REPORT TO GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Review Council Policy 043 on Official Travel by Elected Officials for Possible Recommendation to City Council
Report
BACKGROUND
As a continuation of the Council Policy Manual workplan, staff has reviewed Council Policy 043 Official Travel by Mayor and City Council Members (Attachment 1). As part of this review, staff determined that the policy should be applicable to all elected officials, including the elected Chief of Police and City Clerk. Currently, the elected Chief of Police and City Clerk follow the employee travel policy contained in City Manager Directive (CMD) 028 "Conference and Meeting Attendance."
DISCUSSION
Based on the review of the Council Policy, staff identified that the criteria for official travel could be updated and further clarified.
Official City Representative Criteria:
The current policy language states that the City representative must have an active role, committee assignment, or council assignment in relation to official travel attendance. In the amended policy (Attachment 3), the Official City Representative Criteria has been updated to state that official travel must be related to an elected official's roles or duties such as work performed on a particular issue or substantive area in an official capacity, committee assignment, liaison assignment, task force assignment, or council assignment.
Public Purpose Criteria:
The current policy language states that travel is an allowable activity and expense when it is performed for a valid purpose. In the amended policy, the Public Purpose Criteria has been expanded and notes examples of official travel with a valid public purpose, including: attending educational seminars designed to improve the elected official's skill and information level; participating in regional, state, and national organizations whose activities affect the City's interests; communicating with representatives of regional, state, and national government and...
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