DATE:
February 6, 2024
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
April Richardson, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Consideration Of Travel Authorization For Council Member Bauters Recommendation
This item offers the City Council the opportunity to discuss and authorize City business related travel for Council Member Bauters consistent with the City Council’s adopted Travel Reimbursement Policy.
Background
On January 17, 2024, the day after the most recent City Council meeting, the National League of Cities (NLC) appointed Council Member Bauters to their 2024 Transportation and Infrastructure Federal Advocacy Committee. This committee is a federal lobbying division of the NLC and has voting power over the position that US Cities will take on Transportation & Infrastructure policy at the federal level. Thus, the one-year appointment is an opportunity to provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s transportation and infrastructure platform that influences federal policy and funding. The committee’s first meeting is March 9 – 13 in Washington DC.
Because the NLC committee appointment occurred after the most recent council meeting, it did not allow for a timely request of a future agenda item. Therefore, this item is being added to the next council meeting (February 6) to allow for lower costs to attend than waiting until the February 20 meeting.
Discussion
The City Council’s adopted Travel Reimbursement Policy is included as Attachment A. The policy provides for reimbursement of travel expenses related to City business in an amount “limited to the most economical method and the most usually traveled route.” Section B.2 of the policy provides that all out of state travel must be pre-authorized by the City Council.
At the March 19 Budget and Governance Committee meeting, the Committee will discuss a new standing policy for council member conference attendance related travel and expenses with the potential to make a recommendation to the full council for any changes.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact of this item is anticipated to be no more than $3,196. As of January 10, 2024, there was $4,334 remaining of the $8,000 council member travel, conference and meeting budget.
Staff Communication with the Public
There has been no communication with the public.
Conflict of Interest
Not applicable.
Conclusion
Staff requests the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the travel request by Council Member Bauters.
PREPARED BY: April Richardson, City Clerk
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Attachments
Attachment A – Council Policy #3: Reimbursement for Approved Travel and Other Expenses For City Council Members, Commissioners and Committee Members Travel Authorization: Bauters
City Council Meeting | February 6, 2024
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM