2003 11 12 IAB Minutes INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting
November 12, 2003
I CALL TO ORDER
Regular meeting of the La Quinta Investment Advisory Board was called to order at the
hour of 4:00 P.M. by Board Member Moulin, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Board Members Moulin, Olander, Deniel and Chairman Lewis
(4:05)
ABSENT: Board Member Mahfoud
OTHERS PRESENT' John Falconer, Finance Director, Amy Swan-Draper,
Accounting Manager and Vianka Orrantia, Secretary
II PUBLIC COMMENTS
III CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
IV CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes of Meeting on October 8, 2003 for the Investment Advisory
Board.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Moulin/Deniel to approve the
Minutes of October 8, 2003. Motion carried unanimously.
V. BUSINESS SESSION
A. RFP for Banking Services Interviews
In response to Mr. Falconer, Chairman Lewis advised the Board of the
suggested interview process. This process would give each bank ten
minutes to present valued points of their proposal, after at which time the
floor will be opened for questions from Board members for approximately
twenty minutes.
The following individuals were the primary bank representatives who
made the bank's presentations and answered questions from the Board
and Staff:
Presentations were made by Union Bank, Jerry Rogers -4:00 -4:30
P.M., Wells Fargo, Mark Hewlitt -4:30- 5:00 P.M., Valley Independent
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Bank, Sylvia Avalos - 5:00 - 5:30 P.M., Washington Mutual, Steve
Johnson - 5:30 - 6:00 P.M., PFF Bank and Trust, Janet Cook - 6:00 -
6:30 P.M. and Bank of America, Mary Mendonca - 6:30 - 7:00 P.M.
Investment Board Members narrowed their recommendation to Union Bank
and Wells Fargo Bank.
Chairman Lewis stated to the Board that Board Member Deniel brought up
a good point about Union Bank fees being 20% higher then Wells Fargo
Bank.
Board Member Deniel suggested to the Board that Staff create a
comparison matrix between Union Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. Board
Member Deniel stated to the Board that if Staff was currently happy with
services provided by Wells Fargo Bank, than there was no need to change,
but if Union Bank offered services that Wells Fargo Bank did not, or if
Union Bank could accommodate the new financial software, then there is
room to negotiate with Union Bank about their pricing to match Wells
Fargo Bank.
Board Member Olander stated to the Board that this would be determined
on Mr. Falconer's current experience with Wells Fargo Bank and if there
is no significant service that Union Bank could bring to the table, there is
no need to switch.
Mr. Falconer advised the Board that both banks are "players" in the
municipal government field and they would both do an excellent job. With
all things considered and upon Staff's review of the banks, they are very
satisfied with the current service provided by Wells Fargo Bank. Board
Member Deniel advised the Board that from a negotiation point of view,
this is the time that Staff could ask for extras, such as improvements or
additional services, or free checking for employees. Mr. Falconer advised
the Board that this could not be a primary consideration for selection, due
to the fact that free checking is an employee benefit, not a City benefit.
Board Member Deniel advised the Board that if the employees are happy
and employees are getting something from the City, this is an additional
compensation. Board Member Moulin advised the Board that there are
some costs for this service and if there is some cost for this service, the
City could possibly get some reduction in lieu of this. Board Member
Moulin also advised the Board that he felt skeptical about negotiating
employee benefits. Board Member Deniel advised the Board that Wells
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Fargo Bank is the current Iow cost bidder and could possibly negotiate
additional services if needed.
Mr. Falconer reminded the Board that each bank had an opportunity to
submit a proposal and include the fees that will be charged. Wells Fargo
is currently doing a good job. Union Bank did not provide any significant
service that would sway the City to make a change.
Board Member Deniel suggested to the Board that for appropriate due
diligence have both banks, Wells Fargo Bank and Union Bank, demo
positive pay.
Chairman Lewis reminded the Board that a recommendation needed to be
made for the City Council and he felt there was no overriding reason why
the City should currently switch banks at this time.
In response to Board Member Moulin, Mr. Falconer stated to the Board
that both banks would provide the same service. Chairman Lewis advised
the Board that both positive pay and reconciliation are new services, since
he has left banking, but from the interviews these services sounded as if
they were the same software packages. Mr. Falconer advised the Board
that a good point was brought to the Board's attention by Board Member
Deniel as to how the banking software will interface with the new
accounting software. The current HTE Software that the City owns
should interface with Union Bank customers or with Wells Fargo Bank
customers, and this is something that Staff could check into. Board
Member Deniel again suggested to the Board that Staff review a
demonstration, if they are not compatible it will cost the City more in the
long run. Chairman Lewis stated to the Board that Union Bank did state
that they would pick up a limited portion of the conversion costs.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Olander/Deniel to approve
Staff's recommendation of Wells Fargo Bank and forward to the City
Council for their consideration. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Transmittal of Treasury Report for September 2003
Mr. Falconer advised the Board that on page 2, the large change in
cash from the previous month was the result of issuing a new
Redevelopment Agency Taxable bond issue of approximately $25.4
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million in net proceeds, which was received for the SilverRock Project.
After the debt service payment was made, the net change was $19.2
million for the month.
Board Member Olander asked if Staff could produce a graph from the
information on page 3 referring to the annualized earnings, so the Board
would be able to follow the trends. Mr. Falconer replied to the Board
that on page 9 is a summary which could be produced into a graph.
Chairman Lewis suggested that Staff produce a graph from the
information on page 9 for the Board's review for the next scheduled
meeting. Mr. Falconer advised the Board that graph would be included
in the next Monthly Cash End Report for review.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members M°ulin/Olander to review,
receive and file the Treasurers Report for September 2003. Motion
carried unanimously.
VI CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL
A. Month End Cash Report - October 2003
In response to Board Member Moulin, Mr. Falconer informed the Board
that the principal from the Treasury Note was reinvested and extended out
two years with an approximate yield of 1.92%.
Noted and Filed
B. Pooled Money Investment Board Reports - August 2003
Noted and Filed
VIII BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
A. Meeting with Financial Advisors
Chairman Lewis clarified to the Board that this suggestion was not to
interview Financial Advisors but to have the advisors make a presentation
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as to what they could do for the City and at that point and time, a
decision by the Board with consideration of putting an RFP together to
have them come in for an interview for proposal. This should be done no
later than February due to policy review and other items for review.
Chairman Lewis advised the Board that he knew of a firm for
consideration of presentation. Board Member Deniel advised the Board
that she could extend an invitation to Capital Guardian Trust Company,
which is part of Capital Group Company. Chairman Lewis asked the
Board if they knew of any other firms that would be interested in a
presentation. Board Member Olander advised the Board that they need to
stress that these presentations are just informational. The Board will
decide as to when to hold the presentations at the next scheduled
meeting.
B. LAIF Report - Board Member Deniel
Board Member Deniel commented to the Board that she had several
concerns regarding LAIF and that by attending this conference she no
longer has these concerns. The only one concern is the current age of
LAIF staff and their possible retirement from public service.
Board Member Moulin suggested the report be distributed to the City
Council Members. The Board agreed to attach the report to the November
12, 2003 minutes which would be distributed to the City Council.
VIII Adjournment
MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Moulin/Olander to adjourn the
meeting at 7:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Vianka Orrantia
Secretary