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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2023-C58RESOLUTION NO. 2023-C58 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF AZUSA AUTHORIZING OPEN MARKET BOND REPURCHASE OF A PORTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING TAXABLE PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2020 WHEREAS, in order to refinance certain pension liabilities of the City of Azusa (the “City”), the City issued its Taxable Pension Obligation Bonds, Series 2020 (the “2020 FOBS”) which were issued on September 30,2020; and WHEREAS, the City is obligated to make certain annual debt service payments on such outstanding 2020 FOBS; and WHEREAS, recent increases in yields demanded by investors in virtually all types of bonds have produced corresponding decreases in the market prices for such bonds, and as a result thereof many of the City’s bonds now trade at prices significantly less than the principal amount; and WHEREAS, due to such decrease in the market prices for such bonds, the City may achieve savings from the repurchase of a portion of the 2020 FOBS periodically on the open market; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City (the “City Council”) deems it advisable and in the best interests of the City to authorize the repurchase a portion of the outstanding of the 2020 FOBS on the open market (“Bond Repurchase Program”) from time to time; and WHEREAS, the City shall utilize legally available monies in the City’s general fund (“Surplus Cash”) to purchase a portion of the outstanding 2020 FOBS on the open market and deliver them to the Wilmington Trust National Association, as trustee of the 2020 FOBS, to be cancelled; and WHEREAS, the use of Surplus Cash to purchase on the open market and cancel a portion of the outstanding 2020 FOBS will reduce both the principal amount of the City’s bonds outstanding and the annual amount of bond interest payable by the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc. (“Ramirez & Co.”) to serve as its repurchase agent in connection with the open market purchase of a portion of the 2020 FOBS; and WHEREAS, on October 12, 2023, the City posted a notice on the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Electronic Municipal Market Access (“EMMA”) website a notice that informs current holders of the outstanding 2020 FOBS of its intention to consider the repurchase of a portion of the 2020 FOBS; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby authorizes the Bond Repurchase Program to reduce debt service on the outstanding 2020 FOBS provided that any repurchase under the Bond Repurchase Program will provide significant public benefits in the form of reductions in the amounts of both the principal and interest payable on the City’s bonds as set forth in this resolution; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Azusa: California does hereby find, determine and declare as follows: SECTION LThe above recitals, and each of them, are true and correct and all actions taken by the City related to the Bond Repurchase Program, including the posting of the notice on EMMA are hereby accepted and ratified. SECTION 2. The Bond Repurchase Program as described herein is hereby approved; and, in connection therewith, the City Manager of the City (the “City Manager”) or the Director of Administrative Services (the “Director of Administrative Services,” collectively with the City Manager, the “Authorized Officers”) are each hereby authorized to utilize Surplus Cash to purchase outstanding bonds of the 2020 POBS from time to time provided that: the amount of Surplus Cash so used shall not exceed a total of $4,000,000, inclusive of any fees and costs of such repurchase; (a) the present value of the debt service savings generated by such repurchase is greater than zero, with such savings calculated net of all fees and expenses incurred in connected therewith (in the case of a future available par redemption, the present value calculation shall incorporate the defeased debt service from the call date to the final maturity date); (b) the total amount of 2020 POBS purchased pursuant to the Bond Repurchase Program shall not exceeds 20% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2020 POBS; (c) and (d)any offer to purchase shall only be solicited to institutional buyers or sophisticated investors. SECTION 3. The form of the Dealer Manager and Bond Repurchase Agreement by and between the City and Ramirez 8c Co., as repurchase agent (the “Agreement”) presented herewith is approved as to form. Each Authorized Officer, acting on behalf of the City, is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the final form of the Agreement, with such additions thereto or changes therein as such Authorized Officer may deem necessary and advisable. The approval of such additions or changes shall be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of such documents or instruments by an Authorized Officer, following consultation with and review by Best Best & Krieger LLP. SECTION 4. All compensation payable to Ramirez & Co. for its services as Repurchase Agent shall be included in the proposed purchase price of the bonds presented for purchase; provided, however, that in no event shall Ramirez &Co.’s compensation exceed 1.00% of the principal amount of any 2020 POBS so purchased. SECTION 5. The following professionals are hereby appointed to serve the City in connection with the Bond Repurchase Program: l Urban Futures, Inc. is hereby engaged as municipal advisor; and l Best Best & Krieger LLP is hereby engaged as special counsel. SECTION 6. Each Authorized Officer hereby authorized and directed, jointly and severally, to execute and sign any and all approvals, certificates, statements, requests, requisitions and orders of the City in connection with the implementation of the Bond Repurchase Program and the purchase and cancelation of bonds pursuant thereto; and any action specifically authorized or directed by this Resolution to be undertaken by either of such officers may be undertaken by the other with the same force and effect as if it had been undertaken by the officer specifically authorized or directed to do so. SECTION 7. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 16'^ day of October, 2023. RobS"Qs&da\es Mayor ATTEST: STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CITY OF AZUSA ) ) ss. ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No.2023-C58 was duly adopted by the City Council of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 16‘^ day of October, 2023, by the AYES: NOES: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MENDEZ COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, BECKWITH, ALVAREZ, AVILA COUNCILMEMBERS: ity Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Best, Bek & Krieger, City Attorney A.3