2007 06 13 IAB Minutes
INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting
June 13, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Regular meeting of the La Guinta Investment Advisory Board was called to order at the
hour of 4:30 P.M. by Chairperson Deniel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT:
Board Members Moulin, Olander, Deniel and Rassi
ABSENT:
Board Member Egbert
OTHERS PRESENT:
John Falconer, Finance Director, Tom Genovese, City
Manager, Kathy Jenson, City Attorney and Vianka Orrantia,
Secretary
II PUBLIC COMMENTS - Ted Ross, Registered Investment Advisor - Mr. Ross
advised that he is considering applying to the Investment Advisory Board.
III CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - (This is the time set aside for public comment
on any matter not scheduled on the agenda.)
Chairperson Deniel advised that Board Member Olander will not be reapplying to
the Board and on behalf of the Board thanked Board Member Olander for his
years of service.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Minutes of Meeting on May 9. 2007 for the Investment Advisory
Board.
Board Member Rassi advised that on page 1 of the Minutes, first paragraph, last
sentence, the word "taxes" should be deleted and should read:
pay the debt service tffiffiS, commercial paper and U.S. Treasuries.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Olander/Moulin to approve the
minutes of May 9, 2007 as corrected. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairperson Deniel advised that a resignation letter was received from Board
Member Egbert.
V BUSINESS SESSION
A. Transmittal of Treasury Report for April. 2007
Investment Advisory Board
Minutes
June 13,2007
Mr. Falconer presented the Treasurer's report advising the approximate
ending portfolio balance for the month of April was $193.5 million, which
has decreased slightly ($2.4 million) from the previous month, $1.6
million of the decrease was due to the Watercolor Housing and Vista
Dunes Courtyard Homes project.
Mr. Falconer advised that page 7 indicates the City's investment
activities reflecting a large number of purchases and sales, keeping
investments short with the portfolio yield at 5.15% and extending GSE's
out at 89 days. The report also reflects maturities and purchases in
Commercial Paper, which were reinvested for another 60 days, with one
of the purchases extended out to 89 days.
In response to Board Member Moulin, Mr. Falconer advised that the
Board's current position on the purchase of Fannie Mae was to refrain
from any purchase until the release of the audited financial statements.
General discussion ensued among the Board regarding the current yield
curve.
In response to Chairperson Deniel, Mr. Falconer advised that one of the
City's mandates by State law is to reinvest in the community, such as
low- and moderate-income housing. One of those projects that the City
is very proud of is the Vista Dunes housing project, located at Miles and
Adams. The 90 residents of the original mobile home park were
relocated with the help of the City. The new housing will be a state of
the art "Green Project," with energy efficient and energy conservation
homes. In order for the City to do a capital project such as this, the City
issues bonds. The bond proceeds are invested until the money is needed;
the strategy is to invest in three- to six-month treasury bills. Another one
of the City's projects is the Watercolors housing project, located across
from Rancho La Guinta. This housing project is geared towards senior
citizens; the City assists with a second trust deed to help those residents
who qualify with the purchase of the home.
General discussion ensued among Board and Staff regarding the
relocation of the residents of the Vista Dunes mobile home park.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Moulin/Olander to approve,
receive and file the Treasury Report for April 2007. Motion carried
unanimously.
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Minutes
June 13, 2007
'B. Continued Consideration of the Fiscal Year 2007/08 Investment Policy
Chairperson Deniel presented the final draft of the Fiscal Year 2007/08
Investment Policy and stated there were a few grammatical changes to
the final draft.
Mr. Falconer advised that the Executive Summary presented to Council;
page 34, "RFP for Investment Advisory Services," a change was made
from $10 million of the portfolio to 10% of the portfolio of the netted
bond proceeds. Mr. Falconer also advised of an additional change to the
Investment Policy due to a State Code amendment. The previous code
for commercial paper allowed up to 15%, with an additional 15% of the
weighted average maturity, if the commercial paper maturity was less
than 31 days. The State removed the 1 5 % of the weighted average
maturity requirement and increased commercial paper from 15% to 25%.
This was not considered by the Board during the previous review of the
investment policy draft.
In response to Chairperson Deniel, Mr. Falconer advised that this change
was made in the investment policy draft for the Boards comments and
review.
General discussion ensued among the Board and Staff regarding
commercial paper. The Board concluded with a change made to the
State Code from 25% to 15% of the portfolio may be invested in
commercial paper and the maximum of $5 million per issuer and the
deletion of the suggested sentence on page 10, second paragraph, and
last sentence.
Chairperson Deniel advised of the following changes to the following
pages:
Page 1, "Table of Contents," item XIX, the word "a" should be
added after "Contracting" and the word "Firm" added after
"Management;" title should read:
"Contracting A Professional Portfolio Management Firm"
Page 9, first paragraph, seventh sentence, add the word "with"
and change the word "maturity" to "maturities" and the sentence
should read:
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Investment Advisory Board
Minutes
June 13, 2007
"U.S. Treasury Bills, notes and bonds with maturities between 2
and 5 years."
Page 17, Item XIX title should be consistent with the Table of Contents
and should read:
"Contracting A Professional Portfolio Management Firm"
In response to Chairperson Deniel, Mr. Falconer advised that Staff will
summarize the Board's comments into a table to be made into "Appendix
A," and the investment policy will then be scheduled for Council approval
on June 1 9th.
Mr. Falconer asked the Board if the title for Appendix H, page 34 would
remain as is. It was the consensus of the Board to leave the title as is.
Mr. Falconer asked if there were any comments from the City Manager
and City Attorney about the investment policy changes. Ms. Jenson
stated that the changes proposed were appropriate. Mr. Genovese
concurred.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Moulin/Rassi to approve the
Fiscal Year 2007108 Investment Policy with the recommended changes
and forward to the City Council. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Continued Consideration of the Fiscal Year 2007/08 Work Plan - Review
of Investment Policy
Mr. Falconer presented Staff's three items for the 2007108 work plan:
1 . Banking Services
2. Continue to monitor GSE's, LAIF and Commercial Paper
3. Recommend the use of a Professional Portfolio Manager and the
amendment of the Municipal Code
In response to Board Member Rassi, Mr. Falconer advised that the City
currently has an RFP for banking services from previous years. Mr.
Falconer also advised that he has been asked by several banks if a
physical branch would be required to be within City limits and if this
was a requirement, they would not respond to the RFP. Mr. Falconer
asked for the Board's consideration regarding this matter and will
address when the request for proposal is discussed.
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Investment Advisory Board
Minutes
June 13,2007
Chairperson Deniel asked that the Board remove item three from the work
plan, stating that this item does not need further discussion. Board
Member Rassi concurred.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Moulin/Rassi to approve the
work plan as follows: 1. Banking RFP, 2. Continue to Monitor GSE's,
LAIF and Commercial Paper, and forward to City Council for approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chairperson Deniel suggested that the Board consider getting educated
on some of the other functions of the City, such as City projects and
bond issuances.
Mr. Falconer advised the Board that this would be a "non-business" item
and would be just an informational item.
Board Member Moulin suggested taking the various functions of the
Treasurer and have the Treasurer summarize these functions, along with
Staff activity.
Mr. Falconer reiterated that these items would be for informational
purposes only.
VI CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL
A . Month End Cash Report and other selected Financial Data - May
2007
Noted and Filed
B. Pooled Money Investment Board Report - March 2007
Mr. Falconer advised that the average daily portfolio is $57 billion with
the yields at 5.21 %.
In response to Chairperson Deniel, Mr. Falconer advised that as long as
the City was investing in Treasuries, he would be able to match LAIF's
current earnings.
Noted and Filed
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Investment Advisory Board
Minutes
June 13, 2007
VII BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Board Member Moulin asked if the City Manager or the City Attorney had any
additional comments or questions for the Board.
Mr. Genovese commented that the Board continues to do a great job and
provides a substantial benefit not only for the "extra eyes" but for the Board's
expertise.
Ms. Jenson commented that she finds the Board's discussions very interesting
and feels that the Board follows what the Code asks the Board to do.
Board Member Olander stated that the Board has come a long way over the
eight years he has served and has seen the evolution process of not only the
core of the people, but issues resolved (i.e. Portfolio Manager) and has been
proud of being a part of it.
VIII Adjournment
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Moulin/Olander to adjourn the
meeting at 5:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
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