CC Resolution No. 18-052 Accepting The City Investment PolicyRESOLUTION NO. 18-052
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
ACCEPTING THE CITY INVESTMENT POLICY
WHEREAS, the City has available funds to invest in accordance with principles of
sound treasury management; and
WHEREAS, the City invests funds in accordance with provisions of California
Government Code Section 53600; and
WHEREAS, the California Government Code requires a statement of investment
policy to be reviewed and adopted by the City Council on at least an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, the City's Audit Committee reviewed and accepted the attached City
Investment Policy on April 10, 2018.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Cupertino accepts the attached City Investment Policy dated June 5, 2018.
PASS ED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino this 5th day of June 2018, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Members of the City Council
Paul, Sinks, Chang, Scharf, Vaidhyanathan
None
None
None
APPROVED:
~Ii' ~ ~-
DarcyPaul~
City of Cupertino
Grace Schmidt, City Clerk
7 u
City of Cupe11ino
Investment Policy
June 5, 2018
POLICY
Under authority granted by the City Council, the City Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer are
responsible for investing the surplus funds of the City .
The investment of the funds of the City of Cupertino is directed to the goals of safety, liquidity
and yield . The authority governing investments for municipal governments is set forth in the
California Government Code, Sections 53601 through 53659.
The primary objective of the investment policy of the City of Cupertino is SAFETY OF
PRINCIPAL. Investments shall be placed in those securities as outlined by type and maturity
sector in this document. Effective cash flow management and resulting cash investment practices
are recognized as essential to good fiscal management and control. The City 's portfolio shall be
designed and managed in a manner responsive to the public trnst and consistent with state and
local law. Portfolio management requires continual analysis and as a result the balance between
the various investments and maturities may change in order to give the City of Cupertino the
optimum combination of necessary liquidity and optimal yield based on cash flow projections.
SCOPE
The investment policy applies to all financial assets of the City of Cupe11ino as accounted for in
the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Policy statements outlined in this document
focus on the City of Cupertino's pooled, surplus funds , but will also apply to all other funds under
the City Treasurer 's span of control unless specifically exempted by statute or ordinance . This
policy is applicable, but not limited to all funds listed below:
• General Fund
• Special Revenue Funds
• Capital Project Funds
• Enterprise Funds
• Internal Service Funds
• Trnst and Agency Funds
• Any new fund unless specifically exempted
Investments of bond proceeds shall be governed by the provisions of the related bond indentures
and/or cash flow requirements and therefore may extend beyond the maturity limitations as
outlined in this document. Other post-employment benefit (OPEB) trnst investments are governed
by California Government Code Sections 53620 through 53622 and trnst documents . The trnst is
governed by a separate investment policy entitled Investment Policy Statement City of Cupertino
Investment Trnst that was reviewed by the City of Cupe11ino Audit Committee and adopted by the
City Manager and the Acting Director of Administrative Services on May 6 , 2014.
PRUDENCE
The standard to be used by investment officials shall be that of a "prndent person" and shall be
applied in the context of managing all aspects of the overall p011folio . Investments shall be made
with judgment and care, under circumstances then prevailing, which persons of prndence, direction
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. It is the City 's full intent, at the time of purchase, to hold all investments until maturity to
ensure the return of all invested principal dollars. However, it is realized that market prices of
securities will vary depending on economic and interest rate conditions at any point in time. It is
fu11her recognized that in a well-diversified investment portfolio, occasional measured losses are
inevitable due to economic, bond market, or individual security valuation fluctuations. These
occasional losses must be considered within the context of the overall investment program
objectives and the resultant long-term rate of return. The City Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer,
acting within the intent and scope of the investment policy and other written procedures and
exercising due diligence, shall be relieved of personal responsibility and liability for an individual
security's credit risk or market price changes, provided deviations from expectations are reported
in a timely manner and appropriate action is taken to control adverse developments.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives, in order of priority, of the City of Cupe11ino's investment activities shall
be:
A. Safety of Principal
Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the City of Cupe11ino. Each investment
transaction shall seek to ensure that capital losses are avoided, whether from issuer default,
broker-dealer default or erosion of market value. The City shall seek to preserve principal by
mitigating the two types of risk, credit risk and market risk.
Credit risk, defined as the risk of loss due to failure of the issuer of a security, shall be
mitigated by investing in investment grade securities and by diversifying the investment
po11folio so that the failure of any one issuer does not unduly haim the City's capital base
and cash flow .
Market risk, defined as market value fluctuations due to overall changes in the general level
of interest rates , shall be mitigated by limiting the average maturity of the City's investment
portfolio (see maximum maturities) and strncturing the portfolio based on historic and
cunent cash flow analysis eliminating the need to sell securities prior to maturity and
avoiding the purchase oflong term securities for the sole purpose of short te1m speculation .
B. Liquidity
The City's investment portfolio will remain sufficiently liquid to meet all operating
requirements which might be reasonably anticipated and provide the City with adequate cash
flows to pay its obligations over the next six months. Additionally, the portfolio should consist
largely of securities with active secondary resale markets.
C. Yield
The City's investment p011folio shall be designed with the objective of attaining a rate of return
throughout budgetary and economic cycles, commensurate with Cupertino's investment risk
constraints and cash flow characteristics of the portfolio.
MAXIMUM MATURITIES
Maturities of investments will be selected based on liquidity requirements to minimize interest rate
risk and maximize earnings. Investment of surplus funds shall comply with the maturity limits as
set forth in the California Government Code 53600, et seq. Where this section does not specify a
limitation on the term or remaining maturity at the time of the investment, no investment shall be
made in any security that at the time of the investment has a term remaining to maturity in excess
of five years, unless the Council has granted express authority to make that investment either
specifically or as a part of an investment program approved by the Council no less than three
months prior to the investment. Reserve funds may be invested in securities exceeding five years
if the maturity of such investments is made to coincide as nearly as practicable with the expected
use of the funds.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Investment performance is continually monitored and evaluated by the City Treasurer. Investment
performance statistics and activity reports are generated on a quarterly basis for presentation to the
oversight (audit) committee, City Manager and City Council. Yield on the City's investment
p011folio is of secondary importance compared to the safety and liquidity objectives described
above. The City's investment portfolio shall be designed to attain a market average rate ofreturn
through economic cycles. The market average rate of return is defined as the average return on the
Local Agency Investment Fund (assuming the State does not adversely affect LAIF's returns due
to budget constraints). Whenever possible, and consistent with risk limitations as defined herein
and prudent investment principles, the Treasurer shall seek to augment return above the market
average rate of return.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
The Treasurer is responsible for investment management decisions and activities per City Council
Resolution .
The Treasurer shall designate a staff person as a liaison/deputy in the event circumstances require
timely action and the Treasurer is not present.
No officer or designee may engage in an investment transaction except as provided under terms of
this policy and the procedures by the Treasurer and approved by the City Manager/Council. The
Treasurer shall be responsible for all transactions unde11aken and shall establish a system of
controls to regulate the activities of subordinate officials.
If an investment adviser is retained by the City, the investment adviser, registered or exempt from
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, must have at least five years'
experience investing in the securities and obligations authorized by California Government Code
53601 subdivisions (a) to (k), inclusive, and subdivisions (m) to (q), inclusive, and with assets
under management in excess of five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000).
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
An audit committee consisting of appropriate internal and external members , appointed by the City
Council, shall be established to provide general oversight and direction concerning the policies
related to management of the City 's investment pool, OPEB trust, and Pension Rate Stabilization
Program trnst. The City Treasurer shall serve in a staff and advisory capacity. The committee shall
meet at least qum1erly to review policy changes, new legislation and po11folio status .
ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Officers and employees involved in the investment process shall refrain from personal business
activity that conflicts with proper execution of the investment program, or impairs their ability to
make impm1ial investment decisions. Additionally the City Treasurer and the Deputy Treasurer
are required to annually file applicable financial disclosures as required by the Fair Political
Practices Commission (FPPC).
SAFEKEEPING OF SECURITIES
To protect against fraud or embezzlement or losses caused by collapse of an individual securities
dealer, all securities owned by the City shall be held in safekeeping by a third pm1y custodian
acting as agent for the City under the terms of a custody agreement. All trades executed by a dealer
will settle delivery versus payment (DVP) through the City's safekeeping agent. In order to verify
investment holdings, an external auditor, on an annual basis, shall independently verify securities
held in custody for the City. Additionally, the City Treasurer shall include a listing of holdings
provided by the City 's custodian to the qum1erly investment repo11 as verification between annual
reviews by the external auditor.
All ex ceptions to this safekeeping policy must be approved by the City Treasurer in written form
and included in the quarterly report to City Council.
INTERNAL CONTROL
Separation of duties between the Treasurer 's function and Finance is designed to provide proper
internal controls to prevent the potential for conve11ing assets or concealing transactions. Dual
transaction controls, separate and independent notifications, and rep011s provided by financial
institutions shall be used to help implement these controls.
Wire transfers shall be approved prior to being submitted to the financial institution. Wire transfers
initiated by Treasury staff must be reconfilmed by the appropriate financial institution to Finance
staff. Proper documentation is required for each investment transaction and must include a broker
trade confirmation and a cash disbursement wire transfer confirmation. Timely bank reconciliation
is conducted to ensure proper handling of all transactions . The investment p011folio and all related
transactions are reviewed and balanced to appropriate general ledger accounts by Finance staff on
a monthly basis.
An annual agreed-upon procedures engagement in accordance with the attestation standards
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants shall be conducted by an
auditor solely to assist management in determining the City's compliance with this investment
policy. At the conclusion of such engagement, the agreed-upon procedures report detailing all
procedures performed and findings noted (if applicable) shall be provided to the Audit Committee
of the City.
REPORTING
The City Treasurer shall prepare a quarterly investment report, including a succinct management
summary that provides a clear picture of the status of the current investment portfolio . The report
will be prepared in a manner that will report all information required under this policy and the
California Government Code. The Treasurer will submit the rep011 to Council no later than the
second regular council meeting, or approximately 45 days following the end of the quarter covered
by the report.
Following its annual or interim adoption by the City Council, this investment policy shall be
remitted to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission.
QUALIFIED BROKER/DEALERS
Minimum eligibility criteria for dealers/brokers include a minimum of $1 billion in assets and a
minimum of five years in business. The registration status of all dealers is checked with the
National Association of Securities Dealers.
Dealers are required to acknowledge the receipt and review of the Statement oflnvestment Policy,
to be familiar with the government code restrictions, and have experience with dealing with other
municipal investors. Dealers are then selected on the basis of yields, services offered, and
references obtained . They may be primary or secondary dealers. The financial institutions must
submit a current annual audited financial statement to ascertain capital adequacy.
COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS
Collateral is required for investments in certificates of deposit and repurchase agreements . In order
to reduce market risk, the collateral level will be at least 102% of market value of principal and
accrned interest.
In order to conform with the provisions of the Federal Bankruptcy Code which provides for
liquidation of securities held as collateral, the only securities acceptable as collateral shall be
certificates of deposit, commercial paper, eligible banker's acceptances, medium term notes, or
securities that are the direct obligations of, or are fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by,
the United States or any agency of the United States .
AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS
Investment of City funds is governed by the California Government Code Sections 53600 et seq.
Within the context of the limitations, the following investments are authorized, as further limited
herein:
1. United States Treasury Bills, Bonds, and Notes or those for which the full faith and credit
of the United States are pledged for payment of principal and interest. There is no
percentage limitation of the po11folio that can be invested in this category, although a five-
year maturity limitation is applicable.
2. Obligations issued by the Government National Mo11gage Association (GNMA), the
Federal Faim Credit System (FFCB), the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLB), the
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), the Student Loan Marketing Association
(SLMA), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association (FHLMC). There is no
percentage limitation of the po1ifolio that can be invested in this category. A five-year
maturity limitation is applicable.
3. Banker's Acceptances (bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by
commercial banks) may not exceed 180 days to maturity or 40% of the cost value of the
p011folio.
4. Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF), which is a State of California managed investment
pool, may be used up to the maximum permitted by California state law . Investment
officers will review LAIF's investment policy, investment mix, rate of return, etc. on a
monthly basis . Investments detailed in items 5 through 10 are further restricted to
percentage of the cost value of the po1ifolio in any one-issuer name to a maximum of 10%.
The total value invested in any one issuer shall not exceed 5% of the issuer 's net worth .
Again, a five-year maximum maturity limitation is applicable unless further restricted by
this policy.
5 . Commercial paper ranked Pl by Moody 's Investor Services or Al+ by Standard & Poor 's,
and issued by domestic corporations having assets in excess of $500 ,000 ,000 and having
an AA or better rating on its long-te1m debentures as provided by Moody 's or Standard &
Poor's. Purchases of eligible commercial paper may not exceed 270 days to maturity nor
represent more than 10% of the outstanding paper of the issuing corporation. Purchases of
commercial paper may not exceed 25% of the cost value of the p01ifolio .
6. Negotiable Certificates of Deposits issued by nationally or state chartered banks, state or
federal savings institutions, or state or federal credit unions. These institutions may use a
private sector entity to assist in the placement of the certificates of deposit under the
conditions specified by the Government Code. Purchases of Negotiable Certificates of
Deposit may not exceed 30% of the cost value of the portfolio . A maturity limitation of
five years is applicable .
7. Repurchase agreements that specify terms and conditions may be transacted with banks
and broker dealers . The maturity of the repurchase agreements shall not exceed one year.
The market value of the securities used as collateral for the repurchase agreements shall be
monitored by the investment staff and shall not be allowed to fall below 102% of the value
of the repurchase agreement. A PSA Master Repurchase Agreement is required between
the City of Cupe1iino and the broker/dealer or financial institution for all repurchase
agreements transacted.
8. Reverse repurchase agreements are not authorized .
9. Certificates of Deposit (time deposits), non-negotiable and collateralized in accordance
with the California Government Code, may be purchased through banks, savings and loan
associations, or credit unions. Within a limit of 30% of the cost value of the portfolio , these
institutions may use a private sector entity to assist in the placement of the time deposits
under the conditions specified by the Government Code.
10 . Medium Tenn Corporate Notes issued by corporations organized and operating in the
United States with a maximum maturity of five years may be purchased. Securities eligible
for investment shall be rated A or better by Moody 's or Standard & Poor's rating services.
Purchase of medium term notes may not exceed 30% of the cost value of the portfolio.
11. Bonds issued by the local agency, including bonds payable solely out of the revenues from
a revenue producing property owned, controlled or operated by the local agency or by a
department, board, agency, or authority of the local agency.
12. Registered state wan-ants or treasury notes or bonds of this state, including bonds payable
solely out of the revenues from a revenue producing prope1ty owned, controlled or operated
by the state or by a depmiment, board, agency or authority of the state .
13 . Bonds, notes , w mTants or other evidences of indebtedness of any local agency within this
state.
14. Various daily money market funds administered for or by trnstees, paying agents and
custodian banks contracted by the City of Cupertino may be purchased as allowed under
State of California Government Code. Only funds holding U.S . Treasury obligations ,
Government agency obligations, or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S . Treasury
or Government agency obligations can be utilized and may not exceed 20% of the cost
value of the portfolio.
15 . Ineligible investments are those that are not described herein, including but not limited to,
common stocks and long-te1m (over five years in maturity) notes and bonds are prohibited
from use in this portfolio . It is noted that special circumstances arise that necessitate the
purchase of securities beyond the five-year limitation . On such occasions, requests must
be approved by City Council prior to purchase.
DEPOSITS
To be eligible to receive local agency money, a bank, savings association, federal association, or
federally insured industrial loan company shall have received an overall rating of not less than
"satisfactory" in its most recent evaluation by the appropriate federal financial supervisorial
agency of its record of meeting the credit needs of California 's communities.
INTEREST EARNINGS
All moneys earned and collected from investments authorized in this policy shall be allocated
monthly to various fund accounts based on the cash balance in each fund as a percentage of the
entire pooled po11folio.
POLICY REVIEW
The City of Cupe11ino 's investment policy shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council on
an annual basis. This investment policy shall be reviewed at least annually to ensure its consistency
with the overall objectives of preservation of principal, liquidity, and yield, and its relevance to
current law and financial and economic trends.