2003-03-12 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Centerville City Council Meeting Minutes February 26, 2003 - Mayor Sweeney indicated that. when he had heard that an inquiry was m8.de to the State Auditor's Office he had asked the League of Minnesota Cities to send him information based on these types of expenditures. He read the following comments received from the League of Minnesota Cities indicating that the expenditures appropriate: ''The Office of the State Auditor (OSA's) report criticized Brooklyn Park for amounts spent on an annual. holiday part and an annual employee picnic. The Auditor also questioned amounts spent on food for employee meetings. The Auditor concluded that the expenditures did not further a public purpose and recommended that the city discontinue expending public funds for employee's social events. The OSA's report relied on an Attorney General's opinio~ from 1966, finding that "Any public benefit that might result from the proposed social event is too remote and speculative to justify this expenditure as being one for a public purpose." ''The League of Minnesota Cities offers sev~ observations regarding the statements made by the Office of the State Auditor and the Attorney General's Office is that whether a public purpose is served by expenditure by nature, is largely a matter properly left to the discretion of individual councils." ''We think a city council, as an employer, cOuld logically conclude that expenditures for employee events, including food at employee meetings, really have as their primary purpose, the creation of a more productive work force that better serves the interests of the citizens of the community." ''Each City Council should decide. whether it believes these types of employee benefits promote a public purpose and serve the best interest of the citizens of their community." ''With regard to the authority questions, a compelling argument can be made that such expenditures are a natural incident of the employer/employee relationship and that authority for such expenditure is implied as part of the authority to hire, retain and compensate employees." In conclusion; the League also stated that "courts accord a fair amount of deference to a city council's decision on municipal spending decisions. If a city council decides that it is appropriate to spend city funds on the types of expenditures discussed in this memorandum, we suggest that city councils spend time considering the issue and make their decisions only after thoughtful deliberation, considering all the practical, legal and political implications of its decision." Council Member Capra indicated that out of the amount budgeted for awards and presentations $100 was spent for the Lifetime Achievement awards and part of the money was set aside for the volunteer recognition dinner. She then indicated she had received several calls and told them it was a four (4) to one (1) vote and she believes it is against the law, in her opinion, and she would call the State Auditor and she followed through. . She further commented that she had one e-mail and two residents called and she told them itwas a non-issue and that they should contact other Council Members as she voted in the minority and could not recall the matter. She also commented that the reporter had asked her for her coniments. Council Member Paar indicated he had talked to Ms. Jen Haas at the Quad Community Press and apparently nothing he said was important because nothing he said was listed in Page 15 of20