BOND SOLUTION

Town of Ruston, WA Regular Council meeting May 2, 2011 7pm.
Mayor Bruce Hopkins absent Jim Hedrick appointed Mayor Pro Tem 4-0.
There was a Public Hearing at 6pm I did not attend entitled:
1. Proposed Electric Rate Increases for 2011 and 2012
AGENDA amended to remove item 1 and move item 2 to item 1 passes as amended 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim- (only person in attendance outside presenters) made comment that depositions were underway in POINT DEFIANCE CAFE & CASINO v. TOWN OF RUSTON. (This was in error DECLARATIONS are underway not depositions.)
DECLARATION - "An unsworn statement of facts that is admissible as evidence."
Agenda Item No. 1 - Investment Presentation - Lynn Syler with RBS
This was a dual presentation with Lynn Syler and Rhonda Smith with RBS.
.Solutions for Town of Ruston.
.This is about wealth management.
.Rhonda - in finance 25 years.
.Lynn - in finance 20 years.
.Emphasize safety, protection and security.
.Rates are currently at very low levels.
.RBS is double AA rated , oldest firm.
.We are a subsidiary of RBC, Royal Bank of Canada.
.Confidence to help clients.
.Point out firm is regulated, oversees what we are doing.
.Good for Town of Ruston to have professional oversight.
.1. Commercial based, pay markup up front, one time fee.
.2.Over one million dollars pay a management fee.
.Lynn has a longer term plan when interest rates rise.
.3.Couple of ideas.
.a.Sit down and talk about structure of bonds cash flow.
.CD FDIC insured maximum $250 thousand dollars insured, average return.
.b.MUNICIPAL BONDS tax free. Look at in combination with CDs pay two percent.
.More income for Town. Can be sold.
.Four million dollars based on 1.5 percent earns $60,000 annually.
Lyle- Munis little higher return?
.Muni Bonds annually pay one half percent.
.Lyle- Access to best bonds out there AA and higher?
.Important factor safe bonds, highly rated.
Jane- Handle Municipal, non profit?
.Yes.
Jane- Keep $1 million dollars liquid?
Lyle- Stay under 24 months?
.You give us parameters we build model.
Jane- Like to see the numbers?
Lyle- Help with financial statement?
.In financial crisis we are a regulated firm.
Lyle- $500 thousand dollar bond, three years income, work with cash flow?
.Hope to get higher rate it rates go up, ladder rates.
LADDER RATE "A strategy for managing fixed-income investments by which the investor builds a ladder by dividing his or her investment dollars evenly among bonds or CDs that mature at regular intervals such as every six months, once a year or every two years."
Note: Still having a hard time hearing and getting everything down. More exact notes are available on the Town of Ruston website under Municipal Reference Library/Minutes Archived.
MAYOR'S TIME
1.
.Easter egg hunt well attended.
.Thanks Bradley Huson for time and effort.
.Thanks all the volunteers.
.Was well worth it.
.Thanks Jane Hunt for putting out flyers.
2.
.Very serious arrest of alleged arson, fire suspect detained.
.Police Force we have is outstanding from Chief on down.
.Very proud to work with Ruston Police Department.
.Contract with Point Defiance Park shows lots of respect, admiration for Ruston PD.
.Very pleased with our situation right now.
COUNCIL TIME
Bradley (hard to hear, low voice) Will not stand for reelection when term is up. Have bought waterfront property out of county and hope to semi-retire. Town has changed.
Jane- Congratulates Ruston PD Officer Vic Celis. Proud of our PD.
Lyle-
.Thanks Bradley for many volunteer projects.
.Thanks Patti (wife) for volunteer signup sheet.
.Thanks Ruston PD for catching alleged arsonist.
Note again for complete notes at Town of Ruston website under Muncipal Reference Library/ Minutes Archived .
ADJOURN at 7:48pm.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, Carol Morris
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa


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