Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 02, 2019
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER REVISING SMP 2.11 EVENT ATTENDANCE AND REPORTING AND RESCINDING SMP 1.46 FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE BY COUNCILMEMBERS (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
During the March 27, 2019, Special Council meeting the Council continued this matter to this meeting. Subsequent to the adjournment of the special meeting, staff has located a more recent policy dated November 18, 2003 (Exhibit No. 2). SMP 2.11 is the Event Attendance and Reporting policy that established a procedure whereby elected officials, city employees, commission and board members are authorized to attend conferences that are beneficial to the city.
In SMP 2.11, Section III(A)6(f) outlines a procedure for a daily per diem for those that travel on behalf of the city. This policy allows for a $50.00 per day, per diem for meals (minus the meals included with the cost of the registration of the conference). The $50.00 includes gratuity. This policy requires an expense record be submitted and states that receipts are not required for per diems. Staff has determined that this policy is not in line with the City Charter or the California Government Code, which require receipts be turned in along with expense reports.
SMP 1.46 pertains to reimbursement of travel and conferences attendance by Councilmembers only. SMP 2.11 pertains to elected officials, employees, commission, committee or board members. SMP 1.46, dated November 6, 1991, predates SMP 2.11. Both policies are outdated. SMP 2.11 is far more detailed and thorough. Staff recommends SMP 1.46 be repealed completely and SMP 2.11 should be modified to reflect today's practices in alignment with the City Charter. Article III, Section 304 of the City Charter governs the compensation and expenses of City Council.
SMP 1.46 is so outdated, it contains provisions for such things as City Council credit cards and City Council phone cards, whic...
Click here for full text