RES 76280 - Laserfiche WebLink

December 6, 1976 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: COUNCILMEMBERS MAYOR PHILCOX AND COUNCILMEMBER MERCER City Council Expenses We have met several times to consider reconmendations for guidelines ~elative to Council expenses. 1. Travel Expenses Money has been appropriated in the budget for this item. Please try to keep these expenses at their lowest by not traveling first class on any public transportation. Prior to making the necessary arrangements, the nature of the trip and the estimated expense should be submitted to the >~yor for approval. The purpose of this action is to assure that all Councilmembers receive equal opportunity to attend meetings. Naturally, spouses expenses are not covered. Stationery and Correspondence The }~yor's memorandum of March 22, 1976, addresses supplies, letter- head and processing of letters. All we wish to add to that is - no mass mailings for individual Councilmembers will be paid for unless previous permission is granted by Council. 3. Telephone Expenses We have been unable to reach an agreement on this issue. Councilmember Mercer believes that no reimbursement should be made for any telephone expense. Mayor Philcox believes that routine reimbursement should be made for calls to City Hall and to other Councilmembers to discuss City business. If it is necessary to make long distance calls to places like Sacra- mento or Washington - they should be charged to the ~yor's telephone and a record showing date, time, and purpose of call must be submitted to staff to substantiate the call. Miscellaneous Expenses Expenses for lunches, entertainment, travel, etc., are often difficult to control. Every Councilmember should try to avoid these types of ex- penses but if they are incurred, sufficient information should be submitted with the bill to explain the reason for the expense.