HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 02-13 FCAi
AGENDA
BROOKLYN CENTER FINANCIAL COMMISSION
February 13, 1997
City Hall
Conference Room B
1.
Call to Order: 7:00 P.M.
2.
Roll call.
3.
Approval of Minutes: January 9, 1997.
4.
Approval of Agenda
5.
Deferral of proposed Capital Improvements Fund & Reserve Fund Expenditure Policy to
March meeting.
• 6.
Proposed Accounts Receivable Policy.
7.
Proposed NSF check Policy.
8.
Amended Investment Policy.
9.
Set Date of Next Meeting.
10.
Adjournment: 8:00 P.M.
11.
Tour of Fire buildings.
The Financial Commission asked to receive copies of monthly financial reports submitted to the
City Council. The following reports are attached for your review:
General Fund Summary Budget Report - Preliminary December 31, 1996
Lodging Tax Collection and Distribution Report - December 31, 1996
Centerbrook Golf Course Statement of Revenues and Expenses - Preliminary December 31, 1996
• Liquor Stores Financial Statements - Preliminary December 31, 1996
1
• MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
JANUARY 9, 1997
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Donn Escher called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. in Conference Room B.
ROLL CALL
Present at roll call were Chair Donn Escher, Commissioners: Ned Storla, Jay Hruska, and Jerry
Blarney. Commissioner Ron Christensen arrived at 7:07 P.M. Also present were Mayor Myrna
Kragness, Council Member Debra Hilstrom, City Manager Michael McCauley, Finance Director
Charlie Hansen and a citizen, Mike Redusky. Commissioner Larry Peterson was unexcused.
Discussion of Status and Role of the Fin ncial Commission
Chair Donn Escher raised his concern over the lack of involvement of the Financial Commission
in City finances and asked what direction the Financial Commission should go in the future. He
handed out and read a prepared statement. Extensive discussion followed. Mayor Kragness and
Councilmember Hilstrom expressed their desire to continue the Financial Commission and find
ways to use it more effectively in 1997.
i Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Ron Christensen to approve the minutes of the November
14, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Jay Hruska seconded the motion and all members voted in its
favor except for Commissioners Donn Escher, Ned Storla, and Jerry Blarney who abstained from
voting.
Annual Meeting
Chair Donn Escher asked for nominations for the position of chair for 1997. Ron Christensen
nominated Donn Escher to be chair. Ned Storla seconded the nomination. All members voted
in favor of the nomination. Chair Donn Escher appointed Ned Storla to be Vice Chair.
Undate of Fire & Police Building Needs Planning
Mike McCauley presented two draft site plans for the Civic Center and the West Fire Station.
The Civic Center plan contemplates moving general office space to a new addition connecting the
current City Hall to the Community Center. The existing City Hall would be remodeled on both
floors for the Police Department. At the West Fire Station, the current building would be
demolished and the Liquor Store relocated to a yet to be determined site. A new fire station
would be built on the current site with a drive through apparatus bay. The East Fire Station
would be remodeled but not enlarged. Preliminary cost estimates are $3,200,000 to build the west
and remodel the east fire stations and $3,500,000 to build the general office space and remodel
is the Police Station.
2
• Review of Canital Imnrovements Fund Exie diture Policv
Mike McCauley presented a draft of a capital expenditure reserve fund policy to set aside
$1,000,000 for a true emergency fund. The remaining assets would stay in the existing Capital
Improvements Fund and would be available to use for current city needs with an amended Capital
Improvements Fund Expenditure Policy.
Debra Hilstrom asked if the policy defined what projects would be allowed in each fund. Ron
Christensen expressed concern about striking the requirement for a minimum fund balance. Mike
McCauley explained that this need is met by the reserve fund. Donn Escher asked for a chart to
explain how the two funds would work in practice. Mike McCauley proposed a review of the
cash resources of all funds.
Discussion of Standard Meeting Date for 1997
It was decided to change the standard meeting date of the Financial Commission to the first
Thursday of each month, beginning in March. Mike McCauley announced that the City Council
has proposed to have a joint meeting with the Financial Commission in May. This will take place
on Thursday, May 1, in keeping with the new standard meeting date.
Next Meeting,
The next meeting will be Thursday, February 13, 1997 at 7:00 P.M.
• ADJOURNMENT
Chair Donn Escher declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 F.M.
•
3
0 MEMORANDUM
TO: Financial Commission Chair Donn Escher, Members Ned Storla,
Ron Christensen, Lawrence Peterson, Jay Hruska, Jerald
Blamey, Michael Weidner, Council Liaison Debra Hilstrom, and
City Manager Michael J. McCauley
FROM: Charlie Hansen, Finance Director C H
DATE: February 11, 1997
SUBJECT: Deferred Agenda Items
At the last Financial Commission meeting, staff was instructed to prepare materials for this
meeting on the proposed Capital Improvements Fund and Reserve Fund expenditure
policy; a report on cash balances and fund balances in all funds; and more detailed
materials on building plans. As we worked to prepare all of these items and the ones that
are on the agenda, it became apparent that it was too much material for one meeting in
• which we were also doing a tour of Fire Stations.
We decided to defer the items listed above until the March meeting. These items were
selected for several reasons. While we are progressing toward closing out 1996, there are
still several unresolved issues which affect year end cash balances and fund balances. This
has an impact on the proposed Capital Improvements Fund and Reserve Fund expenditure
policy. Work on that policy and the new building plans have also been slowed by the
press of other business on the City Manager's time.
•
4
MEMORANDUM
0 TO: Michael J. McCauley, City Manager
FROM: Charlie Hansen, Finance Director C H
DATE: February 10, 1997
SUBJECT: Accounts Receivable and NSF Check Policies
Attached are two draft policies for handling accounts receivables and NSF checks. We have been
doing most of the processes identified in these policies. The initiative for writing the policies
came from the need at the end of 1996 to write off those invoices and checks for which our
collection efforts have been unsuccessful. In the past, we submitted a resolution to the City
Council for them to approve the amounts written off. These write offs usually were an
insignificant amount and you felt we shouldn't bother the City Council with them. However,
since that represents a change in practice, you suggested that I write these policies to define our
practices from this point forward.
•
•
5
• CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE POLICY
1. Purpose
To assure that account receivable are handled in a uniform process which provides
for maximum recovery for the City while maintaining an efficient operation.
2. Issuance process
Adequate controls and processes shall be established as appropriate to each City
division issuing accounts receivable invoices to maximize the collection of the
amounts owed. These may include credit checks, customer screening technics,
requirements for partial advance payments, and other processes as appropriate.
3. Loss controls
When an invoice becomes delinquent, steps shall be taken to collect the amount
owed and prevent further loss. These may include sending of a demand for
payment letter, adding the amount related to an account owed to the City, refusing
further services, turning the account over to a collection agency, certification of the
amount as a special assessment if allowed by state statute, and other processes as
• appropriate.
4. Accounting
All invoices shall be listed on the financial system as an accounts receivable with
a reasonable offsetting allowance for an estimated uncollectible. The Finance
Department will at least annually submit to the City Manager a list of uncollectible
accounts receivable for which collection efforts have been unsuccessful and which
are to be written off. The City Manager will have the authority to write off
individual accounts receivable of up to $2,500 and annual lists of accounts
receivable of up to $15,000. Amounts in excess of either of these limits shall be
submitted to the City Council for approval prior to being written off.
•
6
Member Kathleen Carmody introduced the following resolution and
• moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 95-240
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO WRITE-OFF
UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES
WHEREAS, the City Manager has reported the following accounts receivables
are uncollectible.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Brooklyn Center to authorize the City Manager to write-off from the City records as
uncollectible the following accounts receivables:
Due From
Vince Delisi
Timber Ridge Apartments
Gregory & Cheryl Stock
Theresa Schultz
•
Pumose
Amount
5th False Police Alarm $ 50.00
2nd - 7th False Fire Alarms 1,650.00
Diseased Tree Removal 150.50
Accident Damage - Street Signs 66.86
Total
November 13, 1995
Date
ATTEST: G/,Y'. zi~
Deputy Clerk
$ 1.917.36
May
The motion, for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Debra Hilstrom and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in
favor thereof: Myrna Kragness, Kristen Mann, Debra Hilstrom, and Kathleen Carmody;
and the following voted against the same: none,
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
•
7
• CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
NSF CHECK POLICY
1. Purpose
To assure that not-sufficient-funds, account closed, and other bad checks be handled
in a uniform process which provide for maximum recovery for the City while
maintaining an efficient operation.
2. Prevention and safeguards
Adequate controls and processes shall be established as appropriate to each City
point of contact to minimize the risk of the City receiving NSF checks. These may
include check verification services, customer screening technics, credit checks,
visible warnings of collection penalties, and other processes as appropriate.
3. Loss controls
Upon receipt of a NSF check, steps shall be taken to collect the amount owed and
prevent further loss. These may include sending of a demand for payment letter,
charging a fee for a returned check up to the amount allowed by state statute,
adding the amount back to an account owed to the City, refusing further services,
. turning the check over to a collection agency, and other processes as appropriate.
4. Accounting
NSF check balances shall be listed on the financial system as an accounts receivable
with a reasonable offsetting allowance for estimated uncollectible checks. The
Finance Department will at least annually submit to the City Manager a list of
uncollectible checks for which collection efforts have been unsuccessful and are to
be written off. The City Manager will have the authority to write off individual
checks of up to $2,500 and annual lists of checks of up to $15,000. Amounts in
excess of either of these limits shall be submitted to the City Council for approval
prior to being written off.
8
Member Kathleen Carmody introduced the following resolution and
• moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 95-U2
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO WRITE-OFF
UNCOLLECTIBLE CHECKS
•
WHEREAS, the City Manager has reported checks totalling $1,955.68 made
payable to the City of Brooklyn Center are uncollectible because the payors' checking accounts
upon which they are drawn have been closed and that attempts to locate the payors have been
unsuccessful.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Brooklyn Center to authorize the City Manager to write-off from the City records as
uncollectible the following amounts: $1,867.13 for the Liquor Stores Fund, $8.00 for the Golf
Course Fund, and $80.55 for the General Fund for a total of $1,955.68.
November 13, 1995
Date
ATTEST:
Deputy Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Debra Hilstrom and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in
favor thereof. Myrna Kragness, Kristen Mann, Debra Hilstrom, and Kathleen Carmody;
and the following voted against the same: none,
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
D Myrna KragneseMayor
9
•
•
MEMORANDUM
TO: Michael J. McCauley, City Manager
FROM : Charlie Hansen, Finance Director C H
DATE: February 10, 1997
SUBJECT: Investment Policy
The City's first investment policy was writen by Paul Hohnlund in 1990 and the City
Council approved it by resolution. When the state first came out with the broker
certification requirement on 1/l/94, I revised Paul's policy to include a statement on
derivatives and sent it to the brokers. This version of the policy was never submitted to
the City Council. I feel that even the 1/1/94 revised policy is rather out of date and I
would like to have the City Council adopt a new policy. I have written a draft policy
based largely on the GFOA model investment policy. Areas in which I deviated from the
model policy are mostly as follows:
1. Inclusion of language from Minnesota Statutes Chapter 118A and the Brooklyn
Center City Charter in place of more generic language.
2. Leaving out some investment practices allowed by the model policy to reflect my
more conservative approach to investing.
3. Leaving out an internal control provision regarding segregation of transaction duties
from record keeping duties since I currently do both.
4. Leaving out some periodic reporting elements since they are much more extensive
than what I currently do.
5. In a few instances I added provision I felt were desirable.
10
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
FINANCIAL COMMISSION (TASK FORCE=
JANUARY 9. 1997
Prepared statement regarding the history, scope, purpose and
accomplishments of the Financial Ad Hoc Task Force and the Financial
Commission
On April 9, 1991, the Brooklyn Center City Council adopted Resolution
#91-115 to establish a one year Ad Hoc City Financial Task Force. The
Scope of activity for the Task Force was to advise the City Council
regarding matters relevant to the City's financial status. Its Purpose was
to evaluate the cost effectiveness of City services, programs and
functions in response to higher costs of service delivery, mandates and a
trend of decreasing intergovernmental revenues to cities.
The Duties and Responsibilities of the Task Force included:
make recommendations to improve cost effectiveness of City
services, programs and functions,
-make recommendations on priorities for reducing or eliminating
services should it become necessary, and
-make recommendations on modifications, additions, and/or
deletions to short and long term City revenue sources.
On April 8, 1992, Resolution #92-99 was adopted by the City Council to
extend the life of the Task Force until such time as it had made its final
presentation and recommendations to the City Council.
On July 22, 1992, the Task Force presented a report entitled "General
Fund Budget Prioritization Process" which was accepted by the City
Council.
In the City Council's unanimous opinion there was a continuing need to
formulate priorities and responses to continuing limited resources and to
provide on-going fiscal advice to the Council, the Council adopted
Resolution #92-168 on July 13,1992 to establish a permanent Financial
Commission. The Scope, Purpose and Duties and Responsibilities of the
Commission were to be the same as for the Ad Hoc Task Force.
AD HOC TASK FORCE
From its first meeting in September, 1991 through its presentation of its
report in July, 1992, the Task Force met at least 18 times, with several
sub-committee meetings in-between. During that time, Task Force
• members met with the City Manager, Council Members and City
Department Heads.
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
FINANCIAL COMMISSION (TASK FORCEI
is JANUARY-9,1997-
Areas of study included:
-City budgets, expenditures, sources of revenue
-City staffing and organizational structure
-City departments and services provided, including
cost ratios
-City job classification plan
-City pay plans and pay equity progress
-Franchise fees
-Property tax structure; City assessing policies
-Existing Financial Management policies
When this extensive study was completed, a General Fund Prioritization
Process Report was compiled and submitted to the City Council, but not
before there had been input from the employees themselves, department
heads, the City Finance Officer and the City Manager.
FINANCIAL COMMISSI-0-M
The Financial Commission met regularly, plus additional sub-committee
meetings, between its inception until the middle of 1995. During that
period of time, the Commission provided advice and counsel to the City
Manager and the City Council on a variety of items including:
-reviewed and proposed recommendations to modify existing
Financial Management Policies and Procedures,
-developed and proposed policies and procedures for:
Capital Improvements Fund Expenditures
Adequate General Fund Balance Policy Formula
Mayor and Council Member Total Compensation
City Contractual Services for Non-Profit Organizations
Severance Pay Policy for Laid Off Employees
REORGANIZATION/ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS
Considerable time was spent participating in the Suburban City.
Management Study for First Tier Cities. This led the Commission into a
joint organizational analysis with the City Manager. Services, staffing,
salaries were studied in detail. The outcome of this effort resulted in a
re-organization of City functions.
ANNUAL BUDGET
Probably one of the more important functions performed by the
Commission was its participation in the development of the annual City
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
FINANCIAL COMMISSION (TASK FORCE)
JANUARY 9. 1997
Budget each year. The City Manager worked closely with the Commission
in its preparation. Once the proposed budget was ready for submission
to the City Council, joint meetings were held amongst the City Council, the
City Manager, the City Finance Officer and the Financial Commission.
As a result of this cooperative effort amongst elected City officials, City
employees and City citizens, a remarkable degree of success and
acceptance was achieved on the budget. Commission members always
attended the taxation public hearings and were in a position to provide
public support to the tax proposals based on the budget document.
However, since the preparation of the 1995 annual City Budget, the
Financial Commission has been left out of the process by both the City
Manager and the City Council, either by design or oversight.
FUTURE STATUS AND ROLE OF THE FINANCIAL COIMISSIOR
The purpose of this statement has been to generally outline some of the
many activities and accomplishments, but not all, of the Financial
Commission and its predecessor, the Ad Hoc Task Force, and to pose to
the City Manager and the City Council the question as to the future status
and role of the Financial Commission.
Several Commission members and its current Chair have developed the
sense of not being wanted or needed either by the City Manager or the
City Council. If this is true, then Commission members should be told so
directly and the Commission dissolved. If, on the other hand, the
Financial Commission is needed and wanted, the City Manager and the
City Council should so affirm and begin again to utilize the advice and
counsel of Commission members who represent the citizens of Brooklyn
Center. We do not and will not accept the role of "being there" when
there is trouble. We believe that we can provide an on-going positive
contribution to the City of Brooklyn Center. We genuinely believe that our
assistance is needed as City staff and the City Council contemplate future
bonding and construction requests to the tax payers of the City.
Donn H. Escher, Chair
Brooklyn Center Financial Commission
0
0 CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
INVESTMENT POLICY
1. SCOPE
This investment policy applies to all of the investment activities of the City, except for the
Employee Deferred Compensation Agency Fund and the proceeds of refunding bond issues
where the investment of such proceeds is specifically governed by the bond escrow
agreement.
II. OBJECTIVE
1. SAFETY
Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment program.
Investments shall be undertaken in a manner that seeks to ensure the preservation
of capital in the overall portfolio. The objective will be to mitigate credit risk and
i interest rate risk.
A. Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of the security issuer or backer. Credit
risk may be mitigated by:
• Limiting investments to the safest types of securities; and
• Pre-qualifying the financial institution, broker/dealer, intermediaries, and
advisors with which an entity will do business; and
• Diversifying the investment portfolio so that potential losses on individual
securities will be minimized.
B. Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk in the risk that the market value of securities in the portfolio will
fall due to changes in general interest rate. Interest rate risk may be mitigated by:
• Structuring the investment portfolio so that securities mature to meet cash
requirements for ongoing operations, thereby avoiding the need to sell
securities on the open market prior to maturity; and
• • By investing operating funds primarily in shorter-term securities.
1
• 2. LIQUIDITY
The investment portfolio shall remain sufficiently liquid to meet all operating
requirements that may be reasonably anticipated. This is accomplished by
structuring the portfolio so that securities mature concurrent with cash needs to
meet anticipated demands. Furthermore, since all possible cash demands cannot be
anticipated, the portfolio should contain a large component of securities with active
secondary or resale markets.
3. YIELD
The investment portfolio shall be designed with the objective of attaining a market
rate of return throughout budgetary and economic cycles, taking into account the
investment risk constraints and liquidity needs. Return on investment is of least
importance compared to the safety and liquidity objectives described above. The
core of investments are limited to relatively low risk securities in anticipation of
earning a fair return relative to the risk being assumed. Securities shall be held to
maturity with the following exceptions:
1. Liquidity needs of the portfolio require that the security be sold.
2. A security of declining credit could be sold early to minimize loss of
principal.
4. STABLE EARNINGS
Since investment earnings are included in the budgeted revenues of the City, it is
important that these earnings be stable and predicable through at least the next
budget cycle. This points to the need to purchase securities of various maturities
so that at least half of the portfolio will remain for two or more years with known
interest rates.
III. STANDARDS OF CARE
1. PRUDENCE
The standard of prudence to be used by investment officials shall be the prudent
person standard and shall be applied in the context of managing an overall portfolio.
Investment officials acting in accordance with this policy and exercising due
•
2
• diligence shall be relieved of personal responsibility for an individual security's
credit risk or market price changes, provided deviations from expectations are
reported in a timely fashion and the purchase and sale of securities are carried out
in accordance with the terms of this policy.
Investments shall be made with judgment and care, under circumstances then
prevailing, which persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence exercise in the
management of their own affairs, not for speculation, but for investment,
considering the probable safety of their capital as well as the probable income to be
derived.
2. ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Officials involved in the investment process shall refrain from personal business
activity that could conflict with the proper execution and management of the
investment program, or that could impair their ability to make impartial decisions.
Officials shall disclose any material interests in financial institutions with which
they conduct business. They shall further disclose any personal financial/
investment positions that could be related to the performance of the investment
portfolio. Officials shall refrain from undertaking personal investment transactions
S with the same individual with who business is conducted on behalf of the City.
3. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
Authority to manage the investment program is derived from Minnesota State
Statutes, Chapter 118A and Brooklyn Center City Charter Chapter 6, Section 6.04
and is granted to the City Manager, City Treasurer, and Assistant City Treasurer.
Responsibility for the operation of the investment program is hereby delegated to
the City Treasurer, who shall carry out the program consistent with this policy. No
person may engage in an investment transaction except as provided under the terms
of this policy. The City Treasurer shall be responsible for all transactions
undertaken and shall establish a system of controls to regulate the execution of all
investment transactions.
4. TRAINING
To ensure the competence of its investment officials, the City should provide
opportunity for the officials to attend such investment training programs as are
available and suitable.
is
3
• IV. SAFEKEEPING AND CUSTODY
AUTHORIZED FINANCIAL DEALERS AND INSTITUTIONS
A resolution shall be submitted to the City Council at least annually to designate
depositories of city funds. This shall include institutions and dealer/brokers where
accounts are maintained for banking services, purchase and sale of investment
securities, and the custody of securities.
The City Treasurer shall provide to each broker or institution, a written statement
of investment restrictions which shall include a provision that all future investments
are to be made in accordance with Minnesota Statutes governing the investment of
public funds, prior to completing an initial transaction, and annually thereafter.
An annual review of the depositories shall be conducted by the City Treasurer.
Requests for Proposals for banking services and custodian for investment securities
shall be conducted on a periodic basis as defined in the Policy and Procedure on
Requests for Proposals for Financial Professional Services.
2. INTERNAL CONTROLS
The City Treasurer is responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal
control structure designed to ensure that the assets of the City are protected from
loss, theft, or misuse. The internal control structure shall be designed to provide
reasonable assurance that these objectives are met. The concept of reasonable
assurance recognizes that the cost of a control should not exceed the benefits likely
to be derived and the valuation of costs and benefits requires estimates and
judgements by management. Internal controls shall include the following;
a. Control of Collusion. Collusion is a situation where two or more employees
are working in conjunction to defraud their employer.
b. Custodial safekeeping, Securities purchased from any bank or dealer shall
be placed with an independent third party for custodial safekeeping or held
in an account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
C. Avoidance of nhvsical deliverv securities. Book entry securities are much
easier to transfer and account for since actual delivery of a document never
takes place. Delivered securities must be properly safeguarded against loss
40
4
or destruction. The potential for fraud and loss increases with physical
delivered securities.
d. Clear delegation of authority to subordinate staff members., Officials must
have a clear understanding of their authority and responsibilities to avoid
improper actions. Clear delegation of authority also preserves the internal
control structure.
e. Written confirmation of telex)bone transactions for investments and wire
transfers. Due to the potential for errors and improprieties arising from
telephone transactions, all transactions should be supported by written
communications and approved by the appropriate official. Written
communications may be via fax on letterhead. Institutions and broker/
dealers shall be provided with a list of authorized signers.
f. Development of a wire transfer agreement with institutions and broker/,
dealers. This agreement should outline the various controls, security
provisions, and delineate responsibilities of each party making and receiving
wire transfers.
g. Independent Audit. The City's independent auditors shall conduct a
thorough review of the City's investment portfolio and transactions as part
of their engagement.
3. DELIVERY VERSES PAYMENT
All trades where applicable will be executed by delivery verse payment (DVP).
This ensures that securities are deposited in the eligible financial institution prior
to the release of funds. Securities will be held by a third party custodian.
V. SUITABLE AND AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS
1. INVESTMENT TYPES
Consistent with Minnesota Statutes Chapter I I9A, the following investments will
be permitted by this policy :
a. Securities that are the direct obligations or are guaranteed or insured issues
of the United States, its agencies, its instrumentalities, or organizations
•
5
created by an act of Congress; including governmental bills, notes, bonds,
and other securities.
b. Commercial paper issued by U.S. corporations or their Canadian subsidiaries
that is rated in the highest quality by at least two nationally recognized rating
agencies and matures in 270 days or less.
C. Time deposits that are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or bankers acceptances of U.S. banks.
d. Repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements may be entered
into with financial institutions identified by Minnesota Statutes Chapter
118A.
e. Securities lending agreements may be entered into with financial institutions
identified by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 118A.
f. Minnesota joint powers investment trusts may be entered into with trusts
identified by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 118A.
g. Money market mutual funds regulated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and whose portfolios consist only of short term securities
permitted by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 118A.
h. Bonds of the City of Brooklyn Center issued in prior years, may be
redeemed at current market price, which may include a premium, prior to
maturity using surplus funds of the debt service fund set up for that issue.
Such repurchased bonds shall be canceled and removed from the obligation
of the fund.
2. SECURITIES NOT PURCHASED
Derivative securities which obtain their value by the calculation of some portion of
the value of another security shall not be purchased. Mortgage backed securities,
even if insured by a Federal Agency, shall not be purchased. Securities which
represent the principal or interest payments stripped off from an original issue
security shall not be purchased.
•
6
0 CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY
Dated January 1, 1994
It is the policy of the City of Brooklyn Center that available funds be invested to the maximum
extent possible, at the highest rates obtainable at the time of investment, in conformance with the
legal and administrative guidelines outlined herein. Safety of principal is the foremost objective.
Liquidity and yield are also important considerations.
I. LeLyal Asnects
Minnesota Statutes authorize and define an investment program for municipal
governments.
A. Investment Instruments Authorization
The City of Brooklyn Center shall invest in the following instruments allowed by
Minnesota Statutes:
• b.
C.
d.
e.
f.
9.
United States Treasury obligations
Federal Agency issues
Repurchase Agreements (repo's)
Certificates of Deposit
Commercial Paper - prime
Banker's Acceptances - prime
Money Market Funds whose portfolios consist of United States Treasury
obligations and Federal Agency issues.
B. Supplemental a ositories
Annually the City Council will designate depositories for investment purposes.
C. Derivatives and Strins not nurchased
Under no circumstances will the City of Brooklyn Center purchase securities which
are derivatives of United States Treasury obligations or Federal Agency issues, but
only the original securities. The City of Brooklyn Center will not purchase mortgage
backed securities, even if the mortgages are insured by a Federal Agency. The City
of Brooklyn Center will not purchase securities which represent the future interest
on securities which has been stripped off from the principal of the security.
•
1
•
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY (continued)
II. Vendor Asnects
The vendor aspects of investment activity focus upon protection of taxpayer dollars and
investment income, consistent with statutory authorization and financial prudence. The
City of Brooklyn Center shall seek to conduct its investment transactions with several
competing, reputable investment security dealers and qualifying banks. Special care
should be exercised when considering new services.
A. Perfecting Collateral in Renurchase Agreements
Repo's are considered secured loans with securities as underlying collateral. The
collateral in each repo transaction shall be perfected. (Perfection is a legal concept
by which a lender attains the right to take delivery and ownership of the collateral
involved in a loan in the event that a debtor defaults and files bankruptcy.) With
collateral perfection there is less principal risk for the lender since the claim against
• the collateral is in place in relation to those other parties.
For repo's with maturities of 21 days or less, collateral is considered perfected
without security delivery. For repo's with maturities extending past 21 days,
perfection occurs only by taking possession of securities. It is the City of Brooklyn
Center's policy to insist on delivery of securities if the repo transaction is for greater
than 21 days.
B. Selection of Reno Vendors
The City of Brooklyn Center will purchase repo's from vendors who meet certain
criteria.
1. Reno transactions restricted to:
a. Reporting dealers who are monitored by the New York Federal Reserve
Bank
or
b. Nationally supervised commercial banks whose combined capital and
. surplus equals or exceeds $10,000,000.
2
•
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY (continued)
2. Renutation and ExDerience
The qualifying bank or dealer must have demonstrated over a significant period
of time, a successful, profitable, and reliable operation.
3. Management and Professionalism
The qualifying bank or dealer must have an established managerial component
and knowledgeable staff capable of ensuring the continued success of the
enterprises.
C. Certificates of deposit from oualifving banks
The City of Brooklyn Center will comply with Minnesota Statutes.
• D. Bankers Accentances and Commercial Paner
Although authorized by Minnesota Law, bankers acceptances and commercial paper
are more risky than instruments of the Federal government of Federal agencies.
Because of the credit risk, the City of Brooklyn Center will follow these guidelines:
1. Bankers Acceptances
a. Bankers Acceptances shall be restricted to the top 40 banks in the United
States (as measured by deposits). Investments in Bankers Acceptances
shall not be made if news leads offer concerns over the financial
condition of these banks.
b. The broker, dealer, or banker shall verify that the Bankers Acceptance is
eligible for purchase by the Federal Reserve System.
C. Bankers Acceptances should not be purchased unless the yield is greater
than United States Treasury obligations or Federal Agency issues.
•
3
. CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY (continued)
2. Commercial Paper
a. Commercial Paper shall be restricted to issues which mature in 270 days
or less with a rating of A-1 (Moody's), P-1 (Standard & Poors), or F-1
(Fitch) among at least two of the three rating agencies.
b. Commercial Paper shall be purchased only from dealers who report to the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York or from qualifying banks.
C. Commercial Paper shall not be purchased unless the yield is greater than
United States Treasury obligations or Federal Agency issues.
•
0