HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Pension Public Safety_2/3/2020TEQUESTA PUBLIC SAFE
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
February 3, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Board of Trustees was held at the Village Hall Council Chambers, 345 Tequesta Drive,
Tequesta, Florida, on May 6, 2019. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
A roll call was taken by Pension Administrator A.C. Lovingood. In attendance at the meeting
were: Chairman Ed Sabin, Secretary John Terzakis, Trustee Kristopher Cowles, and Trustee Ray
Giblin.
Also, in attendance were Attorney Bonni Jensen, Pension Administrators A.C. Lovingood and
Scott Baur, Investment Monitor Jennifer Gainfort, and Actuary Jeffrey Amrose.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board reviewed the agenda and requested that the 401(a) Loan Update be added under
Section 9, Legislative Update item D.
MOTION:
Trustee Ray Giblin made a motion to approve the Meeting Agenda as amended for
November 4, 2019. Secretary John Terzakis seconded the motion, which carried
by a 3-0 vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Tequesta Public Safety
Quarterly Meeting Minutes November 4, 2019
The Board tabled the Quarterly Meeting Minutes dated November 4, 2019
PRESENTATION
2. Actuarial Valuation Report Jeffrey Amrose, GRS
Jeffrey Amrose started his presentation by letting the Board know that the Pension Plan is 95.3%
funded and the Village payroll percentage is lower than most Pension Plans at 26.02% for
firefighters, the low volatility in payroll makes the plan in good shape. Chairman, Ed Sabin
inquired if the five-year spread has part to do with the low volatility, which Mr. Amrose stated that
the five-year spread does have part do with it, however, the Plan also uses reasonable
assumptions. Chairman Sabin then inquired to how many more years of reserves does the plan
have left and why the State contributions for police is $0. Mr. Amrose informed the Board that
there is 3.5 years left in reserves and the State contributions for police went to the police reserve.
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Mr. Amrose then reviewed the Actuarial Confirmation of the Use of State Chapter Money, noting
that based on the mutual consent between the firefighters union and the Village, all annual
Chapter 175 revenue is used as an offset to the required Village contribution and based on the
mutual consent between the police officers union and the Village, all annual Chapter 185 revenue
and the accumulated reserve are used as an offset to the required Village contribution. The
Summary of Valuation Results for the firefighters was reviewed with the Board. Trustee, Ray
Giblin inquired if the inactive member numbers were all in the DROP, Mr. Amrose stated that the
inactive members includes DROP participants, retirees, and vested-differed members.
Mr. Amrose informed the Board that the cost for his actuarial services will be increasing. The
average cost for other clients is $14,000.00, compared to the $7,036.75 that the Plan paid last
year. Mr. Amrose stated that he did not think it was fair to double the fee and suggested that the
fee be increased slowly over several years. Chairman, Ed Sabin thanked Mr. Amrose for this
information and will advise when the proposal is submitted.
Attorney Bonni Jensen Reminded the Board that Florida State Law requires the Board to set the
Assumed Rate of Return for the Pension Plan. Mr. Amrose stated that the current Assumed Rate
of Return is currently at 7%. Jennifer Gainfort informed the Board that the 7% Assumed Rate of
Return is reasonable.
MOTION:
Board John Terzakis made a motion based on the recommendation of the investment consultant,
the Board expects to get a 7% return for the next year, the next several years, and for the long term
thereafter. Board member Kristopher Cowles seconded the motion, which carried by a 4-0 vote.
3. Quarterly Performance Report as of December 31, 2019 - Jennifer Gainfort, And Co
Consulting
Jennifer Gainfort started her presentation by reviewing the market environment with the Board.
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Broad asset class returns were positive during the 4 quarter of 2019 except for the US
Government Bond Index. Both US and international equity markets benefited from positive
developments concerning trade disruptions. Emerging markets significantly outperformed and the
trade tensions between the US and China have eased. Ms. Gainfort noted that Tariffs went from
15% down to 7.5% with China agreeing to buy more US manufacturing goods. Monetary policy
remained supportive with the Federal Reserve cutting rates once during the period in addition to
providing liquidity to the market through security purchases. International equity market returns
were strong during the quarter. Like US markets, international performance was impacted by
continued monetary policy relief from the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank, positive
developments around global trade, and the likely resolution on Brexit. Fixed income index
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performance was muted during the 4 quarter. The broad market Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate
Index managed to gain 0.2% as investors favored equities and interest rates were generally flat
during the quarter as concerns over an immanent US recession eased. Investment grade
corporate bonds delivered solid performance for the quarter, returning 1.2%, which outperformed
Treasury and securitized issues.
Ms. Gainfort then reported the performance of the Plan to the Board. On October 1, 2019 the
16,370,561 and as of December 31, 2019 the assets grew to $18,217,403.
The asset allocations targets were reviewed with the Board and Ms. Gainfort stated that she does
not see a need to rebalance the Plan at this time. For the fourth quarter of 2019, the Plan had a
total of $974,018 in contributions, $86,390 in distributions, the total management fees for the
quarter was $6,320 and $30,435 in other expenses. Income for the quarter was $124,195 and the
total capital gain for the quarter was $871,773. For the fiscal year first quarter, the Plan earned
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5.84%, compared to the benchmark of 6.14%. The one-year returns were 20.83% compared to
the 21.56% benchmark, three-year returns were 10.62% versus the benchmark of 10.80%, five-
year returns were 7.35% versus the 8.18% benchmark, and the total returns since inception was
7.01% versus the 7.17% benchmark. Ms. Gainfort then reviewed and commented on individual
manager performance, stating that there are no recommendations at this time and that she does
not see a need to rebalance the portfolio.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Ratification of Invoices Paid Since Last Quarterly Meeting
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA PUBLIC SAFETY PENSION FUND
WARRANT - PAID INVOICES
FEBRUARY 3RD, 2020
TO: Resource Centers, Plan Administrator
FROM: Board of Trustees
Paid by Custodian:
$
Fiduciary Trust International 2,671.90
Custodian Fees for QE 12/31/19 (3 Accounts)
Check
Date Payee/Description Number Amount
$
November 18, 2019 Pension Resource Center 1384 950.00
Administrative Fees- November 2019
$
November 18, 2019 Klausner Kaufman Jensen & Levinson 1385 1,378.00
Legal Services Rendered through 10/31/19
$
November 18, 2019 Garcia Hamilton & Associates L.P. 1386 2,041.26
Investment Management Fees for QE 09/30/19
$
November 18, 2019 Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company 1387 2,805.00
Actuarial Services Rendered through 09/30/19
$
November 18, 2019 AndCo Consulting 1388 4,500.00
Services Rendered for QE 03/31/19 Inv #30336
$
December 11, 2019 Pension Resource Center 1389 950.00
Administrative Fees- December 2019
$
December 11, 2019 Klausner Kaufman Jensen & Levinson 1390 1,813.00
Legal Services Rendered through 11/30/19
$
January 13, 2020 Pension Resource Center 1391 950.00
Administrative Fees- January 2020
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$
January 13, 2020 Klausner Kaufman Jensen & Levinson 1392 53.00
Legal Services Rendered through 12/31/19
$
January 13, 2020 AndCo Consulting 1393 4,500.00
Services Rendered for QE 12/31/19 Inv #34190
$
TOTAL: 22,612.16
5. Reporting of New Applicants for Participation in the Pension Plan
There were no new applicants to report to the Board.
6. Approval of Withdrawal of Contributions
The Board reviewed the Refund of Contributions for Maximillian R. Lally.
7. Terminated Employees Who have Not Yet Taken Their Contributions
There were no new applicants to report to the Board.
8. Benefit Approvals for Retirements
There were no Benefit Approvals to report to the Board.
MOTION:
Trustee Ray Giblin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda containing the
Warrant dated November 4, 2019 and the Benefit Approval dated November 4,
2019 as presented. Secretary John Terzakis seconded the motion, which carried
by a 4-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
9. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Attorney Bonni Jensen, Klausner, Kaufman, Jensen & Levinson
A. Jensen Memo IRS Mileage Rate for 2020
Attorney Bonni Jensen informed the Board that the IRS has lowered the Mileage Rate for 2020
from $0.58 per mile, down to $0.575 per mile.
B. Jensen Memo Secure Act and IRS Limits for 2020
Ms. Jensen reviewed the Secure Act that was signed into law on December 20, 2019. The new
law is primarily intended to expend opportunities to increase individual retirement savings. Of
new age 72 start date for the
required minimum distributions. Under prior law, qualified pension plans, including traditional
IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and SEP-IRAs were required to start minimum distributions by age 70.5.
Effective 2020, the age limit has been increased to 72. This new amendment only applies to
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individuals who reach 70.5 after 2020. The old age limit still applies to anyone who has reached
70.5 before January 1, 2020. The Secure Act also removes the 70.5 age limit on traditional IR
contributions. The IRS also updated the benefit limits for qualified plans for 2020. Employees
participating in 401(k), 457, and 403(b) plans, the contribution limit increased from $19,000 to
$19,500. The annual IRA contribution limits remain unchanged at $6,000, and the additional chat-
up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over is also unchanged at $1,000. Ms. Jensen
noted that another change to Florida Law will allow for the use of electronic notarizations and that
beneficiary designation changes will not have the ability to use the electronic option.
C. Jensen Memo Annual Client Conference
Ms. Jensen informed the Board that her firm, Klausner, Kaufman, Jensen & Levinson will have
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their Annual Client Conference at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Florida on May 27 through May
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29.
D. 401(a) Loans
Ms. Jensen informed the Board that The Village of Tequesta was able to work with Empower in
servicing the three police officers existing 401(a) loans. The cost for Empower to manage these
loans is $200 per account.
E. Jensen Fee Increase
Ms. Jensen informed the Board that her fee will be increasing to $300.00 an hour which is lower
than the $350.00 an hour that her firm charges new clients. One of the reasons for the fee
increase is due to the costs related to using paralegals at the firm as their rate is $125.00 an hour.
Ms. Jensen did note that when her firm was hired by the Pension Plan, the rate was at $250.00 an
hour.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT A.C. Lovingood, Resource Centers
A. Johnson, Aron 401(a) Transfer Issue
Mr. Lovingood informed the Board that he was contacted by Police Officer Aron Johnson with
some questions regarding the rollover of funds from his 401(a) into the Pension Plan. Mr.
Johnson stated that he was contributing 10% of his annual salary into the 401(a) and it was his
understanding that the only funds that were to be withdrawn from his 401(a) were his required
h. Mr. Lovingood informed the Board that the
member is upset that all the funds in his 401(a) Plan were rolled over into the Tequesta Public
Plan. Attorney Bonni Jensen informed the Board that this situation
affects Mr. Johnson and two other members of the Pension Plan. There are some questions that
still need to be answered, such as how the earning on the funds in the 401(a) is allocated and
where the members contributions above the 6% Pension Member Contribution Rate should be
deposited. Mr. Amrose informed the Board that his firm had just completed an exhibiting showing
the 401(a) Plan employees contributions compared to the 6% of pay pension member
contributions for the 11 police officers who entered the Pension Plan in 2018.
B. Kostyo Military Buyback Calculation
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Mr. Lovingood informed the Board that John Kostyo has requested the ability to have a Military
Buyback Calculation done in order to determine if he wished to move forward with his case to the
Village Council in having the Pension Plan Ordinance changed to allow members of the Pension
Plan to purchase Military Service Time beyond the existing fist six months of employment. Mr.
Lovingood stated that Mr. Kostyo would pay the Actuarial Calculation Fee of $400. Ms. Jensen
informed the Board that they need to approve the request for the Calculation.
MOTION:
Trustee Ray Giblin made a motion to approve the Military Buyback Calculation for
John Kostyo for informational purposes only. Trustee Kristopher Cowels
seconded the motion, which carried by a 4-0 vote.
C. 2020 Conference List
Mr. Baur presented the Board with the 2020 Trustee Conference List. It was noted that not all
available conferences are listed and that the list is only intended for informational purposes.
ANY OTHER MATTERS
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A. GHA 4 Quarter Performance Letter
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The GHA 4 Quarter Performance Letter was provided to the Board for informational purposes.
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B. GHA 4 Quarter Performance Report
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The GHA 4 Quarter Performance Report was provided to the Board for informational purposes.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Board Member
Village of Tequesta Pub
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