HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 11_06/09/2005 TEQUESTA PTJBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS PENSION
- TRUST FUND
SPECIAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
MARCH 14, 2005
I. CALL T4 ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Tequesta Public Safety Officers Pension Trust Fund Boazd of Trustees
held a special meeting at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the
Public Safety Facitity, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Mazch 14
2005. T'he meeting was called to order at 8:07 a.m. A roll call was taken by
Betty Laur, Recprding Secretary. Boardmembers in attendance at the meeting
were: Chair Jarnes Weinand, Vice Chair Geraldine Genco, Secretary Peter
Lucia, and Boardmember Edward Sabin. Also in attendance were Attorney
Bonni Jensen, Pension Coordinator Gwen Carlisle, Finance Staff--Director
JoAnn Forsythe and Patrice Maqueda, and Monitoring Consultant Joe
Bogdahn. Boardmember Joe Petrick was absent from the meeting.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Vice Chair Genco m�de a motion to approve the agenda as amended with
addition under Presentations item (c) discussion of the issne of whether to
go with Rockwood or another commingled fund. Boardmember Lucia
seconded the motion, vrhich carried hy unanimous 4-0 vote.
III, PRESENTATIUNS
a) Comparison of Nationwide/Star and Rockwood
Joe Bogdahn reported at the Iast meeting the board had heard a
presentation of the Nationwide/Star program, which had three different
allocations, a, b, or c. Mr. Bogdahn indicated he had called Rick Simon at
Nationwide to see which they recommended, and it was allacation b, and
the printout provided to the board for today's meeting included that plus
the change in small cap growth managers, and only the equity portion of
the portfolio was being reviewed. Mr. Bogdahn explained that
Nationwide was a little more opportunistic and would not always follow
the S&P, and Nationwide and Rockwood had a 90% correlation to each
other. Boardmember Lucia pointed out there was a questionnaire that
Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Board
Special Meeting of 3/14/05
Page 2
,
must be filled out to determine asset allocations, managers, etc. Mr.
Bogdahn exptained ihat the same products were offered by Nationwide in
a, b, and c, but the concentrations were different, and Mr. Simon at
Nationwide had recommended using alloeation b because of where
interest rates were. Vice Chair Genco asked why the board was looking at
Rockwood and not Contravisory, since they were going to be handling the
assets. Mr. Bogdahn expla.ined that the fund did not have enough money
to just go with Contravisory, but could go with Rockwood, who had
Contravisory manage their equity product. Vice Chair Genco indicated
she was confused because she had received a sub-agreement $om
Contravisory. Mr. Bogdahn responded the cantract should be with
Rockwood whether the boazd went with their commingted or on a
separately managed account. Attorney Jensen clarified the agreement
between the board should be with Rockwood and the board secretary
should request a copy of the sub-agreement between Rockwaod and
Contravisory. Board-member Sabin questioned whether Rockwood had
the right to change sub-advisors without the boazd's consent. Vice Chair
Genco reconunended a requirement that the boazd be notified within ten
days if they chang�d sub-advisors. Mr. Bogdahn advised if the board
desired to hire Nationwide, the investment policy would need to be
tweaked so the board would be notified if they changed their allocation of
different investment firms. Vice Chair Genco commented the investment
policy language needed to be tweaked more in differentiating between a
commingled or individually managed fund, which Attorney Jensen would
need to follow up on depending on the outcome of this meeting. Mr.
Lucia commented just one asset class could be tweaked with the
Rockwood piece and if there was a problem with Rockwood the whole
plan would have to go; whereas, with Nationwide you could tweak just
small or large cap, or fixed income, and you were talking individual
money managers and not the whole plan. Mr. Bogdahn commented the
board would still want to approve any changes. Boardmember Lucia
explained that if just one manager in an asset class was changed, it would
be ta the advantage of the ptan 6ecause if there was a problem with a
manager you would want to make a switch, and that did not affect the
whole plan. Mr. Bogdahn commented that the big difference here was the
board would have a solo portfolia or a funded fund. Ms. Carlisle read
from an e-mail from Mr. Simon which addressed the issue of changing a
manager that if the sub-advisor fee for the new manager was different than
charged by the current manager, their clients would be notified that there
would be a prospective change relating to the fund or funds that the new
manager would be working in. Mr. Bogdahn reviewed the alpha, beta, R-
squared, Traynor ratio, batting average, and information ratio in
comparing Nationwide with Rockwood. Market capture rates over the last
five years were presented, and trailing period returns were reviewed. Tom
Paterno commented Rockwood had done a little bit better overall in
Tequesta Pablic Safety Officers' Pension Board
Special Meeting of 3/14/OS �
Page 3
performance up and down with a little less risk, but they were really not
tied as much to the S&P; which Mr. Bogdahn stated was correct. In
comparing fees, they would be comparable but Rockwood would be a
little less. Mr. Lucia pointed out if the fund did not go with commingled,
the minimum fee was $3,000 which could not ga up or down. Mr.
Bogdahn advised the fund would quaiify for that minimum fee, and that
Rockwood's fee would be a little less at $2,600; from a total return and a
risk adjusted return basis Rockwood's numbers were a little better than
Nationwide, but both of them were better than Northstar. Vice Mayor
Genco asked to table this and move on in the agenda to item (c) before
making the conference call. Chair Weinand ad.vised that the conference
call was to be made only if needed.
c) Discussion of the issue of whether to go with Rockwood or another
commingled t�und
Vice Chair �enco asked the difference between an investment company
fund and a funded fund, and asked how Rockwood was proposing to .
manage. Mr. Bogdahn responded this was not a funded fund, that the
board would be hiring the Contravisory investment process and using
Rockwood as the vehicle to get to it. Discussion ensued, in which it was
clarified that ane account would be opened at A. G. Edwards Trust, and
Vice Chair Genco asked if within that account there would be funds
owned by Tequesta and other cities, and what auditing firm figured those
unit values. Mr. Bogdahn advised he did not know who the auditing firm
was and acknowledged this investment process was new as of January 1.
Vice Chair Genco commented typically in such a situation there were a lot
of administrative and set-up fees. Mr. Bogdahn advised the chazge was on
70 basis points, which was the total fee for custody. Mr. Bogdahn
explained there were two choices—one, to have A. G. Edwazds Trust open
an account for the Village with check writing ability, or eliminate A. G.
Edwazds Trust and have a direct relationship with Rockwood which was
when Salem Tn�st would be used. Satem wauld replace Wachovia;
Rockwood would replace Northstar. During ensuing discussion, Vice
Chair Genco noted the original RFP was to have assets individually
managed and now there had been a 180-degree turn since the board was
looking at having 100% of the assets commingled. Mr. Bogciahn
responded the board looked at commingled or individually managed and
commingled was less expensive. Vice Chair Genco indicated there were
two contracts, one for individually managed and one for commingled.
Attorney Jensen advised the contract today was for individually managed.
Discussion continued. How the outside auditors arrived at the unit values
was explained. Ms. Forsythe indicated the Rockwood statement did not
provide enough information—it did not contain what was bought or sold
and also categories were needed as required by the State. Other questions
Tequesta PubUc Safety Officers' Pension Board
Special Meebng of 3/14/05
Page 4
regarding the commingled fund were asked; Mr. Bogdahn commented that
if the board could step back ansl determine they did nat want the
co�nmingled fund then no more questions about that would be needed.
Chair Weinand commented at the January meeting the board had voted to
have an individually managed account.
MOTION:
Vice Chair Genca made a moti�n to pursue an individually managed
account with Rockwood. Boardmember Sabin seconded the motion for
discussion purposes an.d commented he had missed the Februaty meeting
so did not have the background for this discussion, but summarized that in
lanuary there was na Nationwide in the picture and the board had made a
decision to go with Rockwood on an individually managed basis. Chair
V�einand advised that in February what had happened was that after the
boazd decided they wanted an individually managed account,
Boazdmember Lucia realized his company had a comparable product and
presented �hat for consideration, which was wha.t was being evaluated.
today. Boardmember Lucia commented he felt the expenses should be
discussed before moving forward with a decision between Rockwood or
Nationwide. Going with Rockwaod meant chasing numbers with Salem
Trust or whoever was chosen, while Mellon Trust with Nationwide had an
a1l-inclusive fee. Vice Chair Genco stated she would withcir�w her motion
and asked to go to item IV (a). Boardmember Sabin withdrew his second,
and it was stated no vote was required.
IV. UNFIlvISHED BUSINESS
a) Presentation of Options for Custodial Agreements with Discussion of
Bill Paying Procedure if chosen Custodian does not provide Checking
Account services
Mr. Bogdahn advised that Sa1em Trust was less expensive and easiest to
deal with, and they did handle check requests and deposits, and would
coordinate with the managers who would execute trades thraugh Salem
Trust. As an example of the cost, ten basis points to this fund would be
$2,600; $3,000 with Nationwide would be a little higher; Rockwood's fee
was not known. Attorney Jensen commented Rockwood's fee schedule
proposed with the RFP was 60 basis points on the first million, and 50 on
the next 9 million dollars, decreasing based on higher asset values. Mr.
Bogdahn indicated 53 basis points should be used plus 12 on the custody
for a total of b5 for both custody and investment management with Salem
Trust with which the fund would have a direct contract and relationship,
and with Rockwood with which the fund would have a direct conhact and
relationship. Vice Chair Genco related her experience of a$10 fee being
charged to book every purchase or sale, and that would be in addition to
Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Board
Special Meeting of 3/14/05
Page 5
the $3,000. Mr. Bogdahn clarified that was included in the $3,000 fee;
that they would charge $750 per quarter regardless, plus there would be
enough room for 200 buy and sell transactions before reaching $3,U00, �
and Rockwood usuatly held a stock 18 rnonths. Last month in February i
they had purchased two stacks and sold two stocks. The total for the
quarter would not equal $750, but they would charge $750 minimum.
When the fund reached $10 million the basis points would come down .
Boardmember Sabin requested the Sa1em trust contract documents agree
with this discussion. Vice Chair Genco requested they reconfirm in
writing whether the amaunt was minimum or maximum. Boardmember
Lucia noted there was an average of 200 trades per year and asked what
that would be in a down year, to which Mr. Bogdahn responded it really
would not changc—they would re-balance positions. Mr. Luci� indicated
he was not comfortable with that variable. Mr. Bogdahn. noted at 65 basis
points they could absorb another 900 trades. Boardmember Lucia .
confirmed that the Nationwide fee was inclusive of everything�here
would not.b,�e a schedule. Vice Chair Genco commented a benefit of going
with Nationwide or John Hancock, etc., would be they functioned very'
similaz to a regular annuity, and they did all the administration. The
administrator would do what Rackwoad/Salem would do in addition to
providing detailed information that the administrator would need to keep
records of. As long as admirustration was handled internally there were
really had no administrative costs to the fund, but if it ever reached a size
that it became a full-time job or 20-34 hours a week, an administrator
could cost $20,000-$30,000 annually. Vice Chair Genco indicated other
benefits of an outside administrator could be allowing individuals to select
risk tolerance, as well as online or telephone access to actual aznounts in
your account. Vice Chair Genco commented comparing Nationwide
versus Rockwood, the additional enhanced portfolio performance made
sense to her because most of the fiund's participants had not retired. When
there were more retirees the fund might consider something different.
MOTION
Vice Chair Genco made a motion to go with Rockwood to manage the
fund's assets on an individually managed basis with Salem as t6e
custodian provided they state in writing there are no more fees.
Boardmember Sabin seconded the motion. During discussion of the
motion, Boardmember Sabin commented he was uncomfortable with
Ezhibit A showing two separate fees schedules. Attorney Jensen
advised that when Rockwood sent back the contract they (Rockwood)
had indicated the fee schedule should be the same for both the
General Employees and Public Safety, and the General Employees
have a 70 basis points investment management fee for the eqaiNes stnd s
a 40 basis points fized income management fee. This is the fee
schedule we submitted to them. Tbey had come here and made a
Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Board
Special Meefang of 3l14/Q5
Page 6
proposal to the board with a stepped or laddered type of fee schedWe.
When they sent back the contract they attached this fee schedale,
saying it should be t6e same for both the General Employees and
Public Safety. During ensuing discussion, Vice Chair Genco clarified
with Attarney Jensen that the Ezhibit A in her Fackage was correct
because that was the fee schedule proposed in tLe RFP and that was
t6e fee schedule the Board proposed back to Rockwood when the
Board �ent with the individual�y managed portfolio. The 70/40 had
been the fee schedule for the commingled fund. Vice Chair Genco
commented that Ehe Pnblic Safety Fund was on 60 basis points for the
first million dollars and �hen 50 basis points. Secretary Lucia advised
he should not vote on this issue because he had a pecunary interest
with Nationwide, with the stockbraker, and he had brought �
Nationwide in. Motion carried 3-0 with Secretary Lucia abstaining
from voting due to conflict of interest.
Vice Chair Genco commented the Sa1em Trust contract would need to be
approved ahead of time and asked Attorney 3ensen to clarify the issues of
fees and minimum/m�imum. Chair Weinand requested that Attorney
Jensen draft the contract. Vice Chair Genco commented she would like to
see the standard contract before Attorney Jenaen redrafted it, and asked
that Attorney Jensen review it and if she had changes she wanted to make
that she bring that to the board. Chair Weinand agreed. Mr. Bogdahn
suggested in the interest of time the board might like Attorney Jensen to
adjust their standard contract with the board's best interests at heart and
negatiate the contract far the boazd rather than wait another quarter. Vice
Chair Genco sta.ted her preference to use the standard contract with
Attorney 3ensen suggesting amendments. Attorney Jensen asked if the
boazd wanted to set up a special meeting, Vice Chair Genco indicated a
short meeting would be in order and Attorney 3ensen could provide her
typed amendments and participate by telephone, and also advised Mr
Bogdahn that he would not need to attend the meeting. Viee Chair Genco
requested e-mails be sent to everyone as to their preference to hold a
special meeting either the week beginning April 5 or April 12. Mr.
Bogdahn advised assets would be transferred in kind for Salem Trust to
transfer at $1Q which was a lot cheaper than the $55 charged by
Wachovia.
MOTION
Vice Chair Genco made a motion to go ahead enter into a custodial
agreement with Salem Trust and to Lave our attorney review their
contract and as long as there are not any other fees we can enter into
that agreement. However, if the attorney feels there are thinga we
need to change or if other fees are charged in addition to the custodial
fee, we will have a meeting. Motion was seconded by Boardmember
Tequesta Pu6Gc Safety Officers' Pension Board
Special Meeting of 3/14/OS
Page 7
Sabin and carried 3-0, with Secretary Lucia abstaining from voting
due to conflict of interest.
'�
Mr. Bogdahn asked who would notify him so he could notify Northstar.
Vice G}aair Genco responded it would be the ad hoc secretary. Mr.
Bogdahn indicated a letter would be delivered to Wachovia to authorize
transfer of funds. Vice Chair Genco commented that would need to have
two signatures.
b) Presentation of Investment Manager Contract for Consideration of
Signatures
Attorney Jensen advised the Rockwood contract for an individually
managed portfolio was r�ady for signatvres. Vice Chair Crenco requested
in item one that changes to the subadvisory agreement require notice.
Attorney Jensen recommended 30 days written notice. Attorney Jensen
proposed tt�t the board approve execution of this contract with that
amendment and that it would be signed when the custodian agreement was
signed. Vice Chair Genco also requested a change in the applicable law.
MOTION:
Boardmember Sabin made a motion to approve the investment
manager agreement subject to changes discussed today—with 30 days
prior written notice required for changes to the subadvisory
agreement, to sign the investment manager agreement at the same
time as the custodial agreement and it shall be effective the date of the
custodial agreement, and to change t6s applicable law ta "this
agreement shati be interpreted in accordance with the la�vs of the
St�te of Florida and the Securities and Eachange Commission".
Motion was seconded by Vice C6air Genco and carried 3-0, with
Secretary Luci� abstaining from voNng dae to conflict of interes�
Attorney Jensen advised she had a copy of their ADD which was a part of
the Gontract.
Boardmember Sabin made a motion to terminate Northstar Capitxl
Management as investment managEr effective upon signing contracts
with Rockwood and Salem Trust. Vice Chair Genco seconded the
motion, whieh earried 3-0, with Seeretary Lucia abstaining from
voting due to conflict of iaterest.
Vice Chair Genco requested that Attorney Jensen send confirmation of the
Northstar termina.tion to all boardmembers and to the administrator.
Attorney Jensen advised that Northstar had a 30-day notification period in
their contract.
Tequesta Public Safety O�cers' Pension Board
Special Meeting of 3/14I05
Page 8
c) Presentation of Written Report regarding Value Line Ranking in
Investment Guidelines
Mr. Bogdahn explained that the State used to require all eyuities be ranked
in the top three ratings t�y a major rating service, but now that had
changed. His company had left that in the investrnent guidelines for many
of their clients but also included that they did not have to be ranked by
Value Li�e. Va1ue Line today is considered a retail product--a tool for
research for individuals. The last page of his report showed an example of
a typical Value Line report for companies; of which most of the
information could now be obta.ined on AOL or other places on the
internet. Value Line did not cover the majority of today's stocks, only
about 1700 stocks. Mr. Bagdahn recommended to take that wording out
of our investment policy, and explained that Rockwood, Northstar, and
Dana did not use it and it was no longer required by the State. Mr.
Bogdahn prpposed no restrictions under equities, and under limitations 3
to leave in the wording as it was. Discussian ensued.
MO�
Vice Chair Genco made a motion that the board amend their
investment policy statement as presented to them today to remove the
Va1ue Line eqnity provision. Boardmember Sabin seconded the
motion. Vice Chair Genca stat� she was uncomfortable and did not
want a manager buying smsll caps of more than 10% of the account
for more th�n 10% of the assets. Unrated small eaps and IPO's were
not the kind af investments she wanted fi�r the pension fnnd. Mr.
Bogdahn noted IPO's were restricted and that was in the investment
policy. Discussion ensued. Mr. Bogdahn noted most major rating
9ervices had changed their methods and no longer used Value Line.
Vice Chair Genco indicated she was uncomfortable that Rockwood
could have in the portfotio more than 10% nnrated which meant
without publicly available information. Mr. Bogdahn responded that
he had just reviewed them versus and indez and showed they had
done considerabty 6etter with less risk �nd less viotitility over t6e past
15 year�, which you did not necessarily do by following what
everybody else's recommendations were. Mr. Lucia noted in order
for Itockwood to get the returns that they showed they had to h�ve
had more than 10% in small caps. Violitility was discussed. Vice
Cha'v Genco suggested removing "at least 90% of the equities shall be
rated by a major rating service" $nd detete "in the top three quality
grades". Attorney Jensen advised most other municipalities still had
the old language but some had no restrictions. Finance Director
Forsythe asked if responsibility to watch what stocks were doing
could be put on the monitor instead of the manager. Vice Chair
`�
Tequesta Public Safety 4fficers' Pension Board
Special Meeting of 3114fQ5
Page 9
Gencu questioned how Mr. Bogdahn would handle a situation such as
WorldCom, Mr. Bogdahn in a situation where the value was going
down he questioned the mauager directly. Board member Lucia
cautfloned t6at t6e trustees still sh�red responaibility. Chair Weinstnd
advised he was comfortable accepting Mr. Bogdahn's
recommendation. Vice Chair Genco requested 3(a) 3(a} 2 to atill
keep the language �`at least 90% of the equitfes �hall be rated by a
major ratin�g serviee" aud end the sentence there. Boardmember
Sabin seconded the amended motion. Motion carried by unanimous
4-0 vote.
Mr. Bogdahn commented he would make the amendments and e-mail;
Attoraey Jensen commented then hopefully the investment guidelines
could be signed at the same titne everythiing else was signed. Vice C�
Genco stated anything to do with the plan document should go to Village
Council in April. Mr. Bogdahn was also to send a cover letter for the
changes to the investment policy to the Village Manager and Chazles
Slavin and to the actuary. Attorney Jensen advised the changes would be
effective 31 ciays fram that.
V. PAYMENTS TO BE REV�EWED AND APPROVED
a) Hanson, Perry & Jensen, P.A. -$339.95
M TI N:
Vice Chair Genco made a moti+nn ta approve the payment of $339.95
to Hanson, Perry & Jensen, P.A. Baardmember Sabin seconded the
motion, which carried by unanimo�s 4-0 vote.
VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS
Changes to the Pension Plan were discussed. It was clarif ed that two items
needed to be added: certif cation of trustees and benefit changes voted on at the
last meeting. Ms. Carlisle asked if the whole ordinance was being changed in
order ta accept the amendments. Vice Chair Genco responded that when the
pension plan was re-stated a year ago, there had been one ordinance with two
exhibits, one for each pension plan. Attomey Jensen advised that in most
municipalities this document was a part of the cod.e, and s1�e believed only the
exhibit would be changed; however, the General Empioyees were also
considering an amendment and in that case both e�chibits would be changed and it
would be presented to Village Council for their vote. Chair Weinand
commented he was comfortable with moving forward with changes to the
pension plan d�cument provided that it took into consideration the new
benefits and the language provided today. Attorney Jensen commented,
administrative authority provisions. Vice Chair Genco commented one of the big
Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Board
Speciat Meeting of 3l14lOS
Page 10
things was amending the employee contribution to 6.1. Finance Deparanent
Director Forsythe had called Steve Palmquist because the contribution rates were
different for fire and police employees, and reported Mr. Palmquist had said it
was fine to have different contribution rates in the same plan. Vice Chair Genco
commented Mr. Palmquist was basing it on the current census data, and asked if
when more peaple were retired if he looked at that. Chair Weinand respondoci he
took the census daxa. of what was in the plan now thraugh retirement and he did
not know what the changes would be from year to year, so he had to base on what
the census infomlaa�tian was today, but that was looked at through retirement.
Attorney Jensen commented thai Mr. Palmquist would apply assumptions to the
benefit changes. Chair Weinand commented turnover rates were significant, also
whether an older employee was replaced by someone younger, and it had to be
based on today's da.ta tluough re�irement.. Attorney Jensen explained the same
assumptions were applied to benefit changes and the mortality rate ta.ble was
referenced, and he also was relying on employment termination rate and disability
rate. Chair Weinand commented Mr. Patmquist was working on a cost impact
statement for bene�its that would be in State format, whiCh would be provided to
the State between first and second reading of the ordinance.
MpTI N
Vice Chair Genco made a motion to revise the Pension Pian Document as
outlined in Attorney Jeasen's March 14, Z005 memorandum. Boardmenpber
Sabin seconded the moNon, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vota
It was clarified with Boazdmember Lucia which motions he was voting on and
which he had abstained due to conflict of interest Mr. Lucia clarified on item IV
(c) to amend the investrnent policy as presented, his vote was yes; on the plan
document change his vote was yes, on the draft amendment his vote was yes, on
V(a) payment to Bonni Jensen's firm, his vote was yes, and the revisioa to the
plan document outlined in Attorney Jensen's memo his vote was yes.
It was announced that the next meeting would be held May 10, 2005 at 8:0(? a.m.
untess there was an issue with the cu�todian agreement.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Vice Chair Genca, seconded by Boardmember Sabin, and
unanimously carried, the meeting +was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
�1E��� .
Betty Laur
Recording Secretary