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CDC - 12-11-06 - SpecialC 0 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING ROSEMEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION December 11, 2006 Chairman Taylor called the special meeting of the Rosemead Community Development Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. Present: Commissioners Clark, Imperial, Tran, Chairman Taylor Absent: Vice-Chairman Nunez (excused) 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE - None 2. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION A. Bond Refinance Discussion The potential savings structure for the proposed refunding bond issue will be discussed. Recommendation: That the Community Development Commission approve Option #2 (Up-Front Savings structure) for the refunding bond issue as recommended by Piper Jaffray. Mayor Taylor explained he wanted clarification as to why Option 1 was chosen over Option 2 and thus requested the Special Meeting. He felt the Commission should make the final determination rather than staff. Executive Director Lazzaretto introduced Steven Gortler from Piper Jaffray, to explain why staff recommended the option they did. Mr. Gortler explained there are two different ways of taking advantage of lower interest rates. Both options would yield a savings to the City of approximately $2.7 million in today's dollars; the savings would be of equal value on an overall basis when adjusted for inflation. Option 1 is estimated to yield a savings of $5.1 million and Option 2 is expected to yield a savings of $3.9 million. Although the aggregate savings at a consistent savings of $190,000 per year is higher with Option 1, Mr. Gortler pointed out after inflation, annual savings won't be worth the same when bonds mature in 27 years. Mr. Gortler summarized the options: Option 1) Taking the amount currently owed on previous bonds and refunding it would reduce the annual payment the City is obligated to pay each year by $190,000 because interest rates are currently better. When bonds were initially issued, interest rates were 5.6%. The refunded bonds will have an interest rate of 4.5%. Option 2) Most of the savings are realized in the early years of the bond; during the last 10 years, very few savings are realized. It offers more flexibility to finance new projects as the Redevelopment Plan that is currently in effect limits the agency's ability to issue CDC Minutes 12-11-06: Special Meeting Page 1 of 3 debt until June of 2023. As Mr. Gortler explained it, the City would save $250,000 between now and 2023 and a lesser amount for the rest of the period. It supports an additional $1 million in debt, if the agency so chooses. Mr. Gortler asserted that he and his firm are neutral as far which option is chosen. The benefit in present value terms for both options is very similar. The difference is in the timing of the savings realized and the flexibility afforded to the Commission to take on additional debt of $1 million. He stated that if the Commission wants to preserve its maximum ability to borrow money in the future, then Option 2 should be chosen; if that is not a priority, both are equivalent. Commissioner Clark asked if Pipper Jaff ray will get a different fee if one option is chosen over another. Mr. Gortler reported only an additional $870 would be charged by his firm if the City decided to go with Option 2. He restated their neutrality on the matter. Executive Director Lazzaretto summarized why staff recommended Option 2, as it would provide a stronger income stream earlier and allow the Commission to make improvements quicker. In addition, he commented that a larger savings at the end of the bond term will not be worth the same in today's dollars. Deputy City Manager Chi indicated that Option 2 is about $69,000 more expensive in net current dollars than Option 1, but the City would gain more flexibility. Chairman Taylor and Commissioner Clark asked for clarification about state laws which affect Commission bonds. Mr. Gortler explained that under the provisions of AB1069, agencies can refund debt and use tax increment to pay debt until June of 2023. Agencies cannot issue new bonds that mature past 2023. As such, Option 1 allows the City to maximize the availability of tax increment revenues between now and 2023; it maximizes available dollars between now and then gives the City the opportunity to borrow more money, but doesn't obligate additional borrowing. Laws were summarized as follows: AB 1290 was passed in 1994, sunsets redevelopment agencies, limits refinancing of bonds, created a new set of guidelines and limits the opportunity to use tax increment to pay debt until 2023. AB 1069 was created to give agencies the ability to do refunding, but did not authorize bond maturity extension past 2033. The Rosemead CDC Redevelopment Plan sets 2023 as the deadline to issue new money bonds. CDC Minutes 12-11-2006 Page 2 of 3 • • Chairman Taylor indicated he had a hard time justifying the lower savings to the City and higher amount paid in interest to bond holders with Option 2. In addition, that option would cost an additional $60,000 and the City would only gain the opportunity to borrow an additional million and would still have to repay that debt and pay interest. He indicated it was a waste of time to think of a bond issue of a million dollars. For these reasons, he stated he could not support Option 2 and would vote for Option 1. CDC Deputy Executive Director Saeki stated that both options will result in savings for the City. Commissioner Tran made a motion to approve Option 1, with a second by Chairman Taylor. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Imperial, Taylor, Tran No: None Abstain: None Absent: Nunez 3. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2006 at 7:45 pm. Respectfully submitted: / aI- CA l l !U A// Commission Secretary CDC Minutes 12-11-2006 Page 3 of 3 APPROVED: 0 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS. CITY OF ROSEMEAD ) I, Nina Castruita, Commission Secretary of the City of Rosemead Community Development Commission, do hereby certify that the minutes from December 11, 2006 were duly and regularly approved and adopted by the Rosemead Community Development Commission on the 23rd of January 2007, by the following vote to wit: Yes: CLARK, IMPERIAL, NUNEZ, TAYLOR, TRAN No: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE Nina Castruita Commission Secretary