5E, Elected Officials Out-of-State Travel Policy

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, t EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA APPROVING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OUT OF STATE TRAVEL POLICY Amended January 14,2013 Purpose: The City of Arden Hills recognizes that its elected officials may at times receive value from traveling out of the state for workshops, conferences, events and other assignments. This policy sets forth the conditions under which out-of-state travel will be reimbursed by the City. General Guidelines: 1. The event, workshop, conference or assignment must be approved in advance by the City Council at an open meeting and must include an estimate of the cost for the travel. In evaluating the out-of-state travel request,the Council will consider the following: • Whether the elected official will be receiving training on issues relevant to the City or to his or her role as the Mayor or as a Councilmember; • Whether the elected official will be meeting and networking with other elected officials from around the country to exchange ideas on topics of relevance to the City or on the official roles of local elected officials. • Whether the elected official will be viewing a city facility or function that is similar in nature to one that is currently operating at, or under consideration by the City where the purpose for the trip is to study the facility or function to bring back ideas for the consideration of the full Council. • Whether the elected official has been specifically assigned by the Council to visit another city for the purpose of establishing a goodwill relationship. • Whether the elected official has been specifically assigned by the Council to testify on behalf of the City at the United States Congress or to otherwise meet with federal officials on behalf of the City. • Whether the City has sufficient funding available in the budget to pay the cost of the trip. 2. No reimbursements will be made for attendance at events sponsored by or affiliated with political parties. 3. The City may make payments in advance for airfare, lodging and registration if specifically approved by the Council. Otherwise all payments will be made as reimbursements to the elected official.