Bob Japar.
Nordlund directed attention to the minutes of the March meeting and asked for any corrections, additions or omissions. There being none, Ed Turner moved the minutes be accepted as written, second by Joe Bouffiou and passed.
President Nordlund welcomed the ladies from the pension office on hand to notarize state documents as required by Washington State pension law.
President Nordlund reported the State legislators are dealing with pension issues SSB 5085 and SHB 2034 and legislation will be in session until April 27th. RFFOW and RSPOA are closely monitoring these bills as they move forward. The nationally recognized Wagner Group has been hired to assist. Nordlund stressed the importance of members contacting your legislators and voice your opposition to any changes in LEOFF 1 pensions.
Vice President MacMillan reported the board's attendance at the recent SPD Foundation Awards Banquet and were well received. She also commented she attended the SPD Women's Alliance and reported the number of women has increased in numbers and were there to offer peer support. Lastly, Terri asked for contributions to be auctioned at the September 20th Banquet. She wants to limit it to 10 items and asked them to be forwarded to Judi Smith.
President Nordlund introduced guest speaker, Ian Adair, SPD Foundation President who reported the function of the Foundation is raising support for all aspects of the Police Department. Informing the public of issues surrounding the department's operation with the incoming new Chief. Ian's fund-raising experience is over thirty years throughout the nation.
There being no further business the door prize drawing was held, the meeting adjourned and 50 folks enjoyed a nice buffet lunch.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
May 8, 2025
President Nordlund called the meeting to order at 1150 hours in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club May 8, 2025. Dean Quall led the Pledge of Allegiance. Nordlund announced this morning in Rome, Pope Leo from Chicago has been selected as successor to Pope Francis.
He then asked all to remain standing for remembrance of:
Bob Fabry #1926 passed away March 29, at 92 years
Dave Emerick #4941 passed away April 10th at 38 years
Gary Kuenzi #4406 passed away April 12th at 71 years
Sue Turner, wife of Ed Turner, passed away April 17th at 80 years
Jim Johnson #1919 passed away April 27th at 89 years.
Roll Call of Directors showed Nick Bulpin, Jerry Taylor, Joe Bouffiou, Myrle Carner, Dan Oliver, Rich O’Neill and Mike Ward present with Terri MacMillan, Kevin O’Neill and Cloyd Steiger excused. Nordlund directed attention to the minutes of the April meeting that have been distributed and asked for any corrections, additions or omissions. There being none, Eric Sano moved the minutes be accepted as written, second by Joe Bouffiou and passed.
President Nordlund gave a brief report on the recent legislature’s failure to pass SB 5085 and HB 2034. These bills were aimed at LEOFF 1 pension retirement surplus funds. Both attempts were referred to the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) for continued study that will be expected January 2026.
Myrle Carner was called upon to introduce guest speaker Seattle Police Chief, Shon Barnes. Chief Barnes gave a brief history of his twenty-five-year law enforcement career. Beginning as history teacher in Greensboro, SC before joining their Police Department where he rose through the ranks to Chief, before accepting the Chief of Police position in Madison, WI that he held for 4 years. Former Seattle Police Chief, Kathleen O’Toole recruited Barnes as a good fit in Seattle as Chief. Chief Barnes accepted the position and was impressed with SPD following years of federal scrutiny and the positive strides met to become a very fine department. He has three children completing their education and sports commitments in Wisconsin along with his wife completing her professional obligations before relocating to Seattle. Chief Barnes was applauded and awarded RSPOA Badge.
There being no further business, the door prize raffle was conducted and 53 folks enjoyed a various sandwich and salad lunch adjourning at 1245 hours.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary.