AC 10-25-2021Page 1
City of Cupertino
Audit Committee Regular Meeting
Minutes
October 25, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
At 4:00 p.m., Chair Liang called the special meeting to order. This was a teleconference meeting
with no physical location.
ROLL CALL
Committee Members Present: Chair Daisy Liang, Committee Member Song (arrived late), Vice
Mayor Chao, Councilmember Moore
City Staff Present: Greg Larson, Kristina Alfaro, Zach Korach, Thomas Leung
Absent: Vice Chair Chen
Guests: Carlos Oblites and Chris McCarry (Chandler), Rick Rosenthal and Ryan Maxey (US
Bank), Mitch Barker and Jennifer Meza (PARS), Mark Steranka (Moss Adams)
1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilmember Moore moved to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 26, 2021 and
special meeting minutes of September 27, 2021. Vice Mayor Chao seconded and the motion
carried unanimously by all members present.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Peggy Griffin expressed concern over City credit cards and the volume and dollar amount
of transactions. Ms. Griffin noted there should be a policy, training, and audit of credit card
transactions. Korach referenced the internal auditor’s procurement operational review and the
timing and scope.
NEW BUSINESS
2.Mandatory KnowB4 Training from Infrastructure Division – 10 minutes
Iqraam Nabi from the City’s Innovation & Technology Department provided the security
training.
3. Treasurer’s Investment Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2021 – 35 minutes
Chris McCarry provided an overview of the economy and market impacts. Carlos Oblites
provided an overview on the portfolio over the last quarter. Chair Liang asked about the credit
quality of the portfolio and if the City was taking on too much risk. Oblites explained the rating
criteria used by S&P and Moody’s and that all of the City’s investments have very strong
ratings. He provided additional information on the acquisitions and dispositions over the
previous quarter. Chair Liang asked about the return in Q2 and Q3. Oblites spoke to the
fluctuation in value as a result of increasing interest rates; however, the yield or interest income
was still strong. Councilmember Moore inquired about the LAIF statement and why the
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balances did not change over the previous month. Oblites explained that the interest
apportionments are not paid out until subsequent to quarter end. Chair Liang requested that
the bank reconciliation be provided with the operating statements. Korach explained bank
reconciliations are not ready for Audit Committee meetings due their preparation requiring 30-
45 days following the period end.
4. OPEB and Pension Investment Trust Performance Report as of September 30, 2021 – 20
minutes
Mitch Barker provided a brief overview of the 115 Trust Program. Rick Rosenthal provided an
overview on the investment portfolios over the quarter. Chair Liang asked how the
performance will look in the fourth quarter of 2021. Rosenthal noted that the month of October
has shown strong performance and rebounded from the difficult September. Chair Liang
inquired about the contributions made and the timing as well as the fee structure. A brief
discussion regarding fees will be included in the next report.
5. Review and Consider Accepting OPEB and Pension Investment Trust Policies – 25 minutes
Korach provided background on previous meetings’ discussions, specifically toward prohibited
investment classes and socially responsible investing. Rosenthal confirmed and reiterated much
of the overview. Councilmember Moore asked about the policies needing to be updated to
include the most recent portfolio balances. Korach confirmed that those updates would be made
prior to submission to City Council. Councilmember Moore asked where in the policy the City
would be prohibited from investing in Bitcoin (BTC). Rosenthal submitted that BTC is not an
equity and would never come into the portfolio; however, recommended that a prohibition be
made in the policy if the Committee so chooses. Councilmember Moore expressed interest in
prohibiting cryptocurrencies. She also inquired what controls are in place to screen ETF
investments. Rosenthal discussed his firm’s research and due diligence process and advised
that as new investment types are developed, the policy be reviewed and amended as necessary
and applicable. Ms. Griffin (member of the public) encouraged the policy prohibit
cryptocurrency, leveraged assets, and assets with high beta. Councilmember Moore inquired
about the volatility of the portfolio and requested staff to bring back information on US Bank’s
approved investment list and volatility mitigation measures that are in place. Vice Mayor Chao
wondered what other agencies policies are like. Vice Mayor Chao moved for staff to bring back
recommendations on the volatility of investment including, but not limited to, cryptocurrency.
Councilmember Moore seconded and the motion carried unanimously by all members present.
6. Internal Audit Update – 20 minutes
Mark Steranka provided an overview on the Policy Inventory project as well as the internal
audit update for all scheduled projects. Councilmember Moore and Vice Mayor Chao inquired
about the attachments and the organization/ordering of the information included. Vice Mayor
Chao asked that all internal audit reports/documents be posted on the City’s website. Korach
said they would be posted going forward. Ms. Peggy Griffin thanked the internal auditors and
requested that the deliverables be posted on the City’s website. Councilmember Moore asked if
Moss Adams will be looking at the municipal code regarding purchasing and the City’s
purchasing policy, what is City Manager authority, spot-checking will be completed,
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purchasing threshold agency comparisons, parks and recreation contracts, and contract
approval process. Steranka confirmed that policies, procedures, and thresholds will be looked
at. Vice Mayor Chao requested links to be included in the status update reports and asked
about credit card policies. Steranka confirmed it would be included in the policy inventory. Vice
Mayor Chao inquired about contingency budgeting. Steranka noted that it would be included.
Vice Mayor Chao asked about procedures versus policies and how they are identified. Steranka
explained the process. Vice Mayor Chao asked about CIP budgeting and multiyear projects.
Councilmember Moore hoped that Moss Adams will look at the financial policies in the budget
and how contingencies are calculated.
Councilmember Moore moved to continue items 7, 8, and 9 to the special meeting on November
15, 2021. Vice Mayor Chao seconded and the motion carried unanimously by all members
present.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Recording Secretary:
Zach Korach, Finance Manager