Minutes - 01/21/2020 - Police Pension Fund BoardBOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE PENSION FUND
Minutes Page 1 of 5 January 21, 2020
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE PENSION FUND - Minutes
January 21, 2020
UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AS WRITTEN √
OR AS AMENDED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
POLICE PENSION FUND ON April 29, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Brook Police Pension Fund was called to
order by President Vel Torlo at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Samuel E. Dean
Board Room of the Butler Government Center, 1200 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, Illinois.
2. ROLL CALL
The roll was called with the following persons
PRESENT: President Vel Torlo, Vice President Alan Feldman, Secretary Ed Caspers, Trustee Hitesh
Patel, Trustee Ben Kadolph
ABSENT: None
IN ATTENDANCE: Phil Kosmala and Zach Pearsall of Taiber Kosmala and Associates, Bob
Thompson and Alex Garber of Fifth Third Bank, Bob Rietz of Lauterbach & Amen, Village Finance
Director/Treasurer Jason Paprocki, Pension Clerk Rose Kane
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS None presented.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2019
Motion by Trustee Kadolph, seconded by Secretary Caspers, to approve the Meeting Minutes
of the October 24, 2019 Regular Board Meeting as presented. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one
motion.
a. Approval of September 1-30, 2019 expenditures in the total amount of $254,486.90
b. Approval of October 1-31, 2019 expenditures in the total amount of $256,387.42
c. Approval of November 1-30, 2019 expenditures in the total amount of $251,618.10
d. Approval of December 1-31, 2019 expenditures in the total amount of $242,611.90
e. Approval of reimbursement to Pension Clerk for pension conference lodging in the amount of
$1218.80
f. Approval of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP invoice for professional services for October 2019
accounting service fees in the amount of $1,150.00
g. Approval of Taiber Kosmala third quarter 2019 investment consulting fees’ invoice in the
amount of $7,000.00
Motion by Secretary Caspers, seconded by Trustee Patel, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: 5 – Vice President Feldman, Secretary Caspers, Trustee Patel, Trustee Kadolph,
President Torlo
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion carried.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE PENSION FUND
Minutes Page 2 of 5 January 21, 2020
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – None presented.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Taiber Kosmala and Associates, LLC Report on Fourth Quarter, 2019
Oak Brook Pension Performance
On page 6 of the Taiber Kosmala Report, the portfolio activity was listed as follows:
Mr. Kosmala referred to page 6 of the Taiber Kosmala and Associates report. He discussed the
performance of the fourth quarter of 2019 and the year-to-date tallies, noting that the S&P was up
31½%. He stated that in the last 2 years the portfolio has averaged a 12% equity growth, and on the
fixed income side for the quarter did not show much movement, slight compression, but good returns
across the board. He stated that there has been a lot of rally in a short period of time in relation to the
U.S./China trade deal. Because the U.S. large cap equities being well overweight versus target, Mr.
Kosmala suggested being prudent and trimming back slightly, just a modest reallocation.
Mr. Pearsall stated that the portfolio was up 4.9% for the quarter and up 18.96% for the full calendar
year. He explained in more detail regarding the overweight U.S. large cap equities. He remarke d that
the portfolio moved at a good clip during the first 3 weeks of January, up 2% relative to the benchmark.
Mr. Kosmala summarized the last 3 years of his firm representing the Fund. He recommended that
4% be trimmed off of the U.S. equity position, taking it from the large caps, specifically, taking 2% of
the 4% and putting it back to fixed income just to reduce the equity exposure in the portfolio; and then
take 2% and add it to international equities. He remarked that for the last 20 years, U.S. eq uities have
doubled the returns of their international counterparts. Mr. Kosmala stated that he felt it was a good
time to get back to the target allocation, and split it between WCM and Peartree Polaris.
Mr. Pearsall stated that this reallocation would be $1.2 million coming out of the Vanguard S & P 500,
$410,000 coming out of MFS Growth, putting $410,000 in WCM and Peartree, with the remainder
going to the fixed income account.
Discussion ensued regarding the above recommendations.
b. Fifth Third Report on Fourth Quarter, 2019
Mr. Garber reported on the stock/bond portfolio and referred to page 10 of the Fifth Third Fourth
Quarter, 2019 report. He discussed that this was really a good year, 6 ½% with a 10 -year yield, as the
Fed shifted course. He remarked that they do not expect to have another year like this, but they were
happy to get this one, and that they do not expect the Fed to hike this year unless global growth and
wage growth pick up significantly, but it would have to be a huge move. Mr. Garber then talked about
the breakdown of the portfolio on page 11 of the report, and stated that most of the portfolio is in
government and corporate bonds. He said they may look to add some TIFs as bonds mature to use
some of the cash. He then referred to the Individual Fixed Income S tatistics at the bottom of page 11;
the Average Yield to Maturity at little under 2% and the Average Duration at 3 ¼%. He stated that they
are buying higher coupon bonds when they can to reduce the price sensitivity of the portfolio. He
remarked that the S & P a number of years back decided not to have AAA bonds anymore, calling
Treasuries AA bonds. He stated that they have slowly reduced the BBB portion of the portfolio.
Summary of Cash Flows
Beginning Market Value $39,048,279
Net Cash Flow $ 97,229
Net Investment Change $ 1,927,114
Ending Market Value on 12/31/19 $41,072,623
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE PENSION FUND
Minutes Page 3 of 5 January 21, 2020
Mr. Garber stated that other than adding some TIFs they do not see making any drastic changes. He
said that the bright side of the funds going Downstate, this Fund will have a much more diverse portfolio.
Mr. Thompson referred to the Moody’s Ratings Chart hand-out which shows each bond rating.
Page 8 of the Fifth Third report, Allocation Summary: Asset Category, shows the marketable holdings:
%
HOLDINGS MARKET VALUE
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
INCOME
CURRENT
YIELD
Marketable Holdings
Traditional Asset
Classes 100.00% $11,974,007.69 $436,432.74 3.64%
Cash and Equivalents 5.16% $ 617,849.86 $ 9,329.52 1.51%
Fixed Income 94.84% $11,356,157.83 $427,103.22 3.76%
Total Marketable
Holdings 100.00% $11,974,007.69 $436,432.74 3.64%
Total Holdings $11,974,007.69 $436.432.74 3.64%
Motion by Trustee Patel, seconded by Vice President Feldman, per the recommendations of
Taiber Kosmala:
to sell 3% of the Vanguard 500 Index, which equates to about $1.2 million ;
to sell 1% of the total portfolio from MFS Growth, which is $410,000 ;
to shift 2% of the allocation to WCM & Peartree, roughly equating to about $410,000
each; and to transfer the remaining $790,000 to the fixed income account.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: 5 – Secretary Caspers, Trustee Patel, Trustee Kadolph, President Torlo, Vice
President Feldman
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion carried.
c. Approval of Investment Transactions for Fourth Quarter, 2019
Motion by Secretary Caspers, seconded by Trustee Kadolph, to approve the Investment
Transactions for Fourth Quarter 2019.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: 5 – Trustee Patel, Trustee Kadolph, President Torlo, Vice President Feldman,
Secretary Caspers
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion carried.
d. Ratification of 2020 Pension Increases
Motion by Secretary Caspers, seconded by Trustee Kadolph, to ratify the 2020 pension
increases effective January 1, 2020, as mandated by State law. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
e. Discussion/Action regarding 2020 Actuarial Assumptions
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE PENSION FUND
Minutes Page 4 of 5 January 21, 2020
Mr. Rietz handed out the Actuarial Assumption Summary and discussed that there had been a lot of
changes. He stated that every four or five years they complete a study of all of the police and fire funds
which Lauterbach & Amen represents, about half of the police and fire funds in Illinois. He said that
they look at termination, disability and mortality rates and salary scales, and that this is the year they
are going to implement a new updated study. He discussed that the major change is the mortality table,
that they used to use a table that was prescribed as the most recent available , the RP 2014, which is
based on social security data, which may not apply to police and fire funds.
Mr. Rietz referred to page 1 of the report and discussed the Expected Rate of Return on Assets section,
stating that last year the Fund was at 6.50% and they are not proposing a change to that rate. He then
discussed the Expected Pay Increases and stated that previously it was a 4% service -based rate, but
with the new contract which includes steps, they are going to capture that and reflect that at 3.75% -
8.05% service-based rates. He explained the long-term increases at 3.75% with additional step
increases in the first seven years , capturing additional pay increases anticipated for employees early
in their working careers, and cost of living adjustments for all employees. In reply to a question
regarding what will happen with the consolidation of the funds, he replied that the State might use a
similar flat rate, but it is uncertain whether each fund will be able to retain their own actuary.
Discussion ensued regarding how the consolidation will affect the Fund long-term.
Consensus to go with the recommendations discussed above.
Mr. Rietz next discussed the Expected Increase in Total Payroll on page 2 of the report, with the prior
rate being 3.75% and 3.5% proposed rate per discussions last year.
He next talked about the Consumer Price index-U and the Percent Married data. The Mortality Rates
on page 3 were next addressed. Mr. Rietz stated that previously they used the table from the L & A
2016 study, the RP 2014, and made some credibility weighting and blue collar adjustments and
generational improvements. He stated that each mem ber will have their own specific mortality attached
to them. He stated that the update is going to the PubS table, ‘S’ being specific to public safety officers,
and, also, they went away with the blue collar distinction and changed it to above/below median income;
this resulted in a better predictor of the mortality rate. He discussed the Disability Rates on page 4 and
remarked that they do not have a large impact on the Fund, because even though it costs the Fund,
there is a lower incidence of them occurring. Mr. Rietz then talked about the Retirement Rates and
Termination Rates on pages 5 and 6.
Mr. Rietz then discussed his next hand-out which provided a breakdown of Assumptions Impact and
Change in Asset Valuation Method for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding keeping the status quo or re -setting the actuarial valuation
depending on the Village’s contribution, and also further discussion on how the consolidation will affect
the actuarial valuations.
Consensus to keep the status quo and accept the assumptions as presented. Mr. Rietz stated that they
would come back in April with the actual report.
Motion by Trustee Kadolph, seconded by Trustee Patel, to take Lauterbach & Amen’s actuarial
assumptions and have our President sign the assumptions which are detailed in this document
and which are to be used in calculation of an annual tax levy recommendation to the Village of
Oak Brook, with the understanding that from now until we receive an actual report that there
will be some changes based upon valuation of the Fund and different assumptions.
VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE PENSION FUND
Minutes Page 5 of 5 January 21, 2020
f. Approval of Application for Membership in the Oak Brook Police Pension Fund of Noah C. Reyes
(hired 1/6/2020)
g. Approval of Application for Membership in the Oak Brook Police Pension Fund of Ricardo
Villegas (hired 1/6/2020)
Motion by Trustee Kadolph, seconded by Secretary Caspers, to approve the Application s for
Membership in the Oak Brook Police Pension Fund of Noah C. Reyes and Ricardo Villegas, hired
January 6, 2020. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
h. Ratification of Application for Members Pension Benefits Retirement Pension of Donald Jacobs
Motion by Trustee Kadolph, seconded by Secretary Caspers, to ratify the Members Pension
Benefits Retirement Pension of Donald Jacobs. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
8. PENDING BUSINESS
a. Discussion/action regarding consolidation of pension funds – discussed previously during the
actuarial assumptions presentation.
It was stated that consolidation of the pension funds will take effect in July 2022. Bob Thompson
provided some information regarding the transference of funds to the superfunds, audits, and the
organization of the board overseeing the funds, as well as the c hange in trustee training requirements.
It was affirmed that the pension fund boards will continue to handle everything they are currently
handling except investments, but there is discussion in Springfield regarding the State wanting to take
over disability hearings also.
b. Discussion/action regarding disability matter
Trustee Kadolph remarked that there have been no updates regarding preparation for the hearing.
Opinions were expressed regarding the long delay and that it has been two years since the petitioner
filed his disability application. Discussion ensued regarding whether to contact Attorney Reimer
regarding providing status and whether a disability award would be retroactive to the filing date.
Consensus to have Trustee Kadolph send a letter to Attorney Reimer.
9. INFORMATION & UPDATES
a. Scheduling of second quarterly meeting 2020
Consensus to meet for the second quarterly meeting on April 29, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Secretary Caspers, seconded by Trustee Patel, to adjourn the Board of Trustees of
the Police Pension Fund meeting at 8:27 p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Edward J. Caspers /s/
Edward J. Caspers, Secretary
Board of Trustees of the Police Pension Fund