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Type of Investment Legal Limit Current Policy Limits Proposed Policy Limits <br />Corporate Notes 30% 30% of portfolio <br />$5M per issuer <br />20% of portfolio <br />2% per issuer <br />State and Local Agency <br />Bonds <br />none Not allowed 20% of portfolio <br />2% per issuer <br />Repurchase Agreements none Not allowed 10% of portfolio <br />2% per institution <br /> <br />The purpose of placing limits on each investment is to diversify investments and, as a <br />result, reduce risk. Investments in securities issued or backed by the federal <br />government are considered the safest and therefore have a higher limit or no limit at all. <br />Limits on non-government institutions are proposed at 2% per issuer to limit the <br />exposure to any one institution in case of an unexpected default such those that <br />occurred in the 2008 financial crisis. <br /> <br />The addition of the last three investment options listed in the above table is in <br />anticipation of hiring an investment advisor who would be able to utilize these <br />investment vehicles appropriately to achieve the City’s investment objectives. <br /> <br />New or significantly expanded sections <br />New or expanded sections are included in the proposed policy: Ethics and Conflict of <br />Interest, Authorized Financial Dealers and Institutions, Investment Controls, <br />Safekeeping, Custody, and Competitive Bids, Investment Procedures, Reporting, <br />Indemnification of Investment Officials, and Glossary. These new and/or expanded <br />sections are intended to highlight and clarify important policy considerations for <br />investment activities as well as to conform to the requirements of the CMTA certification <br />program, which promotes best practices in these areas. <br /> <br />Professional investment advisor/management services contract <br />Investment decisions and transactions are currently handled by staff in the Finance <br />Division of the Administrative Services Department. This approach has been successful <br />for many years. However, in light of the increasing volume and complexity of the work <br />required in investments and other financial services and lean staffing of the Finance <br />function, staff recommended to the Finance/Audit Sub-Committee the idea of engaging <br />an outside independent investment. This approach is being adopted by other cities with <br />investment portfolios of the size of Redwood City’s. The advantage of this approach is <br />twofold: 1) to augment capacity so that staff time is made available for financial <br />analysis, planning, reporting and other critical finance responsibilities; and 2) to benefit <br />from the expertise of the professionals in the investment field who are equipped and <br />able to monitor the market on a daily basis in implementing the objectives of the Policy <br />and therefore can provide reassurance that the best interests of the City are met. With <br />the concurrence of the Finance/Audit Sub-Committee, staff issued a RFP for investment <br />advisory/management services. We received proposals from 17 firms. Three highly <br />qualified firms, whose qualifications were closest to our requirements, with emphasis on <br />6.1.I. - Page 4