HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Audit Investment Finance Committee 11/28/2017 MN.M...ti
MINUTES
itr4REGULAR MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT
AUDIT, INVESTMENT & FINANCE COMMITTEE
`� 10;� k r November 28, 2017
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Leo called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.
Present Absent
Lauri Aylaian, City Manager Brian Holcombe, Community Member
Russell Campbell, Vice-Chairman
Robert Hargreaves, City Attorney
Jan Harnik, Mayor
Sabby Jonathan, Mayor Pro Tempore
Robert Leo, Chairman
Janet Moore, Director of Finance
Stan Sperling, Community Member
Also Present
Jarod Burns, Desert Willow Golf Resort
Luis Espinoza, Assistant Finance Director
Anthony Hernandez, Senior Financial Analyst
Thomas Metz, Deputy Treasurer
Niamh Ortega, Recording Secretary
Derek White, Desert Willow Golf Resort
II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. None.
B. None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to approve the Minutes of the regular
meeting of the Palm Desert Audit, Investment and Finance Committee of November
28, 2017 as presented. Motion was seconded by Member Sperling and carried by a
vote of 8-0, with Aylaian, Campbell, Harnik, Hargreaves, Jonathan, Moore, Sperling
and Leo voting AYE; Holcombe ABSENT.
INVESTMENT & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES November 28, 2017
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENT SCHEDULE AND SUMMARY OF CASH FOR
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2017
Mr. Metz provided a summary of the reports and stated that the book value
for the City Liquidity portfolio for the month ended October 31, 2017 was
$161.7 million, interest earnings were $117,000, and yield to maturity was
0.80%.
The book value for the City Income portfolio for the month ended October 31,
2017 was $94.4 million, interest earnings were $102,000, and yield to
maturity was 1.25%.
LAIF was stable during the September/October period. There was a large
transfer of funds from the County pool to the liquidity portfolio to fund the
annual budget. Approximately $43 million was drawn down from the CAMP
account to purchase commercial paper, laddering it out approximately nine
months so that they would be maturing as the City needs them throughout the
year.
MOTION was made by Member Harnik to recommend that the City Council
approve the City Investment Reports through October 31, 2017. Motion was
seconded by Member Campbell and carried by a vote of 8-0, with Aylaian, Campbell,
Harnik, Hargreaves, Jonathan, Moore, Sperling and Leo voting AYE; Holcombe
ABSENT.
B. STATEMENTS FOR LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT POOL ACCOUNT
THROUGH OCTOBER 2017
[This report was covered in the item immediately preceding.]
MOTION was made by Member Harnik to receive and file the reports for Local
Agency Investment Fund (LAIF), California Asset Management Program (CAMP) and
Riverside County Investment Pool through October 2017 as presented. Motion was
seconded by Member Campbell and carried by a vote of 8-0, with Aylaian, Campbell,
Harnik, Hargreaves, Jonathan, Moore, Sperling and Leo voting AYE; Holcombe
ABSENT.
C. FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR CITY OF PALM DESERT FOR JUNE,
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2017
Member Moore provided a summary of the reports, providing a final report for
the month of June 2017 and the second report through October 2017. The
June report reflects that the annual budget was $57.7 million and actual
revenue was $57.1 million. This was approximately $3 million over prior year,
and was mostly due to an increase in the TOT rate, and also a slight dip in
sales tax, both of which were anticipated. Expenditures were budgeted at
$57.2, and actuals were $56 million.
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INVESTMENT & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES November 28, 2017
Member Jonathan asked why property taxes decreased by approximately
$400,000 from the prior year. Member Moore responded that in part it was
due to property tax received as a result of the sale of properties owned by the
former Redevelopment Agency. It is likely due to a decrease in the number of
properties sold and their associated property tax as disbursed to the City by
the County following the sale.
Member Jonathan asked for further information relative to the $500,000
increase in expenditures for the Parks account. Member Moore responded
that the additional expense was to account for the minimum wage increase,
which had a significant effect on the City's landscape and median
maintenance contracts.
Chairman Leo asked where the aquatic center is reflected, and Member
Moore replied that it is not in the General Fund, and has its own fund. The
general fund does subsidize it, and once the transfers are made, Member
Moore will provide the Committee with detail on the transfers out.
Member Jonathan asked the status of the audit, and Mr. Espinoza replied that
the auditors were currently onsite and would have the audit completed
shortly. The final report will be ready to present at the next Committee
meeting, and will then be presented to Council at a subsequent meeting. Mr.
Espinoza expects to have the report posted on the City's website around
December 15, 2017.
Member Jonathan noted that sales tax revenue was down this year, and
Member Moore acknowledged that this was anticipated. She reminded the
Committee that the sales tax report reflects closures that happened in the last
calendar year, it just takes some time before the impact is evident in dollars.
As an example, David's Bridal closed quite some time ago, and has since
been replaced by Aldi, yet the dip in sales tax is only now showing up due to
the time it takes for the State to collect the sales tax and then report the year
over year variances.
As requested at the last Committee meeting, Member Moore handed out
some information regarding the City's unfunded liability. She reviewed the
highlights of the most recent actuarial report, and informed the Committee
that she attended the PERS Conference held a few weeks earlier. PERS
indicated that Palm Desert is faring much better than other cities.
Member Moore reported that the unfunded liability portion of the pension is
based on a 30-year amortization for Palm Desert. The actuary prepared two
scenarios based on a 15 and 20 year as well as a 30-year amortization
schedule to provide alternatives that the City may wish to consider. Most
recently, the City opted to make one payment at the start of the fiscal year
rather than paying monthly, which saved the City approximately $250,000.
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INVESTMENT & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES November 28, 2017
Chairman Leo asked if there is a point where the City should be concerned
that it is not able to make these payments for unfunded liability. Member
Moore said the City is constantly reviewing the status to ensure that the City's
fiscal priorities are in order, and would recommend continuing to make
upfront payments as long as it is possible.
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to receive and file the City financial
reports for June, September and October 2017 as presented. Motion was seconded
by Member Sperling and carried by a vote of 8-0, with Aylaian, Campbell, Harnik,
Hargreaves, Jonathan, Moore, Sperling and Leo voting AYE; Holcombe ABSENT.
D. FINANCIAL REPORT ON PARKVIEW PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDINGS
THROUGH OCTOBER 2017
Mr. Hernandez reviewed the reported revenues and expenditures. There are no
prospective tenants at this time. Member Harnik said she may have a group who
are interested in space, and will advise them to contact Mr. Hernandez.
Member Aylaian reminded the Committee that an update was requested on the
Parkview remodel project. She reported that approximately $1.4 million was
allocated for the project, and there are two parts to it. One part is signage for the
entire campus including Parkview, the Community Center, the YMCA and City
Hall. The second and larger part is the actual building improvement, and a scope
of work has been identified involving the building itself and landscaping. Some of
the most important issues center on security. An RFP for architectural services
will be issued once the Council approves the scope of work at a January Council
meeting. The conceptual design will be provided to whoever is awarded the
project.
MOTION was made by Member Sperling to receive and file the financial report
on Parkview Office Buildings through October 2017 as presented. Motion was
seconded by Member Campbell and carried by a vote of 8-0, with Aylaian, Campbell,
Harnik, Hargreaves, Jonathan, Moore, Sperling and Leo voting AYE; Holcombe
ABSENT.
E. FINANCIAL REPORT ON DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT THROUGH
OCTOBER 2017
Mr. White reported that this fall was one of the better seasons since FY14/15.
The trigger point is the favorable Canadian exchange. He highlighted that year-
to-date revenue was just over $2 million through October, which is 3% above
budget and 24% above prior year. The main reason for the large increase over
prior year is that a course was down over much of the summer last year due to a
renovation.
It is expected that November will be the best November they have ever had.
Thanksgiving was sold out before November 1, with over 560 people served with
over 100 people on the waiting list.
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INVESTMENT & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES November 28, 2017
MOTION was made by Member Sperling to receive and file the financial report
on Desert Willow Golf Resort through October 2017 as presented. Motion was
seconded by Member Campbell and carried by a vote of 8-0, with Aylaian, Campbell,
Harnik, Hargreaves, Jonathan, Moore, Sperling and Leo voting AYE; Holcombe
ABSENT.
V. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
None.
VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Member Harnik thanked the Committee members for their service and distributed
a thank you card from the City to its community members.
Chairman Leo asked if there was anything the Committee members wished to
add to an upcoming agenda to discuss at a future meeting. He said he would like
to have a discussion about the Aquatic Center, its costs, and estimates on
refurbishment. Member Moore reported that she would ask Mr. Stendell to attend
and provide a report.
Member Harnik asked about projections relative to minimum wage. Member
Moore responded that Thomas Metz is currently looking at that and provide the
information when it is completed.
Member Harnik asked if staff could work on providing a glossy overview to the
public that highlight where the money comes from and goes to in the form of pie
charts or graphs. She asked that it possibly be included in the BrightSide or
similar mailing piece.
Chairman Leo asked if there were any projected costs on the maintenance of the
CV Link. Member Aylaian responded that there will be a study session planned
after the first of the year to evaluate the costs. She also reminded the Committee
that the proposed route is already in existence in Palm Desert and is currently
being maintained, and cautioned it is difficult to estimate the overall maintenance
cost since the design has not yet been finalized. Members Harnik and Jonathan
recounted incidences of Manhattan and Chicago installing similar trails that have
become quite popular.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
By motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.
411
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Niamh Ortega, Recording4cretary
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