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<br />City Council Study Session -11/15/04 <br />Minutes - Page 16 <br /> <br />8. City Travel Policy City Travel Policy <br />Finance Director Chris Miller provided a copy of the City's <br />policy on out-of-state training and national conferences. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder expressed confusion as to whether <br />this policy, or that revised by concurrent Council action, was <br />being adhered to, specifically based on the recent attendance by <br />multiple firefighters at an out-of-state conference. <br /> <br />Finance Director Miller advised that the policy, as provided in <br />Attachment A to the staff memo dated November 15,2004 was <br />the one being followed by staff. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder opined that he was under the <br />impression that the City Council, in recent years and since the <br />current policy's adoption in 1999, had provided for more <br />stringent restrictions on out-of-state travel. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets responded that staff had less money for in- <br />state, as well as out-of-state travel, and that budgetary disciplines <br />always applied, regardless of policy. Mr. Beets noted that policy <br />didn't create an entitlement to travel, but that within the City <br />Council allotment annually, his approach was consistent with the <br />policy, and on a case-by-case basis, there may be times when <br />more than one employee could attend a specific conference or <br />training session. Mr. Beets noted that, at times, due to <br />participation in conferences, fees may be waived or reduced, <br />allowing more employees to attend within budgetary constraints <br />and within the City Manager's and Department Head's <br />discretionary review. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing questioned whether Councilmember Schroeder <br />thought City Manager Beets was using discretion, or if there <br />were inconsistencies or a need to revise the current policy. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder noted, prior to Mayor Klausing's <br />term as Mayor, restrictions had been applied to travel of staff <br />and/or Council in an attempt to cut expenses. Councilmember <br />Schroeder opined that out-of-state travel was not really needed <br />and that conferences could be found in-state. <br />Councilmember Schroeder requested that future discussions <br />