1.1Purpose:
The within Loan Policies and Procedures of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (the "Bank") have been established to govern the lending activities of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 46-12.8 and 46-12.2, and Title XIV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 300 et seq.).
1.2Definitions:
Except as otherwise defined herein, the words and phrases used within this Part have the same meaning as the words and phrases have in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 46-12.8 and 46-12.2 and Title XIV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 300 et seq.
1.3Financial Assistance:
A.This Part governs the provision of financial assistance to local governmental units, and privately organized water suppliers (collectively "Borrowers") to finance costs of approved drinking water projects in the form of loans with below market interest rates or interest rate subsidies which reduce the cost of financing these projects by at least twenty-five percent (25%). Financially distressed Borrowers may receive financial assistance greater than twenty-five percent (25%) as long as these loans do not have an adverse effect on other participants in the loan programs of the Bank; bond holders; other creditors of the Bank, or the finances of the Bank. In determining those Borrowers that qualify as "financially distressed" the Bank may consider the criteria set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 45-13-12(b)(1) through (4).
B.Small Water Systems: Small Water Systems, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be awarded financial assistance in accordance with the Small Water System Guidance Document that shall be issued by the Bank. See www.RIIB.org for the Small Water System Guidance Document.
1.4Loan Application:
A.Requests for financing should be submitted in writing by the Chief Executive Officer or other authorized officer of the Borrower to the Executive Director of the Bank. The written request shall include:
1.A description of the project to be financed with the projected construction and completion schedule. In the case of a refinancing, a description of the completed project and the terms and sources of previous financing.
2.A description of the dedicated source of loan repayment, i.e., general revenues or drinking water revenues.
3.A description of the overall operations of the Borrower, including but not limited to the most recent annual report or audited financials, with an emphasis on:
a.legal structure;
b.management;
c.sources of revenues;
d.operating expenses;
e. operating surpluses or deficits;
f.actual results versus budget; and
g.sources of financial liquidity.
4.Legal authority or authorities to construct, finance and operate the project.
5.The past five years Audited Financial Statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards or Generally Accepted Accounting Principals; or other historical financial information that the Bank deems appropriate.
6.Financial and demographic information.
7.For revenue bonds, financial projections over the life of the financing showing sources of revenues, operating expenses, capital replacement reserves, user fee impact analysis, and cash available for debt service.
8.A copy of the Infrastructure Replacement Plan component of the Water Supply Management Plan if applicable.
9.An application that proposes to purchase an existing water system must be accompanied by a certification of the water system's integrity by a registered professional engineer. A certification as to the appraised value of the system must also be provided. The Bank reserves the right to review this certification and request further data for analysis.
10.Such other information as the Bank may reasonably require.
1.5Loan Approval Process:
A.Loan approvals are subject to the following terms:
1.That all projects to be funded appear on the Rhode Island Department of Health ("RIDOH") Project Priority List and have Certificates of Approval issued.
2.That the loan complies with all federal, state and Bank laws, rules and regulations.
3.That the loan and debt service requirements be approved by any applicable regulatory Agency.
4. That a satisfactory loan agreement be signed by all parties to the transaction.
5.That the loan will be made subject to availability of funds as related to the Bank's capacity; and that the loan will be made subject to ranking on RIDOH's Project Priority List.
6. The Bank will conduct a financial analysis for each loan application which may include, but not be limited to:
a.sources of revenue and financial liquidity
b.historical and projected financial operating results
c.present and future debt service requirements
d.current assignment of water rates and other revenues generated from user fees
e.ability to increase water rates and/or secure alternative revenue sources
f.cost of the project and estimated completion schedule
g.long term capital replacement planning
h.socioeconomic conditions and trends
i.management qualifications and experience
j.effects of legal structure and any regulator control
k.a Consulting Engineer's Water Facility and Financial Feasibility Report, if applicable
l.history of applicant/system
m.any other information that the Bank or its Board of Directors may require.
B.If the Board approves the application, a Commitment Letter will be issued to the Borrower for their acceptance, outlining the terms and conditions of the loan.
1.6Terms and Conditions:
A.Borrowing Rate - The stated interest rate on the Borrower bond, which is the Borrower's market rate (the "Market Rate"), is the prevailing market taxable or tax-exempt interest rate for issuers of comparable creditworthiness to the Borrower, as determined by the Bank on the advice of the Financial Advisor after consultation with the Borrower. Subject to adjustment by the Bank from time to time, the subsidized interest rate for the Loan is seventy-five percent (75%) of the Market Rate (the "Subsidized Interest Rate"). The Borrower will be obligated by the Borrower bond to pay the Market Rate, but will be billed only for the Subsidized Interest Rate. If the Borrower or other borrowers of the Bank should default in timely payment of debt service on the Loan or on the loans made to such other borrowers of the Bank, the Bank may require the Borrower to pay up to the Market Rate on the Borrower Bond.
B.Interest is to be calculated based on a 360-day year and twelve thirty-day months, and may be capitalized during construction. Interest payments are semi-annually on March 1 and September 1.
C.Loan Fees - An origination fee of the greater of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or one percent (1%) of the principal amount of the Loan will be payable to the Bank by the Borrower at the time of the Loan's closing. All other costs incidental to the Borrower's role in their transaction, such as, legal fees, financial advisory fees, bond insurance premiums and the like, will be paid by the Borrower. The Bank will charge an annual service fee of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the Loan's outstanding principal, payable semi-annually at each interest payment date. A late payment of five percent (5%) of the amount of the late payment will be charged for every fifteen (15) days that a payment is late.
D.Amortization - Amortization will begin at a mutually agreed upon date, but in no case later than the earlier of three (3) years after loan closing or September 1st after completion of the construction of the projects. Principal payments will be made annually on September 1st and the schedule of payments will be structured to meet the debt service and financial assistance needs of the Borrower.
E.Final Maturity - Loans shall mature no later than twenty (20) years after the completion of the funded projects
F.Prepayments - A loan may be prepaid by the Borrower at any time but may be subject to a prepayment penalty based on the cost of reinvesting the prepayment, the cost of prepaying outstanding bonds of the Bank or any other negative financial impact to the Bank.
G.Security - Loans will have a pledge of:
1. general revenues and/or water system user fee revenues; and/or
2.may be secured by any other assets and upon such other terms and conditions as the Bank deems appropriate to protect the interest of the other participants in the loan programs of the Bank; bond holders; other creditors of the Bank; bondholders; or the finances of the Bank.
H.Construction Progress Payments - Progress payments for each construction project will be made through an account established by the Borrower. Loan proceeds will be transferred monthly from the Borrower account for each borrower based upon approved Requisition Forms submitted to the Bank. Upon receipt of the Requisition Form, the Bank will verify a) that a Certificate of Approval has been issued by RIDOH; b) the vendor is identified in the contract; and c) there is sufficient availability in the Borrower account to make the payment. Payments will be made directly to the vendor and/or the Borrower for reimbursements by the Bank, and a "paid" stamped copy of the Requisition Form will be sent to the Borrower and RIDOH. The RIDOH will perform periodic project inspections to a) monitor construction progress; b) verify eligibility of construction costs under the program; and c) insure construction is in conformity with Plans and Specifications. RIDOH will provide a copy of the inspection report to the Bank. Any adverse conditions will be reported to the Bank who will suspend further payments until the adverse conditions have been rectified. RIDOH will perform a final project inspection before the final payment is made by the Bank.
1.7Reporting Requirements:
A.Borrowers will be required to provide information to the Bank during the life of the loan, including, but not limited to:
1.A copy of its Annual Audited Financial Statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards annually within nine (9) months of end of fiscal year.
2.An annual analysis of operating revenues and expenses, including without limitation, a description of the status of the water system user fee revenues and/or general revenues and operating expenses in excess of budget and a schedule of current and projected user rates.
3.A copy of the annual budget of the Borrower, within fifteen (15) days of its adoption.
4.Annual schedule of current and projected short term and long term debt service.
5.An annual schedule of Infrastructure Replacement Reserves.
6.Copies of reports submitted to RIDOH, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and any other regulatory agency relating to the projects financed and the operation of the water supply facility.
7. Other information or reports that the Bank deems appropriate.
1.8Loan Agreements:
There will be a Loan Agreement with the Borrower outlining the terms and conditions of the Bank's loan. The Borrower's repayment obligation to the Bank under the agreement will be evidenced by a bond(s) of the Borrower outlining the loan's specific terms and conditions. The bonds shall be in fully marketable form, accompanied by documentation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank and an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, of nationally recognized bond counsel as to its valid authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability, as well as its federal and state tax consequences, and may include an opinion that the bonds are not private activity bonds within the meaning of Section 141 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code").
1.9Compliance with State and Federal Law:
The Borrower must comply with all applicable state laws and regulations. Recipients of loans must also comply with all requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 300 et seq. and regulations and guidance issued thereunder in addition to any other applicable federal laws and regulations.
1.10Modifications:
Where deemed appropriate by the Bank, waiver or variation of any provisions herein may be made or additional requirements may be added.
1.11Severability:
If any provision of this Part or the application thereof to any local government unit, or privately organized water supplier is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the rules and regulations shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section or sections shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Part.
