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11. Staff Report-LMC ConferenceDIA Staff Report Date of Meeting: February 4, 2015 To: City Council From: Kristina Handt, Administrator Re: LMC New Official Conference Background: The Newly Elected Officials conferences were held last month. As is customary, the League of MN Cities offered these workshops at a variety of locations across the state including Brooklyn Center, Mankato, Cohasset, and Alexandria. Typically, the City encourages newly elected council members to attend the conference at the Twin Cities location. Issue: What expenses should the City reimburse Council member Hegland for related to the Newly Elected Officials Conference? Proposal Details: In December I shared the information from the League about the training opportunities for newly elected officials with Council member elect Hegland. Hegland asked about City reimbursement. I told him we typically pay for the registration for the newly elected officials program but anything else would need to go to the Council for approval. He said he would not be able to attend the closest location, Brooklyn Center, because of a planned trip but he wouldn't submit any additional expenses to the City. A couple weeks ago staff received a request for reimbursement for the registration, hotel and mileage in the total amount of $647.51. Since this exceeds what the City would typically pay for, staff is asking for Council authorization. Past precedence: last year, the Council approved Council member Lee attending a League conference and agreed to pay for registration and mileage or hotel but not both. Alternatively, the Council could reimburse for registration and only mileage comparable to what would have been paid if Hegland attended the Brooklyn Center location. Fiscal Impact: The City Council budget includes $1,000 for conferences and seminars and $300 for travel expenses including mileage. Council member Hegland has requested the following reimbursements: $315 registration, $119.76 hotel, and $212.75 mileage Options: 1) Direct staff to prepare reimbursements for all of the above expenses 2) Direct staff to prepare reimbursement for some of the above expenses