HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Committee Agenda - June 1, 2017CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA - Final
100 Civic Center Drive - Newport Coast Conference Room, Bay 2E
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 3:00 PM
Finance Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Chair / Council Member
Kevin Muldoon, Mayor
Will O'Neill, Council Member
William Collopy, Committee Member
Patti Gorczyca, Committee Member
Joe Stapleton, Committee Member
Larry Tucker, Committee Member
Staff Members:
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager
Dan Matusiewicz, Finance Director / Treasurer
Steve Montano, Deputy Director, Finance
Marlene Burns, Administrative Specialist to the Finance Director
The Finance Committee meeting is subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act. Among other things, the Brown Act requires that the
Finance Committee agenda be posted at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of each regular meeting and that the public be
allowed to comment on agenda items before the Committee and items not on the agenda but are within the subject matter
jurisdiction of the Finance Committee. The Chair may limit public comments to a reasonable amount of time, generally three (3)
minutes per person.
The City of Newport Beach’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a
participant at this meeting, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, we will attempt to accommodate
you in every reasonable manner. Please contact Dan Matusiewicz, Finance Director, at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the
meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible at (949) 644-3123 or
dmatusiewicz@newportbeachca.gov.
NOTICE REGARDING PRESENTATIONS REQUIRING USE OF CITY EQUIPMENT
Any presentation requiring the use of the City of Newport Beach’s equipment must be submitted to the Finance Department 24
hours prior to the scheduled meeting.
I.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II.ROLL CALL
III.PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments are invited on agenda and non-agenda items generally considered to be
within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Finance Committee. Speakers must limit comments
to three (3) minutes. Before speaking, we invite, but do not require, you to state your name for
the record. The Finance Committee has the discretion to extend or shorten the speakers’ time
limit on agenda or non-agenda items, provided the time limit adjustment is applied equally to all
speakers. As a courtesy, please turn cell phones off or set them in the silent mode.
IV.CONSENT CALENDAR
June 1, 2017
Page 2
Finance Committee Meeting
MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2017A.
Recommended Action:
Approve and file.
DRAFT MINUTES 060117
V.CURRENT BUSINESS
REVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 PROPOSED BUDGETA.
Summary:
The Committee shall continue its discussion of the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget
and forward any recommendations to City Council.
Recommended Action:
Review, comment on, and offer suggestions about City Manager proposed Fiscal
Year 2017-2018 Operating and Capital Budget.
PENSION DISCUSSIONB.
Summary:
Agenda item reserved for any discussion regarding the status of the City's
pension liability and/or the proposed budgetary pension funding approach.
Recommended Action:
Review and comment on discussion as necessary.
REVIEW OF FINANCE COMMITTEE WORK PLANC.
Summary:
Staff will review with the Committee the agenda topics scheduled for the
remainder of the calendar year.
Recommended Action:
Review and comment.
VI.FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS
WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR
REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)
VII.ADJOURNMENT
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 1 of 7
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH FINANCE COMMITTEE MAY 11, 2017 MEETING MINUTES
I.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Crystal Cove Conference Room, Bay 2D, 100Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660.
II.ROLL CALL
PRESENT:Council Member Diane Dixon (Chair), Committee Member William
Collopy, Committee Member Patti Gorczyca, Council Member Will O’Neill, and Committee Member Larry Tucker
ABSENT (EXCUSED): Mayor Kevin Muldoon and Committee Member Joe Stapleton
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager Carol Jacobs, Deputy City
Manager Rob Houston, Finance Director/Treasurer Dan Matusiewicz, Deputy Finance Director Steve Montano, Budget Manager Susan
Giangrande, Purchasing Agent Anthony Nguyen, Public Works/Finance Administrative Manager Jaime Copeland, Interim Fire Chief Chip Duncan,
Accounting Manager Rukshana Virany, Budget Analyst, Shannon Espinoza, Fire Administrative Manager Angela Velazquez, Public Works
Director Dave Webb, Budget Analyst Tam Ho, Budget Analyst Katherine Warnke-Carpenter, and Administrative Specialist Teri Craig
III.PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
IV.CONSENT CALENDAR
A.MINUTES OF APRIL 27, 2017Recommended Action:Approve and file.
Discussion ensued regarding accuracy of minutes and whether they should be verbatim or
action type minutes.
Chair Dixon stated the burden was on each member to ensure their comments were accuratelyreflected.
MOTION
Committee Member Gorczyca moved and Committee Member Tucker seconded a motion to approve the corrected minutes of April 27, 2017. The motion carried 4-1-2, Council Member
O'Neill abstaining and Committee Member Stapleton and Mayor Muldoon absent.
V.CURRENT BUSINESS
A.REVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 PROPOSED BUDGETSummary:
Staff will provide an overview of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Operating Budget and/orCIP.
Recommended Action:
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 2 of 7
Review and comment on City Manager recommendations and Finance Committee’s desired
next steps.
City Manager Kiff presented highlights of the revenues in various categories.
In response to Council Member O'Neill, City Manager Kiff stated the parking lot at Corona del Mar was owned by State Beaches.
In response to Chair Dixon, Budget Manager Giangrande explained a revenue title referring to
mobile home space rentals, Account 551052.
Council Member O'Neill requested clarification on property transfer tax. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz clarified the revenue source was a documentary excise tax,
not a true property tax and indicated it would be moved into other taxes.
City Manager Kiff discussed Page R1 and the year over year comparison.
Council Member O'Neill asked how the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) was projected. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the impact on revenue was a developing topic
that was being watched. Council Member O'Neill suggested the anticipated TOT revenue was overly optimistic. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz agreed but stated that revenue
estimates, in their entirety, were generally conservative.
Chair Dixon discussed a recent meeting at which hotel trends were discussed. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated he attended the Board meetings at which he would
receive information from hotel general managers. He stated staff would be watching TOT closely and a midyear budget adjustment could be made if necessary. Deputy Finance Director
Montano discussed his review of tax receipts in preparation of the budget. City Manager City Manager Kiff stated staff continually reviewed the numbers.
Committee Member Collopy asked if it would be prudent to take a $2-4 million discount on
revenues. City Manager Kiff stated that was not unreasonable but could be doubling up with the 25 percent contingency reserve. Committee Member Collopy suggested a revenue
reserve. City Manager Kiff discussed means of reducing costs if the revenues were not as anticipated.
Committee Member Tucker stated the City was in a good position and was not in need of
reducing payroll.
Committee Member Collopy suggested the cost reserve be managed more tightly.
Council Member O'Neill discussed the impact on the unfunded pension liability if the City were to place funds in a revenue reserve. He asked how fee based classes doubled. Budget
Manager Giangrande stated part of the $900,000 was from Marina Park. Budget Analyst Ho stated a portion was reallocated to other divisions and included boating.
In response to Chair Dixon, Council Member O'Neill explained that a revenue reserve could be
established or the pension payment reduced. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz acknowledged the travel ban’s potential effect on tourism, as well as the e-commerce impact
on brick and mortar retail sales tax.
Committee Member Collopy stated he mentioned the possibility of a revenue reserve to start the discussion, which had occurred. He discussed the recognized risk to revenue. Finance
Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the work plan included a future sensitivity analysis on the revenues, as part of sizing reserve policies.
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 3 of 7
Committee Member Gorczyca discussed the inclusion in the work plan of a global review of
reserves to identify exposures, necessary protection levels and use of insurance.
City Manager Kiff discussed the Tideland Fund, including mooring fees.
In response to Committee Member Collopy, City Manager Kiff explained the use of money and property. Committee Member Collopy stated the caption was unclear.
City Manager Kiff reviewed special taxes and fund sources.
Committee Member Tucker asked for more information on the $5.4 million under Federal
Highway Bridge Program, R-8. Public Works/Finance Administrative Manager Copeland discussed the $8 million grant for the bridge and estimated $5.4 million reimbursement.
City Manager Kiff discussed revenue under R-10 including Newport Uptown and past
developer fees. He explained the expenditure sections.
Committee Member Collopy asked about the 10 percent increase on Police Patrol and Fire Operations. Budget Manager Giangrande explained the effect of increasing pension costs on
police and fire department budgets
In response to Committee Member Collopy, City Manager Kiff stated pension expenditures were included in salaries and benefits category of expenditures. Finance Director/Treasurer
Matusiewicz stated the pension expenditures included the cost of the current period, amortization of unfunded liability and a net reduction for employee contributions. He explained
the UAL and GASB Board opinion categorizing all pension expenditures a current expense, which he disagreed with. Committee Member Collopy suggested it not be included in the
department budgets.
Chair Dixon discussed transperancy.gov and the appearance of high salaries due to inclusion of unfunded liability.
Committee Member Collopy expressed concern with inclusion of the unfunded liability in
salaries & benefits.
Committee Member Gorczyca discussed the bearing on operating reserve and total pension cost.
In response to Chair Dixon, City Manager Kiff stated the amounts were broken down in the
detail section.
Committee Member Gorczyca stated the employee contribution was not visible.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz recounted a prior discussion a Governmental Accounting Standards Board member regarding the appropriateness of the Pension UAL’s
classification as an expenditure of the current operating period.
Committee Member Tucker stated the figures distorted the per capita salaries.
Chair Dixon recommended requesting the process be changed. City Manager Kiff stated the transmittal letter explained the actual numbers. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated
he would continue to lobby for a change to the current accounting standards.
Council Member O'Neill discussed the transmittal letter and public facing information. In response to Council Member O'Neill, Budget Manager Giangrande explained D85, Traffic
Division Benefits, including the cafeteria allowance, normal employee and employer pension
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 4 of 7
costs, required unfunded liability payment to PERs, and newly created discretionary UAL object
codes.
In response to Committee Member Collopy, Budget Manager Giangrande stated the UAL was prorated across departments.
In response to Committee Member Collopy, Deputy Finance Director Montano stated a report
could be generated to isolate the UAL.
Committee Member Gorczyca stated some isolate a debt category for long term financial planning. Deputy Finance Director Montano stated the City had that.
City Manager Kiff discussed the positions, salary, benefits, and specialty pay. He reviewed
overtime pay and contracts. He summarized internal services including MOD and IT employees.
Council Member O'Neill discussed a recent $500,000 Police expense and prior savings for that
expense.
City Manager Kiff discussed the debt service, CDBG and COP for the Civic Center.
In response to Chair Dixon, Budget Manager Giangrande explained retiree medical, dental and vision costs.
City Manager Kiff explained the process of preparing the budget and supplemental budget
requests.
In response to Chair Dixon, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz explained the Park in Lieu Funds generated from new development.
City Manager Kiff reviewed the fund balance tabs including reserves, non-spendable,
restricted, committed and $47.5 million for emergency use to be decided by the Council.
Committee Member Collopy stated he did not have an issue with a 25 percent reserve. City Manager Kiff discussed the possibility of a 115 Trust.
Committee Member Gorczyca stated it was necessary to determine the reserve protection
needs.
In response to Council Member O'Neill, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz discussed the estimated year end fund balance. He explained the Uptown Newport Development Agreement
and anticipated payments. He explained the $17 million transferred out for various capital project expenditures.
In response to Committee Member Gorczyca, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz
discussed payment of debt service.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated ending fund balances were usually understated due to conservative budgeting.
In response to Committee Member Gorczyca, Budget Manager Giangrande discussed the City
Attorney’s outside counsel budget. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz explained the claims and judgement internal service fund with a premium charged to each department. He
differentiated the former expenditures from legal advisory services.
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 5 of 7
Committee Member Collopy clarified that specific judgements were not allocated to the
offending department. He discussed the $6 million settlement.
Committee Member Tucker discussed property and sales tax. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz reported on the recent sales tax figures in which general consumer goods were
trending downward. Deputy Finance Director Montano reviewed the sales tax summary and general consumer goods as the second largest category. Finance Director/Treasurer
Matusiewicz explained the pool allocation of sales tax.
In response to Committee Member Gorczyca, Deputy Finance Director Montano stated the cluster of high end auto dealers helped establish Newport Beach as the 4th highest in the
County.
Committee Member Tucker stated the City’s exposure to retail decline was not as high. He discussed TOT and property tax. In response to Committee Member Tucker, Finance
Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz discussed the potential of double counting costs with respect to internal service funds.
There were no public comments.
City Manager Kiff discussed the next steps at the joint City Council/Finance Committee
meeting.
Council Member O'Neill anticipated the Finance Committee would make its recommendation to the Council at the next Finance Committee meeting.
B. PENSION DISCUSSION
Summary: Agenda item reserved for any discussion regarding the status of the City's pension liability
and/or the proposed budgetary pension funding approach, including a discussion of the potential use of a Section 115 prefunding trust specific to the City’s pension liability
management. Recommended Action:
Discuss and comment.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz provided an update on various payment levels for the City to amortize its unfunded liability.
In response to Chair Dixon, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz explained that staff
proposed a level payment of $33.8 million, slightly smaller than desired, in order to present a balanced budget. Chair Dixon requested a chart depicting the impact of employer pension
liability on the General Fund since 2008.
Committee Member Collopy asked how much of what the City spent was on pension liability.
Council Member O'Neill discussed budget figures and pension costs.
Chair Dixon wanted the public to understand that pension costs were taking an increasingly larger share of discretionary general fund dollars.
Council Member O'Neill discussed the information he provided on unfunded pension liability
and General Fund revenue when explaining the budget to the public.
Chair Dixon suggested a pie chart to tell the story.
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 6 of 7
Committee Member Gorczyca suggested a graphic to display the rate of increase of revenue
and pension liability.
In response to Committee Member Tucker, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz discussed the payment on the UAL.
In response to Chair Dixon, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz explained the substantial
annual losses created if PERS earned only 4 percent on $900 million.
Committee Member Tucker thanked staff for presenting the information.
There were no public comments. C. UPDATE ON LONG-TERM FINANCIAL FORECAST Summary:
Staff will review with the Committee the updates of the high-level long-term financial forecast including future assumptions and other key elements of the City’s finances.
Recommended Action: Review and comment.
Deputy Finance Director Montano presented the 20-year Fiscal Forecast for years 2018-2037.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated other benefits had been dialed back to 3
percent despite a much higher historical annual growth rate.
Deputy Finance Director Montano discussed the known or likely events and need to continually update the model.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz discussed the use of level payments to the unfunded
pension liability.
In response to Committee Member Collopy, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the chart depicted a level payment.
Committee Member Gorczyca requested information from the 20 year projections prepared by
John Bartel for other agencies. She discussed the potential for new liabilities over the next 5-10 years and stated the assumptions were too optimistic.
Deputy Finance Director Montano reviewed the substantial financial commitments and
projected surpluses.
In response to Chair Dixon, Deputy Finance Director Montano explained the $6 million allocation to the Harbor capital plan for 2018.
Committee Member Tucker discussed residential opportunities and money needs.
Chair Dixon asked about the surplus in past years. Deputy Finance Director Montano stated
he budgeted 3 percent of salaries.
There were no public comments.
D. REVIEW OF FINANCE COMMITTEE WORK PLAN Summary:
Staff will review with the Committee the agenda topics scheduled for the remainder of the calendar year.
Recommended Action:
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017
Page 7 of 7
Review and comment.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz presented the work plan.
Chair Dixon stated the Committee would review the budget and make its recommendation to
the Council at its next Finance Committee meeting.
Committee Member Collopy asked if the 115 Fund would be discussed at the May 23 Council meeting. City Manager Kiff stated Council Member Peotter was comfortable with the Finance
Committee discussion the 115 Fund.
In response to Chair Dixon, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the Reserve Policy was scheduled for discussion in October. Committee Member Gorczyca suggested the
possibility of a consultant to work on the Reserve Policy. Chair Dixon requested consideration of the scope of work for the Reserve Policy in June. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz
expressed concern that Reserve Policy discussion may impact on the timely payment of contributions to the unfunded liability.
Council Member O'Neill explained that the Reserve Policy discussion would impact next year’s
budget.
City Manager Kiff stated staff did not think the Committee needed to reconsider the Harbor Master Plan. He stated he would establish a separate working group to review the CIP.
VI. FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)
Committee Member Tucker suggested the Council appoint the Finance Committee members on a
fiscal year basis.
Committee Member Collopy suggested a dredging strategy. City Manager Kiff explained that Mayor Pro Tem Duffield was working on it.
Committee Member Gorczyca discussed the trend to combine water and wastewater and
suggested consideration.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The Finance Committee adjourned at 5:28 p.m. to a joint meeting with the City Council on May 23, 2017.
Filed with these minutes are copies of all materials distributed at the meeting.
The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on May 4, 2017, at 5:23 p.m., in the binder and
on the City Hall Electronic Board located in the entrance of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive.
Attest:
___________________________________ _____________________ Diane Dixon, Chair Date
Finance Committee
rq'/,,<//14--2, �, > o-,� , - �Finance Committee Meeting MinutesMay 11, 2017
Review and comment on City Manager recommendations and Finance Committee's desirednext steps.
City Manager Kiff presented highlights of the revenues in various categories.
In response to Council Member O'Neill, City Manager Kiff stated the parking lot at Corona delMar was owned by State Beaches.
In response to Chair Dixon, Budget Manager Giangrande explained a revenue title referring tomobile home space rentals, Account 551052.
Council Member O'Neill requested clarification on property transfer tax. Finance
Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz clarified the revenue source was a documentary excise tax,not a true property tax and indicated it would be moved into other taxes.
City Manager Kiff discussed Page R1 and the year over year comparison.
Council Member O'Neill asked how the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT} was projected. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the impact on revenue was a developing topicthat was being watched. Council Member O'Neill suggested the anticipated TOT revenue wasoverly optimistic. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz agreed but stated that revenueestimates, in their entirety, were generally conservative.
Chair Dixon discussed a recent meeting at which hotel trends were discussed. FinanceDirector/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated he attended the Board meetings at which he would receive information from hotel general managers. He stated staff would be watching TOTclosely and a midyear budget adjustment could be made if necessary. Deputy Finance DirectorMontano discussed his review of tax receipts in preparation of the budget. City Manager CityManager Kiff stated staff continually reviewed the numbers.
Committee Member Collopy asked if it would be prudent to take a $2-4 million discount onrevenues. City Manager Kiff stated that was not unreasonable but could be doubling up with
the 25 percent contingency reserve. Committee Member Collopy suggested a revenuereserve. City Manager Kiff discussed means of reducing costs if the revenues were not asanticipated.
��
l��i:"." �:'be2u���onrJ'� need of
Committee Member Collopy suggested the cost reserve be managed more tightly.
Council Member O'Neill discussed the impact on the unfunded pension liability if the City were
to place funds in a revenue reserve. He asked how fee based classes doubled. BudgetManager Giangrande stated part of the $900,000 was from Marina Park. Budget Analyst Hostated a portion was reallocated to other divisions and included boating.
In response to Chair Dixon, Council Member O'Neill explained that a revenue reserve could beestablished or the pension payment reduced. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz acknowledged the travel ban's potential effect on tourism, as well as the e-commerce impacton brick and mortar retail sales tax.
Committee Member Collopy stated he mentioned the possibility of a revenue reserve to startthe discussion, which had occurred. He discussed the recognized risk to revenue. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the work plan included a future sensitivity analysis onthe revenues, as part of sizing reserve policies.
Page 2 of7
Item No. 4A1
Draft Minutes of May 11, 2017
Correspondence
June 1, 2017
PROPOSED CHANGES BY COMMITTEE MEMBER TUCKER
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
May 11,2017
Committee Member Gorczyca discussed the inclusion in the work plan of a global review of
reserves to identify exposures, necessary protection levels and use of insurance.
City Manager Kiff discussed the Tideland Fund, including mooring fees.
In response to Committee Member Collopy, City Manager Kiff explained the use of money and
property. Committee Member Collopy stated the caption was unclear.
City Manager Kiff reviewed special taxes and fund sources.
Committee Member Tucker asked for ore information on the $5.4 million under Federal
Highway Bridge Program, R-8. P • Works/Finance Administrative Manager Copeland
discussed the $8 million grant for the dge and estimated $5.4 million reimbursement.
City Manager Kiff discussed revenue under R-10 including Newport Uptown and past
developer fees. He explained the expenditure sections.
Committee Member Collopy asked about the 10 percent increase on Police Patrol and Fire
Operations. Budget Manager Giangrande explained the effect of increasing pension costs on
police and fire department budgets
In response to Committee Member Collopy, City Manager Kiff stated pension expenditures
were included in salaries and benefits category of expenditures. Finance Director/Treasurer
Matusiewicz stated the pension expenditures included the cost of the current period,
amortization of unfunded liability and a net reduction for employee contributions. He explained
the UAL and GASB Board opinion categorizing all pension expenditures a current expense,
which he disagreed with. Committee Member Collopy suggested it not be included in the
department budgets.
Chair Dixon discussed transperancy.gov and the appearance of high salaries due to inclusion
of unfunded liability.
Committee Member Collopy expressed concern with inclusion of the unfunded liability in
salaries & benefits.
Committee Member Gorczyca discussed the bearing on operating reserve and total pension
cost.
In response to Chair Dixon, City Manager Kiff stated the amounts were broken down in the
detail section.
Committee Member Gorczyca stated the employee contribution was not visible.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz recounted a prior discussion a Governmental
Accounting Standards Board member regarding the appropriateness of the Pension UAL's
classification as an expenditure of the current operating period.
Committee Member Tucker stated the figures distorted the per capita salaries.
Chair Dixon recommended requesting the process be changed. City Manager Kiff stated the
transmittal letter explained the actual numbers. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated
he would continue to lobby for a change to the current accounting standards.
Council Member O'Neill discussed the transmittal letter and public facing information. In
response to Council Member O'Neill, Budget Manager Giangrande explained D85, Traffic
Division Benefits, including the cafeteria allowance, normal employee and employer pension
Page 3 of 7
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
May 11,2017
Committee Member Collopy clarified that specific judgements were not allocated to the
offending department. He discussed the $6 million settlement.
Committee Member Tucker discussed property and sales tax. Finance Director/Treasurer
Matusiewicz reported on the recent sales tax figures in which general consumer goods were
trending downward. Deputy Finance Director Montano reviewed the sales tax summary and
general consumer goods as the second largest category. Finance Director/Treasurer
Matusiewicz explained the pool allocation of sales tax.
In response to Committee Member Gorczyca, Deputy Finance Director Montano stated the
cluster of high end auto dealers helped establish Newport Beach as the 4th highest in the
County. I /le:f-a,t:1A1-QP-4-1 -1' e7-4-161r974---
Committee Member Tucker stated the City's exposure to-r4424-declin4was not as high. He
discussed TOT and property tax. In response to Committee Member Tucker, Finance
Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz discussed the potential of double counting costs with respect
to internal service funds.
There were no public comments.
City Manager Kiff discussed the next steps at the joint City Council/Finance Committee
meeting.
Council Member O'Neill anticipated the Finance Committee would make its recommendation
to the Council at the next Finance Committee meeting.
B. PENSION DISCUSSION
Summary:
Agenda item reserved for any discussion regarding the status of the City's pension liability
and/or the proposed budgetary pension funding approach, including a discussion of the
potential use of a Section 115 prefunding trust specific to the City's pension liability
management.
Recommended Action:
Discuss and comment.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz provided an update on various payment levels for the
City to amortize its unfunded liability.
In response to Chair Dixon, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz explained that staff
proposed a level payment of $33.8 million, slightly smaller than desired, in order to present a
balanced budget. Chair Dixon requested a chart depicting the impact of employer pension
liability on the General Fund since 2008.
Committee Member Collopy asked how much of what the City spent was on pension liability.
Council Member O'Neill discussed budget figures and pension costs.
Chair Dixon wanted the public to understand that pension costs were taking an increasingly
larger share of discretionary general fund dollars.
Council Member O'Neill discussed the information he provided on unfunded pension liability
and General Fund revenue when explaining the budget to the public.
Chair Dixon suggested a pie chart to tell the story.
Page 5 of 7
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
May 11,2017
Review and comment.
Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz presented the work plan.
Chair Dixon stated the Committee would review the budget and make its recommendation to
the Council at its next Finance Committee meeting.
Committee Member Collopy asked if the 115 Fund would be discussed at the May 23 Council
meeting. City Manager Kiff stated Council Member Peotter was comfortable with the Finance
Committee discussion the 115 Fund.
In response to Chair Dixon, Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz stated the Reserve Policy
was scheduled for discussion in October. Committee Member Gorczyca suggested the
possibility of a consultant to work on the Reserve Policy. Chair Dixon requested consideration
of the scope of work for the Reserve Policy in June. Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz
expressed concern that Reserve Policy discussion may impact on the timely payment of
contributions to the unfunded liability.
Council Member O'Neill explained that the Reserve Policy discussion would impact next year's
budget.
City Manager Kiff stated staff did not think the Committee needed to reconsider the Harbor
Master Plan. He stated he would establish a separate working group to review the CIP.
VI. FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE
PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-
DISCUSSION ITEM)
Committee Member Tuc r suggested the Coun i appoi the Finance Com Itee members on a
fiscal year basis, okl- c4
Committee Member Collopy suggested a dredging strategy. City Manager Kiff explained that
Mayor Pro Tern Duffield was working on it.
Committee Member Gorczyca discussed the trend to combine water and wastewater and
suggested consideration.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The Finance Committee adjourned at 5:28 p.m. to a joint meeting with the City Council on May 23,
2017.
Filed with these minutes are copies of all materials distributed at the meeting.
The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on May 4, 2017, at 5:23 p.m., in the binder and
on the City Hall Electronic Board located in the entrance of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic
Center Drive.
Attest:
Diane Dixon, Chair Date
Finance Committee
Page 7 of 7
Item No. 5A1
Review of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Proposed Budget
Correspondence
June 1, 2017
June 1, 2017, Finance Committee Agenda Comments
These comments on a City of Newport Beach Finance Committee agenda item are submitted by:
Jim Mosher ( jimmosher@yahoo.com ), 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach 92660 (949-548-6229)
Item IV.A. MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2017
Changes to the draft minutes passages shown in italics are suggested in strikeout underline format.
Given the fact that the audio recordings of the Finance Committee meetings are not preserved
beyond one year, I like the new style of the minutes, in which at least the topic of each
speaker’s comments is permanently memorialized, along sometimes with a bit of their
substance. I find this much more informative and readable than the recent format in which the
topics of discussion and who commented on them and what they said was frequently
condensed into an opaque statement like “Discussion ensued.”
That said, the draft minutes contain some typos the Committee may wish to correct:
Page 1: STAFF PRESENT: I don’t distinctly recall if recall if Fire Chief Chip Duncan was
among the many staff members present, but I do seem to recall I was sitting in the rolling chairs
by the north door next to Assistant Chief Jeff Boyles (or at least someone from Fire
Administration), whose name doesn’t seem to be listed.
Page 2: paragraph 8, final sentence: “City Manager City Manager Kiff stated staff continually
reviewed the numbers.”
Page 3: paragraph 8, sentence 3: “He explained the UAL and GASB Board opinion
categorizing all pension expenditures as a current expense, which he disagreed with.”
Page 3: paragraph 4 from end: “Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz recounted a prior
discussion with a Governmental Accounting Standards Board member regarding the
appropriateness of the Pension UAL’s classification as an expenditure of the current operating
period.”
Page 4: paragraph 3, sentence 1: “Committee Member Gorczyca stated some agencies
isolate a debt category for long term financial planning.” [?? or “budgets”? -- a word is missing]
Page 5: paragraph 3: “In response to Committee Member Gorczyca, Deputy Finance Director
Montano stated the cluster of high end auto dealers helped establish Newport Beach as the 4th
highest ___ in the County.” [“sales tax producing city” ?? – something missing]
Page 5: paragraph 4, sentence 1: “Committee Member Tucker stated the City’s exposure to
retail decline was not as high as ___.” [“many other cities” ??]
Page 7: paragraph 4, last sentence: “City Manager Kiff stated Council Member Peotter was
comfortable with the Finance Committee discussion of the 115 Fund.” [please note the risk of a
Brown Act violation when the views of other Council members are transmitted, outside of
noticed meetings, from or to the three on the Finance Committee]
Page 7: paragraph 5, last sentence: “Finance Director/Treasurer Matusiewicz expressed
concern that __ Reserve Policy discussion may impact on the timely payment of contributions to
the unfunded liability.” [“the” or “a” seems missing]
Item No. 4A2
Draft Minutes of May 11, 2017
Correspondence
June 1, 2017
Item No. 5C2
Review of Finance Committee Work Plan
Additional Materials Received
June 1, 2017